Caryāsaṃgrahapradīpa

Caryāsaṃgrahapradīpa (T. spyod pa bsdus pa'i sgron ma སྤྱོད་པ་བསྡུས་པའི་སྒྲོན་མ) ("Lamp Summarizing the Deeds (of a Bodhisattva)"). A brief treatise on the Mahayana path by Atiśa.

The Tsadra editors state:

The Caryāsaṃgrahapradīpa outlines the essential elements of the Buddhist path, beginning with generating bodhicitta (the awakening mind) and taking bodhisattva vows. Atiśa emphasizes maintaining pure moral conduct, proper eating habits, and dividing daily practice between meditation, study, and virtuous activities.

Key practices include: moderating food intake and dividing meals into offerings to deities, dharma protectors, and all beings; balancing seated meditation with walking, circumambulation, and study; maintaining awareness that all phenomena are illusion-like; and adapting one's practice based on the stability of one's meditation.

The text concludes with practical advice about conforming to social conventions when necessary and maintaining good intentions even when engaging with worldly matters. Written in Nepal at a friend's request, this guide represents Atiśa's integration of sūtra and tantra approaches, offering a balanced daily routine for serious Buddhist practitioners seeking enlightenment through the bodhisattva path.

Source

• Caryāsaṃgrahapradīpa, Bodhicitta: A Tsadra Foundation Project