The Treasury of Knowledge: Books Two, Three, and Four: Buddhism's Journey to Tibet

Description

Jamgoen Kongtrul's ten-volume Treasury of Knowledge is a unique, encyclopedic masterpiece embodying the entire range of Buddhist teachings as they were 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. Buddhism's Journey to Tibet presents Kongtrul's masterful history of Buddhism in India and Tibet. Beginning with the appearance of the Buddha in our world (Book Two), it describes the Buddha's life, his enlightenment, and what he taught (Book Three) from a multitude of Buddhist viewpoints. Buddhism's transmission to and preservation in Tibet is the focus of the main part of this volume (Book Four), which describes the scriptural transmissions and lineages of meditation practice as well as the Buddhist arts that together make up the world of Tibetan Buddhism.

Jamgoen Kongtrul (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.

"The Treasury of Knowledge excellently presents the entire corpus of the sutra and mantra traditions from the paths of the common sciences all the way up to the uncommon Great Perfection or Atiyoga, which is the culmination of the nine vehicles."-H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche "Jamgoen Kongtrul Lodroe Taye was one of the leading scholars of the nineteenth century. He broke through sectarian constraints and achieved a deep understanding of the the different philosophical approaches in Tibet. I have no doubt that by studying Kongtrul's works readers will be inspired to emulate his great qualities of humility, dedication, patience, and nonsectarianism."-H.H. the Dalai Lama "A rich, readable synthesis of Buddhist history by the legendary master Jamgoen Kongtrul, who illuminates for 'those who have not studied much'-the people, ideas, and storied texts through which Buddhism is transmitted across cultures and generations. Ngawang Zangpo has rendered an outstanding translation of this in-depth, well-rounded, and accessible introduction to 2500 years and more of Buddhists' understandings of themselves."-Anne Carolyn Klein, author of Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse "Ngawang Zangpo presents Buddhist enthusiasts-practitioners and scholars alike-with a cogent and masterful translation of important sections of the great nineteenth-century Tibetan Buddhist master Jamgoen Kongtrul's encyclopedic Five Treasuries. His clear introduction and useful back matter lend important context to Kongtrul's massive work and explain why it is relevant for a wide range of readers interested in the Buddhist teachings."-Sarah Jacoby, Assistant Professor, Northwestern University Department of Religious Studies "Lama Ngawang has once again brought to us in English key texts by Jamgoen Kongtrul Lodroe Taye, the preeminent yogi scholar and co-founder of the ecumenical movement of nineteenth-century Tibet. Joyfully, this book expands our understanding of the dharma and its gifts passed from one master to the next, each one like beads of gold in a mala."-Lama Palden, Sukhasiddhi Foundation "An authoritative and surprisingly accessible rendition of a classic core text of Tibetan Buddhism. The Treasury of Knowledge: Buddhism's Journey to Tibet deserves the highest recommendation for personal and library Buddhist Studies shelves."-Library Bookwatch