"The Uttaratantra, elucidates the Third Turning of the Buddha's teachings on Buddha-essence � the inherent qualities and potential for Buddhahood present in all beings. The elucidation of this potential, emptiness and luminosity inseparable, is the bridge between the Sutra and Tantric paths, the view of Vajrayana and the ground of Mahamudra, thus it is an essential text for all practitioners of the Buddhadharma.
The root verses of the text are in prose and thus require an oral transmission and commentary to explain their vast and profound meaning. In addition to the theoretical transmission is the meditative approach to this text, the lineage of which has continued through the Kagyu tradition, received first by the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje and continuing unbroken to the present day. This is what is transmitted here through the great wisdom and compassion of Khabje Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, the supreme abbot, scholar and highly realized master of the Kagyu lineage. May all beings receive, practice and realize this." Venerable Lama Karma Shedrup.

Uttaratantra: A Treatise on Buddha-Essence, Thrangu Rinpoche, Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal, Paperback, 284 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: Uttaratantra: A Treatise on Buddha-Essence Foreword by Tai Situ Rinpoche 9 Preface 11 PART ONE THE GOAL TO BE ACHIEVED: THE THREE RARE AND PRECIOUS REFUGES Chapter 1 Background to the Uttaratantra 13 Chapter 2 Introduction of the Uttaratantra 23 Chapter 3 The First Vajra Point: The Buddha 31 Chapter 4 The Second Vajra Point: The Dharma 39 Chapter 5 The Third Vajra Point: The Sangha 49 PART TWO THE BASIS FOR ATTAINING THE THREE RARE AND PRECIOUS REFUGES Chapter 6 General Points Concerning Refuge 55 Chapter 7 The Last Four Vajra Points 59 Chapter 8 The Fourth Vajra Point: Buddha-Essence 65 Chapter 9 The Fifth Vajra Point: Enlightenment 127 Chapter 10 The Sixth Vajra Point: Qualities of Buddhahood 175 Chapter 11 The Seventh Vajra Point: Buddha Activity 199 PART THREE CONCLUSION Chapter 12 Benefits of the Text 225 Notes 239 Glossary of Terms 257