Here is a simple, lively and friendly introduction to the Lamrim topics. It turns the playful song into a Lamrim structural outline by letting each musical note stand for one major stage of the path. The content as the core architecture of the Stages of the Path.
🎼 Lamrim: Structural Architecture of the Path
Do — Relying on the Spiritual Teacher
The foundation note. Everything begins with establishing trust, discernment, and correct reliance on a qualified guide. (Immeasurable thanks to the realised ones, the holy beings. The Buddha (Awake to the nature of reality), Dharma the teachings on the path, and Sangha the conditions of support on the spiritual journey- inner path of awareness).
Re — Precious Human Life
Recognising the rare opportunity of this existence and why it should be used meaningfully.
Mi — Death and Impermanence
Understanding that time is limited and uncertain, which motivates practice.
Fa — The Sufferings of Lower Realms
Contemplating the consequences of negative actions and the urgency of refuge.
So — Refuge in the Three Jewels
Turning to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha as the safe direction for one’s life.
La — Karma and Its Effects
Seeing how actions shape experience and why ethical discipline matters.
Ti — The Defects of Samsara
Understanding cyclic existence as fundamentally unsatisfactory, prompting renunciation.
Do (higher octave) — The Path to Liberation and Enlightenment
The culmination: bodhicitta, the six perfections, and the union of method and wisdom.
🎶 Expanded “Song‑Style” Lamrim Outline
This keeps the musical feel while mapping each lyric to a Lamrim topic.
- Do – the ground of all practice: relying on a spiritual teacher.
- Re – the rare chance we now possess: precious human rebirth.
- Mi – the truth that life won’t wait: death and impermanence.
- Fa – the realms we wish to avoid: sufferings of lower rebirths.
- So – the direction we choose: refuge in the Three Jewels.
- La – the law that shapes our world: karma and its results.
- Ti – the cycle we seek to transcend: the nature and faults of samsara.
- Do – the great path we ascend: bodhicitta, the perfections, and wisdom.
🎵 Full Cadence Version (in the style of the original)
A Lamrim‑themed transformation in the same cadence and pedagogical style:
Start at the very beginning, The path begins with trust and guidance — Do. Then recognise your precious life — Re. Remember life is fleeting — Mi. See clearly suffering’s dangers — Fa. Turn toward refuge — So. Understand karma’s workings — La. See samsara’s endless turning — Ti. And rise to the bodhisattva path — Do.
When you know these steps to walk, You can practise the whole path.
🎤 Why this works as a teaching tool
- It mirrors the progressive structure of the Lamrim.
- It uses mnemonic rhythm, making the stages easier to remember.
- It captures the ascending movement from foundational ethics to full enlightenment.
- It keeps the playful, accessible tone of the original song while conveying deep Dharma.
❤️
May you enjoy and find as an additional joyful and memorable aid to your studies. Approaching the topic anew, with fresh eyes when reviewing understanding.
(to be continued…)
A Lamrim‑themed poem which can sound like a teaching‑song that rises step by step through the stages of the path. The tone stays musical, playful, and mnemonic, but the content is pure Tibetan Buddha Dharma.
🎼 A Lamrim “Do‑Re‑Mi” Cadence Poem
(a dharma teaching‑song)
Do — the guide who lights the way, A teacher kind and wise each day, Who shows the path and helps us see How mind can bloom and wander free.
Re — this life so rare to find, A fleeting jewel in hand and mind; A chance to practise, breathe, and grow, More precious than we often know.
Mi — the truth that time will fly, A whispering wind, a passing sky; Each moment slips like melting snow, So turn the heart toward what is so.
Fa — the realms where sorrow lies, Where fear and shadow fill the skies; We contemplate to understand Why refuge is a guiding hand.
So — the Three Jewels shining bright, A harbour in the storm of night; With Buddha, Dharma, Sangha near, The path ahead becomes ever more clear.
La — the law of cause and deed, Where every thought becomes a seed; From kindness grows a gentle dawn, From harm, the thorns we walk upon.
Ti — the wheel that spins again, A circle forged by joy and pain; We see samsara’s restless flow And long for freedom’s open glow.
Do — the vow to free all hearts, Where bodhicitta’s journey starts; With wisdom’s view and compassion’s flame, We walk the path all Buddhas claim.
And step by step the story climbs, Through ancient truths and modern times; When one can feel these notes in line, The whole Lamrim becomes a rhyme.