The Lotus-born

The Lotus-born
Author: Yeshe Tsogyal
Publisher: Rangjung Yeshe Publications
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2004
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9789627341550

The Lotus-Born is the amazing story of the mystic, master scholar, and outrageous yogi Padmasambhava, who grew up an adopted prince, was banished, and burned at the stake in a neighboring kingdom, yet continued, miraculously unscathed, to live more than 500 years. His dramatic, illuminating story is available for the first time in English in this translation of Princess Yeshe Tsogyal's ninth-century biography of Padmasambhava. A master whose insights filigree this book, Padmasambhava is considered second in importance only to the Buddha in the Tibetan spiritual tradition.

Lady of the Lotus-Born

Lady of the Lotus-Born
Author: Gyalwa Changchub
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 296
Release: 2002-02-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0834824620

The first Tibetan to attain complete enlightenment was in all probability the woman Yeshe Tsogyal, the closest disciple of Padmasambhava, the master who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century. This classical text is not only a biography but also an inspiring example of how the Buddha's teaching can be put into practice. Lady of the Lotus-Born interweaves profound Buddhist teachings with a colorful narrative that includes episodes of adventure, court intrigue, and personal searching. The book will appeal to students of Tibetan Buddhism and readers interested in the role of women in Buddhism and world religions.

The Lotus-born

The Lotus-born
Author: Ye-shes-mtsho-rgyal
Publisher:
Total Pages: 344
Release: 1993
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN:

In English translation for the first time, this is "the most authoritative scripture" regarding how the Dharma was planted in Tibet, according to His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Titles in the original Tibetan "The Sanglingma Life Story," it was recorded by the dakini Yeshe Tsogyal, concealed in the ninth century at Sanglingma (Copper Temple) in Samye, and revealed by Nyang Ral Nyima Oser in the twelfth century. In addition to narrating the legendary story of a unique spiritual personality, the book contains oral instructions and advice that he left for the benefit of future generations. Also included are "A Clarification of the Life of Padmasambhava" by Tsele Natsok Rangdrouml;l, an extensive glossary and index, and a bibliography of Tibetan and English sources.

Remembering the Lotus-Born

Remembering the Lotus-Born
Author: Daniel Hirshberg
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2016-10-25
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1614292469

Remembering the Lotus-Born sheds light on the work of Nyangrel Nyima Öser (1124–92), one of the most influential yet least known figures in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. His pivotal work, the Copper Island, is the story of how the Indian tantric master Padmasambhava brought Buddhism to the region. This work elevated Padmasambhava to central importance in Tibetan history, and made treasure revelation and recognized reincarnations among the institutions that still define Tibetan culture. Tibetan and Western scholars alike have long assumed that the Copper Island Biography of Padmasambhava was originally presented as a treasure text (terma). However, investigating the sources of this narrative shows that rather than wholesale invention or simple revelation, the Copper Island was a product of the Tibetan assimilation and innovation of core Indian Buddhist literary traditions. These traditions were well known to Nyangrel, who is renowned as the first of the great Buddhist treasure revealers. Remembering the Lotus-Born takes an unprecedented look at Nyangrel’s work in the Copper Island, including his contributions to hagiography, reincarnation theory, treasure recovery, historiography. Drawing all these threads together, it concludes by comparing all the available versions of Nyangrel’s Padmasambhava narrative to challenge long-held assumptions and clarify its origin and transmission. It received an Honorable Mention from the E. Gene Smith Book Prize Competition in 2018 by the Association for Asian Studies.

Liberating Duality with Wisdom Display

Liberating Duality with Wisdom Display
Author: Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2013
Genre:
ISBN: 9780983407423

Guru Padmasambhava is generally referred to as Guru Rinpoche, which means "precious master." Guru Rinpoche is a buddha, a fully awakened one. He did not become enlightened gradually, or start practicing the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni and eventually gain enlightenment. Guru Rinpoche incarnated as a totally enlightened being. Through his form, primordial wisdom manifests in the world to benefit all sentient beings.Guru Rinpoche is a direct reincarnation of Buddha Shakyamuni. Buddha Shakyamuni said, "Eight years after my mahaparinirvana, a remarkable being with the name Padmasambhava will appear in the center of a lotus and reveal the highest teaching concerning the ultimate state of the true nature, bringing great benefit to all sentient beings." The Buddha also said that Padmasambhava would be an emanation of Buddha Amitabha and Avalokiteshvara, and referred to him as the "embodiment of all the buddhas of the three times."Buddha Shakyamuni mainly presented Hinayana and Sutra Mahayana teachings, while Guru Padmasambhava taught the Vajrayana. Both revealed the complete and perfect path to awakening so that individuals of all capacities would benefit. The absolute level of the Buddha's teaching is beyond conception. If it didn't go beyond the conceptual level, there would be no need to change our normal way of understanding things. To help us realize the primordial nature, Buddha Shakyamuni and Guru Padmasambhava repeatedly taught that we must transcend clinging to our ordinary dualistic conceptions, narrow attitudes, close mindedness, traditional rules, beliefs, and limitations. The enlightened activities of Guru Rinpoche's eight emanations are especially powerful and effective in destroying the solidity of our dualistic concepts and fixed opinions, and in awakening us to true freedom.

