Daring Steps stands out among the multitude of books on Tibetan Buddhism as being a uniquely accessible overview of the Buddhist path that encompasses all three yanas, or traditional Buddhist spiritual paths. Ringu Tulku renowned for both his insight and approachable style consistently brings the teachings back to the reader's own experience as he reveals the vital role of each path in the attainment of genuine realization. Daring Steps draws on several venerable sources, among them the Buddha's earliest teachings and a Vajrayana text by the yogi known as Crazy Khyentse. The author takes us from the most basic meditation practice to the rarefied realm of Mahamudra, touching on a dazzling range of teachings and techniques along the way. This lively presentation will be welcomed as both a trustworthy introduction for the beginning student and an indispensable reference for practitioners at every stage of the path.

This compelling study of the Ri-me movement and of the major Buddhist lineages of Tibet is comprehensive and accessible. It includes an introduction to the history and philosophy of the Ri-me movement; a biography of the movement's leader, the meditation master and philosopher known as Jamgon Kongtrul the Great; helpful summaries of the eight lineages' practice-and-study systems, which point out the different emphases of the schools; an explanation of the most hotly disputed concepts; and an overview of the old and new tantras.
Jamgon Kongtrul the Great (1813-1899) is a giant in Tibetan history, renowned for his scholarly and meditative achievements, but also for his energetic yet evenhanded work to unify and strengthen the different lineages of Buddhism. The Ri-me movement, led by Kongtrul and several other leading scholars of the time, was a unifying effort to cut through interscholastic divisions and disputes that were occurring between the different lineages. These leaders sought appreciation of the differences and acknowledgment of the importance of variety in benefiting practitioners with different needs. The Ri-me teachers also took great care that the teachings and practices of the different schools and lineages, and their unique styles, did not become confused with one another. This lucid survey of the Ri-me movement will be of interest to serious scholars and practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.

Kennt ihr Tashi, die tibetische Grille, die in Ditzas Garten lebt ? Es ist eine kleine, lustige Grille, die aus Tibet gekommen ist. Sie meditiert und singt einen Mantra, eine Zauberformel, die Dinge und Menschen verwandelt. Ihr Mantra lautet Om Mani Peme Hum Hri, und Ditza nennt ihn Mami Mantra. Tashi, Ditza und Pipo, die getigerte Katze sind gute Freunde und erleben zusammen viele Abenteuer. Vorwort Ich mag Geschichten. Besonders liebe ich solche mit tieferer Bedeutung, Geschichten, die seltsam, lustig und ereignisreich sind. Wenn ich ein Buch wie dieses zur Hand nehme, kann ich es nicht weglegen, bis ich es ganz durchgelesen habe - und dann finde ich es schade, dass es zu Ende ist. Diese Geschichten fesseln nicht nur meine Aufmerksamkeit, sondern sie vermitteln auch Verstandnis fur die alte Weisheit, die fur mehr als tausend Jahre in Tibet bewahrt wurde. Auch die Art der Illustrationen in diesem Buch ist sehr ansprechend. Ich wunsche und hoffe, dass dieses Buch viele Menschen, jung und alt, unterhalten und lehren wird. Ringu Tulku

How could confusion arise as wisdom? According to the Mahamudra view, confusion arises as wisdom when we realize that everything we experience is the radiance of the mind's own nature. And what is the nature of our mind? And how do we come to recognize that? These are the questions Gampopa answers for his students in the text commented upon here, known as the Great Community Talks. He shows them--and now us--the path of deep understanding and meditation that leads to the realization of Mahamudra, the "Great Seal" of the true nature of reality.
Gampopa was a twelfth-century Buddhist monk who was a disciple of Tibet's greatest yogi, Milarepa. He applied Milarepa's instructions on meditation to reach the highest realization of Mahamudra. In this volume of advanced teachings, Gampopa passes on these same instructions in the form of heart advice on how to practice the nature of mind and reach enlightenment.
Ringu Tulku's commentary on the text, taken from his own community talks to students in Europe and America, makes Gampopa's teaching wonderfully accessible. His gentleness, warmth, and humor, as well as his wisdom and practicality, shine through in his own heartfelt advice on how we too could transform confusion into wisdom.