Atisha’s lamp: finding a path through many teachings

Person and text · Historical introduction · 2 min read · Editorial retelling

Atisha thangka, Tibet, early to mid-12th century. The Met, Public Domain. The Met

Where should a learner begin among so many teachings? Atisha’s Lamp for the Path of Awakening offers a concise framework and became foundational to Tibetan lamrim literature. The lamp is a metaphor for guidance.

A beginner need not absorb an entire library at once. Establish foundations and proceed gradually. Lamrim is especially important in Gelug, while its influence extends across Tibetan traditions.

Source and original context →

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