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Lamrim - The Stages of the Path
Lamrim means the stages of the path to enlightenment. It is a special set of instructions that includes all the essential teachings of Buddha, structured in a comprehensive way that is easy to understand and put into practice.

The Lamrim presentation lies at the very heart of Kadampa Buddhism.The Lamrim instructions were compiled by the great Buddhist Master Atisha, an Indian scholar and meditator who was invited to Tibet by King Jangchub Ö in AD 1042 and became one of the main figures in bringing Buddhism to Tibet.		 Dromtonpa, Atisha's foremost disciple
Dromtonpa, Atisha's foremost disciple
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There is a completely unbroken lineage of these Lamrim instructions from Buddha Shakyamuni down to our present day Spiritual Guides.

The instructions of Lamrim are easy to understand and practice, and can readily be applied to solving the problems of daily life. If we gain deep experience of Lamrim there will be no basis for these problems; we shall be able to solve them through the power of our inner peace.

First we must understand the benefits that Lamrim offers, and develop a strong desire to practice it. Then by joyfully and patiently doing these meditations we shall gradually experience the fruits of Lamrim practice.

Eventually we shall attain freedom from all suffering and the unchanging peace and happiness of enlightenment.

There are 21 Lamrim meditations, which are usually practiced in a three-week cycle as a daily meditation practice:

  1. Our precious human life
  2. Death and impermanence
  3. The danger of lower rebirth
  4. Refuge practice
  5. Actions and their effects
  6. Developing renunciation for samsara
  7. Developing equanimity
  8. Recognizing that all living beings are our mothers
  9. Remembering the kindness of living beings
  10. Equalizing self and others
  11. The disadvantages of self-cherishing
  12. The advantages of cherishing others
  13. Exchanging self with others
  14. Great compassion
  15. Taking
  16. Wishing love
  17. Giving
  18. Bodhichitta
  19. Tranquil abiding
  20. Superior seeing
  21. Relying upon a Spiritual Guide
These meditations, along with instructions on how to practice and essential background material can be found in The New Meditation Handbook. An extensive presentation of Lamrim can be found in Geshe Kelsang's book (available at tharpa.co.uk) Joyful Path of Good Fortune.

If you would like to attend meditation classes near you and learn about Buddhism, visit the main website for Kadampa Buddhism which has details of Buddhist Centres around the world.

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© 2009 Heruka Centre & New Kadampa Tradition. All rights reserved worldwide. Books on Buddhism & meditation by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
13 Woodstock Road, London NW11 8ES, UK. Tel: 020 8455 7563. London-based Buddhist centre teaching meditation & Buddhism in London.