Khenchen Sherab's Centers

SAKYA DHARMA FAMILY

THUS HAVE I HEARD

Upon the request of the Sachen Foundation, His Holiness 42 Sakya Gongma Trizin Rinpoche bestowed a series of teachings on “A Garland of Jewels” by Drogön Chögyal Phagpa. Khenchen Sherab's Centers joined this wonderful initiative by running a multi-language study program from September to November 2021, and by preparing subtitles for the teaching videos in some of our centers' local languages.

The Sachen Foundation uploaded these precious teachings to the Teachable Platform and made them publically available, free of charge, so you can listen or re-listen to them at your own pace and in your own language. Here is the list of currently available languages (new ones will be added):

“A Garland of Jewels” by Drogön Chögyal Phagpa

COMPLETE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Text

A Garland of Jewels by Chogyal Phagpa. This text is included in the pubblication Freeing the Heart and Mind, Part Two (Wisdom Pubblications; also available as an e-book here), which contains the root text and a commentary by H.H. 41 Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche. Translations of the root text are available in Italian, French, German, and Dutch upon request.

About the author and his text

This celebrated text was written by Chogyal Phagpa, a founding father of the Sakya school, who became the first imperial preceptor under Kublai Khan and thus converted the Mongols to Tibetan Buddhism. A Garland of Jewels was composed as a manual of instructions for the 13th century Mongol Prince Gibek Timur. It covers the entire Buddhist path, from the level of a beginner to that of full enlightenment. The first part of the teaching provides guidance for a good life; the second one outlines the path for liberation and the final part - the distinctive features of the Mahayana path.

Text outline and further study references

Homage

Verses

Preparation and praise

I. WORLDLY ADVICE

Optional good reads on the topic:

- Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend

- Sakya Pandita’s Sakya Lekshe

- Sakya Pandita's Treasury of Good Advice

Worldly and spiritual wealth

Worldly happiness and dependence on parents and the Buddha

How to relate to others

Being exemplary in one’s conduct

Developing determination

Skillful worldly means: peace

How to exercise power and rule the country

Wealth

Sense pleasures

Examining one’s actions

Summary

II. BEYOND WORLDLY ADVICE - HINAYANA

Optional good reads on the topic:
- Vasubandhu’s Treasury of Abhidharma

- Additional in-depth study: Roadmap for the Path study program

Relying on a spiritual teacher

Optional good reads:

- Kalamata Sutra

- Gampopa’s Ornament of Precious Liberation

- Tsongkhapa’s Lamrim

Refuge

Optional good reads:

- Sakya Pandita's Clarifying the Sage’s Intent

Objects and causes of refuge according to Hinayana

Ethical discipline: precepts of individual liberation

Wisdom of hearing & contemplation

Meditation: suffering & origin of suffering

Meditation: to overcome specific obstacles and insight

Paths & skillful means
III. BEYOND WORLDLY ADVICE - MAHAYANA

Optional good reads:

- Sakya Pandita's Clarifying the Sage’s Intent

- Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrup’s Beautiful Ornament of the Three Visions

Need for great skillful means: caring for others

Mahayana refuge

Cause and objects of refuge according to Mahayana
Conventional bodhicitta

Conventional bodhicitta: beginningless samsara

Conventional bodhicitta: loving-kindness & compassion

Conventional bodhicitta: wishing and aspiring bodhicitta

Ultimate bodhicitta: realization of emptiness

Optional good reads:

- Kamalashila's Light on the Middle Way

- Mipham's commentary to Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara

Skillful means & accumulation of merit

Six perfections

Four means of gathering disciples

Paths and stages

Fruition: the kayas & qualities of buddhahood

Fruition: the wisdoms of buddhahood

Unceasing Buddha & Dharma

Conclusion

Recordings

Study topics and reference materials