Gampopa's teachings can be summarized into four ways or particulars of how a practitioner gradually progresses, as well as what it really takes for a dharma practitioner who has the aspiration to really become a successful dharma practitioner and get closer to realization. This is known as Dhakpo cho jye, which means something like four dharmas of Gampopa or four teachings of Gampopa. The first teaching is our mind turns towards the dharma, the second, our dharma practice is without obstacle, then the third, the path, the practice of dharma is to clear delusion or illusion. Then the last or conclusion of the four teachings is delusion dawns as wisdom. Also included in the book are the four obstacles to enlightenment: first, attachment to the things that are related with this life (which we all have); second is attachment to the pleasure of samsara at large; third is attachment to the pleasure of nirvana at large; then the fourth is not knowing and being ignorant of the ways and means of true liberation, enlightenment. The last part of this book is the four remedies to help us overcome each one of the four obstacles. The four remedies are understanding and contemplation of impermanence, karma and the suffering of samsara, and development of loving kindness and compassion and bodhichitta.

The lineage of the Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpas is one of the most renowned in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhist. The Mahapandita the eighth Kenting Tai Situ Choekyi Jungney established the Palpung Monastic Seat which then became the seat of the Marpa Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages and the source of inspiration of all eight major lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. The present Kenting Tai Situpa, the twelfth, was recognized at an early age and enthroned at Palpung monastic Seat in East Tibet by the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa. The present Kenting Tai Situpa is the founder and Supreme Spiritual Head of Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat, situated in the northern Indian Province of Himachal Pradesh and continues the traditions of the profound unbroken practice lineage of the Great Tai Situpas and as a renowned Buddhist teacher is training the next generation of Buddhist masters including the seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje. As a highly sought after Buddhist master he tours widely giving teachings and empowerments at the request of monasteries and dharma centers around the world. On a more personal level, the present Tai Situpa is a scholar, poet, calligrapher, artist, author, architect and geomancer.

	Contents: ESSENTIAL TEACHINGS OF GAMPOPA by Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa
	1. The Four Teachings of Gampopa	9
	May My Mind Turn Towards the Dharma	10
	May Dharma Progress Along the Path	18
	May the Path Clarify Confusion	23
	May Confusion Dawn as Wisdom	29
	2. The Four Obstacles to Enlightenment	37
	Attachment to the Things Related to This Life	39
	Attachment to the Pleasure of Samsara	40
	Attachment to the Pleasure of Nirvana	44
	Not Knowing the Ways and Means of Liberation	47
	3. The Four Remedies to the Four Obstacles	49
	Impermanence	49
	Karma and the Suffering of Samsara	53
	Loving-kindness and Compassion	55
	Bodhichitta	57
	4. Summary of the Four Obstacles & Four Remedies	71
	Notes	113
	About Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa	116