Product Description

Jamgon Kongtrul's Treasury of Knowledge in ten volumes is a unique encyclopedic masterpiece embodying the entire range of Buddhist teachings as they were presented in Tibet. Tibetan Buddhist teachers expected their students to study Buddhist philosophical texts as well as practicing reflection and meditation; present-day students have also realized that awakening has its source in study as well as in reflection and practice. This volume, Esoteric Instructions, deals with meditation, specifically tantric meditation. Esoteric Instructions is a collection of intimate records of personal teaching by masters. They simplify tantric meditations by providing pertinent examples and very personal and helpful hints to disciples based on the masters's own experience. Although originally oral in nature, they have been codified and passed down thorough specific lineages from teacher to student.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112639 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 544 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781559392846
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Review
"This book has a place in libraries...[gives] concise outlines of tantra as practiced in different Buddhist traditions." -- Mandala magazine

"...reveal[s] the complete spectrum of the traditions of profound [meditation] instructions...a masterful translation...rich in insights." -- Ingrid McLeod, translator of The Treasury of Knowledge, Book 6, Part 4: Systems of Buddhist Tantra

"I encourage anyone interested in the study and practice of Dharma to study this text, as it holds great blessings." -- Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, author of It's Up To You

From the Back Cover
Jamgon Kongtrul's Treasury of Knowledge in ten volumes is a unique encyclopedic masterpiece embodying the entire range of Buddhist teachings as they were presented in Tibet. Tibetan Buddhist teachers expected their students to study Buddhist philosophical texts as well as practice reflection and meditation; present-day students have also realized that awakening has its source in study as well as in reflection and practice.

This volume, Esoteric Instructions, A Detailed Presentation of the Process of Meditation in Vajrayana, deals with meditation, specifically tantric meditation. Esoteric Instructions is a collection of intimate records of personal teachings by masters, that simplify tantric meditations by providing pertinent examples and very personal and helpful hints to disciples based on the master's own experience. Although originally oral in nature, they have been codified and passed down through specific lineages from teacher to student.

"This comprehensive masterpiece--which contains writings on the entire Buddhist canon--is one of the greatest works of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye. It has brought immeasurable benefit to beings in the past and present and will continue to benefit far into the future. I am pleased that Book 8, Part 4 of the Treasury of Knowledge, Esoteric Instructions, is translated by Sarah Harding, whom I respect as an eminent and experienced translator. I highly encourage anyone interested in the study and practice of Dharma to study this text, as it holds great blessings."--Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, author of It's Up To You

"This volume of the Treasury of Knowledge presents the culmination of Jamgon Kongtrul's treatment of Buddhist meditation training, revealing the complete spectrum of the traditions of profound instructions known as the eight great practice lineages. Here Sarah Harding has produced a masterful translation of this pithy work, augmented it with historical overviews, and provided an introduction rich in insights and background material. This book--a treasury in itself--will undoubtedly be appreciated both by scholars of comparative studies of the different systems and by practitioners wishing to broaden their knowledge of meditation methods."--Ingrid McLeod, translator of The Treasury of Knowledge, Book 6, Part 4: Systems of Buddhist Tantra

Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye (1813-1900), a pivotal figure in eastern Tibet's nonsectarian movement, was one of the most outstanding writers and teachers of his time.

Sarah Harding has been a Tibetan Buddhist translator and practitioner since 1974. Her publications include Machik's Complete Explanation, Creation and Completion and The Life and Revelations of Pema Lingpa. She has served for over ten years as a faculty member at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Esoteric Instructions is translated as part of the Tsadra Foundation Series published by Snow Lion Publications.

About the Author
Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye (1813-1900), a pivotal figure in eastern Tibet's nonsectarian movement, was one of the most outstanding writers and teachers of his time.

Sarah Harding has been a Tibetan Buddhist translator and practitioner since 1974. Her publications include Machik's Complete Explanation, Creation and Completion and The Life and Revelations of Pema Lingpa. She has served for over ten years as a faculty member at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Esoteric Instructions is translated as part of the Tsadra Foundation Series published by Snow Lion Publications.

Customer Reviews

A Treasury of Esoteric Instructions
Sarah Harding's translation of "The Treasury of Knowledge: Book 8, Part 4: Esoteric Instructions" joins her translation of "Machik's Complete Explanation" on my bookshelf as constant, Good Companions. Companions upon whom I can rely. The clarity of her exposition reveals a mind both vastly informed and deeply understanding of the actual purpose of the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist path.

This text, the 4th of 4 movements in the eighth symphony of Jamgon Kongtrul's 10 symphony opus of Buddhist Methods and Wisdom stands out as an UNBIASED review of the 8 lineages of practice current in the Tibet of his day. Simply put, it is what these eight lineages did and in what order they did it to achieve realization.

Beginning with the Nyingma, and proceeding historically through the Kadam and through the various Kagyu lineages as well as the Kalachakra and Chod, it puts all in a perspective like cities seen in a valley from a mountain ridge.

But what struck me was the way 20 years of empowerments and teachings and readings which had been floating like a cloud in my mind were pulled together like someone had passed a magnet over iron-filings. Think of the way rock-candy is made, by dipping strings into boiled sugar water. The crystals form into candy of the threads of string. These concise overviews of each lineage act in the same way for me.

"Rime is the attitude of the Bodhisattva who generates
the immeasurable emotion of Rejoicing
when reviewing the Sangha."