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Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) was one of the greatest commentator in the history of Buddhism and has the dexterity to compress profound and vast ideas in a single poem. The Three Principal Aspects of the Path is one such example. This text containing fourteen verses was taught to Tsakho Onpo Ngawang Dakpa in a place called Gyamo Rong in eastern Tibet.

The Three Principal Aspects of the Path are the basis of all the sutric and tantric practices that you undertake. ‘When one’s practice is influenced by renunciation, it becomes a cause for achieving liberation (Nirvana), when it is influenced by Bodhichitta it becomes a cause for achieving omniscience (Buddhahood), and when it is influenced by correct view it becomes an antidote to the cycle of existence (Samsara).

The Three Principal Aspects of the Path are the essence of all the scriptures of the Buddha. The meaning of the Buddha’s teachings and commentaries on them are included in the stages of the path of the three individuals and these in turn are included in the Three Principal Aspects of the Path.

Je Tsongkhapa’s masterpiece appears here with a commentary by the greatest commentator and foremost teacher on Buddhism of our time His Holiness the VIX Dalai Lama.