A Treatise on Buddha Nature by Rangjung Dorje, the third Karmapa, is one of the Kagyu lineage's oldest and most important texts, belonging to the tradition of the Six Yogas of Naropa. In the nineteenth century Jamgon Kongtrul composed a commentary on it, which Khenchen Thrangu uses as the basis for the teachings in this book.

The subject of this famous treatise is buddha essence, the basic nature of all beings. The term is a translation of the Sanskrit tathagatagarbha, deshek nyingpo (bde-gshegs snying-po) in Tibetan. The Tibetan interprets garbha as "essence" (nying-po), the innermost part of something. Both terms indicate that our very nature is buddhahood - buddha essence is possessed not only by enlightened masters, but by everyone.

The path to awakening buddha essence, or buddha nature, is meditation. The practitioner needs to understand not only how to meditate, but also the reasons for meditation, in order to develop insight. This text contains complete instructions on how to discover buddha essence in ourselves.

On Buddha Essence, A Commentary on Ranjung Dorje's Treatise, Thrangu Rinpoche, Shambhala Publications, Paperback, 2006, 168 Pages, $29.95

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master known for his deep compassion and the clarity of his teachings. He was selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to serve as the principal tutor to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Oryen Trinley Dorje. Thrangu Rinpoche is a full holder and teacher of the Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. He founded the Namo Buddha retreat center in Nepal, has established two shedras (monastic universities) in Nepal and India, and serves as Abbot of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. He also built Tara Abbey, where nuns receive a full dharma education qualifying them to become khenpos or teachers. Thrangu Rinpoche teaches entensively throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. He has centers in Maine and California, and is building the Vajra Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado.

	Contents: On Buddha Essence
	Translator's Preface	vii
	Acknowledgments	xvii
	Introduction	xix
	Outline of the Text	xxvii
	1. The Brief Summary of the Treatise	1
	2. An Explanation of the Mahayana Abhidharma Sutra	15
	3. Correct and Incorrect Concepts	33
	4. The Explanation of Buddha Nature	46
	5. The Qualities of the Rupakayas	81
	6. The Refutation of Other's View	98
	7. Describing Buddha Nature through Quotations	132
	8. The Conclusion	138
	9. The Meditation Practice of This Treatise	141
	Notes	147
	Glossary	151
	Index	163