The Book of Kadam: The Core Texts

by Thupten Jinpa Ph.D. Ph.D. (Translator)

Overview

The Kadam school of Tibetan Buddhism emerged in the eleventh century from the teachings of the Indian master Atisa and his principal Tibetan student, Dromtonpa. Although it no longer exists as an independent school, Kadam's teachings were incorporated into the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism and are still prized today for their unique practical application of the bodhisattva's altruistic ideal in everyday life. One of the most cherished teachings stemming from Atisa and Dromtonpa is the collection of esoteric oral transmissions enshrined in The Book of Kadam. This volume includes the core texts of the Book of Kadam, notably the twenty-three-chapter dialogue between Atisa and Dromtonpa that is woven around Atisa's Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland, as well as complementary texts that illuminate the history and practices of the Kadam tradition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780861714414
Publisher:	Wisdom Publications MA
Publication date:	07/15/2008
Series:	Library of Tibetan Classics , #2
Pages:	752
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 2.20(d)

About the Author

Thupten Jinpa Langri was educated in the classical Tibetan monastic academia and received the highest academic degree of Geshe Lharam (equivalent to a doctorate in divinity). Jinpa also holds a BA in philosophy and a PhD in religious studies, both from the University of Cambridge, England. Since 1985, he has been the principal English-language translator to the Dalai Lama. He has translated and edited many books by the Dalai Lama, including The World of Tibetan Buddhism, Essence of the Heart Sutra, and Ethics for the New Millennium. Jinpa has published scholarly articles on various aspects of Tibetan culture, Buddhism, and philosophy, and books such as Songs of Spiritual Experience (co-authored) and Self, Reality and Reason in Tibetan Thought. He serves on the advisory board of numerous educational and cultural organizations in North America, Europe, and India. He is currently the president and the editor-in-chief of the Institute of Tibetan Classics, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to translating key Tibetan classics into contemporary languages. He also currently chairs the Mind and Life Institute.

Table of Contents

Preface     xiii
Introduction     1
Technical Note     33
The Father Teachings
Tree of Faith: A Self-Exhortation: Dromtonpa (1005-64)     37
Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland: Atisa Dipamkara (982-1054)     61
The Jewel Garland of Dialogues     65
Title, Homage, and Preamble     65
Making Prostrations to the Distinguished Objects of Veneration     74
How Instructions on the Four Divinities Were Conferred     80
How to Choose the Three Sacred Scriptural Baskets     95
How to Strive by Engaging in Activity     110
How to Guard the Doors of the Senses and Hold Your Mind     114
How All Blame Lies in a Single Point     121
How to Relinquish the Objects of Abandonment and Engage in the Virtues     127
The Riches of the Noble Ones and the Khakkhara Staff     137
Songs of Perfect Purity     147
Cultivating through Honor and the Perfect Mode of Seeing     161
How to Nurture Sublime Beings and Their Deeds     169
How to Hoist Your Robes to Cross the Mires of Desire     186
How the Heritage of the Pure Way of Life Was Requested     261
Meditating on Perfect Equanimity of Excitation and Mental Laxity through Severing the Root of Suffering     267
How to Train the Mind within the Expanse of Appearance, Emptiness, and Empty Echoes     279
How He Engaged in the Hidden Conduct and So On     289
Not Forsaking the Pledges and the Excellence of the Perfect Spiritual Tradition     313
How to Help Guard Others' Minds     322
Constantly Working for Others' Welfare     332
Practicing the Profound Teaching without Defaming Other Teachings     339
Dedication and Purifying Negative Karma     347
Subsuming [All Higher Qualities] into Seven Riches and Bequeathing Them     368
The Two Examinations     381
Colophon     390
Elucidation of the Heart-Drop Practice: Khenchen Nyima Gyaltsen (1223-1305)     395
The Son Teachings
The Spiritual Mentor's Birth as the Brahman Youth Ujjvala     455
The Spiritual Mentor's Birth as Prince Asanga in Kausambhi     477
The Spiritual Mentor's Birth as the Youth Sanghavardana in Magadha's Lotus Region     499
The Spiritual Mentor's Birth as Prince Saranadatta in the Town of Sukhavat     507
Supplementary Texts
Summary Points of the Book of Kadam: Gendun Gyatso, Second Dalai Lama (1476-1542)     521
Heart-Instructions of The Book of Kadam: Yongzin Yeshe Gyaltsen (1713-93)     529
Sayings of the Kadam Masters: Compiled by Chegom Sherap Dorje (ca. twelfth century)     559
Table of Tibetan Transliteration     611
Notes     619
Glossary     665
Bibliography     681
Index     693

Editorial Reviews

"This series edited by Thupten Jinpa and published by Wisdom Publications is a landmark in the study of Tibetan culture in general and Tibetan Buddhism in particular. Each volume contains a lucid introduction and outstanding translations that, while aimed at the general public, will benefit those in the field of Tibetan Studies immensely as well."

Leonard van der Kuijp

"When completed, The Library of Tibetan Classics will be a comprehensive reference library of the most important Tibetan classics embracing the entire spectrum of Tibetan thought and artistic traditions. Such a series will make Tibet's classical thought truly a world heritage, an intellectual and spiritual resource open to all."

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama

"This volume brings key classical Tibetan texts to the Western world."

Eastern Horizon

"Erudite in all respects, this series is at the same time accessible and engagingly translated. As such, it belongs in all college and university libraries as well as in good public libraries. The Library of Tibetan Classics is on its way to becoming a truly extraordinary spiritual and literary accomplishment."

Janice D. Willis