Wisdom Nectar

Wisdom Nectar
Author: Bdud-ʼjoms ʼJigs-bral-ye-śes-rdo-rje
Publisher: Snow Lion
Total Pages: 456
Release: 2005-06-30
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN:

This volume contains a generous selection of inspiring teachings and writings, the core of which is a lengthy discussion of the entire path of Dzogchen.

Vajra Wisdom

Vajra Wisdom
Author: Kunkyen Tenpe Nyima
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2022-11-08
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1559394404

Vajra Wisdom contains two of the most important explanations of the "development stage" of meditation, relevant for most practitioners in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Now available in paperback for the first time. The practices of deity, mantra, and wisdom are also known within the Tibetan system as the “development stage," because the practitioner is said to attain spiritual insight by developing meditative visualizations that bring the experience of awakening directly into one's present life, without having to wait for later spiritual fulfillment. Vajra Wisdom presents the commentaries of two great nineteenth-century Nyingma masters, Kunkyen Tenpe Nyima and Shechen Gyaltsap IV, which guide practitioners engaged in development stage practice through a series of straightforward instructions. The rarity of this kind of material in English makes it indispensable for practitioners and scholars alike. The goal of the development stage of meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition is to realize the inseparability of phenomena and great emptiness. Using the methods of deity visualization, mantra recitation, and meditative absorption, the practitioner arrives at this nonconceptual view.

The Nectar of Bodhicitta

The Nectar of Bodhicitta
Author: Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Publisher: Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2021-09-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1891868934

LYWA director Nick Ribush writes: The story behind this book is that in the early Kopan Monastery courses, Lama Zopa Rinpoche would start his day’s teachings by quoting a verse from Shantideva’s or Khunu Lama Rinpoche’s seminal texts, giving a short teaching on it and then suggesting that students use it to generate a bodhicitta motivation for the day’s activities (mainly teachings, meditations and discussion groups but also ordinary activities such as eating, talking, walking around and so forth). Since those days I’ve always thought that a compilation of these short teachings would make a great book, and finally, here it is. Editor Gordon McDougall has assembled Rinpoche's teachings into two parts, sorted by author of the verses and arranged thematically. In Part One, Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches on selected verses from Khunu Lama Rinpoche's Jewel Lamp, now published as Vast as the Heavens, Deep as the Sea. Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises, "Understanding and constantly reminding ourselves of the skies of benefits that bodhicitta brings is unbelievably worthwhile. This is the overall purpose of Khunu Lama Rinpoche’s book, to cause us to feel inspired and joyful that such a mind is possible." In Part Two, Rinpoche teaches on verses from the first chapter of Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. These verses describe the amazing benefits of developing the precious mind of bodhicitta, the supreme cause of happiness for all sentient beings.

A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar

A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar
Author: Thinley Norbu
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 449
Release: 2009-07-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0834821842

Like a spontaneous cascade of wisdom nectar, the open and natural words of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, uncomplicated by scholarly elaboration, flow here in the tradition of the direct transmissions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the past. Through commentary on the Preliminary Practices (Ngöndrö) prayer from the treasure text of the great master Tragtung Düdjom Lingpa, insights into many central practices emerge in order to deepen understanding of the foundations of Vajrayana Buddhism. Also included in the book is a commentary on Tsok Khang Dechen (Assembly Palace of Great Exaltation), the root text prayer of the second Kyabje Düdjom Rinpoche, Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje.

Ocean of Attainments

Ocean of Attainments
Author:
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 835
Release: 2024-04-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 161429853X

This commentary on Guhyasamaja tantra is the seminal guide to deity yoga and tantric visualization for the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism. Ocean of Attainments was composed by Khedrup Jé Gelek Palsang (1385–1438), one of Tsongkhapa Losang Drakpa’s most prominent disciples. Its subject is the creation stage, a quintessential Buddhist tantric meditation that together with the completion stage comprises the path of unexcelled tantra. The Guhyasamaja Tantra, referred to as the “king of all tantras,” is revered in Tibet, especially by the Geluk school, for its hermeneutic methods, which are in turn applied to other tantras. In the creation stage, meditators visualize themselves as buddhas at the center of the celestial mandala, surrounded in all directions by male and female bodhisattvas and enlightened beings. Since the core of the practice is visualization, this meditation—perhaps more than other meditations—presumes the creative power of the mind. Visualizations form the basis not only of the creation stage and deity yoga but of all tantric practices and rituals, since tantric practice takes place not in mundane existence but in the illusion-like purity of the enlightened view. While the previously published Essence of the Ocean of Attainments is a concise exposition on the practice of the Guhyasamaja sadhana, Ocean of Attainments is much more detailed, providing extensive scriptural citations, clear explanation of the body mandala, arguments on points of contention, reference to other tantric systems, and critiques of misinterpretations. Complemented by the extensive and clear introduction, this volume is a vital contribution to the growing body of scholarship on Guhyasamaja and on Buddhist tantra in general.