The Life and Visions of Yeshé Tsogyal

The Life and Visions of Yeshé Tsogyal
Author: Drime Kunga
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2017-08-22
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0834840928

This stunning biography reveals the heroic life of Yeshé Tsogyal—the mother of Buddhism in Tibet and a powerful female role model for spiritual accomplishment and perfection This secret life story of Yeshé Tsogyal presents a valuable and unique perspective that is quite a departure from any other account of this remarkable woman. Described as a "secret life story," its many layers include an outer account—detailing her birth, family, and societal constraints—an inner account that begins as she meets and escapes captivity with Guru Rinpoché, and a secret account as she enters twelve years of retreat at Chimpu only to miraculously journey to Oddiyana. The role of women and womanhood is notable throughout her life story. Her desire for independence is at odds with her desirability as a woman, leading to numerous tragic incidents early in life. Finally meeting Guru Rinpoché, she decries her status as a woman. This sort of gendered humility, a recurring theme, is juxtaposed with her assertion that despite being a woman, and low-born (skye ba dman), she has a high regard for herself anyway. It is a magical woman who guides her to Oddiyana, and her travels there are filled with primarily female companions. In the end, she remains Guru Rinpoché's primary disciple and doctrinal custodian. Her experiences, while perhaps intense and fantastical, include the same elements of challenge, learning, and progress that all practitioners must experience. During her adventures in Oddiyana, Yeshé Tsogyal receives the same core teachings on faith, impermanence, and fortitude that are essential for anyone following this spiritual path. This accomplished translation is enriched by the refreshing insights of six contemporary scholars and teachers of Tibetan Buddhism, making this invaluable guide to the life of Yeshé Tsogyal a treasure for practitioners, scholars, and anyone intent on the possibility of awakening.

White Lotus

White Lotus
Author: Jamgon Mipham
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 146
Release: 2007-12-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0834825678

The commentary translated in these pages is unusual and rare. But if the commentary is a rarity, its subject matter—the seven-line invocation of Padmasambhava—is one of the best-known prayers in the Tibetan Buddhist world. The overall significance of the Seven-Line Prayer is perhaps best appreciated in relation to a practice called guru-yoga, or "union with the nature of the guru." The purpose of guru-yoga is to purify and deepen the student's relationship with his or her teacher. It is introduced as one of the preliminary practices, and it remains crucial—in fact, its importance increases—as one progresses through the more advanced levels of the tantric path. The cultivation of devotion to the guru and the blending of one's mind with his or her enlightened mind is, in the words of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, "the most vital and necessary of all practices and is in itself the surest and fastest way to reach the goal of enlightenment." Regarding the origin of this commentary, Mipham refers in the colophon to an event that triggered the abrupt appearance in his mind of the hidden meaning of the prayer. It is interesting to note that the language Mipham uses suggests that the commentary itself is not an ordinary composition but perhaps a treasure teaching, specifically a "mind-treasure" or gongter.

Following in Your Footsteps

Following in Your Footsteps
Author: Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche
Publisher: Rangjung Yeshe Publications
Total Pages: 480
Release: 2019-09-19
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781732871717

Following in Your Footsteps - The Lotus-Born Guru in Nepal, is the first of a three-part series of books dedicated to the sacred sites of Padmasambhava in India, Nepal, and Tibet. This series will trace the full arch of the journey of the Guru, who, beyond being a historical personage, is known as the very embodiment and personification of the tantric Buddhism. In this, the first of this three part series of books, we will present Guru Rinpoche's life and deeds in Nepal. The mountains and valleys of Nepal played a unique role in the life of Guru Rinpoche. It is here that Guru Rinpoche went on extensive retreat, gave countless teachings to disciples, hid terma treasures and blessed the hills and valleys. In these pages we will encounter the stories behind the sites, learning how these miraculous events unfolded, and how masters throughout the ages have drawn upon their inspiration. The first part of this book presents an introduction to sacred sites, an introduction to Guru Rinpoche, traditional literature surrounding Guru Rinpoche, and an overview of Guru Rinpoche's time in Nepal. The second part, the main body of the book, tells of Guru Rinpoche's life in Nepal through the places where he practiced and accomplished the path, taming hosts of humans and spirits all along the way. Finally, the third part presents an essential selection of prayers for invoking Guru Padmasambhava. Why focus this first book on Nepal? It is because generations ago, a certain devoted young man made the aspiration to be reborn as a realised master in the land of Nepal, before the great Jarung Kashor Stupa - this devoted son later became known as Padmasambhava. Aspirations hold power, and it is our aspiration that this guide serve as a catalyst for your own journey, to follow in the footsteps of the one renowned as the Lotus-Born.

The Jew in the Lotus

The Jew in the Lotus
Author: Rodger Kamenetz
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 505
Release: 2009-03-17
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0061745936

While accompanying eight high–spirited Jewish delegates to Dharamsala, India, for a historic Buddhist–Jewish dialogue with the Dalai Lama, poet Rodger Kamenetz comes to understand the convergence of Buddhist and Jewish thought. Along the way he encounters Ram Dass and Richard Gere, and dialogues with leading rabbis and Jewish thinkers, including Zalman Schacter, Yitz and Blue Greenberg, and a host of religious and disaffected Jews and Jewish Buddhists. This amazing journey through Tibetan Buddhism and Judaism leads Kamenetz to a renewed appreciation of his living Jewish roots.

Lady of the Lotus-Born

Lady of the Lotus-Born
Author: Gyalwa Changchub
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 296
Release: 2002-02-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1570625441

The first Tibetan to attain complete enlightenment was in all probability the woman Yeshe Tsogyal, the closest disciple of Padmasambhava, the master who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century. This classical text is not only a biography but also an inspiring example of how the Buddha's teaching can be put into practice. Lady of the Lotus-Born interweaves profound Buddhist teachings with a colorful narrative that includes episodes of adventure, court intrigue, and personal searching. The book will appeal to students of Tibetan Buddhism and readers interested in the role of women in Buddhism and world religions.