The 10th level Bodhisattva, the Lord of Dharma, Gampopa Sonam Rinchen, prophecised by the Buddha and Guru Rinpoche, the sun-like heart son of Jetsun Milarepa, the father of the four greater and eight smaller lineages of the Kagyu tradition, was ground-breaking in so many ways.
His classic composition, Jewel Ornament of Liberation, is the earliest Tibetan example of a "lam-rim" text, a presentation of the steps needed on the path to enlightenment. It is also the earliest Tibetan "ten-rim", a presentation of the five paths and ten bodhisattva levels.
As something completely extraordinary for a lam-rim text, it introduces the tathagatagharba, the buddha nature, as the cause for enlightenment. The chapter on prajna, precise knowledge, where Gampopa points out mind by quoting not only sutra and shastra citations but also mahāsiddha songs, laid the foundation for the tradition called Sutra Mahāmudrā.
For now, you find teachings on this text from Copenhagen, August 1977; Ashdon, December 1977; La Poujade, Spring 1978; Athens, February 1980; Munich, March 1980; Brussels, July-August 1980; Bodhgaya February 1990; Karma Dzong, Boulder 1991, and Kagyu Thubten Choling, September 1994.
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