"Whoever sees this sutra sees the face of the Buddha. Whoever holds this sutra holds the body of the Buddha. Whoever practices this sutra practices the activities of the Buddha. Whoever explains this sutra explains the activities of the Buddha. Whoever understands the meaning of this sutra understands the meaning of the Buddha."

The unimaginable benefits of engaging with The Sutra of Great Liberation (thar pa chhen poi do) featured most prominently in the later years of Lama Zopa Rinpoche's teachings, although Rinpoche is reported to have spoken of them as early as 20O6. Rinpoche emphasized that engaging with the sutra in any way, even unintentionally, is profoundly beneficial. Let alone reciting the sutra or its mantra, even hearing any part of the sutra or keeping a copy of the sutra brings immeasurable benefit. Reciting the sutra, for instance, also easily purifies negative karma.

Sutra of Great Liberation, Ven. Gyalten Lekden (translator) FMPT, Paperback, 188 pages, $8.99

Venerable Gyalten Lekden was born and raised in the Boston area, though has been living in India since 2011. He began studying and practicing Buddhism as an undergraduate, and immediately found Tibetan Buddhism the perfect home for his practice, but has an academic study of Buddhism that covers various Buddhist histories and schools. He holds a B.A. in Religious Studies as well as a B.A. in Theatre from Wesleyan University, CT, and a Masters of Divinity (M.Div) in Buddhist Ministry from Harvard Divinity School, and is now starting his ninth year of the Geshe study program at Sera Je Monastery. He received full ordination vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and is a registered teacher within the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT).