Thinley Norbu

An in-depth presentation of one of the most profound traditions of Tibetan Buddhism--the Dudjom lineage--beginning with the Buddha and tracing the origins and development of the lineage through its Indian and Tibetan masters. The Ruby Rosary is Thinley Norbu's commentary on a short prayer written by his father, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, who was a revered leader of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism as well as a revealer of treasures in the Tibetan tradition. The root text, entitled The Pearl Necklace, is a prayer of devotion to the eighteen primary masters of the Dudjom incarnation lineage, strung together into a necklace of liberated lifetimes. With lively storytelling, Thinley Norbu illuminates the life of each of these great yogis, scholars, and masters of the Buddha's teachings, from N den Dorje Chang, Shariputra, and Saraha to Dudjom Lingpa. It concludes with an account of the enlightened activities of Dudjom Rinpoche himself, a towering figure, thus completing this awe-inspiring portrait of a modern master.

Personal reminiscences of an esteemed Tibetan Buddhist master, ranging from touching memoir to humorous storytelling, from sharp cultural commentary to deeply felt verse--illustrated with rare photos in full color. Illustrated with color photos published for the first time, this collage of reminiscences affords a rare glimpse into the life of an esteemed Tibetan Buddhist teacher. The author sets a magical mood as he describes his early years in Snowland (Tibet) as one of seven children of a renowned Nyingma master. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche's storytelling alternates earthy humor with poetic sensitivity and tender sensuality. Describing his travels in Asia, Europe, and America, he presents thumbnail sketches of people and places, as well as sharp-sighted commentary on Western cultural trends and Dharma students' positive and negative qualities. More than just an autobiography, this written offering is an expression of Rinpoche's wisdom, compassion, and personal realization.

An esteemed teacher comments on the Seven-Line Prayer, a popular devotional prayer recited daily by practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. Of all the heartfelt devotional prayers used as a support for Dharma practice, the Seven-Line Prayer is the most essential, often repeated many thousands of times by practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. This concise prayer invokes the blessings of Padmasambhava, also called Guru Rinpoche ("Precious Teacher") and known as the Buddha of our time. Guru Rinpoche brought the Dharma from India to Tibet in the eighth century and is the source of the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition, the Great Perfection teachings that awaken the enlightened nature of one's own mind. Although the prayer is short and simple, its different levels of meaning make this commentary a welcome study aid for practitioners. Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche provides an account of the historical origin of the prayer and the power of its blessings, and comments on its two levels of meaning: one, according to the common Mahayana teachings; the other, according to the uncommon Dzogchen realizations. He repudiates various mistaken interpretations and clarifies a number of important philosophical views and meditation methods. The book also includes the text of the Seven-Line Prayer in English and Tibetan.

In a very intimate, informal setting, Thinley Norbu, one of the most articulate voices of Tibetan Buddhism, gives a no-holds-barred explanation of the challenges Westerners face in authentically learning, practicing, and transmitting Buddhism, highlighting both the obstacles and the way to navigate beyond them. In colorful, bustling Boudhanath--Buddhism's great pilgrimage site in Nepal--a group of Westerners gathered to speak with Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche about topics both mundane and sublime. This is the record of their lively dialogue. First published in an exclusive private edition some forty years ago, Echoes has now returned to reach a larger and broader audience who will be eager to share in this intimate exchange of questions and answers with a revered teacher.

Thinley Norbu addresses questions of interest to Western and Eastern students of Tibetan Buddhism, ranging from matters of everyday practice to esoteric philosophy. Young practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism from Asian and Western cultures have similar questions and concerns, such as the conflicts between traditional values and the influence of modern materialism. In four thoughtful commentaries (described below), Thinley Norbu addresses contrasting cultural perspectives on topics ranging from everyday practice to esoteric Buddhist philosophy. Gypsy Gossip: How should Westerners understand the rituals of Tibetan Buddhism, the teachings of karma and rebirth, monastic discipline, devotion to the guru, and the importance of keeping vows? Do Vajrayana practitioners need a consort? What is the Buddhist stand on male supremacy? These are just a few of the wide-ranging questions of Western students that are answered here by Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche in an atmosphere of spiritual friendship. Buddhism in the West: In this never-before-published interview conducted by Melvin McLeod, editor of Shambhala Sun and Buddhadharma magazines, Rinpoche gives an extensive commentary on how cultural differences have affected the adoption of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. For example, Western children are raised to develop a strong sense of selfhood instead of humility, to be preoccupied with materialistic ideas about what is apparent to the five senses, and to embrace eternalist religion. Because of misapplied ideals of egalitarianism and individual freedom, many Western Buddhists are skeptical of traditional doctrines like karma and rebirth, devotion to the guru, and the importance of lineage. Rinpoche explains that Buddhism can flourish in the West through a greater development of faith and belief. A Message for Young Bhutanese: Rinpoche had a close personal connection with the kingdom of Bhutan. In this message he urges young Buddhists to preserve their spiritual heritage and carry its blessings onward amid the modern influences of materialism. He warns against introducing foreign nihilistic beliefs into Bhutan and creating sectarian conflicts between its indigenous lineages. These words of advice were written for an organization called the Young Bhutanese Buddhist Association. An Introduction to Dharma Dance Offerings: The Dharma dances of Tibet, which manifest the enlightened activities of peaceful and wrathful deities, are contrasted with ordinary dancing that expresses the passions of material reality and lacks the positive influence of wisdom. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche was himself an accomplished practitioner and teacher of sacred dance. This commentary was written in connection with several teaching films directed by Rinpoche, in which Dharma dances are performed by some of his young students.

Buddhism teaches that enlightenment is our natural state; the problem is that we do not recognize this state, owing to the mind's confusion about its true nature. Thinley Norbu presents the Buddhist view in a way meant to clear up misconceptions and awaken the reader's innate wisdom. Thinley Norbu is a distinguished teacher of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and the author of The Small Golden Key and Magic Dance.

The Display of the Self-Nature of the Five Wisdom Dakinis.