Buddhist and Hindu tantra practice share many of the same methods, such as working with the energy-winds, channels and chakras of the subtle energy-system. The most distinctive differences between them are the ultimate aim of the practice and the understanding of reality.

Spiritual mentors lead others to behave and to think constructively in order for them to attain enlightenment. Disciples are those who are led to enlightenment by such persons through training in constructive behavior and thought.

A short introduction to how Buddhism spread from its beginnings in northern India to become the major belief system across much of Asia.

Corresponding to the two truths as defined in the Mahayana tenets, there are two bodhichitta aims: conventional and deepest.

Reaffirming the Motivation We need to have a proper motivation for listening to the teachings; otherwise we will miss an opportunity to build up a great deal of positive force and to incorporate this teaching in our mental continuum. We try not to be motivated by wanting...

Review of the Preparatory Practices  We have been looking at this text by the Fourth Panchen Lama called A Root Text for the Precious Gelug-Kagyu Tradition of Mahamudra, and we saw that after his salutation verses, and his presentation of what the subject matter of this...

Homage Verse and Verse 1 The Author, Atisha A Bodhisattva’s Garland of Gems (Skt. Bodhisattva-mani-avali) was written by the great Indian master Atisha (Atisha Dipamkarashrijnana, 982–1054). As a great Buddhist master at the Vikramashila Monastery, he was very concerned about...

An analysis of static phenomena, which are validly knowable and unaffected by causes and circumstances, and nonstatic phenomena, which are impermanent, changing from moment to moment.

Review We need to set the proper motivation; namely, that we wish to benefit all beings and to achieve a state of enlightenment in order to be able to do so. With this motivation, listen to these teachings on The Foundation for Good Qualities with the sincere wish to put them...

Understanding the Vaibhashika and Sautrantika assertions of the two truths serves as a steppingstone for understanding the assertions of the Chittamatra, Svatantrika and Prasangika tenet systems.