Geshe Sonam Rinchen (1933–2013)

The Bodhipathapradīpa (translated as A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment) is an 11th-century Buddhist treatise written by the Indian master Atiśa Dīpaṃkaraśrījñāna. Composed shortly after his arrival in Tibet in 1042 CE, it is considered his magnum opus and a cornerstone of Tibetan Buddhism.
Foundation of the Lamrim Tradition: The text serves as the prototype and main textual basis for the Lamrim (Stages of the Path) genre of teachings. It provides a systematic, step-by-step show more framework that organizes the vast array of Buddhist sutras and tantras into a coherent practice suitable for any stude show less

atisha's root text is a lucid and helpful guidance, tho mostly filled w references and citations for the devout aspirant to follow elsewhere. i also have a personal disinclination for lamrim like this text that distinguish bw the three motivations as opposed to tenrim which assume a bodhissatva motivation

the commentary often bogs down the root text, with circuitous explications that r often unnecessary, and at other times do not provide any relevant context, instead constantly citing je show more tsongkhapa on points that barely pertain to the stanza in question

if ur a big fan of je tsongkhapa, neo-kadam studies, or geshe sonam rinpoche, then i would heartily recommend it. but if ur interested instead in the historical context of the teaching, then richard sherbournes publication is prolly much better. and if ur interested primarily in practice, then gampopa or sakya pandita r the better choices of tenrim, if nothing else due to the improvement in the genre-form and encyclopedic perspective gained over time in tibet show less

Commentary on trenchant and true sayings, poetic and helpful to all.