Author: Gen Lamrimpa Ngawang Phuntsok
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): Tenzin Gyaltsen
Publisher: Library of Tibetan Works & Archives
Year: 2012
Language: English
Pages: 161
ISBN/UPC (if available): 93-80359-67-5
Description
Gen Lamrimpa’s Blaze of Quotations and Logic: A lamp illuminating the Significance of the Four Seals of the Buddha's Teachings is a text written in the classical Tibetan style of writing scholarly works. This text is arranged in a neat structural outline and in particular, as the subjects in the Four Seals, uses scriptural quotations and logic when explaining them.
The first seal, that all Composite Products are Impermanent, refers to anything that is composed as impermanent. Understanding this seal will help us accept loss, ageing and death, which are all part of life, a composite product.
The second seal, All that is Contaminated is Suffering, refers to the nature of actions, emotions and thoughts contaminated by selfish attachment, aversion and ignorance, due to stained or contaminated actions, emotions and thoughts we become attracted to, or repulsed by.
The third seal, Aggregates are Devoid of a Self, is related to the teaching that speaks of everything as lacking inherent or intrinsic existence. Both person and phenomena should be judged objectively as they are, without mental projections, rather than holding on to the opinions of ‘I have no self’.
The fourth seal, Passing Beyond Suffering is Peace, addresses our capability of liberating ourselves completely from suffering and its causes, because without this we will never attempt to achieve the state of passing beyond suffering, which is peace.
Buddha’s teachings have spread far and wide, and have developed into diverse school and sects. Most of these schools and sects engage in the practice of going for refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the gateway of entering the Buddha’s teachings. The question is whether or not they adhere to the Buddhist philosophical view based on the Four Seals.
Contents
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Prologue
1. All Composite Products are Impermanent
2. All That is Contaminated is Suffering
3. All Aggregates are Devoid of a ‘Self’
4. Passing Beyond Suffering is the Peace
Conclusion