The Six Perfections
Commentary by the Venerable Geshe Doga
Translated by Sandup Tsering
Outline with links to transcripts, discussions, and tests
Tara Institute
3 Mavis Avenue
East Brighton 3187
The Six Perfections
Commentary by the Venerable Geshe Doga
Translated by Sandup Tsering
Outline with links to transcripts, discussions, and tests
Tara Institute
3 Mavis Avenue
East Brighton 3187
Commentary by the Venerable Geshe Doga
The commentary of the Venerable Geshe Doga Geshe Doga was based on the second volume of The Great Treatises on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lamrim Chenmo) by Lama Tsongkhapa. Hyperlinks in the outline link to Geshe Doga’s teachings. The heading texts and page numbers are based on the English Lamrim Chenmo text edited by Joshua Cutler and Guy Newland.
Figure 1: The Lamrim Chenmo heading from which this commentary starts.
Chapter 8: Training in the Mahayana: Precepts and Perfections
Explanation of the process of learning the precepts {iii); p. 102}
How to train in the Mahäyäna in general {a'; p. 102}
Establishing the desire to learn the precepts of the spirit of enlightenment {1'; p. 102}
Taking the vows of the conquerors' children after establishing the desire to learn the precepts {2'; p. 103}
How to train after taking the vows {3'; p. 103}
What the precepts are based upon {a"; p. 103}
How all the precepts are included in the six perfections {b"; p. 104}
A discussion of the main topic, the fixed number of perfections {1"; p. 104}
The fixed number of perfections based on high status {(a); p. 104}
The fixed number of perfections based on fulfilling the two aims {(b); p. 105}
The fixed number of perfections based on perfecting the complete fulfillment of others aims {(c); p. 107}
The fixed number of perfections based on their subsuming the entire Mahayana {(d); p. 107}
The fixed number of perfections in terms of the completeness of paths or method {(e); p. 108}
The fixed number of perfections based on the three trainings {(f); p. 109}
An ancillary discussion of the fixed order of the perfections {2"; p. 11}
The order of arising {(a); p. 111}
The order in terms of inferior and superior {(b); p. 111}
The order in terms of coarse and subtle {(c); p. 111}
Chapter 9: The Perfection of Generosity
The process of learning the perfections {c"; p. 113}
How to train in the bodhisattva deeds in general {1"; p. 114}
What generosity is {(a'); p. 114}
How to begin the development of generosity {(b'); p. 115}
The divisions of generosity {(c'); p. 120}
How everyone should practice it {(1'); p. 121}
Divisions of generosity relative to particular persons {(2'); p. 121}
Divisions of actual generosity {(3'); p. 122}
The gift of the teachings {(a"); p. 122}
The gift of fearlessness {(b"); p. 122}
Material gifts {(c"); p. 122}
The generosity of actually giving material things {(1"); p. 122}
How to give away material things {(a)); p. 123}
Recipients of giving {(1)); p. 123}
What kind of motivation is required {(a')); p. 123}
What kind of motivation must be eliminated {(b')); p. 124}
Chapter 10: How to Give
How to give {(3)); p. 128}
How not to give {(a')); p. 128}
How to give {(b')); p. 128}
Things to give {(4)); p. 130}
Brief presentation of the things which are and are not to be given {(a')); p. 130}
Detailed explanation of the things which are and are not to be given {(b')); p. 130}
Detailed explanation about inner things which are and are not to be given {(1')); p. 130}
Inappropriate giving from the viewpoint of time {(a")); p. 131}
Inappropriate giving from the viewpoint of purpose {(b")); p. 131}
Inappropriate giving from the viewpoint of the one who asks for something {(c")); p. 132}
Detailed explanation about outer things which are and are not to be given {(2')); p. 132}
How not to give outer things {(a")); p. 132}
Inappropriate giving from the viewpoint of time {(1")); p. 132}
Inappropriate giving from the viewpoint of the gift {(2")); p. 133}
Inappropriate giving from the viewpoint of the person {(3")); p. 134}
Inappropriate giving from the viewpoint of material things {(4"))}
Inappropriate giving from the viewpoint of purpose {(5")); p. 136}
How to give outer things {(b")); p. 136}
What to do if you are unable to give {(b)); p. 137}
Relying on the remedies for the hindrances to generosity {(c)); p. 138}
The hindrance of not being used to generosity {(1)); p. 139}
The hindrance of declining fortune {(2)); p. 139}
The hindrance of attachment {(3)); p. 139}
The hindrance of not seeing the goal {(4)); p. 139}
The generosity which is just mental {(2"); p. 140}
A summary {(d'); p. 140}
Chapter 11: The Perfection of Ethical Discipline
How to train in the perfection of ethical discipline {(ii); p. 143}
What ethical discipline is {(a'); p. 143}
How to begin the cultivation of ethical discipline {(b'); p. 144}
The divisions of ethical discipline {(c'); p. 148}
The ethical discipline of restraint {(1'); p. 148}
The ethical discipline of gathering virtue {(2'); p. 148}
The ethical discipline of acting for the welfare of living beings {(3'); p. 148}
How to practice {(d'); p. 150}
A summary {(e'); p. 150}
Chapter 12: The Perfection of Patience
How to train in the perfection of patience {(iii); p. 152}
What patience is {(a'); p. 152}
How to begin the cultivation of patience {(b'); p. 153}
The divisions of patience {(c'); p. 159}
Developing the patience of disregarding harm done to you {(1'); p. 159}
Stopping impatience with those who harm you {(a"); p. 159}
