Creation and Completion: Essential Points of Tantric Meditation

by Jamgon Kongtrul, Sarah Harding (Translator), Thrangu Rinpoche (Commentaries by)

Overview

Creation and Completion represents some of the most profound teachings of Jamgon Kongtrul (1813-99), one of the true spiritual and literary giants of Tibetan history. Though brief, it offers a lifetime of advice for all who wish to engage in-and deepen-the practice of tantric Buddhist meditation.

The original text, beautifully translated and introduced by Sarah Harding, is further brought to life by an in-depth commentary by the contemporary master Thrangu Rinpoche. Key Tibetan Buddhist fundamentals are quickly made clear, so that the reader may confidently enter into tantra's oft-misunderstood "creation" and "completion" stages.

In the creation stage, practitioners visualize themselves in the form of buddhas and other enlightened beings in order to break down their ordinary concepts of themselves and the world around them. This meditation practice prepares the mind for engaging in the completion stage, where one has a direct encounter with the ultimate nature of mind and reality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780861713127
Publisher:	Wisdom Publications MA
Publication date:	04/01/2002
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	249,541
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, (1813-99) was the leading figure in the nineteenth-century rime (nonsectarian) revival of Tibetan Buddhism. One of the most prolific and accomplished teachers and writers in Tibetan history, his works continue to guide and inspire students and practitioners alike.

Sarah Harding has been studying and practicing Buddhism since 1974, and has been teaching and translating since completing a three-year retreat in 1980 under the guidance of Kyabjé Kalu Rinpoché. She was associate professor at Naropa University for twenty-five years in Boulder, Colorado, where she currently resides, and has been a fellow of the Tsadra Foundation since 2000. She specializes in literature with a focus on tantric practice. Her publications include Creation and Completion; The Treasury of Knowledge: Esoteric Instructions; Niguma, Lady of Illusion; and two volumes on Chö and Shijé from The Treasury of Precious Instructions.

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche is a senior scholar within the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and the author of many books and commentaries. He was born in Kham, Tibet, in 1933 and entered Thrangu Monastery at age seven. He serves as the main tutor to His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa and travels worldwide giving teachings and leading retreats. Based in Nepal and India, he is also abbot of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia and founder of Vajra Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado.

Table of Contents

	Foreword	vii
	Preface	ix
	Technical Note	xi
	Introduction	1
	Buddhism	2
	Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma	2
	Buddhism in Tibet	6
	Deity Practice	7
	The Guru	11
	Creation Stage	13
	Completion Stage	16
	Jamgon Kongtrul	20
	Literary Works	24
	The Root Text in Tibetan and English	27
	The Essential Points of Creation and Completion That Will Benefit the Beginner Who Has Entered the Path	29
	Commentary	83
	Introduction	83
	Essential Points for Approaching the Path	84
	Essential Points for Traversing the Path	94
	Purification	106
	The Emergence of Confusion	120
	Working with Confusion	134
	Cultivating Lucidity	141
	Notes	155
	Bibliography	177
	Index	181

Editorial Reviews

"Mahamudra meditation is a 'completion stage' practice—completion because, like zazen, it represents fruition on the spot as opposed to a gradual buildup. Tantric techniques that develop gradually to that completion are called 'creation stage' practices. Sarah Harding's translation of Jamgon Kongtrul's Creation and Completion covers both bases but is especially useful for its detailed treatment of the visualization practices in the creation stage. It is, in fact, a point-by-point guide to this contemplative world of imagined mandalas and deities. This edition comes with a new commentary by Thrangu Rinpoche and a long, thoughtful introduction on visualization practice. Even though advanced practitioners will want to study this book, it's also designed to help beginners."

Buddhadharma

"A delightful introduction to the deepest understanding of visualization, a particular way of cultivating religious imagination and full-bodied practice."

Anne Klein

"An exceptionally important text. It will answer all questions and resolve all doubts about Vajrayana practice."

Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche

"Creation and Completion contains both a clearly printed, very readable Tibetan text and a lucid, almost flawless English translation. An excellent book."

Religious Studies Review

"Includes much that is helpful to all meditators using imagery to focus the mind."

The Quest

"Creation and completion meditation is the cornerstone of tantric Buddhist practice, and draws upon a rich array of techniques and presumptions relating to moral culitvation. This book will be of great interest to both scholars and practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism."

Janet Gyatso

"Sarah Harding has rendered a great service."

Ken McLeod