Book Description
Listen to an audio excerpt online in MP3 format—click here.
Buddhist teachings on facing death with openness and insight, from the author of The Healing Power of Mind—now in paperback with a CD of guided instructions by the author.
Buddhism teaches that death can be a springboard to enlightenment—yet for all but the most advanced meditators, it will be the gateway to countless future lives of suffering in samsara. Tulku Thondup wrote this guide to help us heal our fear and confusion about death and strengthen our practice in anticipation of this transition, and to help us realize the enlightened goal of ultimate peace and joy—not only for death and rebirth, but for this very lifetime. In simple language, he distills a vast range of sources, including scriptures, classic commentaries, oral teachings, and firsthand accounts. The book includes:
A CD of guided meditations
An overview of the dying process, the after-death bardo states, and teachings on why, where, and how we take rebirth
Accounts by Tibetan "near-death experiencers" (delogs), who returned from death with amazing reports of their visions
Ways to train our minds during life, so that at death, all the phenomena before us will arise as a world of peace, joy, and enlightenment
Simple meditations, prayers, and rituals to benefit the dead and dying
Advice for caregivers, helpers, and survivors of the dying
The paperback edition includes an audio CD providing guided instructions by the author on how to visualize Amitabha Buddha in the Pure Realm; how to receive his blessings; how to visualize transforming your body into light and sound at the time of death; how to share the blessings with compassion for all sentient beings; and how to rest in oneness. By becoming intimate with this practice while we're alive, we can alleviate our fear of death, improve our appreciation of this life, and prepare for death in a very practical way, while planting the seeds for rebirth in the Pure Land.
Customer Reviews:
An accessible introduction to Pure Land teachings from a Tibetan perspective ..........2007-01-23
Tulku Thondup provides an accessible introduction to the Pure Land tradition as it relates to Tibetan Buddhist views of death and dying - which relate, in turn, to the importance of working with the mind in present life to assure a positive death experience and rebirth. There is plenty here, however, for anyone open to Buddhist views without his or her having to embrace Buddhism formally. The author also discusses the importance of conducting rituals for the spiritual benefit of the dying and the dead, offering a suggested practice for non-Buddhists as well as detailed instructions for experienced Buddhist meditators. The emphasis throughout is on the practicality of the teachings, supplemented by vivid accounts of Tibetan near-death experiences.
The CD contains an extensive and lengthy guided meditation centered on visualizing Amitabha and his Pure Land in the West. This is a substantial practice for anyone wanting to establish a meditative connection with the Buddha of Infinite Light. Open-minded readers not so inclined might still find it worthwhile to follow along at least once in order to experience the Pure Land perspective in practical application as a way to work with the mind in THIS life.
After We Die - a guidebook.......2006-11-25
PLEASE NOTE: I RATE THIS THREE STARS, BUT AM UNABLE TO CORRECT THE SCALE WHICH INCORRECTLY SHOWS ONLY ONE STAR. THANK YOU:
Tulku Thondup's Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth is unique among Tibetan books. It concentrates on our experience after we die and is a guidebook that outlines what to expect when we pass from mortal life to post-life experiences. For example it provides stories of experiences during a time of judgment in the Bardo state.
Thondup gives us vivid details and sample experiences of practitioner's passing sensations during their time of death. It also offers a sense of the wide range of worlds our consciousness may experience after mortal death, everything from hellish chimaeras to celestial, peaceful visions.
His book places heavy emphasis on karma and the belief that deeds determine our experience in a life after this one. It stresses that a consious, kindly life leads to a positive afterlife while a self-centered life leads to more hellish worlds.
With its unique and detailed picture of the relms of consciouness after death, Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth is a worthy addition to the body of literature on the subject of dying and the afterlife.
Everything you are likely looking for.......2006-07-22
I had been recommended this book by a fellow Buddhist practicitioner who does much work with terminally ill patients. Our Buddhist Practice group (Sangha) seemed to have many death and dying issues coming up recently.
If you are looking for a book on the death and dying process from a Vajrayana Buddhist perspective, in my opinion, this is the book to buy.
Tulku Thondup is highly recognized as a Nyingma Master as well as being University Professor and excellent writer.
If you want to acquire an exhastive academic book on the "The Great Liberation upon Hearing in the Intermediate State" (commonly known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead here in the West) I would suggest also buying Graham Coleman's version.
However, for practice purposes and general understanding, Tulku Thondup's "Peace Death, Joyful Rebirth" is unmatched. He not only covers the essence of this text but also recounts wonderful information as only taught by a Tibetan Nyingma Master.
More doubts than certainty.......2006-04-21
Reading this book was no fun for me and added very little to my understanding of the death process. The delog stories lack integrity
Profound and Practical Teachings on Death, Karma, and Rebirth.......2005-08-25
Judy Lief
Author of Making Friends with Death; A Buddhist Guide to Encountering Mortality
The Tibetan understanding of the cycle of life and death is encapsulated in the image of the Wheel of Life, traditionally displayed outside the entrances to meditation halls as a reminder of the preciousness of life, the reality of impermanence, and the powerful force of karma. According to these teachings, our present state of mind and the way in which we lead our lives have direct bearing on our future circumstances in this life and in subsequent lives. Tulku Thondup's book is a particularly clear exposition of this teaching on life, death, and rebirth
In particular, Tulku Thondup, a renowned Tibetan Buddhist scholar, translator and spiritual guide, clarifies the interplay between karma, the six realms of existence, and the many pure lands described in traditional Buddhist texts. He carefully elucidates how the karma created by ones mental state and moral actions can propel one into either desirable or horrific states of existence. Tulku Thondrop encourages us to take responsibility for our life and cultivate healthy states of mind. Whether you believe in rebirth or not, it is easy to observe how our mental habits, which all too often seems to be shifty and out of our control, shape our perception of the world-for better or for worse. By pointing out how this works, Tulku offers the reader a way to unravel these habitual patterns and loosen the forces that propel one to painful realms of existence. In short, he offers many methods to cultivate wholesome states of mind and let go of harmful patterns that entrap us.
