Foreword

The perfect Buddha Shakyamuni, as the loving kinsman of all sentient beings, without request works for their welfare. This sublime teacher of our aeon taught extensively on the profound and vast topics of Dharma. He acted with skillful means and immense compassion, so that all beings might attain both temporary happiness and the ultimate state of unexcelled enlightenment.
The heart of these teachings originated in the noble land of India and were transmitted to Tibet by Tilopa to Naropa and on to Marpa and then Milarepa. The quintessence of Milarepa's realization, condensed into the form of oral instructions, were received by Lord Gampopa, just like a vase filled to the brim. This great master, Lord Gampopa, then formulated the teachings contained in this book, in the style of practical advice for us, his followers and disciples.
The Precious Garland of the Sublime Path is, in general, a condensation of the complete key points of all the vehicles. More particularly, it contains oral instructions that can reach our very hearts and reveal our hidden faults. By personally applying these oral instructions, we can soften our rigid minds and further our experience and realization, gaining trust and sincere interest in the spiritual path of the Dharma.
These teachings will help us acknowledge that all sentient beings suffer, from those in the lowest hells up to the highest summit of samsaric existence; that the basis for this suffering is their karmic actions and disturbing emotions; and that as long as these karmic actions and disturbing emotions are not purified, there is no liberation from suffering. In short, by taking this advice to heart we can develop renunciation -- the wish to be free from samsara.
Since each and every sentient being has been our own parents, we can develop love and compassion through remembering their kindness. The true and correct view is known as Mahamudra - often categorized as either Sutra Mahamudra, Tantra Mahamudra, and Essence Mahamudra. Among these three styles, the Essence Mahamudra is here expressed in the form of pithy, applicable pieces of advice. Since The Precious Garland of the Sublime Path is among the most eminent of Lord Gampopa's numerous writings, we have chosen to translate it into English.
By producing this translation, may a vast number of people read and genuinely take its meaning to heart. May it enable them to pacify their temporary worries, and ultimately attain the unexcelled state of omniscient enlightenment. I have the trust and confidence that this teaching can bring such immense benefit. All of you who read this, do not just browse through the pages, touching the mere words, but instead let their meaning seep into your stream-of-being to soften your rigid hearts. By assimilating just one of these pieces of advice, we can soften our inflexible attitudes, providing the opportunity to actualize the true meaning of Mahamudra, our basic state of mind.
Not only is it my prayer it is also with confidence that I feel this book will be the seed, the circumstance, for realizing the natural face of Mahamudra and becoming a guide to benefit countless sentient beings, at best in this life, next best at the moment of death, or at least in the bardo. Tashi delek!
-Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche