The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is regarded by all Tibetan Buddhist schools as one of the most inspiring and comprehensive works of the tradition. Written by Gampopa (born 1079 CE), the main spiritual son of the great hermit Milarepa, this important text lays out the stages of the Buddhist path and explains how an enlightened attitude is strengthened by practicing the six perfections of generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation, and knowledge.

For the first time, this sometimes difficult text is made accessible to Western readers in a clear and engaging commentary. Tibetan teacher Ringu Tulku explores this classic work of Buddhist practice and philosophy with the playful and fresh style that has made him so popular among students of Buddhism. Using folksy examples and anecdotes, he brings this text to life, discussing topics such as:

• seeing through the illusions that cause us to suffer
• advice on acting with kindness, generosity, and patience
• instructions on how to put others first
• guidance for attaining peace and lasting compassion

Path to Buddhahood: Teachings on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation, Ringu Tulku, Shambhala Publications, Paperback, 184 pp., $22.95

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist Master of the Kagyu Order. He was trained in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism under many great masters such as HH the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and HH Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche. He took his formal education at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok and Sampurnananda Sanskrit University, Varanasi, India and has served as Professor of Tibetology in Sikkim for 17 years. His doctoral thesis was on the Ecumenical Movement in Tibet.

Since 1990 he has been traveling and teaching Buddhism and meditation at more than 50 Universities, Institutes and Buddhist Centres in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Asia. He also participates in various interfaith dialogues. He authored several books on Buddhism as well as some children's books both in Tibetan and European languages.

He founded Bodhicharya (www.bodhicharya.org), an international organization that coordinates the worldwide activities to preserve and transmit Buddhist teachings, to promote inter-cultural dialogues and educational & social projects. He also founded Rigul Trust which supports his projects in his birthplace, Rigul, Tibet ( www.rigultrust.org).

Rinpoche is the Official Representative of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa for Europe and the Founder of Karmapa Foundation Europe (www.karmapafoundation.eu).

CONTENTS: Path to Buddhahood
		Foreword			xi
		Preface			xv
		Acknowledgments			xix
		Homage to Manjushri			xxi
		Introduction			1
1.	THE CAUSE: Buddha Nature				7
2.	THE BASIS: A Precious Human Life				15
3.	THE CONDITION: The Spiritual Friend				23
		Why We Need a Spiritual Friend			24
		The Different Categories of Spiritual Friends			25
		The Qualities of Ordinary Spiritual Friends			26
		The Master-Disciple Relationship			27
		Receiving the Teachings in the Right Way			29
4.	THE METHOD: The Instructions of the Spiritual Friend				31
		First Antidote: Contemplating Impermanence			32
		Second Antidote			37
			Contemplating the Misery of Samsara		37
			Understanding Karma		44
		Third Antidote: Love and Compassion			50
			The Development of Loving-Kindness		51
			The Development of Compassion
		Fourth Antidote: Bodhichitta			64
			The Bodhichitta of Aspiration		67
			Refuge		67
				Taking Refuge in the Buddha	68
				Taking Refuge in the Dharma	70
				Taking Refuge in the Sangha	70
				The Three Kayas	72
				The Refuge Ceremony	74
			The Bodhichitta of Commitment		76
			The Bodhisattva Vows		76
			Instructions for Developing the Bodhichitta of Commitment: The Six Paramitas		80
				First Paramita: Generosity	82
				Second Paramita: Ethics or Right Conduct	87
				Third Paramita: Forbearance	88
				Fourth Paramita: Diligence	93
				Fifth Paramita: Meditation	99
				Sixth Paramita: Wisdom	108
			The Five Levels of the Bodhisattva Path		138
				Accumulation	139
				Integration	140
				Insight	141
				Meditation	142
				Complete Accomplishment	142
			The Ten Bodhisattva Levels		143
5.	THE RESULT: Perfect Buddhahood				149
6.	The Activities of a Buddha				163
		Conclusion			169
		Dedication of Merit			171
		Notes			173
		Index			179