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The Joyful Path of Good Fortune: Entering the Mahayana

This is an outline summarizing the condensed meaning of the chapter "Entering the Mahayana" in the Lam Rim book "The Joyful Path of Good Fortune" by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (Tharpa Publications, 2nd rev. ed., 1995). It is a restructuring of a portion of the book's appendix "The Condensed Meaning of the Text."

The square brackets enclose the outline key (e.g. "[4.1.2]" means "the second part, of the first part, of the fourth part"). This page is available as a PDF document.

Training the mind in the stages of the path of a person of great scope.&nbsp[4.2.2.3] p.381

  1. Why we need to enter the Mahayana. [4.2.2.3.1]
  2. The benefits of bodhichitta. [4.2.2.3.2]p.382
    1. We enter the gateway to the Mahayana. [4.2.2.3.2.1] p.384
    2. We become a Son or Daughter of the Buddhas. [4.2.2.3.2.2]
    3. We surpass Hearers and Solitary Realizers. [4.2.2.3.2.3] p.385
    4. We become worthy to receive offerings and prostrations from humans and gods. [4.2.2.3.2.4] p.386
    5. We easily accumulate a vast amount of merit. [4.2.2.3.2.5]
    6. We quickly destroy powerful negativities. [4.2.2.3.2.6] p.387
    7. We fulfill all our wishes. [4.2.2.3.2.7] p.388
    8. We are free from harm by spirits and so forth. [4.2.2.3.2.8]
    9. We accomplish all the spiritual grounds and paths. [4.2.2.3.2.9] p.390
    10. We have a state of mind that is the source of peace and happiness for all beings. [4.2.2.3.2.10]

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Context

  1. Explanation of the pre-eminent qualities of the author, showing that the instructions of Lamrim are authentic. [1] p.5
  2. Explanation of the pre-eminent qualities of Lamrim to inspire faith and respect for the Lamrim instructions. [2] p.17
  3. Explanation of how to listen to and teach Dharma. [3] p.25
  4. Explanation of the actual instructions of the stages of the path to enlightenment. [4] p.39
    1. How to rely upon a Spiritual Guide, the root of spiritual paths. [4.1] p.39
    2. How to take the essence of our human life. [4.2] p.121
      1. How to develop the determination to take the essence of our precious human life. [4.2.1]
      2. Training the mind in the actual methods for taking the essence of our precious human life. [4.2.2] p.139
        1. Training the mind in the stages of the path of a person of initial scope. [4.2.2.1] p.144
        2. Training the mind in the stages of the path of a person of intermediate scope. [4.2.2.2] p. 267
        3. Training the mind in the stages of the path of a person of great scope. [4.2.2.2] p. 381