Of particular interest are the many stories Tulku has assembled about delogs. In Tibet there are many accounts of people who died and in that state traveled to other realms of existence and other realities, communicating with the dead and receiving teachings, before being sent back as messengers for the living. Unlike accounts of near-death experiences of short duration, it was not uncommon for delogs to return to life after a period of many days. While some of their descriptions may seem frightening or harsh-certainly no nonsense-at the same time, each delog in his or her own way reminds the living of the preciousness of life, the power of the mind, and the possibility of living with awareness, kindness, and openness. The message that what we think and do makes a difference is an empowering one, filled with inspiration and hope.
In a series of helpful appendices, Tulku Thondup has gathered a series of Buddhist rituals for the dying and for those seeking to take birth in the blissful pure land. For those interested in the Tibetan vajrayana rituals, these appendices are an invaluable resource. At the same time, Tulku repeatedly points out that anyone can benefit from Buddhist teachings on life, death and the intermediate state. No matter our tradition or background, each of us can benefit from contemplating the reality of death and the brevity of life; each of us can benefit from letting go of harmful mental states and habitual actions that cause us needless suffering; each of us can benefit from extending ourselves to one another with kindness and love.
Book Description
With unsurpassed honesty and humility, the highly influential meditation master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche offers a glimpse into the remarkable reality of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as an in depth portrait of the lost culture of old Tibet. This grand narrative stretches across generations, providing an inspiring glimpse into a realm of remarkable human achievement quite different from our familiar, mundane world. Intimate in tone, these personal memoirs recount the influences and experiences that shaped one of the great spiritual teachers of our time. Blazing Splendor is of both spiritual and historical importance.
Customer Reviews:
Packed with beautiful stories and full of ambience.......2007-06-27
I'm thoroughly enjoying this book! It is full of beautiful stories about the lifestyle and people of the intense Buddhist spiritual culture in Tibet in the last century. So many anecdotes bring the whole scene to life. The flavor of that whole world comes through so clearly. I'm not a Nyingma practitioner - so I'm not talking as a devoted student per se - but it's such a rich read and I'd recommend to anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism.
I've hardly read anything that gives the same depth of detail and cultural ambiance as this.
Passport to a Sacred Society.......2007-03-25
I found this book fascinating. It gave me a window to view the way of life of an elite sector of traditional Tibetan society - the high-born lamas of Eastern Tibet - and their complete dedication to the pursuit of spiritual attainment within the context of the buddho-shamistic culture of their people. Written from deeply within the context of the Tibetan spiritual worldview, this narrative brings to life the character of many great masters from pre-communist Tibet, and puts the teachings that survive them within the context of their traditional way of life. If you are interested in awakening to Truth, the Dzogchen teachings, and traditional cultures, you are sure to find this an interesting read, providing that you are able to navigate the many dozens of Tibetan names and words that occur throughout the text (glossary included.) :) The greatest thing that struck me from reading this memoir was how profoundly the society of Tibet supported its spiritual practitioners - and in contrast how lacking our modern society is in this regard. Truly, despite all of its failings from a modern humanistic perspective, traditional Tibet was a sacred society.
Blazing Splendor: A Great Story, Told in the Oral Traditon of Tibet.......2006-07-25
Many reviewers have rated this book among the best because it tells the story of a great Tibetan teacher. Some of Rinpoche's students are well known teachers in the United States and other countries. This is a well told story that could, at one level, be a history of the lineage holders that compise the evaporating pool of knowledge of Tibetan Buddhist tradition and culture. On a deeper level, it is a teaching in the oral and Tantric tradition, and because the authors are careful to keep the narrative as told by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, it has the feel of a story heard while sitting in his presence. My only complaint is that the endnotes are so fact-filled and important to understanding the traditonal background of the story, that they probably should be formatted as footnotes, just so that one does not have to continually flip to the back of the book. This is an important book for those who care about Tibet and all that it was and still is because of the living oral history that remains accessible in spite of, and maybe even because of, events that ocurred in the last century.
Timeless notes on a time gone by.......2006-06-05
This volume is wonderfully fresh and accessible. It is like sitting, listening to stories told by a dear friend or relative. There are charming details, remarkable personal observations of many of the greatest lamas of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, down through Dzonsar Khyenste, Dilgo Kyentse and the 16th Karmapa. A deep theme throughout is that of the "terton", the gifted soul who uncovers "treasures" or "terma" hidden by Padmasambhava to be discovered when the time and times are correct. The author's great grandfather, Chokgyur Lingpa, was one of the last and greatest tertons, and the teachings thus uncovered - how and where they occurred, who was involved, the lineage of those who received these teachings, and so forth - is central to the story. I have found nothing like this in any of the many I've read on Tibet and the Tibetans.
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche tells stories of these events that go back a considerable ways before he was born, into the 19th century, when Tibet was a world unto itself. He ends the book with a relatively brief description of the work he undertook at the direction of the 16th Karmapa to build a monastery near the great stupa of Boudanath, near Kathmandu, many years after his departure from Tibet in 1955. One sees glimpses throughout the narrative of the coming debacle; remarkable prophecies, side by side with engaging tales of his encounters with masters of the Dharma. It is a unique account, not to be missed, especially by those who seek a deeper understanding of how the great lamas of Tibet in that time lived their lives, related to each other, maintained their lineages and looked forward to preservation of the Dharma in a changed world. Altogether enchanting!