Stopping impatience with those who prevent your happiness and with those who cause you to suffer {(1"); p. 160}
Showing that anger is unjustified 160 {(a))}
On analysis of the object, anger is unjustified {(1)); p. 160}
On analysis of whether the object has self-control, anger is unjustified {(a')); p. 160}
On analysis for either adventitiousness or inherency, anger is unjustified {(b')); p. 162}
On analysis of whether the harm is direct or indirect, anger is unjustified {(c')); p. 163}
On analysis of the cause that impels the harmdoers, anger is unjustified {(d')); p. 163}
On analysis of the subject, anger is unjustified {(2)); p. 164}
On analysis of the basis, anger is unjustified {(3)); p. 165}
Analysing the causes of harm and where the fault lies {(a')); p. 165}
Analysing your commitment {(b')); p. 165}
Showing that compassion is appropriate {(b)); p. 166}
Stopping impatience with those who prevent your praise, fame, or honour, and with those who have contempt for you, or say offensive or unpleasant things to you {(2"); p. 166}
Stopping impatience with those who prevent three things-praise, fame, or honour {(a)); p. 166}
Reflection on how praise and so forth lack good qualities {(1)); p. 167}
Reflection on how praise and so forth have faults {(2)); p. 167}
The need to delight in those who prevent praise and so forth {(3)); p. 167}
Stopping impatience with those who do three things to you-have contempt for you or say offensive or unpleasant things to you {(b)); p. 168}
Stopping both dislike for harmdoers attainments and delight in their troubles {(b"); p. 170}
Developing the patience of accepting suffering {(2'); p. 172}
The reason you must definitely accept suffering {(a"); p. 172}
The way to develop acceptance {(b"); p. 173}
Rejecting the idea that when suffering occurs it is absolutely unpleasant {(1"); p. 173}
Showing that it is appropriate to accept suffering {(2"); p. 173}
Reflecting on the good qualities of suffering {(a)); p. 174}
Reflecting on the advantages of bearing sufferings hardships {(b)); p. 174}
Reflecting on the crucial benefits such as liberation, etc. {(1)); p. 174}
Reflecting on the benefit of dispelling immeasurable suffering {(2)); p. 175}
How it is not difficult to bear suffering if you gradually grow accustomed to it, starting with the small {(c)); p. 176}
A detailed explanation from the viewpoint of the bases {(c"); p. 177}
Developing the patience of certitude about the teachings {(3'); p. 178}
How to practice {(d'); p. 179}
A summary {(e'); p. 179}
Chapter 13: The Perfection of Joyous Perseverance
How to train in the perfection of joyous perseverance {(iv); p. 182}
What joyous perseverance is {(a'); p. 182}
How to begin the practice of joyous perseverance {(b'); p. 182}
The divisions of joyous perseverance {(c'); p. 184}
The actual divisions {(1'); p. 184}
Armor-like joyous perseverance {(a"); p. 184}
Joyous perseverance of gathering virtue {(b"); p. 185}
Joyous perseverance of acting for the welfare of living beings {(c"); p. 186}
The method of developing joyous perseverance {(2'); p. 186}
Eliminating unfavourable conditions that prevent joyous perseverance {(a"); p. 186}
Identifying factors incompatible with joyous perseverance {(1"); p. 186}
Employing the methods to eliminate the incompatible factors {(2"); p. 187}
Stopping the laziness of procrastination {(a)); p. 187}
Stopping attachment to ignoble activities {(b)); p. 187}
Stopping discouragement or self-contempt {(c)); p. 188}
Stopping discouragement about the goal {(1)); p. 188}
Stopping discouragement about the means to attain the goal {(2)); p. 190}
Stopping discouragement because wherever you are is a place to practice {(3)); p. 191}
Gathering the forces of the favourable conditions {(b"); p. 195}
Developing the power of aspiration {(1"); p. 195}
Developing the power of steadfastness {(2"); p. 196}
Developing the power of joy {(3"); p. 199}
The power of relinquishment {(4"); p. 201}
Based on the elimination of unfavourable conditions and the accumulation of favourable conditions, being intent on joyously persevering {(c"); p. 201}
How to use joyous perseverance to make the mind and body serviceable {(d"); p. 205}
How to practice {(d'); p. 206}
A summary {(e'); p. 206}
Chapter 14: The Perfections of Meditative Stabilization and Wisdom
How to train in the perfection of meditative stabilization {(v); p. 209}
What meditative stabilization is {(a'); p. 210}
How to begin the cultivation of meditative stabilization {(b'); p. 210}
The divisions of meditative stabilization {(c'); p. 210}
How to practice {(d'); p. 211}
A summary {(e'); p. 211}
How to train in the perfection of wisdom {(vi); p. 211}
What wisdom is {(a'); p. 211}
How to begin the generation of wisdom {(b'); p. 212}
The divisions of wisdom {(c'); p. 222}
Wisdom that knows the ultimate {(1'); p. 222}
Wisdom that knows the conventional {(2'); p. 222}
Wisdom that knows how to act for the welfare of living beings {(3'); p. 222}
How to practice {(d'); p. 223}
A summary {(e'); p. 223}
Chapter 15: Helping Others to Mature: The Four Ways to Gather Disciples
Training in the four ways to gather disciples that help others to mature {(b); p. 225}
What the four ways to gather disciples are {(i); p. 225}
The reason they are stipulated as four {(ii); p. 226}
Their functions {(iii); p. 226}
The need for those who gather a following to rely on them {(iv); p. 227}
A somewhat elaborate explanation {(v); p. 227}