Introduction to Tantra: The Transformation of Desire

by Thubten Yeshe, Jonathan Landaw (Editor), Philip Glass (Foreword by)

Overview

New edition of this perennial classic. “The best introductory work on Tibetan Buddhist tantra available today.”—Janet Gyatso, Harvard University

What is tantra? Who is qualified to practice it? How should it be practiced? What are the results? According to Buddhism, every human being has the potential to achieve profound and lasting happiness. And according to the tantric teachings of Buddhism, this remarkable transformation can be realized very quickly if we utilize all aspects of our human energy——especially the energy of our desires. Introduction to Tantra is the best available clarification of a subject that is often misunderstood. Tantra recognizes that the powerful energy aroused by our desire is an indispensable resource for the spiritual path. It is precisely because our lives are so inseparably linked with desire that we must make use of desire's tremendous energy not just for pleasure, but to transform our lives. Lama Yeshe presents tantra as a practice leading to joy and self-discovery, with a vision of reality that is simple, clear, and relevant to 21st-century life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781614291558
Publisher:	Wisdom Publications MA
Publication date:	03/04/2014
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	604,042
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Lama Thubten Yeshe (1935-1984) was born in Tibet and educated at the great Sera Monastic University. He fled the Chinese oppression in 1959 and in the late 1960s, with his chief disciple, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, began teaching Buddhism to Westerners at their Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal. In 1975 they founded the international Buddhist organization, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), which now has more than 160 centers, projects and services worldwide.

Table of Contents

Foreword Philip Glass vii

Preface xi

1 Basic Purity 1

2 Desire and Happiness 7

3 Pleasure, Disappointment, and Fulfillment 17

4 Overthrowing the Tyranny of Ordinary Appearances 29

5 Emerging from Dissatisfaction 39

6 Opening the Heart 45

7 Dissolving Self-Created Limitations 57

8 Clear Spaciousness of Mind 69

9 Inspiration and the Guru 83

10 Entering Highest Tantric Practice 99

11 Arising as a Deity 117

12 Final Accomplishment 131

Glossary 143

Index 157

About the Author 163

Editorial Reviews

"Many years ago I heard a Dharma talk by Lama Yeshe. I was very impressed with his ability to communicate deep truths in very ordinary language, with a hilarious sense of humor that helped deliver such wisdom. But he died, so my attention eventually went elsewhere. Recently, I discovered his books—some very technical Tantra; some down-to-earth wisdom. Lama Yeshe's same gift was present in both modes. Although, my many years of Dharma training is in Theravadin Buddhism, especially the practice of vipassana meditation, I found his teaching once again to be of great value—so direct, so clear. Granted, some of his technical Tantra seemed to me, at first, of limited relevance to my interests. But upon closer reading, and in his hands, these teachings proved equally valuable. Lama Yeshe has given us a body of teaching of immense significance for practitioners of all schools of Buddhadharma."

Larry Rosenberg

"The best introductory work on Tibetan Buddhist tantra available today."

Professor Janet Gyatso

"Introduction to Tantra, with its foreword by Philip Glass, deserves to be widely distributed—it will be very helpful to lots of people."

Prof. Robert Thurman

"A lucid explanation of Buddhist tantra... a classic."

Phillip Glass

"Lama Yeshe was one of the forefathers capable of translating Tibetan Buddhist thought not only through language, but by his presence, gestures and way of life. He was a wonderful person who had the unique quality of conveying the true message of the union of compassion and wisdom."

Gehlek Rimpoche

"No one has summarized the essence of tantra as well as Thubten Yeshe does here."

Religious Studies Review