Padmakara Translation Group

This collection of texts and commentaries from the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism on Dzogchen, or Great Perfection teachings, which introduce us to our most basic nature--the clear and pristine awareness that is the nature of the mind. The Treasury of Precious Instructions, compiled by Jamg n Kongtrul Lodr Taye, one of Tibet's greatest Buddhist masters, is a shining jewel of Tibetan literature, presenting essential teachings from the entire spectrum of practice lineages that existed in Tibet. In its eighteen volumes, Kongtrul brings together some of the most important texts on key topics of Buddhist thought and practice as well as authoring significant new sections of his own. Teachings and practices of the Nyingma lineage, the first of the eight lineages, are presented in the first and second volumes of the series, the second one of which is translated here. These texts are all related to the three yogas: Mahāyoga, Anuyoga, and Atiyoga. The first Nyingma volume includes works that are representative of the first two yogas, while this volume focuses especially on those belonging to the "pith-instruction class," specifically those related to the unsurpassed secret section--the Heart Essence, or Nyingtik. According to the understanding of the Nyingma school, the most profound tenet of the Buddha's teachings is that within the mind of every being--as its bedrock, fundamental stratum, or element--lies the buddha nature. The teachings of this volume each present this essential tenet in a variety of ways and are composed by various Tibetan and Indian masters, including the Buddha, Garab Dorje, Ma juśrīmitra, Śrīsiṃha, J ānasūtra, Padmasambhava, Longchen Rabjam, and Jamgon Kongtrul Lodr Taye.

A unique commentary on the preliminary practices of Vajrayāna Buddhism, from a beloved Nyingma master. A Chariot to Freedom is one of the most beloved presentations of the preliminary practices, or ng ndro, that form the foundation of the Vajrayāna Buddhist path. This set of practices, common to all schools of Himalayan Buddhism, is what nearly every practitioner begins with, yet it also constitutes a complete method in and of itself. Although ng ndro are considered a prerequisite for further teachings and initiations into other practices, many of even the most accomplished masters continue to engage in them every day. Most of the other excellent works on these foundational techniques are specific to a particular tradition, but this text is widely considered to be exemplary, in part, because it is applicable to all traditions of ng ndro. Drawing from the original words of the Buddha in the sūtras and from later treatises by such masters as Nāgārjuna, Shāntideva, and Guru Padmasambhava, Shechen Gyaltsap's commentary is a wonderfully curated anthology of Buddhist teachings on the preliminary practices of Vajrayāna Buddhism. It covers the thoughts that turn one's mind away from ordinary pursuits and toward enlightenment, taking refuge, arousing the mind set on enlightenment (bodhichitta), purification, maṇḍala offering, and Guru Yoga. Shechen Gyaltsap explains why each practice is beneficial and provides profound and eminently useful guidance for practitioners, while simultaneously transmitting the wisdom of generations of Buddhist masters.

Released in paperback for the first time, this new translation of the Tibetan master Longchenpa's famous work systematically presents the path of yogic conduct according to the Dzogchen tradition. Longchenpa's Finding Rest in Illusion, the third and final volume of the Trilogy of Rest, is a classic fourteenth-century Buddhist text that describes in detail the proper conduct of those who have stabilized their recognition of the nature of the mind. This work follows the first volume of Longchenpa's trilogy, Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind, which focuses on establishing the view, and the second volume, Finding Rest in Meditation, which focuses on practicing the path of meditation. This volume is a culmination of the teachings by outlining a practitioner's yogic conduct according to the Dzogchen tradition. The Padmakara Translation Group has provided us with a clear and fluid new translation of Finding Rest in Illusion, which will serve as a genuine aid to study and meditation. This is an invaluable manual for anyone who wishes to find true rest while engaging in the illusory appearances of day-to-day life through applying the Buddhist view and practice.

