A Feast of the Nectar of the Supreme Vehicle: An Explanation of the Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras

Description

A full translation of an important Mahayana Buddhist treatise with a commentary by the famous Tibetan luminary Jamg n Mipham. A monumental work and Indian Buddhist classic, the Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras (Mahayanasutralamkara) is a precious resource for students wishing to study in-depth the philosophy and path of Mahayana Buddhism. This full translation and commentary outlines the importance of Mahayana, 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 Nagarjuna. 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.

JAMG N MIPHAM (1846-1912) was a Tibetan Buddhist master of outstanding brilliance and versatility. He is a famous Nyingma master of the Rime tradition and is one of the greatest philosophers Tibet has ever produced. The PADMAKARA TRANSLATION GROUP, based in France, has a distinguished reputation for all its translations of Tibetan texts and teachings. Its work has been published in several languages and is renowned for its clear and accurate literary style.

"I am so happy this precious commentary is now becoming more widely available. Who else but the peerless Mipham Rinpoche can guide us so clearly and flawlessly through Maitreyanatha's profound Mahayanasutralamkara?" -Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche "The Padmakara Translation Group unceasingly delights my mind with its wonderful, unfathomable treasures of the Dharma's classical texts. This translation of the Mahayanasutralamkara with Jamgoen Mipham Rinpoche's commentary is a beacon of light in the darkness of our unconscious world of ignorance. Lord Maitreya's brilliant feat of collecting all the essential points of the Mahayana sutras into one poetic, resonant text leaves us without any need to search further for wisdom and inspiration. This shining text covers all that is necessary to know of the paths and stages of the bodhisattva's way of life. When we study this work, our lives are not doomed in samsara, for we are shown how the essence of samsara is enlightenment itself. I greatly appreciate the publication of this text and say thank you for the benefit of Dharma and beings." -Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche "This remarkable gem, the Mahayanasutralamkara, contains the complete teachings and guidance for the entire journey to awakening, from the beginning all the way to buddhahood itself. This beautiful commentary by the renowned Jamgoen Mipham Rinpoche will allow a student to place the vast aspiration and profound meaning of the Mahayana at the center of their practice. I trust that any serious student of the path will find these teachings to be as inspiring and helpful as I myself have." -Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche