Guru Padmasambhava is generally referred to as Guru Rinpoche, which means precious master. Guru Rinpoche is a buddha, a fully awakened one. He did not become enlightened gradually, or start practicing the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni and eventually gain enlightenment. Guru Rinpoche incarnated as a totally enlightened being. Through his form, primordial wisdom manifests in the world to benefit all sentient beings. Guru Rinpoche is a direct reincarnation of Buddha Shakyamuni. Buddha Shakyamuni said, Eight years after my mahaparinirvana, a remarkable being with the name Padmasambhava will appear in the center of a lotus and reveal the highest teaching concerning the ultimate state of the true nature, bringing great benefit to all sentient beings.

The Buddha also said that Padmasambhava would be an emanation of Buddha Amitabha and Avalokiteshvara, and referred to him as the embodiment of all the buddhas of the three times. Buddha Shakyamuni mainly presented Hinayana and Sutra Mahayana teachings, while Guru Padmasambhava taught the Vajrayana. Both revealed the complete and perfect path to awakening so that individuals of all capacities would benefit. The absolute level of the Buddhas teaching is beyond conception. If it didn't go beyond the conceptual level, there would be no need to change our normal way of understanding things. To help us realize the primordial nature, Buddha Shakyamuni and Guru Padmasambhava repeatedly taught that we must transcend clinging to our ordinary dualistic conceptions, narrow attitudes, close mindedness, traditional rules, beliefs, and limitations.

The enlightened activities of Guru Rinpoche's eight emanations are especially powerful and effective in destroying the solidity of our dualistic concepts and fixed opinions, and in awakening us to true freedom. Includes the following practice sadhanas as well:

1. Prayer to the Guru Trikaya, by Padmasambhava
2. The Swift Fulfillment of Wishes: A Prayer to Invoke the Fulfillment of the Most Essential and Highest Aspirations of the Great Master Padmasambhava, by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
3. The Prayer that Swiftly Accomplishes All Wishes, by Jigme Lingpa
4. The Prayer to Guru Rinpoche that Swiftly Removes Obstacles and Fulfills All Wishes, by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche
5. Tengye Monlam, An Aspiration for the Spread of the Nyingma Teachings: The Oral Transmission that Gladdens the Dharma Kings, by Mipham Jamyang Namgyal Gyatso

Includes extensive glossary and illustrations of each of the emanations of Guru Rinpoche.

Liberating Duality with Wisdom Display: Eight Emanations of Guru Padmasambhava, Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, Dharma Samudra, 203 pp, $22.00

Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche (1938-2010) was a renowned scholar and meditation master of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born on May 10, 1938 in the Doshul region of Kham in eastern Tibet, near the sacred mountain Jowo Zegyal. On the morning of his birth, a small snow fell with flakes in the shape of lotus petals. Khenchen Rinpoche began his education at Gochen Monastery at age four. He entered Riwoche Monastery at age fourteen, completing his studies there just before the Chinese invasion of Tibet reached the area. In 1959. Khenchen Rinpoche and his family were forced into exile, escaping to India. After the tumultuous period following their escape, in 1967 he was appointed head of the Nyingma department of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, the Supreme Head of the Nyingma school. He held this position of abbot for seventeen years, dedicating all his time and energy to ensure the survival and spread of the Buddha's teachings.

Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche was born in the Doshul region of Kham in eastern Tibet, on June 10, 1950. On that summer day in the family tent, Khenpo Rinpoche's birth caused his mother Pema Lhadze no pain. The next day, upon moving the bed where she delivered the baby, his mother found growing a beautiful and fragrant flower, which she plucked and offered to Chenrezig on the family altar. Soon after Khenpo Tsewang was born, three head lamas from Jadchag Monastery came to his home and recognized him as the reincarnation of Khenpo Sherab Khyentse, who had been the former head abbot at Gochen Monastery. Sherab Khyentse was a renowned scholar and practitioner who spent much of his life in retreat.

In 1988, Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche and his brother, Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, founded the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center, based at Padma Samye Ling in Delaware County, upstate New York. PBC also includes a traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastery and nunnery at the holy site of Deer Park in Sarnath, and the Miracle Stupa for World Peace at Padma Samye Jetavan which is in Jetavan Grove in Shravasti, India, in addition to centers in Russia, Canada, and Puerto Rico.o Rico, in addition to monastic institutions in India, Russia, and the U.S.A.

Contents: LIBERATING DUALITY WITH WISDOM DISPLAY: The Eight Emanations of Guru Padmasambhava by Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche & Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche
Dedication	xi
Acknowledgments	xii
Editor's Introduction	xiii
Seven Line Prayer of Guru Padmasambhava	xiv
Prayer to the Guru Trikaya	xv
Prayers to the Lamas of the Lineage	xviii
The Swift Fulfillment of Wishes: A Prayer to Invoke the Fulfillment of the Most Essential and Highest Aspirations of the Great Master Padmasambhava, by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo	xxi
Preface	1
Introduction	7
Chapter One: Guru Padma Gyalpo: The Lotus King	21
Chapter Two: Guru Loden Chokse: The Supreme Knowledge Holder	35
Chapter Three: Guru Nyima Ozer: Ray of Sun	45
Chapter Four: Guru Padmasambhava: The Lotus Essence	53
Chapter Five: Guru Shakya Senge: The Undefeatable Lion	65
Chapter Six: Guru Senge Dradok: The Lion's Roar	75
Chapter Seven: Guru Padma Jungne: The Lotus Born	81
Chapter Eight: Guru Dorje Drolo: Indestructible Crazy Wisdom	97
Conclusion	103