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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:
- 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