Tantric Topics
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IN PRAISE OF TARA: Songs to the Saviouress by Martin Willson 496 pp., 8 color plates. #INPR - $ 24.95 The most dearly loved of all the Buddhist deities is the blissful goddess Tara. She acts with lightning speed to aid those in distress and fulfill their wishes. This collection includes a history of the Tara Tantra, canonical and practice texts, and lyrical praises. More ... | |
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INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA: The Transformation of Desire by Lama Yeshe, edited by Johathan Landaw 174 pp. #INTA - $ 16.95 "When Lama Yeshe's Introduction to Tantra first appeared, it was like an illumination, a vision both brilliant and generous, for which many people had spent years waiting and preparing. Even rereading it now, I am thrilled by the clarity and directness of Lama Yeshe's thought. His descriptions of foundation practices and subsequent stages are both essential and complete. I know of no work on tantra that has improved on this."--Philip Glass, from the foreword More ... | |
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THE LION'S ROAR: An Introduction to Tantra by Chogyam Trungpa 272 pp. #LIROIN - $ 24.95 This book is based on two historic seminars of the 1970s, in which Chogyam Trungpa introduced the tantric teachings of Tibetan Buddhism to his Western students for the first time. Each seminar bore the title "The Nine Yanas." Yana, a Sanskrit word meaning "vehicle," refers to a body of doctrine and practical instruction that enables students to advance spiritually on the path of buddha-dharma. Nine vehicles, arranged in successive levels, make up the whole path of Buddhist practice. Teaching all nine means giving a total picture of the spiritual journey. The author's nontheoretical, experiential approach opens up a world of fundamental psychological insights and subtleties. He speaks directly to a contemporary Western audience using earthly analogies that place the ancient teachings in the midst of ordinary life. More ... | |
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ORIGIN OF THE TARA TANTRA by Jonang Taranatha, trans. & ed. By David Templeman 104 pp., extensive bibliography. #ORTATA - $ 8.95 Provides an important and accurate account of the powers of Tara and the lineages of the Siddhas who worshiped her and passed on her teachings, revelations and tantra. | |
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OVERVIEW OF BUDDHIST TANTRA: General Presentation of the Classes of Tantra, Captivating the Minds of the Fortunate Ones by Panchen Sonam Dragpa 159 pp. #OVBUTA - $ 15.00 An outstanding sourcebook for information on the tantric grounds and paths. The process of empowerment--the role of the teacher, the student, the steps involved-- is detailed and the bodhisattva vows, tantric vows and commitments, mandala theory, the classes of tantra and tantric terminology are discussed. | |
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PEARL ROSARY: The Path of Purification by Khenchen Rinpoche, Konchog Gyaltshen, edited by Khenmo Trinlay Chodron 514 pp. #PEROPA - $ 29.95 "The content of this text is primarily meant for people who are far away and don't have the opportunity to engage in Dharma practice in the presence of the teacher. The book itself is a representation of the teacher, and therefore is meant to help one's Dharma practice. The text describes the methods of visualization and how to incorporate practice into our day to day life experience. The visualization of these deities is mainly concerned with the practices of tantrayana and mantrayana, which are the highest forms of practice. The path of visualization is very powerful and if properly engaged in, it is capable of transforming our life within a single moment."--His Holiness Drigung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, from the Foreword More ... | |
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PREPARING FOR TANTRA by Je Tsongkapa, comm. by Pabongka Rinpoche, trans. by Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin with Michael Roach 172 pp. #PRTA - $ 6.95 In 1402, Je Tsongkapa made direct visionary contact with the Lamas of the lineage by using the text of the Mountain of Blessings, a work which has been utilized by teachers ever since to prepare students for tantric initiation. Included is a rare commentary by Pabongka Rinpoche and an introduction by Geshe Tharchin, former abbot of Sera Jey Monastery. | |
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SECRET OF THE VAJRA WORLD: The Tantric Buddhism of Tibet by Reginald Ray 544 pp., 40 halftones and line art. #SEVAWP - $ 29.95 Now in paperback, Secret of the Vajra World is a comprehensive introduction to the Tantric practices and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Ray demonstrates how the practice of Tantra fosters an appreciation for ordinary life--the world of sensory experience, of happiness and sorrow--as the place where ultimate revelation occurs. He discusses the visualizations, liturgies, and inner yogas; the role of the tantric mentor; the preliminary practices that prepare the student for initiation; the practice of solitary retreat. | |
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TANTRIC ETHICS: An Explanation of the Precepts for Buddhist Vajrayana Practice by Tsongkhapa, trans. by Gareth Sparham, fore. by Jeffrey Hopkins. 224 pp. #TAETEX - $ 16.95 Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), one of Tibet's greatest philosophers, here explains the highest sets of vows required for tantra to be successfully practiced. This is the first English translation of this valuable work. More ... | |
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TARA: The Feminine Divine by Bokar Rinpoche 176 pp., 45 line drawings, glossary. #TAFEDI - $ 18.95 Presents the various aspects of Tara and the origin of her tantra, relates contemporary examples of her benevolent activity, provides an explanation of her praise, offers instruction for devotional practice, and discusses remarkable women in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism. An extensive iconography completes the text. | |
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THE TEACUP & THE SKULLCUP: Chogyam Trungpa on Zen and Tantra by Chogyam Trungpa 145 pp. #TESKCH - $ 16.95 In The Teacup and the Skull Cup, one the most influential of the Vajrayana teachers openly discusses Zen and Tantra in this unique volume, based on historic seminars. More ... | |