The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings [Paperback]

Gampopa (Author), Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 1998

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is a master work of Tibetan Buddhism.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Tibetan

From the Publisher

Translator's Introduction I pay homage to all root and lineage lamas! Please grant your blessings to me And to all sentient beings!

Dharma Lord Gampopa (1074-1153 C.E.), the author of THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION, was fully accomplished in the teachings and practice of Buddhism, the philosophy taught by Shakyamui Buddha circa 560 B.C.E. Gampopa studied the sutra system of training in the Kadampa lineage and obtained tantra training from the great saint Milarepa. Because he himself thus embodied the complete form of Buddhism, Lord Gampopa successfully established complete Buddhism in Tibet. His lineage of disciples pervaded the whole of Jambudvipa and became the crown jewel of all Buddhism.

He completed dispelled the darkness of confusion and reconciled all misunderstanding between the sutra and tantra systems. This is why, among Milarpa's disciples, he was declared to be "like the sun." In reality, it was as if the Buddha himself had manifested again in human form. Therefore, Gampopa's teachings are recognized asbeing wholly pure and precious.

Of the many important texts he wrote, THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION is probably the most significant. Gampopa said, "For anyone who wishes to see me, studying THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION and the PRECIOUS GARLAND OF THE EXCELLENT PATH is the same as meeting me." So, THE JEWEL ORNAMENT OF LIBERATION acts as Gampopa's regent in these times. In this book, you will find a complete form of Buddhism -- right from the starting point, the ground where you enter into the path, until you achieve Buddhahood and manifest activities for the benefit of infinite sentient beings.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 520 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications; First Edition edition (January 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559390921
• ISBN-13: 978-1559390927
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice, November 15, 2004

By 

Peacock Eye - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings (Paperback)

From the back cover: "This is a masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism. For more than eight centuries, this text has provided a complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice."

"Dharma Lord Gampopa (1074-1153) was the principle student of Milarepa. He brought two systems of teachings together: Atisha's Kadampa tradition and Naropa's Mahamudra tradition.

His teachings were said to be clear `like the sun'. "The Jewel Ornament of Liberation" is considered to be the most significant of his many texts."

What I particularly like about this work is the typical, clear format of each chapter:

* summery of the topic in a few words;

* reflection on the relevance of the topic;

* clear definition of the topic;

* classification of the topic;

* characteristics of each classification;

* increase: the virtue of practising this topic;

* perfection: signs of having perfected practising this topic;

* result: results of the fruition of attaining perfection.

One could not wish for a clearer exposition, from beginning to end of each topic.

This classic is a must-own for anyone seriously interested in Tibetan Buddhism.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For a full understanding of the path to attain buddhahood, April 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings (Paperback)

If you re interested in this book, I suggest you get it with a copy of Path to Buddhahood by Ringu Tulku, which is based chapter by chapter on Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation. If your only interested in getting one book & are new to buddhism, get the Path to Buddhahood first, It is more compact & puts the Jewel Ornament into our times & is still very concise. It will also generate extreme interest in the Jewel Ornament more (as well as buddhism itself) & your understanding of it will be much better.
The Jewel Ornament may be a little daunting to a newcomer, however, just to say simply, no one would be better to give you an understanding of Buddhism himself (other than an actual spiritual teacher, which the text gives you some practical advise on) than the Dharma Lord himself. Chapter by Chapter, if you, with diligence apply the given advise, will be able to follow down the path yourself Dont trust me though, have trust in the fact that actual Tibetan Lineages rely on this Lam Rim text themselves to teach & inspire there disciples. Do not doubt yourself either, this is the second step to attaining buddhahood, you already have the precious human form & all the other precious qualities, you have this life, this minute, you took the time to look here, you may never have another chance for a long long long time, get the book & you'll find out what Im talking about. You will soon realize how important it is for you (& all other beings)!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book when you know how to read it, February 8, 2008

By 

G. F. Germano (Bowling Green, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings (Paperback)

I tried to read Gunther's translation of Gampopa's classic, but was unable to relate to it. If it weren't for Ken McLeod's podcast of his Then And Now class (www.unfetteredmind.com/audio, then go to the Classes dropdown), this translation would fair no better with me. Ken's podcast classes are helping in my developing an experiential relationship with the subject matter. This book, although written in medieval Tibet, deals with the questions of human confusion and struggle that impact us today, and provide direction on freeing us of this confusion and struggle, especially when Ken's podcasts are used as a study guide.