Path of accumulation
The path of accumulation (Skt. sambhāramārga; Tib. ཚོགས་ལམ་, tsoklam; Wyl. tshogs lam) is the first of the five paths. It is divided into greater, intermediate and lesser stages.
Patrul Rinpoche says:
- “It is called the path of accumulation because it is the stage at which one makes a special effort to gather the accumulation of merit, and also because it marks the beginning of many incalculable aeons of gathering the accumulations.
- On the lesser path of accumulation it is uncertain when one will reach the path of joining. On the intermediate path of accumulation it is certain that one will reach the path of joining in the very next lifetime. On the greater path of accumulation it is certain that one will reach the path of joining within that very same lifetime.”
