Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand: A Concise Discourse on the Path to Enlightenment (Spiritual Classics) [Paperback]

Pabongka Rinpoche (Author), Trijang Rinpoche (Editor), Michael Richards (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Spiritual Classics | Publication Date: December 1, 1991

A classic guide for the study, practice and realization of Buddhist teachings.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Tibetan

Product Details

• Paperback: 980 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications; Revised edition, edition (December 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861711262
• ISBN-13: 978-0861711260
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,201,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone seriously interested in Tibetan Buddhism, August 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand: A Concise Discourse on the Path to Enlightenment (Spiritual Classics) (Paperback)

This is the most detailed explanation of the seminal A Lamp on the Path by the Indian master Atisha in the English Language. Pabongka Rinpoche was a renowned master, teacher to some of the most respected masters of Tibetan Buddhism of our time - Kyabje Trichang Rinpoche (junior tutor to the Dalai Lama and Kyabje Ling Rinpoche (senior tutor of the Dalai Lama and Ribur Rinpoche among others. One could not ask for a better teacher.

Drawing upon Lama Tsong Khapa's Great Stages of the Path (Lam Rim Chenmo), Pabongka Rinpoche elucidates all the main topics of meditation with anlaytical rigor and rich anecdotes, all the time, situating and linking his teaching to the vast corpus of the Buddha's teachings.

This is a PRACTICE text of the highest calibre and, as such, to truly derive its essence one must try out what Pabongka Rinpoche teaches for himself/herself.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Treasure Trove of Teachings, July 25, 2004

By 

Nessander - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand: A Concise Discourse on the Path to Enlightenment (Spiritual Classics) (Paperback)

This book intimidated me at first -- it's so large! And such a long teaching just on Lam Rim? However, the instant I started reading it, I was hooked in, and I've been at it non-stop ever since. I can safely say that no other book has provided me with as many eye-opening realizations as this one. Every few pages strikes a chord in me and helps me to understand on a deeper level the many aspects and facets of Lam Rim.

What is Lam Rim? It is "Stages of the Path" -- one of the central kinds of teachings in Tibetan Buddhism. In Buddhism, the goal is enlightenment -- to free oneself from suffering, and to help others free themselves as well. Yet the teachings of the Buddha are so voluminous and complex, that it is difficult for a beginning student to know where to start, what to study, what to practice, in what order, etc. For this reason, the great Indian master Atisha (10th-11th c.AD) composed the first Lam Rim text, which presented the entire path to Buddhahood, leaving nothing out, in a clear way, and in the correct order for practice. Since then, Lam Rim teachings have been central for most Tibetan schools of Buddhism. This systematic and clear approach is not found in most other schools of Buddhism.

In Lam Rim, one develops realizations along 3 major stages: Small Scope, Medium Scope, and Great Scope. In the first two, one develops a strong wish to free oneself from present and future sufferings, to achieve a state of total liberation and peace. In the third, one expands this through compassion to wish that all sentient beings may be in this liberated state.

Each stage involves contemplating and thinking about a number of different aspects of life and human experience. As one does so, one is almost guaranteed to start to see things more clearly. This will lead to a stronger wish for liberation, a more powerful compassion, and greater wisdom into the nature of reality. Thus, Lam Rim is really essential, especially for those who intend to practice Tantra, since it is like the base and foundation.

While there are many texts of Lam Rim, Pabongka Rinpoche's teaching is so direct, so clear, and filled with so many brilliant examples and stories, that it can be ranked among the best. In the Gelukpa school especially, it has become a classic that every student should read at least once. I hope it will benefit you greatly!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Auspicious, January 16, 2004

By 

Dao Quang (Highland, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand: A Concise Discourse on the Path to Enlightenment (Spiritual Classics) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book, an excellent set of instructions for a serious practicioner of the dharma. While a meditation retreat is preferrable, this book is second best as a great teaching of Je Tsongkapa's Lam Rim.
If you are an honest Buddhist practicioner, this book will not disappoint you. It will provide you with most beneficial instructions for your practice and study of the Lam Rim, including an excellent and extensive section on the Preparatory Rites. I recommend this dharma text, in fact, I would call it essential.
Your hearnest study of this book should benefit all sentient beings.
Om mani padme hum.
Be well.