Bodhipathapradīpa (A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment) is a Buddhist text composed in Sanskrit by the 11th-century teacher Atiśa and widely considered his magnum opus.
The text reconciles the doctrines of many various Buddhist schools and philosophies, and is notable for the introduction of the three levels of spiritual aspiration: lesser, middling and superior,[1] which in turn became the foundation for the Lamrim tradition.
After taking refuge in the Three Jewels, a feature of all Buddhist traditions, Atiśa provides specific instructions:[3] Then, beginning with a mind of love for all sentient beings, consider all those, without exception, who suffer in the three lower realms from birth, death, and so forth.
“From this moment until I achieve supreme enlightenment, I shall have no thoughts of harm, no anger, avarice, or jealousy.
“Taking no joy in swiftly attaining enlightenment for myself, I will remain until the very end for the sake of even a single being.