This book offers an exceptionally clear and accessible presentation of the generation stage practices of deity yoga. Gyatrul Rinpoche explains the state of mind to be established at the beginning of the practice session, the details of the visualization sequences, the three types of offerings and proper mantra recitation, as well as mudras, tormas and malas. Practitioners from all lineages of Tibetan Buddhism will find that these teachings enhance their understanding of sadhana practice. Rinpoche's detailed explanations make it possible to practice these meditations as they were intended and as they were practiced in Tibet and ancient Tibet.

Generation Stage in Buddhist Tantra, Gyatrul Rinpoche, Snow Lion Publications, Paperback, 1996 / 2005, 139 Pages, $22.95

Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche was appointed as spiritual representative for H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche in America in 1976. With His Holiness, he founded the Pacific Region Yeshe Nyingpo centers on the West Coast. During his thirty years of teaching experience in the West, Rinpoche has traveled extensively, touching the hearts of thousands. He is the author of Meditation, Transformation, and Dream Yoga.

CONTENTS: Generation Stage in Buddhist Tantra
List of Plates	7
A Brief Biography of Gyatrul Rinpoche	9
Preface	11
CHAPTER I
General Introduction	15
CHAPTER II
The General Preliminaries	23
The Four Thoughts	27
Refuge	29
Bodhicitta	34
CHAPTER III
The Specific Preliminaries	37
Clearing Away Non-conducive Circumstances	37
-- Expelling Negative and Demonic Forces	37
-- Establishing the Wheel of Dharma Protection	39
Establishing Conducive Conditions	41
-- Descent of the Blessings	41
-- Establishing Conducive Conditions	42
-- Blessing the Offering Mandala	42
CHAPTER IV
The Actual Practice: The Yoga of Meditative Equipoise--Part I	45
The Yoga of the Physical Mudra	46
-- The Three Meditative Absorptions	46
-- Generating the Support and Supporting Mandalas	52
-- Invoking the Primordial Wisdom Being and Requesting Stability	70
-- Homage, Offering and Praise	72
-- Training in the Visualization of the Principal Deity	83
CHAPTER V
The Actual Practice: The Yoga of Meditative Equipoise--Part II	89
The Yoga of Speech Recitation	89
-- The General Understanding	89
-- Particular Necessity for Practice	90
-- The Actual Nature of Recitation	91
-- Different Types of Recitation	94
-- Manner of Reciting Mantras	97
-- Number of Recitations	104
-- Activity Upon Completion	105
CHAPTER VI
The Actual Practice: The Yoga of Meditative Equipoise--Part III	109
The Yoga of Clear Light	109
CHAPTER VII
The Actual Practice: The Yoga of Arising from Equipoise	113
CHAPTER VIII
The Completion	115
Plates	119
Appendices	129