Human Development
Stages of the spiritual path
Description:
Tibetan Buddhism rejoices in a number of manuals on doctrine - [lam-rim] - that set forth the spiritual path as a series of stages and give advice on Buddhism in practice. One such is the "Jewel Ornament of Liberation" of Sgam Po (Gampopa). This takes the follower through six stages: (i) knowledge of the presence of [buddhahood] in all sentient beings; (ii) knowledge of existence as a human being as being the most propitious existence to realize this [buddhahood]; (iii) knowledge of the instruction of a [guru] or spiritual guide as absolutely necessary for progress in such realization; (iv) use of the guru's teachings; (v) progress on the path leading to experience of buddhahood in body, speech and mind - [trikaya]; (vi) finding true meaning of the path in work for others. Point (iv) expounds on the classic instructions concerning: [samsara], the endless cycle of births and deaths, and the law of [karma]; the requirement for compassion; arousing the [bodhicitta] (awakened mind); the [paramita] or six perfections; the ten stages - [bhumi] on the path of the [bodhisattva].Broader:
Models of human development Related:
Consciousness ascension stages game