"It is alive, a tale with compelling magical adventures, the force of narrative, and great variety."-Steven D. Goodman, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley.
"This is an accurate, readable translation of an important Tibetan autobiography, rich with details about Tibetan culture, religion, attitudes, and practices." -Janet Gyatso, Amherst College
The Life of Shabkar has long been recognized by Tibetans as one of the master works of their religious heritage. Following his inspired youth and early training in his native province of Amdo under the guidance of several extraordinary Buddhist masters, Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol devoted himself to many years of meditation in solitary retreat. With determination and courage, he mastered the highest and most esoteric practices of the Tibetan tradition of the Great Perfection. He then wandered far and wide over the Himalayan region expressing his realization.
His autobiography vividly reflects the values and visionary imagery of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the social and cultural life of early nineteenth-century Tibet.
The Life of Shabkar: The Autobiography of a Tibetan Yogin, Translator M. Ricard, Snow Lion Publications, Paperback, $49.95
Ricard is Jean-Francois Revel's son. He is a Buddhist monk who lives in the Shechen Monastery. He received his doctorate in molecular biology from the Institut Pasteur in Paris.
| Foreword |
vii |
| Preface |
ix |
| Acknowledgments |
xi |
| Translator's Introduction |
xiii |
| A Celebration of Shabkar |
xxxi |
| The Life Story |
|
| Introduction |
3 |
| Early Years |
15 |
| Renouncing the World |
27 |
| Meeting My Teacher |
39 |
| Retreat at the Hermit's Cave |
49 |
| Meditation at Tigress Fort |
65 |
| At The Heart of the Lake |
95 |
| Meditation at Mount Machen |
155 |
| At White Rock Monkey Fortress |
179 |
| Pilgrimage to Central Tibet |
205 |
| The Ravines of Tsari |
243 |
| At Mount Kailash |
275 |
| Pilgrimage to Nepal |
349 |
| Meditation at Lapchi |
395 |
| Return to Central Tibet |
447 |
| Return to Domey |
485 |
| Conclusion |
541 |
| Appendices |
|
| Introduction to the teachings dealt with in the biography |
547 |
| Shabkar's spiritual teachers |
557 |
| Chogyal Ngakyi Wangpo's ancestry |
565 |
| Kunzang Dechen Gyalpo and the Wish-fulfilling Gem, Hayagriva and Varahi |
569 |
| Shabkar's writings |
577 |
| Shabkar's disciples |
589 |
| List of Abreviations |
593 |
| Glossary of Enumerations |
595 |
| Bibliograpy |
607 |
| Maps |
617 |
| Table of Songs, Letters, Teachings, and Major Events |
625 |
| Indexes |
|
| General index |
633 |
| Index of persons, deities, and sacred images |
655 |
| Index of places |
679 |
| Index of Tibetan works |
693 |
|
