This book contains practical instructions on the view of the two truths given according to the conventional or common Great Vehicle approach. The instructions are contained in a short text by a very well-known Tibetan teacher, Jigmey Chokyi Wangpo, also known as Dza Patrul 1808-1887]. A feature of this text is that although it is about sutra, the profound Dzogchen perspective is obviously present. Some masters write compositions in which they keep within the immediate context of their subject. Yogins, and Dza Patrul was a great yogin, often teach a subject but within the context of their own realization. In the text here, Dza Patrul gives a presentation of the two truths that fits with the sutra presentation of the subject, but goes on to connect it to the practical wisdom teachings of the third turning of the wheel and the Quintessence Dzogchen teachings of which he was a master. For example, in a presentation of the two truths that adhered to the sutra context in which the two truths were originally taught, there would be no mention of the key Dzogchen terms "rigpa," "crossing over into," "appearances of the liveliness," and so on, yet these terms appear later in the text. In fact, the final section of teaching in the text is a direct presentation of the Thorough Cut teaching of Quintessence Dzogchen which has been skilfully added to the rest of the compilation to show that, in the end, the practice of the two truths is none other than the practice of Thorough Cut.

This work proposes a theological investigation of the community of the Church as outlined by liberation theology and a possible conversation with liberation from suffering in Tibetan Buddhism. What unites both is the human process of sublimation for others, whereby liberation theologians as well as enlightened lamas give the best of themselves for the liberation of others. At this stage of discussions between inclusivists and exclusivists this work proposes that dialogue with world religions and therefore with Buddhism is not about finding possible dogmatic similarities but a common place, a common purpose through a common humanity.

A young woman leaves her homeland in Australia and goes to live in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal and India for thirty years. She becomes a disciple of two Tibetan Masters who had fled Tibet in the 1950, s and resettled in Nepal. Deeply impressed by their 'Presence' and the profundity of their teachings she determines to follow their advice as closely as possible, letting go of her western life of comfort and ease to live in a simple hut in the forest. Given the situation and locality, she was bound to have many adventures, but even she could never have imagined how strange some of these would be. Tibetan Buddhist Tales is a selection of true short stories about some of these adventures. Although they are all contemporary, one might be forgiven for feeling at times that one has entered a very different time and world. Encounters with ghosts, Yetis and other such unlikely adventures, make this book a compelling read. The fact that these stories all actually took place, gives it a distinct and unique flavor, offering a rare glimpse into a culture, which in our times, faces enormous challenges in retaining its 'authenticity' and 'identity.' These stories are given as a humble offering with the prayer that they add some valuable insights to the current documentation of the unique and highly evolved Tibetan spiritual culture.

This selection of precious and practical quotes from great masters of Tibetan Buddhism reflects the immense variety of approaches and the profundity that have made the tapestry of Tibetan Buddhist teachings of deep interest to an ever-increasing number of readers. It includes wisdom from the Buddha; Padmasambhava; Yeshe Tsogyal, Machig Lopdron; Milarepa; Naropa; Saraha; Tilopa; Patrul Rinpoche; and many others.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1884 Edition.

SEARCHING FOR THE HEART OF SACRED SPACE is about Landscape, Buddhism and Awakening - spoken in the same breath. The author personally explores ways of being in sacred landscapes, foundations for designing the contemplative garden. The book candidly reveals a path of transformation. Discovering the riches of the woods in Finland, the author investigates the natural environment for local government in Upstate New York and USAID in Nepal. He begins to taste the meaning of a spiritual home. Mentored by Tom Johnson at Cornell University, he designs a Tibetan Buddhist meditation centre, one of the first in North America. During a private audience, H. H. the Dalai Lama questions the basis for the design. Firmly linking the design of landscape to a spiritual path, the author questions, - "What is the truth of design? How deep would I go to draw inspiration? How deeply am I willing to know myself in order to design sacred landscape?" His search for the heart of sacred space points to an astounding historical connection between Kyoto's temple gardens and Pretapuri in Western Tibet, one of Buddhism's twenty-four sacred tantric sites. Guided by Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, he dissects the reference, an old Japanese garden-making text designating the first stones set upright in the landscape - 8,631 stones on the Tibetan Plateau guarded by the Eight Naga Kings. He makes a pilgrimage to Pretapuri, a landscape charged with the power of spiritual agreement between pilgrims and deities, revealed as three layers of discourse. External explanations enrich physical descriptions with tales told by rivers and terraces about the meaning of life. Internal explanations relate stories and legends investing a place with subtle attributes accorded to a sacred landscape. Secret explanations present a landscape produced by the power of the Six Perfections, graced by the purity and wisdom of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, corresponding to a structured pattern of focal points of energy and subtle channels. As a landscape architect and Buddhist, the author personally speaks with these provocative landscapes and the historical characters who previously addressed their mysteries, calling extensive textual references into the discussion. By disarming the feral conditions left by others, and awakening to the perfection and beauty of sacred landscapes, he uncovers profound tools for designing gardens for contemplation. Discovering layers of subtlety enhanced with hand-drawn maps and sketches in this book, you may never look at landscape the same way again; instead, seeing the world unbound wonder and reverence - naked - in silence ... and the unbearable lightness of space.

