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 bodhicitta or the mind of awakening, the path of becoming a bodhisattva, and how one can save beings from suffering through skillful means.

This definitive composition of Mahayana teachings was imparted in the fourth century by Maitreya to the famous adept Asanga, one of the most prolific writers of Buddhist treatises in history. Asanga's work, which is among the famous Five Treatises of Maitreya, has been studied, commented upon, and taught by Buddhists throughout Asia ever since it was composed.

In the early twentieth century, one of Tibet's greatest scholars and saints, Jamgon Mipham, wrote A Feast of the Nectar of the Supreme Vehicle, which is a detailed explanation of every verse. This commentary has since been used as the primary blueprint for Tibetan Buddhists to illuminate the depth and brilliance of Maitreya's pith teachings. The Padmakara Translation Group has provided yet another accessible and eloquent translation, ensuring that English-speaking students of Mahayana will be able to study this foundational Buddhist text for generations to come.
A Feast of the Nectar of the Supreme Vehicle: An Explanation of the Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras, Jamgon Mipham, Shambhala Publications, Hardcover, 976 pp, $69.95

Jamgon Mipham (1846-1912) is one of the great luminaries of Tibetan Buddhism in modern times. He has had a dominant and vitalizing influence on the Nyingma School and was an important member of the Rime tradition. A scholar of outstanding brilliance and versatility, his translated works are eagerly anticipated by English-language readers.

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.

CONTENTS: A Feast of the Nectar of the Supreme Vehicle
Foreword by Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche			xiii
Translator's Introduction			xv
ORNAMENT OF THE MAHAYANA SUTRAS: THE ROOT VERSES
	1.	The First Chapter	3
	2.	Establishing the Great Vehicle as the Buddha's Word	5
	3.	Refuge	9
	4.	The Potential	13
	5.	The Spiritual Intent: Bodhicitta	15
	6.	Pratice	19
	7.	Thatness	21
	8.	Powers	23
	9.	Full Maturation	25
	10.	Enlightenment	29
	11.	Interest	41
	12.	Thorough Investigation	45
	13.	Teaching the Dharma	57
	14.	Practicing the Dharma	61
	15.	Instructions and Follow-Up Teachings	67
	16.	Skillful Activity	75
	17.	Transcendent Perfections and Ways of Attracting Disciples	77
	18.	Offering, Reliance, and Boundless Attitudes	89
	19.	Elements Leading to Enlightenment	99
	20.	Qualities	113
	21.	Conduct and Consummation	125
A FEAST OF THE NECTAR OF THE SUPREME VEHICLE: THE COMMENTARY
	Preamble, Title, and Translator's Homage		137
	Introduction		139
Part One: What Is to Be Established: Establishing the Great Vehicle as the Buddha's Word
	1.	General Presentation	151
	2.	Specific Explanations	155
Part Two: What Is to Be Specifically Known
	3.	Refuge	171
	4.	The Potential	183
	5.	The Spiritual Intent: Bodhicitta	197
	6.	Practice	221
Part Three: What Is to Be Reflected Upon
	7.	Thatness	233
	8.	Powers	249
	9.	Full Maturation	259
Part Four: The Inconceivable, That Which Is Beyond Reflection
	10.	Enlightenment	279
	Recapitulation		339
Part Five: The Approach to Enlightenment
Preliminaries
	11.	Interest	345
	12.	Thorough Investigation	359
	13.	Teaching the Dharma	447
	14.	Practicing the Dharma	473
	15.	Instructions and Follow-Up Teachings	491
	Intermediate Summary		519
Main Explanation
	16.	Skillful Activity	521
	17.	Transcendent Perfections and Ways of Attracting Disciples	525
	18.	Offering, Reliance, and Boundless Attitudes	579
	19.	Elements Leading to Enlightenment	629
	20.	Qualities	731
	21.	Conduct and Consummation	797
	Conclusion		843
Appendix 1: Structural Outline			847
Appendix 2: The Five Bodhisattva Paths and the Thirty-Seven Elements Leading to Enlightenment			863
Appendix 3: The Three Worlds and Six Realms			867
Glossary			871
Works Cited			887
Bibliography			891
Index			893