Blazing Splendor, Blazing Life.......2006-03-19
¨Blazing Splendor takes us through the life of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, from his birth in Tibet in this life, to the end. This account includes details of life in a Tibet that has seen many changes over time. This book is a rich resource for the history, growth and development of Buddhism in our own time. It is a wonderfully warm telling of Rinpoche's relationships with his grandmother, his father, and the many Lamas he met over that time. A good book for the inquisitive, and the student alike.
Book Description
One of the most comprehensive works on the Nyingma to appear in English.
Customer Reviews:
The Practice of Dzogchen.......2005-09-10
The first part is very boring, and massive. Written in a style that makes it very very hard to follow the meaning. But, afterwards the book becomes very clear. Definetely a great book on dzogchen once you get past the first parts.
Naturally Liberated Mind, the Great Perfection.......2004-07-06
The excerpt of this book provided on Amazon only has portions from the introductory material by Tulku Thondrup, none of the words of Longchempa are included. The following excerpts are all from chapter 7, the Sems-Nyid Rang-Grol, which is the heart of the volume. I have provided these for those who may be curious as to what this book is really about. My own views on this book are well known (q.v.).
"Phenomenal existences are unborn, of equal nature;
In which the originally liberated appearances and mind prevail evenly without apprehensions;
Concerning that marvelous sovereign, Naturally Liberated Mind,
Listen while I tell you what I have realized.
"All phenomena are primordially pure and enlightened, so it is unborn and unceasing, inconceivable and inexpressable.
In the ultimate sphere purity and impurity are naturally pure and
Phenomena are the great equal perfection, free from conception.
"There is no separate emptiness apart from apparent phenomena.
The notion of their distinctness is a division made by the mind.
"In the mind which has no essence, various things
Arise because of the objective conditions,
Like reflections appearing in a mirror or in the ocean.
The emptiness essence, unceasing nature, and
Variously appearing characteristic, the magical display, is
The dual projection of samsara and nirvana within a single Mind.
"The primordially empty Mind, which has no root,
Is not defiled by the phenomenal appearances of samsara and nirvana.
"The nature of samsara is the essence of the mind,
Which is primordially unborn and enlightened,
So by seeing the Mind, realization of the nature of existence is attained.
"For the Buddhahood which is totally and naturally pure,
Do not search anywhere but in your own mind.
"For people who want enlightenment, the meaning of the unmodified absolute
Is to let the mind be at ease without effort."
Advanced Dzogchen study.......2004-05-31
There are lots of introductory Dzogchen books (as there are for Mahamudra, Kabbalah, etc.). This is NOT one of them. There are also pure scholarly works with a small, fervent readership. This isn't one of those either, though scholars may certainly find it very valuable. The commentator/translator excerpts from many of Longchenpa's (Longchen Rabjam's) various texts which would be virtually impossible to access in English otherwise. Longchenpa is one of, if not THE, greatest Dzogchen masters of all time. Nevertheless, this is not an easy text to read. Furthermore, it is inconsistent in depth & style. However, this is a definitive Dzogchen text--quite advanced, not for the beginner, challenging, and enlightening. It grows with you and re-reading texts in an unfamiliar area can increase understanding and familiarity (the way Jung studied Alchemy). This is a GREAT book, not to be underrated, but not every book is for every one. There is also a new issue of the same text entitled "Buddha Mind." It might be better to read Longchenpa's "Kindly Bent to Ease Us" trilogy before attempting this one. It's a much easier read.
An eye-opening anthology of the writings.......2003-03-10
The Practice Of Dzogchen is an eye-opening anthology of the writings on Dzogpa Chenpo, or Dzogchen, by Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363), a widely renowned adept of the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism. Meticulously translated into English by Tulku Thondup, this classic 466-page text cogently explains the nature of the three outer and three inner tantras, presents excerpts from the lives of Dzogpa Chenpo masters, offers paths to meditation, and a great deal more. Simply put, The Practice Of Dzogchen is a "must-have" addition for Tibetan Buddhist reference shelves and a strongly recommended entry for the supplemental reading lists of dedicated students of Tibetan Studies.
Don't give up.......2002-08-11
10-Point Rating: (10.0)
I came to this book with a heavy background in western philosophy, specifically the analytic tradition. Never having studied eastern traditions directly, I had always bought into the marginalizations of eastern thought prevalent in our culture. This book literally slapped me awake. There is not a thinker in the entire history of western philosophy (and that includes all the greats) that can hold a candle to Longchen Rabjam and the tradition he represents. I am not going to lie to you, this book is not easy reading - the system/viewpoint expressed is completely alien to our western outlook. It thus carries with it a set of technical terms (just as our philosophers do - e.g. substance, person, free will) which must be understood prior to a serious reading. For this reason it is best not to breeze through the introductory material which, as in most books on dzogchen, makes up at least half the volume. Another difficulty is that the author (Longchenpa) is assuming familiarity with certain ideas (such as the twelvefold chain of interdependent causation) and so he only treats them in a cursory fashion - bear with it, re-read it, study it, it will eventually come to you.