If you take just a moment to explore sacred texts, spiritual teachings, novels, poetry, another cultural, essays from great historians, or travel somewhere because you just felt the need to go or exercise your faith, follow your dream or do something that fires your imagination, stirs your soul, and expands your circle of compassion, you first must believe in yourself and that everything is possible. You want change, look around you, look at every day as a gift. You and only you create your every day world. Everything that happens to you in your life is because of you. Cause and Effect, its real, and is happening now, but you need to recognize its happening. A journey can start for a reason not associated to the"why" factor, its synchronicity. It is like a spiritual practice to live everyday in happiness. And everybody can have this, the only condition is your 100% true decision to want change in your life for happiness. Whenever we give attention to something, this creative energy flows through us and expands, enlivens and charges the object of our attention. The tool we use to focus attention is the mind. Mind itself isn't the creator of well being, but it is the focus, the conduit, the medium through which unlimited creative energy, love, abundance, all that is, can flow through. We use mind power to create everything in our lives, including well being, whether we do it consciously or unconsciously. I hope that after reading this book, you will find a new insight, no matter how small, of understand that change is and always up to you.

"Beyond Words" is an introductory compendium on the Dzogchen teachings written by Judy Allan and Julia Lawless, both long-time students of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. Interwoven with poignant quotes from past and present Dzogchen teachers and commentarial sources, the authors lucidly present a concise overview of the fundamental principles of this inexpressibly profound path. The book is a perceptive distillation of the central points of this extremely simple, but not easy, teaching, making it accessible to readers coming from various perspectives, from inquisitive newcomers to seasoned practitioners. Inspiring anecdotes involving masters of various traditions make Beyond Words both highly readable and insightful, a welcome companion on this journey to inner transformation.
"Aimed at the general reader, "Beyond Words" is a lucid introduction to the profound teachings of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen Atiyoga) - the conclusive spiritual practices of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Drawing on quotations from translated materials and secondary sources, the authors outline the philosophical, historical and practical perspectives of Dzogchen, as presented by their mentor Chogyal Namkhai Norbu." Dr Gyurme Dorje (SOAS), The Centre for Himalayan Studies "Beyond Words is an exceptionally useful and inspiring digest of Dzogchen (Great Perfection) teachings and the teachers associated with them. The ancient prediction that Dzogchen would benefit many during these degenerate times, makes this comprehensive introduction especially relevant. The authors have made these profound teachings accessible and Beyond Words will be useful to both inexperienced and seasoned readers"
-- Tsultrim Allione, author of "Women of Wisdom"
"An easily readable introduction to the principles of Dzogchen, as revealed by the renowned contemporary Tibetan master, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. The text is enriched with many inspiring anecdotes of various Buddhist masters, which adds a poetic and experiential dimension to this book."
Robert Beer, author of "The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs""

This title is a response to the Buddhism chapter of Pope John Paul II's book 'Crossing the Threshold of Hope'. In 1993, an Italian reporter asked Pope John Paul II to speak on the subject of Buddhism, especially its doctrine of salvation and its relationship to Christianity. The Pope's answer, which was published as part of a book the following year, grossly misrepresents the Buddhist worldview, claims respected Buddhist teacher Thinley Norbu. 'Welcoming Flowers' is Norbu's attempt to identify and correct such errors.

Historical fiction. Fifty stories of Buddhist women from the time of the Buddha in the sixth century B.C.E. to the twelfth century C.E. The Buddha welcomed women from all castes and circumstances as equals into his group of followers, despite the mores and traditions of the patriarchal, even misogynistic Brahman culture into which he was born. His teachings, his instructions for attaining enlightenment, were essentially gender neutral. As Buddhism evolved, however, into its many forms, strong cultural forces gave this and other major world religions and spiritual paths a heavily patriarchal overlay. In short, the history of Buddhist women, their many achievements, their very names, have frequently been largely ignored, only dimly seen, rarely known. These fifty stories include portraits from the major traditions and schools that form the basis for "Vajrayana" (Tibetan Buddhism). Tales are drawn from the early "Way of the Elders," from the later tradition of "Mahayana," and from the traditions that ultimately coalesced into "Vajrayana." The author hopes that the spiritual journeys of these women, some more widely known than others, might introduce Buddhist practitioners and other readers to the inspiring achievements of some of their spiritual Mothers. For readers who already know these women, or some of them, may these stories enrich that acquaintance.

