The Buddhist masterpiece Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sūtras, often referred to by its Sanskrit title, Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra, is part of a collection known as the Five Maitreya Teachings, a set of philosophical works that have become classics of the Indian Buddhist tradition. Maitreya, the Buddha’s regent, is held to have entrusted these profound and vast instructions to the master Asaṅga in the heavenly realm of Tuṣita.
The Ornament provides a comprehensive description of the bodhisattva’s view, meditation, and enlightened activities. Bodhisattvas are beings who, out of vast love for all sentient beings, have dedicated themselves to the task of becoming fully awakened buddhas, capable of helping all beings in innumerable and vast ways to become enlightened themselves. To fully awaken requires practicing great generosity, patience, energy, discipline, concentration, and wisdom, and Maitreya’s text explains what these enlightened qualities are and how to develop them. This volume includes commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham, whose discussions illuminate the subtleties of the root text and provide valuable insight into how to practice the way of the bodhisattva. Drawing on the Indian masters Vasubandhu and, in particular, Sthiramati, Mipham explains the Ornament with eloquence and brilliant clarity. This commentary is among his most treasured works.
MAITREYA and ASANGA are traditionally considered the progenitors of the Yogacara, one of two great currents of Mahayana view and practice. Their works have achieved the status of unique spiritual classics.
KHENPO SHENGA (1871-1927) contributed tremendously to the nonsectarian Rimé movement in Tibet. His commentaries on the classic Indian Buddhist treatises have become part of the core curriculum in numerous monastic colleges throughout Tibet and South Asia.
JU MIPHAM (1846-1912) displayed a universal genius as he wrote on all aspects of Buddhist theory and practice, as well as on the traditional sciences. He is one of the most influential figures to come out of the Tibetan tradition in recent centuries.
The DHARMACHAKRA TRANSLATION COMMITTEE is committed to making Buddhist classics available to modern readers in their native languages. It draws its inspiration from the vision, commitment, and magnificent achievements of past Buddhist translators.
The Buddhist masterpiece Ornament of the Great Vehicle Sūtras, often referred to by its Sanskrit title, Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra, is part of a collection known as the Five Maitreya Teachings, a set of philosophical works that have become classics of the Indian Buddhist tradition. Maitreya, the Buddha’s regent, is held to have entrusted these profound and vast instructions to the master Asaṅga in the heavenly realm of Tuṣita.
The Ornament provides a comprehensive description of the bodhisattva’s view, meditation, and enlightened activities. Bodhisattvas are beings who, out of vast love for all sentient beings, have dedicated themselves to the task of becoming fully awakened buddhas, capable of helping all beings in innumerable and vast ways to become enlightened themselves. To fully awaken requires practicing great generosity, patience, energy, discipline, concentration, and wisdom, and Maitreya’s text explains what these enlightened qualities are and how to develop them. This volume includes commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham, whose discussions illuminate the subtleties of the root text and provide valuable insight into how to practice the way of the bodhisattva. Drawing on the Indian masters Vasubandhu and, in particular, Sthiramati, Mipham explains the Ornament with eloquence and brilliant clarity. This commentary is among his most treasured works.
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MAITREYA and ASANGA are traditionally considered the progenitors of the Yogacara, one of two great currents of Mahayana view and practice. Their works have achieved the status of unique spiritual classics.
KHENPO SHENGA (1871-1927) contributed tremendously to the nonsectarian Rimé movement in Tibet. His commentaries on the classic Indian Buddhist treatises have become part of the core curriculum in numerous monastic colleges throughout Tibet and South Asia.
JU MIPHAM (1846-1912) displayed a universal genius as he wrote on all aspects of Buddhist theory and practice, as well as on the traditional sciences. He is one of the most influential figures to come out of the Tibetan tradition in recent centuries.
The DHARMACHAKRA TRANSLATION COMMITTEE is committed to making Buddhist classics available to modern readers in their native languages. It draws its inspiration from the vision, commitment, and magnificent achievements of past Buddhist translators.
