One of the highest attainments of Dzogchen, an ancient spiritual path recognized as the supreme vehicle of Tibetan Buddhism, the rainbow body is the transmutation of the physical constituents of the body into the essence of the five elements. This book traces the life story of a twentieth century Tibetan yogin, Togden Ugyen Tendzin (1888-1962), whose amazing realization of the rainbow body at his death was witnessed in Eastern Tibet not only by his countrymen, but also, to their confusion and dismay, by the Chinese officers who were responsible for his continuing imprisonment.

The author of this fascinating biography is Chogyal Namkhai Norbu (b. 1938), one of the great living masters of Dzogchen, and nephew, on the paternal side, of the Togden, a title which means "endowed with realization," an expression accorded to highly realized yogins in Tibet. Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, who received profound teachings from his uncle, based his book on extensive notes he took while with Togden in 1954 in Derge, and on information given to him by Sala Kama Samten (1919-1993), also a disciple and nephew of the yogin. Togden's master was Adzom Drugpa, Drodul Pawo Dorje (1842-1924), one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of the last century, renowned for the depth and clarity of his teachings. A short biography of this master is here included, together with a biography of the yogini Lhundrub Tso (1864-1946), also a close student of Adzom Drugpa and grandmother of the Author.

Chogyal Namkhai Norbu is a foremost representative of Tibetan culture on the present world scene. Born in Eastern Tibet in 1938, at the age of two he was recognized as a reincarnation of Adzom Drugpa, a renowned Master of the Dzogchen tradition. Still an adolescent he completed the stages of the rigorous traditional studies, both secular and religious, and received teachings from some of the greatest masters of his time. In 1960 he was invited to Italy by Professor Tucci, a leading figure in early Italian Tibetological studies, to collaborate with the ISMEO. (Institute for Studies of the Middle and Extreme Orient) in Rome. From 1962 to 1992 he taught Tibetan and Mongolian language and literature at the Institute for Oriental Studies of the University of Naples, and became known among scholars for his vast knowledge of the ancient history and literature of Tibet. In the mid seventies Chogyal Namkhai Norbu began transmitting the Dzogchen teaching of which is considered one of the most important living masters. In 1981 he founded the International Dzogchen Community, a worldwide association of people interested in the knowledge and practice of the ancient spiritual path. In 1988 he founded A.S.I.A {Association for Solidarity in Asia), a governmental organization which implements projects of cooperation and solidarity in Tibet as well as in other troubled regions of the world. In 1991, in the presence of HH the XIV Dalai Lama, in Merigat, the seat of the Dzogchen Community in Italy, he founded the Shang Shung International Institute for Tibetan Studies, whose aim is to preserve Tibetan culture in its manifold forms. For the last 30 years, Chogyal Mankhai Norbu has been constantly teaching, responding to invitations to give lectures and lead retreats from all over the world. He is the author of numerous books, translated and published in all languages.