The Cloud of Nectar is Oriol Aguilar's annotated translation of the biography of Nyagla Pema Dudul, a 19th century master, terton, and well-known exponent of the practice and realization of Total Perfection (Dzogchen) written by Yeshe Dorje. Born in the rugged eastern Tibetan region of Khams, despite an auspicious birth accompanied by miraculous signs and prognostications, like the great 11th century mystic Milarepa, as a fatherless youth Padma Dudul suffered great personal loss, severe deprivation, and repeated violence. A social outcast, his early attempts to obtain spiritual instruction were cruelly thwarted. Time and again, after a vicious beating as he struggled to avoid the starvation that claimed his brother's life, propelled by empathy even toward his attackers, he would renew his quest for bodily and spiritual sustenance. Increasingly recognized for his spiritual attainments, he sought and exchanged teachings with some of the region's leading figures of Buddhist and Bon learning and practice. Generously sharing his spiritual treasure, he gathered a large number of followers and founded Kalzang monastery, which survives to this day. But despite his fame and spiritual influence, Pema Dudul never held a position in any religious hierarchy, choosing instead the austere yet joyous lifestyle of a wandering yogi and remaining in solitary meditation retreat for extended periods until, upon his passing, he attained the Rainbow Body. In this important scholarly work, through his substantial Introduction Oriol Aguilar precisely places his subject in that fertile time and place in which both the struggle to preserve traditional learning and practice and exceptional spiritual creativity flourished against a backdrop of social and political unrest. Although the biography is filled with descriptions of wondrous visions and dreamlike encounters, its vividly frank presentation of the life of Pema Dudul conveys a sense of proximity and relevance rarely found in works of this genre.

Other Emptiness is the view of emptiness that goes with wisdom. It has long been thought amongst Westerners that the view of emptiness championed by the Gelug tradition following the views of Tsongkhapa is the one and only view of emptiness in the Buddhist teachings. However, that is not the case. The majority of Tibetan Buddhists accept two approaches to emptiness, a logical approach called empty of self and a non-conceptual approach called empty of other. This book clearly presents all of these views and shows how the empty of other type of emptiness is actually the ultimate teaching of the Buddha, the teaching on how to enter non-dual wisdom. Other emptiness has usually been thought of amongst Westerners who have heard of it as a very complicated and difficult philosophy. It is subtle, that is true, because it describes what it is like to be in wisdom. However, it was not taught as a difficult philosophy. Rather, it was taught as a practical teaching on how to enter non-dual wisdom. The book explores this point at length. The book was written to be useful for all levels of reader. It starts simply, giving a clear explanation of the Buddha's non-dual teaching and how the other emptiness teaching is part of that. Then it goes into details about the history and teaching other emptiness. Finally, it goes in to great technical detail concerning the other emptiness teaching, and supports that with extensive materials from various Tibetan teachers. Unlike many of the books on other emptiness that have appeared, this book does not only present the theory of other emptiness but keeps a proper balance between showing the theory of other emptiness and presenting the practice-based reality of the teaching. The book is divided into four parts, each one a set of presentations from someone knowledgeable of the subject. The first part is several chapters written by the author in plain English in order to get the reader under way. Following that, there are sections embodying the explanations of Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyatso, and amgon Kongtrul the great. Ample introductions, glossaries and so on are provided.

The Gesar epic encompasses a vast range of ancient Central Asian cultural and spiritual traditions. At its center, Gesar, King of Ling battles tirelessly in a world riven by greed, confusion, fear, and religious ambition to open pathways to an enlightened society. The Warrior Song of King Gesar follows the unbroken heritage of that warrior tradition and presents the saga of Gesar's life, from the hardships of his youth through his great battles against the demonic enemies of the four directions. This ever evolving epic tradition continues to inspire people in diverse societies by showing that, despite failures, an unsparing spiritual journey is integral to a secular life and that, despite defeats, such a quest is inseparable from working towards true social harmony. The Venerable Tulku Thondup's introduction is uniquely valuable for its profound scholarship and contains the only account in English of King Gesar's mind teachings. * "I hope that the wisdom, imagination, and humor with which Douglas Penick has conveyed both Gesar's story and the energy of his being will rouse unconditional confidence throughout the world." Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, head of Shambhala International, author of Making the Mind into an Ally, and Ruling Your World. "The Warrior Song of King Gesar maintains traditional Asian epic genres and conventions while simultaneously transforming them into a completely contemporary vehicle of expression. The book captures in a remarkable way the nomadic warrior traditions from which Gesar's inner life emerged while uncovering the personal reality hidden within them. This work then is not a 're-telling' of the Gesar saga, but an authentic continuation of that tradition which thus becomes available to modern audiences in new and provocative ways." Kidder Smith- former Professor of Chinese History at Bowdoin College, author of articles on the East Asian classics, lead translator in the Denma Translation Group's Sun Tzu's Art of War.

Dr. Nida's Path to Rainbow Body provides a wonderful initial overview of the marvelous teaching of the Yuthok Heart Essence, the principle spiritual teaching employed in Tibet for the training of physicians in continuous use in Tibetan medical schools since the 12th century, the time of Yuthok Yonten Gonpo the Younger. This book gives a brief but thorough introduction to this unique method of the doctor's essential inner training that must precede and complement the vast external learning that must be mastered over many years of medical school and early practice.