Product Description

This book is a commentary by a contemporary master (1897–1975) on a portion of an ancient Tibetan Buddhist teaching. In the Tibetan tradition, it is common for a meditation master to offer explanations and interpretations in this way, in order to share his understanding with students and to shed light on centuries-old texts that may be difficult for contemporary practitioners to fully understand. Such a commentary is usually read at the end of a comprehensive course of study and is designed for seasoned students of Tibetan Buddhism. To make the work more accessible to Western Buddhists, the translators have added detailed notes and appendixes.



In this case, the well-known original text by Jigme Lingpa (1730–1798) presents in elegant verse the entire Buddhist path according to the Nyingma school. Because it is pithy and concise and makes use of elaborate poetic language, a commentary is indispensable.



The root text consists of two main sections devoted, respectively, to the Sutras and the Tantras. The Sutra section, which is the subject of the present volume, covers the ethical, psychological, and philosophical teachings shared by all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The essential thrust is toward the Mahayana, but the text also addresses questions associated with the Hinayana perspective, such as the fundamental issues of karma and ethics, the four noble truths, and the twelvefold chain of dependent arising.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32512 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-25
• Released on: 2001-09-25
• Original language: Tibetan
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 480 pages

Review
"The Padmakara Translation Group does an admirable job at filling in the gaps with extensive notes and appendices."— Shambhala Sun

About the Author
Longchen Yeshe Dorje, Kangyur Rinpoche (1897–1975), of the monastery of Riwoche in Kham, was a great scholar and tertön. He left Tibet in the 1950s and was one of the first Tibetan masters to accept Western disciples.

Customer Reviews

Essential read for Buddhists & scholars
It is wonderful to finally have a translation of this precious Tibetan text written in the 18th century by one of the greatest Tibetan scholars and masters, Jigme Lingpa. The insightful and indispensable commentary is provided by Kangyur Rinpoche (1898-1975), highly revered as one of the greatest Tibetan masters of the 20th century. This text provides a detailed overview of the Buddhist path as taught within the Nyingma school. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to cultivate their knowledge and to deepen their understanding of Tibetan Buddhism.

Elementary my dear Watson--but with some good elements
This is the founder of the Padmakara Translation Group's commentary on Jigme Lingpa's root text including excerpts (esp. the appendices) from prior commentaries & extensive endnotes (IMHO the new ones are the best part of the book). Similar to Deshung Rinpoche's Sakya "Three Levels of Spiritual Perception," this Nyingma one is the 1st (sutra-only here) of 2 vols. (2nd to be tantra) & is therefore quite basic (the 1st third is pretty boring IMHO). Much of it is in Khetsun Sangpo Rinbochay's small "Tantric Practice in Nying-Ma." Similar to other modern introductions to Buddhism (or other religions), it includes lots of mythology, primitive beliefs, religious guilt trips (beneficial for those needing self-discipline or motivation-- p. 118: "The excellent determination to be free from samsara is a powerful enchantment cast over the demon of complacency, by means of which each & every practice will propel one further along the path to liberation"), & culturally specific dogmas (e.g., p. 113--not walking behind/in front of one's guru & "demonic influences") despite saying p. 8: "The kind of reader for whom this translation is intended, namely Western Buddhists eager to enlarge & deepen their understanding of the Dharma" & p. 22: "The present text represents the quintessence of the whole of Longchenpa's Seven Treasuries." Perhaps the 2nd vol.?, but this one has precious little Dzogchen & cannot compare to Longchenpa's magnificent "Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena." However, it does include concise descriptions of guru & yidam yoga, the 6 perfections, the Bardos, the 10 meanings of `Dharma,' etc. & quite extensive descriptions of Buddhist cosmology, vows & their relationships, philosophical systems (esp. Madhyamika), & religious lists/symbols (e.g., p. 373 note 129: the symbolism of the Dharma wheel is explained in different ways & p. 375 note 140: "Although 18 downfalls are enumerated, they in fact amount to 14, since 4 of the downfalls of a king & 4 of the downfalls of a minister coincide."). As usual there is much rhetoric lacking sufficient justification, rendering arguments (not necessarily their conclusions) invalid; much comparison with "Hinayana" (e.g., pp. 84-5: arhats are reborn in Buddha fields &, in one life of Mahayana, obtain Buddhahood); much hyperbole of the value of various practices; binary arguments (i.e. existence vs. non-existence) rather than set theory wherein two sets have both common & differing elements or differing levels of abstraction/detail which provide differing perspectives (i.e. conventional vs. absolute); & critique of inherent existence/self (p. 329: Songs of Realization by Jangya Rolpa'I Dorje: `look for hare with horns as something to refute'). But, p. 333: "Eradicate all clinging to position or theories, which are imputations arising from philosophical inquiry & which are found in all tenet systems whether Buddhist or non-Buddhist," pp. 131-2 & p. 358 note 50 per the Lankavatara sutra: `The unborn nature is the only truth, while `4 truths' is the talk of mere children. For those abiding in the essence of enlightenment, not one is found, why speak of 4?', & provides a Buddhist description of the religious life cycle on p. 358 note 54. So, for beginners, the book contains much information on Buddhist beliefs, & for practitioners, it might be worthwhile to wade through the basic material to find the handful of buried, gems herein.