The Autobiography Of Jamgon Kongtrul: A Gem Of Many Colors

Description

This much-awaited first English edition of Jamgon Kongtrul's autobiography is refreshingly real and has a ready audience among Western followers of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition to its inspirational value, Kongtrul's story is a rich source of information on the religion, culture and political climate of Tibet during his times. Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye (1813-1899) was one of the most influential figures and prolific writers in the Tibetan Buddhist world. He was a founder and the single most important proponent of the nonsectarian movement that flourished in eastern Tibet and remains popular today. Two additional texts discuss his previous lives and recount Kongrul's final days.

Richard Barron (Choekyi Nyima) has studied and translated Tibetan Buddhist texts for over thirty years. He completed the first three-year retreat held for Western students under the direction of Kalu Rinpoche. Since that time he has focused on both oral interpretation of teachings (for lamas from all four schools of the Tibetan tradition) and the translation of texts. His published translations include Buddhahood without Meditation, and he is involved in a long-term project to translate the "Seven Treasuries" of Longchenpa.

"Filled with insight into the human heart. It stands out as a superb example of a genuinely unbiased approach to spirituality, which is of particular relevance to our modern world."-The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche "More than a biography, the story of the extraordinary Kongtrul is an inspiration to all serious students of Buddhist practice and scholarship. Unparalleled in benefiting beings, his life exemplifies the most noble of human endeavors-the accomplishment of receiving and practicing, codifying and transmitting the entirety of Tibet's spiritual traditions. We are fortunate that one of the most gifted translators of our times Richard Barron has brought forth this treasure."-Erik Pema Kunsang, translator of Kongtrul's "Light of Wisdom" series "Reading the autobiography of this supreme master gives us an understanding of the truly wondrous deeds that bodhisattvas perform, filling our minds with awe and our hearts with faith. It inspires us to actualize our own inherent potential that allows the qualities of the bodhisattvas to manifest within ourselves. This book is a priceless treasure to be studied and revered."-Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche "To glimpse the origins of Buddhism in Tibet we must read accounts of the lives of such masters as Milarepa and Guru Rinpoche. To survey Tibetan Buddhism at its fullest flowering many centuries later we must read this book, the autobiography of the lama who gave Tibetan Buddhism its definitive form. Richard Barron, brilliant translator of some of the most important Buddhist texts to appear in English, again offers us a meticulous translation of a crucial, challenging work. This book is a must-read for any person committed to the Tibetan Buddhist path of reflection and meditation."-Ngawang Zangpo, author of Sacred Ground and Guru Rinpoche "To experienced practitioners the Tsadra Foundation Series is more precious than gold dust."-Tricycle "For those interested in matters ritual and religious . . . the core autobiography presents a treasure trove of nuanced allusion and insight."-Tibet Journal "Barron has made an important contribution . . . translations are clear and abundantly annotated . . . rich depictions of religiously inspired dreams. This work should be of interest not only to scholars of Tibetan Buddhism but also to students of the comparative study of religion and mysticism."-Religious Studies Review