Released in paperback for the first time, this brilliant translation of Longchenpa's famous work presents the entire scope of the Buddhist view combined with pith instructions for pointing out the nature of one's mind. Longchen Rabjam's Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind is a classic Buddhist manual for attaining true liberation through familiarizing ourselves with our most basic nature--our clear, pristine, and aware mind. Written in the fourteenth century, this text is the first part to Longchenpa's Trilogy of Rest, a work of the esoteric Tibetan Dzogchen tradition. This unique presentation of the Buddhist view and path combines the scholastic expository method of explanation with direct pith instructions designed for yogi practitioners. This text systematically presents the view in thirteen chapters, outlining all that a practitioner must know in order to embark on the complete Buddhist path. Here we find fundamental instructions on the need to turn away from materialism, how to find a qualified guide, how to develop boundless compassion for all beings, tantra and its associated practices, calm abiding (śamatha) and deep insight (vipaśyanā) meditation techniques, all culminating in the practice presented from the perspective of Dzogchen. This first volume of the Trilogy of Rest is a comprehensive teaching on the view from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, setting the foundation for the following two volumes: Finding Rest in Meditation, which focuses on meditation practice, and Finding Rest in Illusion, which focuses on post-meditation yogic conduct. The Padmakara Translation Group has provided us with a clear and fluid new translation of Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind, which will serve as a genuine aid to study and meditation.

Released in paperback for the first time, this new translation of the Tibetan master Longchenpa's famous work systematically presents the path of meditation according to the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition. Longchenpa's Finding Rest in Meditation is a classic Buddhist text outlining the main points of meditation, namely, where one should meditate, what qualities a practitioner should possess and develop, and what should be practiced. These instructions are a pithy distillation of the entirety of the Buddhist path designed to stabilize one's direct awareness of the nature of mind through meditative absorption. The Padmakara Translation Group has provided us with a clear and fluid translation to Finding Rest in Meditation, which will serve as a genuine aid to study and meditation. This text follows the first volume of Longchenpa's trilogy, Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind, which focuses on establishing the view and precedes the final volume, Finding Rest in Illusion, which focuses on post-meditation yogic conduct.

A new translation of the Tibetan master Longchenpa's famous work that systematically presents the path of yogic conduct according to the Dzogchen tradition. Longchenpa's Finding Rest in Illusion, the third and final volume of the Trilogy of Rest, is a classic fourteenth-century Buddhist text that describes in detail the proper conduct of those who have stabilized their recognition of the nature of the mind. This work follows the first volume of Longchenpa's trilogy, Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind, which focuses on establishing the view, and the second volume, Finding Rest in Meditation, which focuses on practicing the path of meditation. This volume is a culmination of the teachings by outlining a practitioner's yogic conduct according to the Dzogchen tradition. The Padmakara Translation Group has provided us with a clear and fluid new translation of Finding Rest in Illusion, which will serve as a genuine aid to study and meditation. This is an invaluable manual for anyone who wishes to find true rest while engaging in the illusory appearances of day-to-day life through applying the Buddhist view and practice.

A full translation of an important Mahāyāna Buddhist treatise with a commentary by the famous Tibetan luminary Jamg n Mipham. A monumental work and Indian Buddhist classic, the Ornament of the Mahāyāna Sūtras (Mahāyānasūtrālamkāra) is a precious resource for students wishing to study in-depth the philosophy and path of Mahāyāna Buddhism. This full translation and commentary outlines the importance of Mahāyāna, the centrality of bodhichitta or the mind of awakening, the path of becoming a bodhisattva, and how one can save beings from suffering through skillful means. The root text, which makes up the the first part of the book, was revealed to Asanga by Maitreya in the fourth century. Asanga is considered by much of the Buddhist world to be as important to the history of Buddhism as Nāgārjuna. His treatises lay the foundation for the Yogachara and Mind-Only traditions that continue to be important in both East Asia and Tibet to this day. Jamg n Mipham, one of Tibet's greatest Buddhist masters of the nineteenth century, elucidated in detail the importance of Asanga's work. This book is yet another instant classic to be produced by the Padmakara Translation Group, whose translations are consistently lucid and reliable, thus making ancient and profound Buddhist texts accessible to the modern reader.

The Dalai Lama's indispensable commentary on a beloved Tibetan Buddhist text--now in the Shambhala Pocket Library series. One of the most beloved of all Buddhist texts, The Way of the Bodhisattva is a practical guide to generating the qualities of love, compassion, generosity, and patience. In this commentary on key sections of the text, the Dalai Lama shows how any of us can develop a truly "good heart," and why aspiring toward the happiness and enlightenment of others is central to any genuinely spiritual path. His Holiness's profound wisdom--the result of a lifetime of practice and study--shines brilliantly throughout this extraordinary book. This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series. It was previously published with the title For the Benefit of All Beings. The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.