Deity, Mantra, and Wisdom

Deity, Mantra, and Wisdom
Author: Jigme Lingpa
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2020-02-25
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0834842653

Deity, Mantra, and Wisdom contains four of the most cherished Tibetan Buddhist commentaries on the practices of visualization, mantra recitation, and meditative absorption. These three elements form the core of development stage meditation, one of the most important practices of Buddhist Tantra. The authors of these timeless classics—Jigme Lingpa, Patrul Rinpoche, and Getse Mahapandita—have all profoundly shaped Tibetan Buddhism with their vast scholarship and deep spiritual realization. In these eloquent and inspiring writings, they explain the fundamental philosophy of the development stage, showing not only its profound insights into the nature of reality, but also how to make this view a living experience through the practice of meditation. The four works here translated for the first time are: "Ladder to Akanistha" by Jigme Lingpa, "Clarifying the Difficult Points in the Development Stage" by Patrul Rinpoche, "The Four Stakes That Bind the Life-Force" by Patrul Rinpoche, and "Husks of Unity" by Getse Mahapandita Tsewang Chokdrub.

Ocean of Nectar

Ocean of Nectar
Author: Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishe
Total Pages: 604
Release: 2000
Genre: Compassion
ISBN: 9788120817302

Ocean of Nectar is first complete commentary in English to Chandrakirti`s classic Guide to the Middle Way, one of the most important scriptures in Mahayan Buddhism and regsrded to this day as the principal text on emptiness, the ultimate nature of reality. In this long-awaited major work Geshe kelsang provides an entirely new translation of Chandrakirti`s verse masterpiece and explains with outstanding clarity the philosophical reasoning establishing Budda`s most profound view of the middle way.

Essence of Vajrayana

Essence of Vajrayana
Author: Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Publisher: Tharpa Publications US
Total Pages: 658
Release: 2017-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1910368679

With this book, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche explains with clarity and precision how we can practice the sublime meditations of Heruka body mandala, and thereby gradually transform our ordinary world and experiences into those of a Buddha, a fully enlightened being. He follows this with definitive instructions on the completion stage practices that can lead directly to the supreme bliss of full enlightenment in this one lifetime. This is a treasury of practical instructions for those seriously interested in following the Tantric path. • The first complete explanation in English of the Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Heruka body mandala • Sublime methods for transforming our ordinary minds and attaining pure selfless joy • The actual method to accomplish the supreme bliss of full enlightenment in this lifetime

The Easy Path

The Easy Path
Author: Gyumed Khensur Lobsang Jampa
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 266
Release: 2013-04-22
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1614290989

The First Panchen Lama's Easy Path (de lam), written nearly four hundred years ago, is like a chest of jewels that has, until now, been locked to English speakers. This translation, with Gyumed Khensur Lobsang Jampa's commentary, unlocks that chest and holds each jewel up to the sunlight to reveal its great beauty and value. A number of books in the past have explained how to meditate on the stages of the path, but Geshe Lobsang Jampa's volume is unique in showing the reader how to integrate visualizations from highest yoga tantra, guru yoga, and the instructions of the oral tradition within the contemplations of every single stage. From the initial meditations on the precariousness and immense value of human existence, through the contemplations of how we perpetuate the cycle of suffering, to the highest teachings on the practice of universal compassion and the empty nature of phenomena, The Easy Path leads practitioners step by step through the journey to enlightenment.

Guide to Dakini Land

Guide to Dakini Land
Author: Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishe
Total Pages: 548
Release: 2000
Genre: Tantric Buddhism
ISBN: 9788120817258

Guide to Dakini Land is the first complete explanation in English to the Tantric practice of Vajrayogini, the female Buddha of wisdom. The book provides detailed instructions on the eleven yogas of generation stage, which are special methods for transforming all our daily activities into the spiritual path. It also explains with perfect clarity the essential completion stage practices of Vajrayogini. It includes all the sadhanas of Vajrayogini and advice on how to do a Tantric retreat, and a wealth of additional material that will be indispensable to anyone wishing to rely upon Buddha Vajrayogini.