The Great Path of Awakening: The Classic Guide to Lojong, a Tibetan Buddhist Practice for Cultivating the Heart of Compassion (Shambhala Classics) (Paperback)

~ Jamgon Kongtrul (Author), (Translator)
Key Phrases: relative bodhicitta, mind training, time without beginning (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jamgon Kongtrul's commentary on the slogans is one of the best books I studied. I was relieved that Buddhism was so simple. You can just follow the book and do as it says, which is extraordinarily powerful and such a relief."—Chögyam Trungpa

Product Description

Here is a practical Buddhist guidebook that offers techniques for developing a truly compassionate heart in the midst of everyday life. For centuries, Tibetans have used fifty-nine pithy slogans—such as "A joyous state of mind is a constant support" and "Don't talk about others' shortcomings"—as a means to awaken kindness, gentleness, and compassion. While Tibetan Buddhists have long valued these slogans, recently they have become popular in the West due to such books as Start Where You Are by Pema Chödrön and Training the Mind by Chögyam Trungpa. This edition of The Great Path of Awakening contains an accessible, newly revised translation of the slogans from the famous text The Seven Points of Mind Training . It also includes illuminating commentary from Jamgon Kongtrul that provides further instruction on how to meet every situation with intelligence and an open heart.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (April 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590302141
• ISBN-13: 978-1590302149
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #59,936 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More advanced commentary on Lojong practice, August 8, 2006

By	J. A. Schanz - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Of the three guides to Lojong practice: Start Where You Are (by Pema Chödrön), Seven-Point Mind Training (by Alan B. Wallace), and Training the Mind (by Chögyam Trungpa), this one is more advanced in presentation and is more esoteric (Vajrayana) in nature. The other texts mentioned present the material more for the beginner. All of these texts are excellent.

This book is mentioned in "Training the Mind", and Chogyam Trungpa's comments appear on the rear cover of this book. It is a wonderful translation and the notes/glossary is helpful and extensive.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic, December 21, 2008

By	John S. Baker "Chela 01" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a book that I have known for decades in various editions. The material is pretty basic and advanced at the same time. The instructions are simple but it is hard to apply them on a regular basis. Exchanging my welfare for the welfare of others is the basic Buddhist teaching. You don't need much besides that. I study other texts and do other practices, but this is the basis of everything. I am a Buddhist to the extent I take refuge in Buddha and seek to promote the welfare of other beings. Sounds simple but it's not easy to do.

I hope you may come to treasure this book as I do.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To be the view, not to be reviewed, July 2, 2006

By	tom "tom" - See all my reviews

This spiritual classic is invaluable as a point of view from which to live life well.