Customer Reviews:
anger is fleeting (but why is war so long?).......2007-03-06
This beautiful book should be required reading for every business student, politician, and employer in the U.S. It wouldn't hurt parents a bit to read it and work it as well. We all have occasions in our lives to exert power over someone else, and too often we act out of emotions that end up causing trouble for us, problems we never saw ahead. Chagdud Tulku's Socratic method opens our hearts as it quiets our minds. Glimpses and examples of compassionate resolutions to conflict are inspiring. I plan on giving this book to Mark Greif, a high school principal in Oregon who annually alienates students and staff at his school with his bullying, paranoid management style. The beauty of the Tulku's message is that even the karmic damage someone like Greif self-inflicts is reversible through compassion and greater awareness. Chagdud Tulku writes with a poet's insight, a spiritual mentor's heart.
--Robert McDowell ("The Poetry Mentor"), author of the forthcoming book, Poetry in Your Spiritual Practice)
The practice of peace.......2005-09-02
Regularly, I am reminded of the depth and breadth of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche's genius. His project, the Bodhisattva Peace Training, is a very good example of this. Lama Shenpen has done the world a genuine service by organizing these teachings into an approachable text, and by keeping the training going for professionals and others interested in helping. Chagdud Tulku not only generated the Peace Training, but also trained lamas such as Lama Shenpen to keep his work going and to help it grow. That is practical genius, motivated by a genuine desire to be helpful.
To be quicker: the Bodhisattva Peace Training has real intelligence behind it. It's the real deal, and I believe it can be of real use to people and the planet.
Gratitude!
Practical and effective meditation exercises.......2004-10-22
"To bring forth good heart," explains Chagdud Tulku, "we must use spiritual methods. We are never too old or too young to do so. One of the key points of these teachings is that everyone can apply them." Change of Heart is a compilation of the Bodhisattva Peace Training sessions of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, a beloved Tibetan lama who passed away in 2002. Tulku's stories and analogies to teach us how to counteract old habits through meditation. The practical and effective meditation exercises increase our awareness of our connectedness and expand our capacity for love, joy, and compassion.
As Westerners, we might find it difficult to relate to some of the Buddhist concepts regarding karma, suffering, past lives, and impermanence. It's not necessary that we embrace these concepts, only that we contemplate them. The purpose of these teachings is not to impose the Buddhist beliefs upon us, but rather to provide a method for increasing outer and inner peace for all beings. It doesn't mean we need to retreat from the world or abandon our normal lifestyle. "It is a matter of bringing love, compassion, and awareness to everything we do," says Tulku. "The merit of helping others, dedicated to all beings, is boundless and becomes a powerful force for positive change. Continually contemplate impermanence and cultivate nonattachment. Practice contemplation and relaxation. Review your day, reflecting on the virtue and negativity. The point of our practice is not to have visionary or clairvoyant experiences, but to reduce mind's poisons and enhance our positive qualities. Ultimately, change is the key - to change the heart, to discover mind's true nature."
Tulku advocates a meditation technique that alternates between a state of contemplation and relaxation. "Contemplating without resting is like stirring the sediment in a pond. On the other hand, resting without contemplating is like practicing archery without a target. We cut through mental dullness and attachment to emptiness through contemplation. Then we cut our attachment to concepts by letting the mind rest.. We go back and forth, so that we are neither consumed by swirling concepts nor lost in a dull or comalike state of free thought." One of my favorite exercises is to contemplate that we have all known each other during at least one lifetime. It helps me dissipate the tension that can arise when I'm around people who are angry, prejudiced, or resentful. "There are no real strangers anywhere;" Tulku theorizes, "we have previously been intimate with every being as we have been with our own mother in this life. No matter what role someone plays now, that being has at one time been our parent."
Regarding parenting, Tulku encourages us to be sincere with our children. Young children respond well to stories that convey a lesson. And above all, he advises that "The most effective way for parents to teach their children spiritual values is to live them - to demonstrate respect, loving kindness, and compassion."
Acceptance and compassion are the foundation of effective communication and relationships. "When we work with others," Tulku reminds us that "it is most important for us to be accepting. No matter how right you may think you are, trying to impose your opinion on others is wrong."
The Western world is a self-centered society. Many people remain focused on our own well being and take little action to ensure the well being of the world community. This is manifested by our obsession with the acquisition of material goods, supersized homes, and exclusive ideologies. Tulku comments that "To be of greater benefit, we must develop equanimity, an equal regard for all beings; compassion, the wish that all suffering come to an end; love, the aspiration that all beings find both temporary and lasting happiness; and the ability to rejoice in others' good fortune. Our challenge is to let go of our judgements and biases, including the distinctions we make between victim and aggressor."
The Bodhisattva Peace Training of Chagdud Tulku is an excellent tool for cultivating inner peace and helping us removing the veil of our misperceptions. "We have a deeply ingrained habit of believing that our everyday reality - this long dream we call life - is inherently true. This is ignorance. Because we don't realize that we're dreaming, we have attachment or aversion to the different circumstances that arise. The mind is like a television's remote control," observes Tulku. If we know how to change channels, we can change the picture."
I will re-read this book many times........2004-03-06
When all the huffing and puffing won't make your life the way you would like for it to be, read Change of Heart. It will shake up your thinking about the world and those in it. Change of Heart is an outstanding book consoling readers with knowledge, instruction and inspiration for living a radiant meaningful life. The reader, looking in the rearview mirror of their past, will be able to determine how the unplowed ground of the future will be. Change of Heart is broken down into three parts along with a list of meditations.
