Jamgon Mipam (1846-1912) is one of the most extraordinary figures in the history of Tibet. Monk, mystic, and brilliant philosopher, he shaped the trajectory of Tibetan Buddhisms Nyingma school. This introduction provides a most concise entre to this great luminary's life and work. The first section gives a general context for understanding this remarkable individual who, though he spent the greater part of his life in solitary retreat, became one of the greatest scholars of his age. Part Two gives an overview of Mipam's interpretation of Buddhism, examining his major themes, and devoting particular attention to his articulation of the Buddhist conception of emptiness. Part Three presents a representative sampling of Mipam's writings.

"At last, a comprehensive study of Mipam, the Nyingma Lion, whose magisterial works bridged the scholastic and yogic traditions of Tibet. Beautifully written, Duckworth's book lucidly surveys Mipam's Buddhist philosophy and provides translated excerpts from Mipam's voluminous body of work that illustrate his erudite views. This is an exciting, accessible book we have been waiting for! " - commentary by Judith Simmer-Brown, Professor of Religious Studies, Naropa University, author of Dakini's Warm Breath.

"Like the sun shining in the sky, the writings of our kind protector, Lama Mipam, sparkle with the light of wisdom. I congratulate my student, Prof. Douglas Duckworth, for publishing this important book on the life and works of the great scholar-practioner and I believe the book will be of interest not only to students of Tibetan Buddhism, but to anyone with a sincere interest in discovering the depths of Buddhist insight." - commentary by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, author of Present Fresh Wakefulness.

Jamgon Mipam: His Life and Teachings, Douglas Duckworth, Shambhala Publications, Paperback, 256 pp, $24.95

Jamgon Mipam (1846-1912) is one of the most extraordinary figures in the history of Tibet. Monk, mystic, and brilliant philosopher, he shaped the trajectory of Tibetan Buddhisms Nyingma school. This introduction provides a most concise entre to this great luminary's life and work. The first section gives a general context for understanding this remarkable individual who, though he spent the greater part of his life in solitary retreat, became one of the greatest scholars of his age. Part Two gives an overview of Mipam's interpretation of Buddhism, examining his major themes, and devoting particular attention to his articulation of the Buddhist conception of emptiness. Part Three presents a representative sampling of Mipam's writings. Douglas S. Duckworth, PHD, is one of the leading Mipam scholars at work today. Conversant in Tibetan, Chinese, and Sanskrit, he is translator of Distinguishing The Views and Philosophies: Illuminating Emptiness in a Twentieth-Century Tibetan Buddhist Classic and has collaborated on English translations of Mipam's commentaries. He is also the author of Mipam on Buddha-Nature: the Ground if the Nyungma Tradition.

	Contents: Jamgon Mipam: His Life and Teachings
	Introduction	vii
	Part One: Life and Context
	One. Mipam's Life	3
	Two. Background of Buddhism in India	17
	Three. Buddhist Identity in Tibet	39
	Four. Survey of Mipam's Works	55
	Part Two: Overview of Mipham's Buddhist Works
	Five. Unity	67
	Six. Mind-Only and the Middle Way	81
	Seven. Emptiness and the Nonconceptual	99
	Eight. Immanent Wisdom	119
	Conclusion	135
	Part Three: Select Translations
	1. Emptiness and Analysis	141
	2. Conceiving the Inconceivable	142
	3. Unity and Buddha-Nature	143
	4. Steps to the Middle Way	145
	5. No-Self	146
	6. Unmistaken Emptiness	147
	7. Meditation on Emptiness	149
	8. Mind-Only and the Middle Way	150
	9. Mind-Only and the Middle Way II	151
	10. Reflexive Awareness	155
	11. Consequence and Autonomy	157
	12. Consequence and Autonomy II	158
	13. Two Truths	160
	14. Unconditioned Buddha-Nature	163
	15. Appearance and Reality	167
	16. From the Two Wheels of Sutra to Tantra	169
	17. Establishing Appearances as Divine	170
	18. Fourfold Valid Cognition	173
	19. Practical Advice for Beginners	175
	20. Practical Advice for Monastics	176
	21. Practical Advice on the Path of Illusion	179
	22. Stages to Calm Abiding	182
	23. Stillness, Movement, and Awareness in the Great Seal	187
	24. Method for Sustaining the Nature of Awareness	189
	25. A Quintessential Instruction on the Vital Point in Three Statements	191
	26. Ground, Path, and Fruition of the Great Perfection	192
	27. Bringing Afflictions onto the Path	194
	28. Mind and Wisdom	196
	29. Sutra and Tantra	198
	30. Sword of Intelligence: Method for Meditating on Bodhicitta	201
	31. Lily of Wisdom's Presence	204
	32. Verse of Auspiciousness	208
	Acknowledgments	209
	Notes	211
	Glossary	225
	Bibliography	229
	Index	239