In Practical Ethics and Profound Emptiness Khensur Jampa Tegchok walks us carefully through a classic of Indian Buddhist philosophy, explaining the implications of its philosophical arguments and grounding its advice in a recognizable day-to-day world. In Precious Garland, the source text for this commentary, Nagarjuna advises his patron king on how best to take advantage of human life to secure a happy rebirth in the next life while making progress toward the goal of enlightenment. Known primarily for his incisive presentation of emptiness, here Nagarjuna shows his wise understanding of how to navigate the intricacies of worldly life to balance everyday needs with spiritual practice. Loaded with equal measures of penetrating explanations of the highest reality and inspiring encouragement towards the bodhisattva practices, Practical Ethics and Profound Emptiness makes the case for living a thoughtful, morally upright life in the world to achieve immediate and ultimate spiritual goals.
Practical Ethics and Profound Emptiness: A Commentary on Nagarjuna's Precious Garland, Jampa Tegchok, Wisdom Publications, Paperback, 420 pages, $22.95
Born in 1930, Khensur Jampa Tegchok became a monk at the age of eight. He studied major Buddhist treatises at Sera Monastic University in Tibet for fourteen years before fleeing his homeland in 1959. The former abbot of the Je College of Sera Monastic University in India, he was also a beloved teacher at several FPMT centers including the Masters Program at Instituto Lama Tsongkhapa in Italy, Land of Medicine Buddha in California, and Nalanda Monastery in France.
Venerable Thubten Chodron (editor) is an author, teacher, and the founder and abbess of Sravasti Abbey, the only Tibetan Buddhist training monastery for Western nuns and monks in the US. She graduated from UCLA, and did graduate work in education at USC. Ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun in 1977, she has studied extensively with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche, and Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche.
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Editor's Preface
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vii
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Introduction
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3
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I. Higher Rebirth and Highest Good
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11
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1. Starting on the Path to Happiness and Liberation
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13
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2. The Advantages of Ethical Living and a Fortunate Life
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27
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3. The Path to Liberation and Full Awakening
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45
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4. Refuting Inherent Existence and Establishing Emptiness
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91
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II. An Interwoven Explanation of the Causes and Effects of Higher Rebirth and the Highest Good
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135
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5. Delving into the Profound
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137
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6. Taming Attachment and Understanding the Qualities of Buddhahood
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169
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III. The Collections for Awakening
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201
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7. Joyfully Taking up the Boundless Work of a Bodhisattva
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203
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8. Advice for Gathering Merit and Gaining Wisdom
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225
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9. The Fruits of Merit and Wisdom
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249
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IV. Royal Policy: Instructions on the Practices of a Monarch
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265
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10. Practical Advice for Leaders
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267
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11. Spiritual Wisdom for Powerful People
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289
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V. Practices of a Boddhisattva
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327
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12. Abandoning Afflictions and Cultivating Goodness
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329
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13. Excellent Qualities of the Ten Bodhisattva Grounds
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351
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14. The Magnificent Qualities of a Buddha
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371
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15. Closing Words of Advice
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387
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Glossary
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395
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Further Reading
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403
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Index
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405
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About the Author
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423
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