Five paths

Bodhisattva sangha from the Longchen Nyingtik Field of Merit

The five paths (Skt. pañcamārga; Tib. ལམ་ལྔ་, lam nga, Wyl. lam lnga) are:

1. the path of accumulation (Skt. sambhāramārga)
2. the path of joining (also called 'engagement' or 'junction') (Skt. prayogamārga)
3. the path of seeing (or 'insight') (Skt. darśanamārga)
4. the path of meditation (or 'cultivation') (Skt. bhāvanāmārga)
5. the path of no-more-learning (Skt. aśaikṣamārga)

These five paths incorporate the entire spiritual journey, as described in the Mahayana, from its very beginnings with the taking of the bodhisattva vow and the generation of relative bodhichitta, up until its culmination at the stage of complete enlightenment.

It is said in the pith instructions that the path of accumulation is the stage of understanding, the path of joining is the stage of experience, and the path of seeing is the stage of realization.

Chart Linking Five Paths with Other Aspects of the Path

paths	subdivisions	eliminations	accomplishments	factors of enlightenment	bhumis
1. accumulation	lesser			four applications of mindfulness	trainee bodhisattva
	intermediate			four genuine restraints
	greater			four bases of miraculous powers
2. joining
3. seeing
4. meditation
5. no-more-learning

Canonical Literature

Sutras

• Sutra of the Ten Bhumis

Shastras

• Yogacarabhumi
• The Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras
• Abhisamayalankara

Internal Links

• Ten bhumis

External Links

• A Brief Guide to the Stages and Paths of the Bodhisattvas by Patrul Rinpoche