The Treasury of Knowledge: Book Eight, Part Four: Esoteric Instructions - Hardcover

Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1559392843 ISBN 13: 9781559392846

Publisher: Snow Lion, 2008

Synopsis

In Tibetan religious literature, Jamgön Kongtrül's Treasury of Knowledge in ten books stands out as a unique, encyclopedic masterpiece embodying the entire range of Buddhist teachings as it was preserved 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, 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.

About this title

About the Author

Jamgön Kongtrül (1813–1899) was a versatile and prolific scholar. He has been characterized as a "Tibetan Leonardo" because of his significant contributions to religion, education, medicine, and politics.

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Snow Lion
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1559392843
• ISBN 13: 9781559392846
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 528