Gems of Wisdom

Short talks on 108 spontaneous verses by the Seventh Dalai Lama Kelsang Gyatso.

Root Text

Gems of Wisdom translated by Glenn H. Mullin is available from Shambhala Publications here.

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Gems of Wisdom

Prologue: Praise to Guru Manjushri

Homage and praise to spiritual mentors and how they help us along the path begins…

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 1: The realms of samsara

Why is it so hard to break free from the realms of cyclic existence? It's…

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 2: Attachment to sense pleasures

Our insatiable craving for sense objects is the source of our suffering.

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 3: The fire of anger

Clinging attachment leads to anger and suffering when our high expectations are not met. How…

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 4: The darkness of ignorance

Ignorance of how things exist and ignorance of karma and its effects are like dark…

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 5: The wild horse of pride

Pride can be a stumbling block on the path, stunting our spiritual progress.

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 6: The mischievous slanderer, jealousy

Unable to bear the happiness of others, jealousy causes us to harm those who try…

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 7: The enemies of happiness and prosperity

Afflictive emotions like miserliness and anger only bring us misery, though we think they'll bring…

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 8: The prison of personal entanglements

Attachment to loved ones and friends creates suffering that distracts us from our spiritual aspirations.

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 9: The chains that bind us

Attachment, habitual behaviors, and doubt hinder our practice even when we go on retreat.

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 10: Misleading friends

Misleading friends appear kind but encourage us away from our ethics and principles and can…

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Gems of Wisdom

Verse 11: False friends

Using others for our own gain, or being used by others for theirs. Examine why…

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