The Lamrim Commentaries
The Dalai Lama bestowed rare and historic transmissions of the Lamrim texts over four years (2012–2015) in the four great Buddhist seats of learning—Gaden, Drepung, Sera, and Tashi Lhunpo Monasteries in Mundgod and Bylakuppe, India. Lamrim, in the Tibetan language, means "stages of the path", a Buddhist textual tradition that organises Buddha’s teachings into a complete step-by-step path to enlightenment. In Tibetan Buddhist history, there have been many different versions of Lamrim, presented by different teachers of the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Gelug schools.
Initiated by Jowo Je Atisha (982–1054), one of India’s greatest Buddhist scholars, the Lamrim teachings lead students through the stages of two lower spiritual motivations—individuals who aspire for a better rebirth and those who aspire for individual liberation. The scriptures comprise the Eight Great Lamrims, as well as ten additional Jangchup Lamrim treatises.
The first portion of the Jangchup Lamrim teachings was held at Gaden and Drepung Monasteries in Mundgod from November 30 to December 13, 2012, while the second portion was held at Sera Monastery from December 25, 2013, to January 3, 2014. The third and the fourth portions of the Jangchup Lamrim teachings were held at Gaden Monastery in Mundgod (Dec 23-29, 2014) and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe (December 20, 2015 - January 1, 2016) respectively.
The Dalai Lama concluded the commentaries by bestowing the 16 Drops of Kadam Initiation and the White Tara Long Life prayers on the last three days of the teachings.
These images were shot on assignment for Yahoo!, The Associated Press (AP) and Reuters from 2012 to 2015.