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

Rating:
Summary: Good for a Study Group...
Review: An authoritative, if somewhat dry, presentation of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition from a Tibetan perspective. I have instigated the use of this book in a study group setting, in which people agreed to read a particular chapter and topic ahead of time. It was very useful in giving people an opportunity to bring their understanding and misunderstandings to the surface, to be clarified (or at least narrowed!) by discussion with others.

Rating:
Summary: A complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice
Review: 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.


Rating:
Summary: Classic Translated
Review: S. Gampopa was the primary disciple of the very famous Tibetan Yogi Milarepa (famed for his songs and the many legends about his accomplishments--such as reaching enlightenment after having murdered numerous people through black magic). Thus, this book is in the Kagyu lineage of Tilopa, Naropa... But, it's not primarily a Mahamudra (the highest teaching of the Kagyapas) book. It's more basic than that. It is certainly good to have the "classics" translated so as to be available to English speakers, but I think it would be more welcome to those who either are interested in the development of Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism), its mythology, or are thoroughly immersed in its ritual practices (e.g. gone native -- I don't meant this in a pejorative way). Personally, I plump for a more balanced view between East and West. Vajrayana has lots to teach us -- but not necessarily to convert to an Easterner. As for the Kagyu teachings, I like Mahamudra but am not much into the gradual Lam Rim teachings this book mostly addresses. Also, I believe one needs to preserve the dynamic range -- i.e. don't give 5 ratings to everything or the ratings become meaningless. The book does contain a few good quotes: page 144: "A Bodhisattva must always think: Today I will accumulate Merits and spiritual awareness and bring merits to all beings."
page 231, note #40: "Reality has nothing to do with the concepts we create about it and then believe to encompass it."
page 273: "Mind works for the benefit of others without premeditation."

Rating:
Summary: For a full understanding of the path to attain buddhahood
Review: This book is suggested, in my opinnion, for those people with a basic understanding of Buddhism. It should be a follow up to introductory texts, which explain some fundamental Buddhist beliefs and the system of thought from whence it comes.
This book is not written simply, and it is especially a text which should be studied in greater detail than say, a novel, becuase here are the rites of one path to awareness.
Ofcourse, some of the ideas are TOO MUCH, and one should be always be aware of the differences between our age and the age in which is was written, for back then times were different, teachers were less scarce, and the teachings far more accepted.
But this is a fundamental book which should be read. Take it with grain of salt, be aware, because it displays methods. And the results of those methods are what we are ultimately concerned with, things that change our perspectives, and in essence, ourselves.

Rating:
Summary: Crash Course to Enlightenment
Review: This book is suggested, in my opinnion, for those people with a basic understanding of Buddhism. It should be a follow up to introductory texts, which explain some fundamental Buddhist beliefs and the system of thought from whence it comes.
This book is not written simply, and it is especially a text which should be studied in greater detail than say, a novel, becuase here are the rites of one path to awareness.
Ofcourse, some of the ideas are TOO MUCH, and one should be always be aware of the differences between our age and the age in which is was written, for back then times were different, teachers were less scarce, and the teachings far more accepted.
But this is a fundamental book which should be read. Take it with grain of salt, be aware, because it displays methods. And the results of those methods are what we are ultimately concerned with, things that change our perspectives, and in essence, ourselves.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is an excellent book presenting the stages of the Mahayana path to all those interested in Buddhism. Written in the 1100's by Gampopa, a great Kagyu scholar, it is invaluable to all beginners and especially to those on the path. This book never gets old, and you can always use it as you proceed on the path. A wonderful achievement in spiritual literature, and a great gift to the English reader who does not have the ability to read the original Tibetan text.