Letter to a Friend: Nagarjuna’s Classic Text

Front Cover
Title Page
Half Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Foreword by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche IX
Biography of Author
Acknowledgements
Editor’s Introduction
Editor’s Biography
Introduction to Text
	Encouragement to Listen to the Teachings
	Focus on the Meaning of the Teachings
	The Importance of Learning
The Main Body of the Text—Pursuing the Virtuous Life
	The Six Reminders
	Recollecting the Qualities of the Buddha
	Recollecting the Qualities of the Buddha’s Teachings
	Recollecting the Qualities of the Sangha
	Counsel to Remain Steadfast in One’s Virtuous Conduct
	Reflecting on Karma
	Recollection of Generosity
	Recollection of Moral Precepts
	The Practice of Taking Moral Precepts
	Practicing the Six Perfections of Mahayana
Remaining Steadfast in Virtue—General Advice for Laypeople Practicing Dharma
	Filial Piety
	Taking Precepts from Time to Time
	Transforming One’s Attitude
	Practicing Heedfulness
	The Practice of Patience
	Preparation for Meditation—Counsel to Laypeople
	Giving up Enmity
	To Practice Correct Conduct of Body, Speech, and Mind
	The Importance of Pleasant Speech
	The Four Forms of Migration
	The Four Categories of Persons
	Refraining From Causing Harm to Others
	Protecting the Mind
	Uprooting the Cause of Excessive Desire
	Mastering the Six Sense Organs
	Abandoning Excessive Desires
The Development of Wisdom
	The Nature of Reality
	Meditation on Dependent Origination
	Cultivating the Superior Qualities
	Regarding the Eight Worldly Dharmas Equally
	Consequences of Negative Karma Cannot be Shared
	The Action of Karma
	Acquiring the Wealth of the Holy Ones
	Preserving Inner Wealth
	The Importance of Contentment
	The Importance of Having Few Desires
The Practice of Meditation
	Cultivating Tranquility
	Meditation Before Sleep and Upon Waking
	The Four Immeasurables
	Contemplating the Nature of Appearances
	Contemplating Interdependence
	Contemplating Ultimate Reality
The Practice of Shamatha
	The Four Levels of Concentration
	Cultivating Virtues
	The Power of Virtue
	The Five Obscurations
	The Five Powers
	The Importance of Humility
Right View
	Be Guided by Right View
	The Four Seals
	The Nature of the Self and Aggregates
	The Nature of Conditioned Existence
	Primal Cause Argument
	Theistic Argument
	No Cause Argument
	The Three Fetters
	The Four-Fold Truth
	Encouragement in the Disciplines of Ethics, Wisdom, and Concentration
	Impermanence and the Preciousness of Life
Considering the Excellent Qualities of Nirvana and Practice the Path Resulting in Nirvana
	Practice the Path with Urgency
	The Three Higher Trainings
	The Seven Limbs
	The Two Accumulations
	The Importance of Avoiding Speculation
	The Twelve Links of Interdependent Arising
	The Eightfold Path
	The Four Noble Truths
	Disciplining the Mind Toward Virtue
	Maintain Persistence in Applying the Methods
	The Fruition of The Path
Concluding Remarks
Notes
Bibliography
Glossary
Index