The compiled teachings takes you on a voyage of discovering areas of yourself you had never been keenly aware of before as you stride toward spiritual freedom. The book outlines a course of instruction called Bodhisattva Peace Training, which is friendly to all faiths. The reader will find help for troubled relationships, family, workplace, community, and/or world problems and situations. Bodhisattva Peace Training "is meant to serve as a mirror with which to examine ourselves". It explains how fear, self-interest and impulse toward self-preservation attracts negative energy. The book continues on to outline and teach you how to make "good heart" the foundation of all your commitments.
Statements like "awakening good heart is like finding a precious gem in a mound of filth" and "commitment to free all beings from suffering" are simply teasers for the mound of philosophical information to be had by reading this book.
The shared conversations with Rinpoche are unforgettable and chronicles the questions about life and soul proving the more crowded life gets the more insulated people make themselves which leads to a life of boundaries rather than freedoms. As the book points out the choice is ours. It goes one to explain about karma, being in hell, and the hungry ghost realms.
I found particularly interesting the four powers of purification which are support, acknowledgment, taking responsibility, not repeating mistakes and purification. The intense and direct conversations about karma are awe inspiring and engaging. As the book states wealth and poverty are a state of mind. When you finish this book you know that something of importance is at stake - you. Change of Heart shows you how to live your life with courageous honesty. I learned a lot from this jewel of clarity and insight and will re-read it many times.
Sherry Russell GMS
Author/reviewer
Midwest Book Review
A Simple and Effective Practice for Peace.......2004-01-28
We don't all have the good fortune (karma) to meet a great Tibetan Buddhist teacher much less receive their teachings. With this book, Lama Shenpen Drolma has provided many of us with that precious opportunity. Here in straight forward terms are the basic principles we all need to understand how we can cultivate peace in our lives and in the world. After reading it front to back, I flip open the book almost daily as a practice for establishing a more contented life. This happiness is not just for me but also for all of the people that I encounter. Try it - you'll be surprised at how quickly you can make this change of heart.
Book Description
The teachings presented in As It Is, Volume I are primarily selected from talks given by the Dzogchen master, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, in 1994 and 1995, during the last two years of his life. The unambiguous Buddhist perception of reality is transmitted in profound, simple language by one of the foremost masters in the Tibetan tradition. Dzogchen is to take the final result, the state of enlightenment itself, as path. This is the style of simply picking the ripened fruit or the fully bloomed flowers. Tulku Urgyen's way of communicating this wisdom was to awaken the individual to their potential and reveal the methods to acknowledge and stabilize that prospective. His distinctive teaching style was widely known for its unique directness in introducing students to the nature of mind in a way that allowed immediate experience. This book offers the direct oral instructions of a master who inspired admiration, delight in practice, and deep trust and confidence in the Buddhist way.
Customer Reviews:
Worth 4.5 stars--a few words with lots of impact.......2004-12-23
In the same vein as his "Rainbow Painting," Tulku Urgyen writes in a simple, straight-forward, easy-to-understand style. More importantly, he explains the purpose of several Tibetan Buddhist (Vajrayana) techniques which are otherwise alien to a Western mind. The many deities map onto Jungian Archetypes for example. Furthermore, he meticulously describes the technique of Dzogchen Trekcho and relates it to both the development and completion stage practices of Vajrayana. He also speaks to Yidam practice and one vs. a multiplicity of Yidams or deities. Thus, he eliminates many of the obstacles to Western understanding of Tibetan beliefs and practices. This book is well worth reading for students and practitioners of Dzogchen, Mahamudra (referenced a number of times herein), and Vajrayana. I look forward to reading volume 2.
Dzogchen master teaches in understandable terms.......2002-06-13
Tulku Urgyen's wrightings on Dzogchen leap from the page and inspire with their straight forward simplicity. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche manages to make "crystal' clear a subject that is sometimes explained by speaking in conrundrums. I would highly reccomend to anyone seeking to experience dzogchen both volumes of tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's As It Is series as well as his book "rainbow painting'. These are the books I keep close by and read again and again.
Book Description
Gates to Buddhist Practice: Essential Teachings of a Tibetan Master grounds the reader in Buddhist principles, interweaving stories from the author's native Tibet. Since its original publication, Chagdud Tulku has continued to teach widely and has met thousands of sincere, enthusiastic, and sometimes skeptical students. The frank questions inspired by these teachings form the basis of the material added to this revised edition.
Customer Reviews:
This book, as always with Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, inspires and moves me.......2007-09-08
When I realize that I missed the opportunity to meet this man by a just a smidge, it instantly makes me want to cry. I had been into Buddhism at the time he was still alive, but not too seriously. I collected books, you know, and half-read some, finished some and all the while wasn't sure exactly what I thought of it. If I could blame someone other than myself, I suppose I would blame the New Age market out there which seems to expand exponentially every year and seems to be giving the same generic advice to an ever-broadening audience of desperate hopefuls that any path can lead to enlightenment while all the while never sticking to one path. Rather, it's mixed into a bubbling pot of flavor-of-the-week to sip now and again, as desired. By contrast, any form of Buddhism, including the watered-down westernized "psychology-only" flavor seems too tough and too complicated or too boring, too austere.
But this book is different! This author is different!
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche's many available books, practice text, cassettes and cds are unfailing evidence that this man was a great teacher. This book is no exception. He has an extraordinary ability to make the notoriously complex Tibetan Buddhism very simple and easy for westerners to practice. This book might be the pinnacle of those powers. So clear, so precise, so simple. All you have to do is follow his advice.
But, this is where most people have difficulty. Many other books make the practice seem simple enough on the outset, but the actual practice of doing this stuff hangs over your head because, while it might be simple enough, and make enough sense, there is no real desire to actually do the practice as others teach it. This is not true with "Gates To Buddhist Practice" (or ANY of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche's books). This book immediately inspires you to practice. Just reading a few paragraphs makes you want to put it down and do a few prostrations, some visualization, some mantra, some generosity... SOMETHING! ANYTHING! This is because Chagdud doesn't just make it easy to understand, he teaches with compassion and lots of it. Compassion is the understanding of our suffering condition from the perspective of one who knows better. That compassion comes through loud and clear, so not only are you emotionally moved by his generosity and effort in these brilliantly crafted lessons, you get a sense of the understanding from an enlightened perspective. For example, if you see someone suffering and you don't know what to do about it, you will feel sad for sure; but, if you see someone suffering and you know exactly WHY they are suffering and WHAT to do about it, this awakens a different emotion in you similar to a maternal instinct. This is the compassion that Chagdud communicates. Once it is communicated, it changes your outlook completely and inspires you to action.
In fact, this quality has been carried on in Chagdud's students, which again shows what a great teacher he really was to produce so many more fine teachers. Go to any Chagdud Gonpa center and you will be moved. Go check out some of Lama Tsering Everest's podcasts available online and you will be moved in that same way.
This man knew the essence of the dharma and he knew how to teach it.
If you don't know where to begin with Tibetan Buddhism, this is the book for you. As Chagdud says on page 53, people are in a hurry to move beyond "kindergarten dharma" but the essence of the dharma is very simple! Because it is simple, it is often overlooked. People mistakenly think, "oh yeah, I get that, but there must be more..." while never "getting it" at all. You can't just read about the Four Thoughts, the Four Immeasurables, Bodhicitta, et cetera without actually transforming yourself by practice and think "oh yeah, I get that." It's not an intellectual abstraction to "get" in a relatively superficial sense. The essence is completely transformative to the mind and must be cultivated thoroughly within oneself in order for the essence to be "got."
Ignoring the simple essence in favor of superior teachings of the Highest Yoga Tantra, for example, will get you nowhere fast because you must realize when advancing to the superior teachings that the superior teachings are only superior if you realize they contain all the inferior teachings as well. One does not go beyond the essence of the dharma no matter how superior the teachings become. The danger of the more advanced teachings for westerners is that we are already highly intellectual and this is tied into our cynical nature. We love to dissect and evaluate things almost as a form of entertainment which, like all entertainment, achieves nothing but distraction. The higher teachings are incredibly abstract and difficult. They can entertain the intellect for years without accomplishing a thing. This is the reason they are traditionally saved for LAST in Tibetan culture. With the chinese occupation of Tibet, however, the dharma has been spread out around the rest of the world maybe a bit unevenly. Even a lowly practioner such as myself was able to receive transmission for the Great Perfection practices. I'm not complaining because it has been very helpful to me. In fact, it clarified what the Lesser Vehicles were trying to teach me.
And, for this reason, reading Chagdud Tulku again with a fresh eye makes me realize what an astounding teacher he really was. He combined the highest teachings right in with the simplest essence of the dharma. He had the View of Dzogchen and he integrated it with Vajrayana practice. If only one reads his advice and practices, that person will go far with Chagdud's instruction!
If this book inspires you as I know it will, my advice for the "next step" would be to seek out the practice texts and explanatory books and lectures on Red Tara Practice and Dudjom Tersar Ngondro from Chagdud Gonpa's online website, TibetanTreasures-dot-com. These tantric practices have been concisely perfected and translated into English by Chagdud Tulku himself for western students and are perfect for these fast-paced times.
A sobering, thoughtful, inspiring presentation.......2001-11-13
Now available in a newly revised edition, Chagdud Tulku's Gates To Buddhist Practice: Essential Teachings Of A Tibetan Master offers the reader a firm grounding in Buddhist principles, illustrated with many anecdotes from the Tulku's native home of Tibet. Tulku is a meditation master, artist, and healer who has continued to travel and teach in both the East and the West; the questions he encountered while teaching form the basis to the revisions of this new edition. Gates to Buddhist Practice is a sobering, thoughtful, inspiring presentation that covers numerous aspects of Buddhism in depth, from karma and Bodhicitta to preparing oneself for death. Strongly recommended for Buddhist Studies reading lists and reference collections.
A great read for both newcomers to Buddhism and scholars.......2001-11-13
Those who love reading books by the Dalai Lama and Sogyal Rinpoche will enjoy the clear, insightful writing of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. Newcomers will love the simple prose and delightful stories from old Tibet and modern America. Those who have read much of the American literature, will appreciate the simple, subtle references to the many dimensions of Tibetan Buddhism. This book is a favorite which I read and re-read, always finding more sustenance.
Those who are interested in bringing a non-violent and humanistic approach to world problems, will love Chagdud Tulku's willingness to bring the benefits of the Tibetan Buddhist approach to daily life at home and in the world. I work with law students and lawyers who are trying to bring a non-violent approach to a profession weary of aggression and the old ways. And, I assign "Gates of Buddhist Practice" to law students of all faiths. It is fascinating to watch how Chagdud Tulku talks about Tibetan Buddhist tools for cultivating compassion, skillfulness and wisdom. While he uses some Buddhist terminology, his tone is open and inclusive. It serves as a "gateway", itself, into ecumenical dialogue. In these times in which so many conflicts find their roots in misunderstandings among religious perspectives, this skillful and wise approach is sorely needed.
I can't imagine a better book to give to a friend or to buy for yourself. (Put this book under the tree for yourself!) I hope that you will find much joy, solace and understanding in this book, as I have..........And, I hope that you, too, will hear the greatest gift of this book, which is between the words on each page..the love of a great spiritual master.
