Buddha Shakyamuni laid out many categories and levels of teaching according to the particular needs, desires, intelligence, and sensibilities of practitioners. In response to these differences, the Buddha gave a wide variety of teachings that were specifically suited to the unique characteristics of individuals. In this way, the Buddha skillfully ensured that all beings could benefit from the Dharma. But despite the inconceivably vast scope of these instructions, the purpose of each one is the same: to remove the obscurations and suffering of all beings and reveal our innate nature, which is the nature of everything. Although the teachings of the Dharma can be summarized in many ways, the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism also known as the Ancient Translation school divides them into nine yanas or vehicles. This special book includes teachings from one of the most qualified Nyingma masters of our times, in which he explains the view, meditation, conduct, and fruition of each of the nine yanas from an authentically Nyingma perspective. Due to the comprehensive yet condensed nature of this book, it serves as both a general outline for those initiating their study of the Dharma, as well as a valuable aid for those wishing to better understand the essential meaning of each of the nine levels of Buddhist meditation and philosophy.
Turning the Wisdom Wheel of the Nine Golden Chariots, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, Dharma Samudra, 217 pp, $20.00
Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche was born in the Dhoshul region of Kham in eastern Tibet on June 10, 1950. Soon after his birth, three head lamas from Jadchag monastery came to his home and recognized him as the reincarnation of Khenpo Sherag Khyentse, who had been the former head abbot lama at Gochen monastery and a renowned scholar and practitioner who spent much of his life in retreat. Rinpoche's first Dharma teacher was his father, Lama Chimed Namgyal Rinpoche. Beginning his schooling at the age of five, he entered Gochen monastery. His studies were interrupted by the Chinese invasion and his family's escape to India. In India, his father and brother continued his education until he entered the Nyingmapa Monastic School of northern India, where he studied until 1967. He then entered the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, which was then a part of Sanskrit University in Varanasi, where he received his B.A. degree in 1975. He also attended Nyingmapa University in West Bengal, where he received another B.A. and an M.A. in 1977.
In 1988, Rinpoche and his brother, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, founded the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center. Since that time, Khenpo Rinpoche has served as a spiritual director at the various Padmasambhava centers throughout the world and he maintains an active traveling and teaching schedule.
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Contents: Turning the Wisdom Wheel of the Nine
Golden Chariots |
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Acknowledgments |
7 |
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Preface |
8 |
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Manjushri Prayer |
11 |
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The Importance of the Nine Yana Teachings |
14 |
1. |
The Three Baskets |
19 |
2. |
Samsara |
37 |
3. |
Bodhichitta |
55 |
4. |
The Shravakayana: Vaibhashika |
67 |
5. |
The Shravakayana: Sautrantika |
75 |
6. |
Mahayana: Mind Only School |
83 |
7. |
Svatantrika Madhyamaka |
95 |
8. |
Prasangika Madhyamaka |
113 |
9. |
Tantric Philosophy |
129 |
10. |
The Outer Cycle of Tantra: Kriyatantra |
139 |
11. |
The Outer Cycle of Tantra: Upatantra |
151 |
12. |
The Outer Cycle of Tantra: Yogatantra |
155 |
13. |
The Inner Cycle of Tantra: Mahayoga, Anuyoga, and Atiyoga |
165 |
14. |
Summary of the Nine Yanas According to Atiyoga |
179 |
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Dedication of Merit |
197 |
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Appendices: |
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About the Authors |
198 |
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Padma Samye Ling Shedra Series |
203 |
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Other Publications by the Authors |
204 |
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Padmasambhava Buddhist Center |
205 |
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Index of Illustrations and Photographs |
210 |
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Notes |
213 |
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