Author’s
note
The Way to Nirvana
This
book was principally born as a result of a spontaneous action taken
by Anna and Giovanni. Initially they did simply recording and
transcribing some lectures when they were just begun to attend a
serial of lectures (except
the first chapter “BUDDHISM’ which composed for presenting a
public conference had held in Padua city and the eight chapter
“Compassion and Wisdom” of a conference held at Simmetria centre
- Roma)
I was giving at Centro Tara Bianca - Roma in 1999 - 2000. Gradually
their interest has been increased and eventually they took an
initiative for producing a book out of the transcribed materials.
Due
to a volunteer initiative the recorded material were partial and
contains are limited. Also since I don’t read Italian, no
modifications have been given. The
lectures had given in English and translated in to Italian by our
friend Guglielmo. As regular classes the lectures had no much
preparation undertaken and my limited knowledge of English has caused
lots of fragments to be explored great details of philosophical
points. Despite all those limitations we did try our best to work
through out book to check the Italian, Tibetan, Sanskrit and Pali
vocabularies. To complete certain titles, we arranged some specific
lectures with in the circle of Lam-rim Institute program, which took
place at Foundation Maitreya- Rome. The last chapter on six paramita
is transcription of a weekend course took at Milarepa Center; Torino
was voluntarily transcribed by Mr. Carlo Francesco Conti and Mrs.
Lia. I admired their joyous effort.
A
mystical character has occurred to this book is the all richness and
the unique quality of the book has mainly laid on my limitations. My
poor English has presented very simple and an accessible Buddhism to
the ordinary readers. No given modification has left a natural and
original dharma version. The lectures mostly given without
preparation has brought a real core of dharma as came directly from
the heart rather taken from books and notes.
To
brief the contents, I tried to present a profound yet very simple
vision of the fundamental concepts of Buddhism, irrespective specific
tradition. My scope is to pick up the essence of Buddhist thoughts
and meditation skills without taking the individual tradition’s
back grounded cultural influences. I did try to illustrate here a
clear, pure and modest manner of Buddhism that easily and practically
can be integrated in and helpful to simplify every day life of
today’s sophisticated inter-net society.
I
believe this could help to fulfil an unavoidable natural tendency
many people having towards Buddhist thoughts and practices. I hope
with gaining short term and long term outcomes of the Dharma will
allow many people could enjoy a meaningful life with satisfaction and
peace, yet with out being lost richness of dominated cultural
identity, great respect to all religious traditions and admiration
toward social harmony.
Finally,
I would like to acknowledge my grateful and admiration toward
humanist Mrs. Anna Maria Tomasino, and Dr. Giovianni Leberti for
their long painstaking efforts has been cared in order to be realised
this dharma book. Thanks to Zen monk Guglielmo Capelli for
translating and given initial corrections. Thanks to Theravada Bikshu
Ven. Chandpalo, the abbot of Santacittarama monastery and Maria
Angela Fala, the president of Italian Buddhist Union for proof
reading. Thanks to Maurizio Bevilacqua for editing and Mr. Franco Del
Moro, the director of Associazione Letteraria "Ellio Selae"
for the publication. Thanks to my friends throughout the world for
their gentleness of co-operating all my virtuous initiatives.
May all beings will meet their
peace and happiness.
Gedun Tharchin
Rome,
May 2003
The
path to Nirvana
THE DHARMA, BUDDHA’S TEACHING
THE DHARMA, BUDDHA’S TEACHING
a)
Contents
b)
Author’s note
1)
Buddhism
2)
Karma
3)
Buddha nature
4)
Sense of human life
5)
Death and birth
6)
Way to liberation
7)
Renunciation
8)
Compassion and Wisdom
9)
Entering Mahayana
10)
Developing Boddhicitta
11)
Boddhisattva actions
12)
Generosity
13)
Morality
14)
Patience
15)
Perseverance
16)
Concentration
17)
Wisdom
18)
Meditation techniques
19)
Six paramita of Shantideva and Milarepa
20)
Author’s biography
