Tsongkhapa's A Lamp to Illuminate the Five Stages (1419) is a comprehensive presentation of the highest yoga class of Buddhist tantra, especially the key practices, the so-called five stages (pancakrama), of the advanced phase of GuhyasamaÂ?ja tantra. Beginning with a thorough examination of the Indian sources, Tsongkhapa draws particularly from the writings of NaÂ?gaÂ?rjuna, Aryadeva, Candrakatrti, and NaÂ?ropaÂ? to develop a definitive understanding of the Vajrayana completion stage. Whereas in the generation stage, meditators visualize the Buddha in the form of the deity residing in a mandala palace, in the completion stage discussed in the present volume, meditators transcend ordinary consciousness and actualize the state of a buddha themselves.

Among other things, Tsongkhapa's work covers the subtle human physiology of channels and winds along with the process of dying, the bardo, and rebirth. This definitive statement on Guhyasamaja tantra profoundly affected the course of Buddhist practice in Tibet.

This hardcover book is volume 15 in the Library of Tibetan Classics Series published by Wisdom Publications.