On the Path to Enlightenment - by Matthieu Ricard (Paperback)

About the Book

"This anthology reflects the different stages of the spiritual journey in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, as told through a dynamic selection of teachings from the great masters of all times. Best-selling author Matthieu Ricard was inspired to put together this compilation by a meeting he had with the Tibetan spiritual master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who told the author, "When one realizes the depth of view of the various schools of Tibetan Buddhism and we see also that they all lead to the same goal without contradicting each other, we see that only ignorance can lead us to adopt a sectarian view." With that in mind, Ricard has gathered pith teachings from the masters of all times and traditions to illuminate the path: the view, meditation, and action. The book is broken into four sections: Turning the mind to the path, The foundations of the practice, The path, Removing obstacles. Each of these is broken down into parts--for example, taking refuge, the six perfections, deepening the practice--as taught by a vast array of meditation masters from every tradition"--

Book Synopsis

An anthology of the most inspiring and instructive texts on spiritual enlightenment from great Tibetan masters--handpicked by a best-selling author and Tibetan Buddhist monk

Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard has selected and translated some of the most profound and inspiring teachings from the eight traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. The selected teachings are from the Buddha himself, Nagarjuna, Guru Rinpoche, Atisha, Shantideva, and Asanga; the great masters of the past, Thogme Zangpo, the Fifth Dalai Lama, Milarepa, Longchenpa, and Sakya Pandita; and contemporary masters, including the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and Mingyur Rinpoche. The teachings address such topics as:

- The nature of the mind
- The foundations of taking refuge, generating altruistic compassion, acquiring merit, and following a teacher
- View, meditation, and action
- How to remove obstacles and make progress on the Buddhist path

Inspired by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Ricard creates his anthology with Khyentse's religious philosophy in mind: "When we come to appreciate the depth of the view of the eight great traditions [of Tibetan Buddhism] and also see that they all lead to the same goal without contradicting each other, we think, 'Only ignorance can lead us to adopt a sectarian view.'"

About the Author

Matthieu Ricard is a former scientist who gave up that life to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk. He is the Dalai Lama's interpreter in French, has translated numerous Buddhist texts, and is the author of The Quantum and the Lotus, Journey to Enlightenment, and, with Jean-François Revel, The Monk and the Philosopher.