-- Gil Fronsdal, "The Buddha before Buddhism: Wisdom from the Early
Teachings", published by Shambhala Publications
~
-Path of Accumulation
+I. Path of Accumulation
One who has the Mahayana family cultivates bodhicitta, receives teachings
from masters, and makes effort in the virtues until the heat of wisdom is
-- Gampopa, from "The Jewel Ornament of Liberation", published by Shambhala
Publications
~
-Path of Application
+II. Path of Application
The path of application begins after perfection of the path of
accumulation. It has four stages corresponding to the realization of the Four
~
if you can't beat them, join them, and subvert them from the inside.
-- fred t. hamster
-
+~
+regarding christmas cards...
+"i would create my own as a desktop publishing activity, with all new current
+stuff. but it's way too much effort. basically, i can either give you a
+present or make you a card. which do you prefer?"
+ -- thus spake slackathustra.
+~
+III. Path of Insight
+
+ The path of insight begins after the highest worldly dharma and consists
+of calm abiding as a basis for special insight focused on the Four Noble
+Truths. Four insights correspond to each of the Four Noble Truths, making a
+total of sixteen—eight patient acceptances and eight cognitions: the patient
+acceptance of the cognition of the dharma with respect to suffering, the
+cognition of the dharma with respect to suffering, the patient acceptance of
+the cognition that is the subsequent realization with respect to suffering,
+the cognition that is the subsequent realization with respect to suffering,
+and so forth.
+ Why is it called the path of insight? Because there, one realizes the
+Four Noble Truths which were not seen before. At this stage there are seven
+of the branches of enlightenment:
+ the perfect mindfulness branch,
+ the perfect discrimination branch,
+ the perfect perseverance branch,
+ the perfect joy branch,
+ the perfect relaxation branch,
+ the perfect absorption branch, and
+ the perfect equanimity branch.
+ -- The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, by Gampopa, published by Shambhala
+ Publications