Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Rinpoche Thrangu

This book is the longest of the Ninth Karmapa's three important texts on Mahamudra and one of the most extensive texts on it in the Kagyu tradition.

The Ninth Karmapa's Ocean of Definitive Meaning

When one dies, the mind takes an intense and very important journey through the bardo - that intermediate state between death and rebirth in the next body. To prepare for this journey, we must understand what is happening to us in the bardo and also how we can prepare for this journey while still living. In these extraordinary teachings Rinpoche gives us a fresh perspective on the bardo. He de-emphasizes the detailed descriptions of the appearances and emphasizes more the relationship between various aspects of one's dharma practice - shamatha, vipashyana, Mahamudra, Ngondro, deity meditation and other aspects of the stages of creation and completion - and one's experience of death and the intermediate state between death and rebirth itself. The instructions given in these teachings are, therefore, very practical and not at all impossible to include in one's daily life. This was originally published by Shenpen Osel.

Teachings on the Bardo

Journey of the Mind

Ken Holmes

Maitreyanātha

These works, transmitted from Arya Maitreya - the fifth and future Buddha of this fortunate age - to Arya Asanga some time in the third century, comprise one of the major foundations of Mahayana Buddhism, the unbroken transmission and practice of which continues today. The focus of this text is the Prajnaparamita teachings. There are two main ways of approaching the meaning of the Prajnaparamita, the direct and indirect approach, with both approaches revealing the meaning of emptiness. Many students these days are familiar with the direct approach to understanding emptiness as shown in texts such as those by Nagarjuna. However, the indirect approach is perhaps less familiar and is what Maitreya is focussing on in this text. The indirect approach to emptiness reveals the hidden meaning of the Prajnaparamita sutras by examining the five paths and spiritual levels. Through this approach one understands how emptiness is realized, how this wisdom is developed and what is removed by this wisdom. Maitreya received the full transmission and meaning of these teachings directly from the Buddha and is therefore able to convey the meaning clearly and directly for us. This was his main motivation for composing this particular work and also that by understanding the Prajnaparamita teachings beings would be able to accomplish Buddhahood.

Maitreya's The Ornament of Clear Realization

This is a brief look at the bardo, (in between state of one life and the next) in which Rinpoche describes the Bardo of Dharmata and then goes through what happens to one, and what one sees during the first 12 days (or phases) following death. He then explains the Bardo of Becoming in which one exchanges one's old existence for a new one. Rinpoche gives descriptions and examples of the appearances that arise and the choices at each stage for liberation in the Buddha realms or further samsaric rebirth. Included is a chart detailing the characteristics of each Buddha family and the bardo day they appear along with several bardo prayers.

An Overview of the Bardo Teachings

Rechungpa`S Spritual Biography Is One Of The Most Interesting Because Rechungpa Had A Great Deal Of Pride And Often Did Not Do What His Guru, Milarepa, Told Him To Do. As One Reads This Story One Sees How Rechungpa Interacts With His Guru And Gradually Begins To Develop True Realization.

Based on the Radiance of Wisdom, the Life and Liberation of the Ven. Rechung Dorje Drak

A Spiritual Biography of Rechungpa

Mahamudra is the basic meditation practice for many Tibetan Buddhists, particularly of the Kagyu tradition. It is particularly adaptable for modern people, since it involves no rituals and can be incorporated into all daily activities. Saraha's "Song for the King" is a short verse text from classical India that is a basis for the tradition and is widely known in Tibetan Buddhist circles. It is often the basis for teachings given in the West, but there is only one outdated translation of it in print, first published in 1969. Michele Martin has produced a stellar new translation, which is accompanied by a commentary from the well-known teacher Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, who is uniquely skilled and concerned with making this method of meditation available to Westerners. While pithy and accessible, the book easily stands up to academic scrutiny, and includes the original Tibetan as well - making it ideal for the popular, scholarly, and Tibetan audiences all at once.

A Song for the King

The Open Door to Emptiness

In this rare gem we learn more that just details of this particular Medicine Buddha practice. Rinpoche, has king included many basic principles of tantric theory and practice in general.

Rinpoche Thrangu

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