In this so-called introduction into Tibetan Buddhism, we learn from a great wisdom tradition about the contours of human consciousness and we come away lighter and refreshed.
Clear, Helpful, User-Friendly Guide to Tibetan Buddhism.......2001-11-08
I love this book. In it Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche offers the most clear, complete and concise overview of Tibetan Buddhism that I have read. The teachings can be appreciated, and clearly understood on many levels, from a person who is completely new to Buddhism to an experienced practitioner. I have often recommended the first edition of this book to friends who are curious and looking for an introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, and they have found it very helpful. This new edition has been expanded to include more questions from students, many of which are very in-depth and result in detailed answers that make the reader feel as if they were sitting in front of Rinpoche while he teaches.
The book also includes many of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche's wonderful stories and Tibetan folk tales that serve to illuminate the teachings in a very down to earth manner. This book is like a polestar, such a comfort to come back to again and again for inspiration and guidance, showing us the way to tame and train our minds. I would recommend this book very highly.
Book offers clarity, insight into coping with difficult time.......2001-11-07
As this book makes clear, at its heart Buddhist teaching offers an approach to living that emphasizes compassion, simplicity, and peace. Understanding this core is essential to spiritual progress, but it's rare to find a text that so elegantly addresses the cultural issues that may impede this process. "Gates to Buddhist Practice" is such a book. I found the frank discussions of all kinds of issues refreshingly straightforward and clear. Chagdud Rinpoche is obviously a teacher of profound insight and consummate skill, and I'd recommend "Gates" to anyone interested in gaining fuller understanding of a Buddhist approach to critical issues of life, death, and spirituality. At a time when a lot of us are feeling unmoored and stressed out, it's a blessing to have difficult questions answered in a way that is insightful and provocative without being pat or simplistic. I highly recommend this book.
Amazon.com
It sounds like science fiction, but more and more people are tapping into the healing power of the mind. Bill Moyers brought this topic to light in a big way with his bestselling Healing and the Mind, but that was just an overview. For step-by-step instructions, you can turn to Tulku Thondup's The Healing Power of Mind. Thondup, Harvard scholar and Tibetan Buddhist monk since the age of 5, says that in the Tibetan tradition the mind is the key to health, and that mental grasping is often the cause of our physical undoing. A cosmic counselor of sorts, Thondup guides us first through simple exercises in relaxation and accepting present circumstances. His healing method centers on visualization, beginning with emotions and moving on to the body. With breathing and sound as part of the package, the meditator creates a sense of well-being and compassion that is ideally carried over mindfully into everyday activities. The accelerated pupil can move on to more complex Buddhist imagery, but no matter how far you go, trusting the healing power of the mind is the first step. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
The true nature of our minds is enlightened and peaceful, as the depth of the ocean is calm and clear. But when we mentally grasp and emotionally cling to our wants and worries with all our energy, we lose our own enlightened freedom and healing power, only to gain stress and exhaustion, suffering and overexcitement, like the turbulent waves rolling on the surface of the ocean. Our minds possess the power to heal pain and stress, and to blossom into peace and joy, by loosening the clinging attitudes that Buddhists call "grasping at self." If we apply the mind's healing power, we can heal not only our mental and emotional afflictions, but physical problems also. This book is an invitation to awaken the healing power of mind through inspiring images and sounds, mindful movements, positive perceptions, soothing feelings, trusting confidence, and the realization of openness. The healing principle on which these exercises are based is the universal nature and omnipresent power envisioned in Mahayana Buddhism. Yet for healing, we don't have to be believers in any particular faith. We can heal body and mind simply by being what we truly are, and by allowing our own natural healing qualities to manifest: a peaceful and open mind, a loving and positive attitude, and warm, joyful energy in a state of balance and harmony.
Customer Reviews:
Simply stated...EXCELLENT!.......2006-08-13
A must read for everyone. No matter what your faith, this is a no-nonsense form of empowering ourselves. This is the kind of book that should be on all our public school reading lists, and taught in our schools.
Amazing!.......2002-11-26
Good for both the newcomer and the experienced reader of buddhism. I have read this book three times, and every time is a new experience that creates an amazing aura of mindful positivity.
It is not a book of religion but it is the book about positivity.
I would reccomend it for everyone.
It has changed my life.
Tulku's Healing Workshops.......2001-12-26
Tulku Thondup has once again extracted the essence of traditional Buddhist techniques and made them accessible to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. For more information about Tulku Thondup, his writings, and his seminar schedule, please visit his website at: http://www.tulkuthondup.com/
A delight to read. Practical and multidimensional........1998-09-17
I love this book. It brings the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism into everyday life--whether you call yourself a Buddhist or not. It shows how you can use healing attitudes and imagery. Simple, nondogmatic, loving, and practical.
This is an absolutely wonderful book........1998-08-26
This is one of the single best books I've seen for mind, body and spirit. Clear and concise, it exudes kindness, gentleness, and love. And it has greatly helped me and many people I know in dealing with every aspect of life.
Book Description
This hands-on guidebook adapts the Dzogchen path for the modern student while adhering to traditional principles. The book is based on the direct, accessible style of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and offers a thorough grounding in how to study, contemplate, and meditate in this rich spiritual environment. Guided by an introductory teaching by Rinpoche, as well as 42 selected teachings from great Dzogchen masters, readers learn to access the pure, clear awareness that lies hidden under the constant flow of anxious thoughts.
Amazon.com
Esteemed author and teacher Tulka Thondup offers this convincing guidebook on healing the mind, body, and spirit through meditation. Although Thondup relies on the principles of Buddhism to explain the intimate connection between the mind and body, readers won't feel pressured to become budding Buddhists in order to learn these meditation techniques. In fact, what makes Boundless Healing so effective is Thondup's very detailed and nondogmatic style of teaching meditations. For example, when speaking to a meditation for healing sick cells, he stays focused on the physical and mental sensations, rather than flittering into ungrounded spiritual metaphors: "As your breath is moving through your body, think and feel that all the cells of your body are also breathing. All the trillions of cells of light and blissful heat are breathing from the top of your head to the soles of your feet."
Devout Buddhists will find nourishing soul food in his one section devoted to specific Buddhist healing meditations. As for everyone else, Thondup has written an accessible, information-packed book that covers it all--from "Avoiding Expectations" to "Creating a Healing Aura While Sleeping" to "Meditations for the Dead or Dying" to "How Helpers and Survivors Should Behave." Regardless of the disease, discomfort, or desire, Thondup has a meditation up his sleeve, making this one of the most practical handbooks on healing meditations available. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
This book offers simple meditation techniques to awaken healing energies in the body and mind. Using Buddhist principles as a basis, Tulku Thondup has created a universal guide that anyone can use. It will benefit those who want to preserve good health as well as those who need comfort and relief from illness or mental distress. Boundless Healing offers: Ways to employ the four healing powers: positive images, positive words, positive feelings, and positive belief Detailed healing exercises that can be done individually or as part of a twelve-stage program Exercises for dispelling anxiety Healing prayers for the dying and the deceased, plus advice for helpers and survivors These meditations draw on our innate capacity for imagination and memory, our natural enjoyment of beauty, and our deep-seated longing for a state of quiet calm. For all those who wish to become healthier, happier, and more peaceful in everyday life.
Customer Reviews:
Tulku's Healing Workshops.......2001-12-26
Tulku Thondup has once again extracted the essence of traditional Buddhist techniques and made them accessible to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. For those who would like to attend one of Tulku Thondup's Workshops on Healing, here is his schedule:
1) Shambhala Center of Washington, DC: March 8 - 10th, 2002 (301) 949 0517
2) Ottawa Shambhala Center, CANADA: May 24 - 26, 2002
(613) 562 5800, poste 1783
3) Karme Choling, Vermont: May 3 - 5th, 2002
(802) 633-2384
Boundless compassion: a gift from Tulku Thondup.......2000-11-22
Tulku Thondup captures the essence of compassion and healing in what can only be described as a subtle and outstanding book. The exercises in this book help calm both physical and emotional needs. In fact, these meditations are helpful to anyone who wants to increase their peace of mind and sense of personal well-being.
Although rooted in Buddhism, this book will appeal to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. Whoever you are, whatever problems you may face, Tulku Thondup simply wants you feel better...
Five Stars Not Enough.......2000-10-27
There are not words to describe how wonderful this books is. It can help you heal the pain in your life. Just keep an open mind.
Book Description
The ngondro, or preliminary, practices are the foundation of Vajrayana Buddhism. The Dudjom Tersar ngondro, a treasure revealed by Dudjom Lingpa, a previous incarnation of Dudjom Rinpoche, is a concise, yet very powerful set of practices for turning the mind to dharma, purifying obscurations, accumulating merit, and opening the door to the mind's true nature through guru yoga.
Customer Reviews:
A Nyingma Ngondro, but useful for all those doing Ngondro.......2001-02-17
Basically this is a commentary on a Nyingma Ngondro , and specifically that done within the lineage of Dudjom Rinpoche. The teachings on this are from Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche. That being said, it has excellent insights for anyone doing Ngondro practice within any of the other of the four major sects of Vajrayana Buddhism. It is very readable and clear and offers insights and helpful suggestions that lead to a deeper understanding of what is involved when one is doing prostrations or Vajrasattva practice or any of the other branchs of doing Ngondro. Now that there are many Westerners doing this practice, this work should prove useful for them, and also for anyone who is curious about what Ngondro is, or where it fits within the schema of Tibetan Buddhism. Additonally it also serves as a good introductory guide to what Ngondro is, and for those aware of Chagdud Tulkus work in the West, it is a way to easily connect with what he has to say about doing Ngondro practice. It is also a good work for Libraries to collect , as it is very accessible, and would compliment collections that already have a number of works on Tibetan Buddhism.
Books:
- Playing With Fire
- Promises Keep
- Rainbow High
- Ray's Boathouse: Seafood Secrets of the Pacific Northwest
- Ready, Set, Grow!: A What's Happening to My Body? Book for Younger Girls
- Rescue (Kidnapped)
- Rules Of Play: Opposites Attract\The Heart's Victory (Silhouette Romance)
- Shadow Baby (Today Show Book Club #14)
- Shark Life: True Stories About Sharks & the Sea
- Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventure
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Number Theory IV: Transcendental Numbers
- Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High
- Stereoselective Synthesis
- Tideland
- With This Ring, I'm Confused
- Carved in Sand: When Attention Fails and Memory Fades in Midlife
- Anne Frank: Beyond the Diary - A Photographic Remembrance
- The Red Rose Girls: An Uncommon Story of Art and Love
- Ulcer Story: THE AUTHORITATIVE GUIDE TO ULCERS, DYSPEPSIA AND HEARTBURN
- John Wesley-Into All the World
General
| Buddhism
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Graceful Exits: How Great Beings Die
Boundless Healing: Meditation Exercises to Enlighten the Mind and Heal the Body
The Healing Power of the Mind (Buddhayana Series, VII)
Mind Beyond Death
Blazing Splendor: The Memoirs of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
