This is the definitive text for beginning or advanced ngondro practitioners. The text describes the Four Foundation Practices that all practitioners of Vajrayana Buddhism must complete. The nature of impermanence, the effects of karma, the development of an enlightened attitude, and devotion to the guru are among the subjects covered. Practical instructions are given and explanations.
Three eminent contemporary Tibetan Buddhist masters: Kalu Rinpoche, Deshung Rinpoche, and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, explain the significance of The Torch of Certainty for modern day students and practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Torch of Certainty, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Shambhala Publications, Paperback, 1977, 161 pages, $18.95
Jamgon Kongtrul (1813-1899) was a versatile and prolific scholar. He has been characterized as a "Tibetan Leonardo" because of his significant contributions to religion, education, medicine, and politics.
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CONTENTS: The Torch of Certainty
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List of Illustrations
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ix
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Foreword by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
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xi
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Preface
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xiii
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Abbreviations
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xviii
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INTRODUCTION
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1.
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Description and Background
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1
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Notes
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7
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2.
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Practice of the Four Foundations
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9
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Interviews with Kalu Rinpoche, Deshung Rinpoche and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
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9
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Notes
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24
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THE TORCH OF CERTAINTY
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Invocation
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27
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1.
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The Four Ordinary Foundations
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29
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Prologue
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30
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1.
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The Precious Human Birth
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31
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2.
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Impermanence
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35
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3.
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Action, Cause and Result
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38
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4.
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The Shortcomings of Samsara
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43
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Conclusion
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47
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Notes
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49
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2.
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First of the Four Special Foundations: Taking Refuge and Engendering the Enlightened Attitude
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53
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Taking Refuge
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53
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Engendering the Enlightened Attitude
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60
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Notes
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69
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3.
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Second of the Four Special Foundations: The Hundred-Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva Which Purifies Harmful Deeds and Removes Obscurations
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79
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Prologue
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79
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Practical Instructions
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80
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Commentary
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82
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Notes
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88
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4.
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Third of the Four Special Foundations: The Mandala Offering Which Perfects the Two Accumulations
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93
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Practical Instructions
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96
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Commentary
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105
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Conclusion
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110
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Notes
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111
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5.
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Fourth of the Special Foundations: The Guru Yoga Which Rapidly Confers Blessing
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119
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Meditation
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120
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Commentary
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123
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Conclusion
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129
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Notes
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133
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| Colophon
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139 |
| Notes
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139 |
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| Bibliography
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141 |
| Index 1: General Names and Subjects
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145 |
| Index 2: Tibetan Technical Terms and Names
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159 |
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