Free Downloads Words Of My Perfect Teacher: A Complete Translation Of A Classic Introduction To Tibetan Buddhism (Sacred Literature)
A favorite of Tibetans and recommended by the Dalai Lama and other senior Buddhist teachers, this practical guide to inner transformation introduces the fundamental spiritual practices common to all Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
Series: Sacred Literature
Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Yale University Press; Revised edition (July 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0300165323
ISBN-13: 978-0300165326
Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 6 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #60,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #17 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Sacred Writings #72 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Tibetan #13390 in Books > Religion & Spirituality
this is one of my all-time favorite books in the universe. i recommend it to all of my friends (even though most have read it!) and would love for everyone interested in tibetan buddhism as a real-life practice to own and read this book. and reread it. it starts at the beginning and goes all the way to the end. if i may offer a primer: in tibet there were (are?) four main schools. the oldest of them is called "nyingma," or "old ones." within the nyingma's thousands of sub-lineages by far one of the most widely practiced is that begun by a man named jigmed lingpa. his student's student's student (i believe i have that right) wrote this text as a record of his master's oral instructions on the so-called "preliminary practices" (tib. ngondro). however, as many lamas will tell you, the use of the word "preliminary" must be taken with a grain of salt. these practices embody the essence of the dharma, and the joy of this book is that it helps to bring that truth to light. the translation was done by a committee of tibetan language scholars and lineage-holding masters. so intent were they to provide a true translation, a few years after the first edition they republished it with the adjustments they had developed as the text was being used and studied. and it is precisely this use and study that is the point of this text. what more could you ask for?
I wanted to write quick rebuttal to the reviewer who questions the quality of this translation. I've read both the original Tibetan text (kun bzang bla ma'i zhal lung) and the translation, and I'm very impressed with the work the translators have done. The Tibetan text has been rendered into excellent, clear and grammatical English prose without sacrificing the literal meaning of the original. In addition, the book is clearly footnoted with commentary from high lamas, alternate translations and references.
Wonderful Patrul Rinpoche has written a good book which no doubt has stood the test of time.The book covers the general and specific premliminaries of Vajrayana, spiced up with lovely stories and anecdotes. Patrul Rinpoches straightfoward and sometimes blunt way of expressing things is very releiving and inspiring. Some of what he writes may be provoking to modern (western) readers. He is striking towards hipocracy in all directions.There are detailed explanations on the Four Mind Changings, Refuge and Bodhicitta, Vajrasattva practice, Mandala offering, Guru Yoga and many other thigs.The book is a great read from cover to cover as well as a good reference book with its good index.Reading this book will certainly dispel lots of ignorance and doubt regarding the buddhist path. So read it, again and again!
Patrul Rinpoche's classic and powerful text contains essential instructions and expositions for those already familiar with, and may be practicing, Tibetan Buddhism. It cuts at the root of our misunderstandings and misery. What more can we ask for? For Buddhists of other lineage traditions, the text still contains many valuable insights and meditations. For newcomers to Tibetan Buddhism, however, other introductory texts would be more appropriate (e.g. selected works by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Sogyal Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Thubten Chodron, Alan Wallace, Robert Thurman).
This review is for those few people out there who, like me, already have the original version of this translation and are wondering if it's worth it to buy the revised edition.The translators state that they made 3-4 revisions per page from the original to the revised edition. In a 400 page book, that's 1200-1600 revisions. Yes, they're probably small changes - I haven't gone through and actually looked for what was changed. But in a precious text like this one, which you will probably be taking into your heart and thinking about a lot, it seems well worth paying about a penny per revision.If you're looking for a first introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, you will probably be happier with something like Sogyal Rinpoche's The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying - again, get the revised edition. However, if you are looking for a deeper introduction to the ngondro practices, this is a book of great depth - and humor, and charm.It seems a previous reviewer was upset that the translators didn't get it "perfect" the first time, and felt that a revision was merited. However, translation is very difficult; I'm glad that they incorporated new insights and clarifications into a revised edition.
The book "The Words of My Perfect Master" is, together with "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche, a source of inspiration, guidance, direction and motivation for people interested in getting to know the ultimate reality of life without any strings attached.For people interested in using both these books to help them in their knowledge and practice of Tibetan Buddhism, the best way to find a detailed "users' guide" is to contact [...] and ask for Sogyal Rinpoche's home study packs, et al.In his study plans, Sogyal refers to many Buddhist books and authors, but these two are by far the most complete ones to help one advance in the thrilling path of self-knowledge, beyond religion, beyond sectarism of any kind.I heartily recommend these two books as gifts to the soul.Whomever reads them with a sincere heart will experience the direct touch of the writers' enlightened minds inspired by loving compassion.
Words of My Perfect Teacher: A Complete Translation of a Classic Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (Sacred Literature) Translating Buddhism from Tibetan: An Introduction to the Tibetan Literary Language and the Translation of Buddhist Texts from Tibetan Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) The Tibetan Book of the Dead: First Complete Translation (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) The World of Tibetan Buddhism: An Overview of Its Philosophy and Practice Hidden Teachings of Tibet: An Explanation of the Terma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism Dakini Power: Twelve Extraordinary Women Shaping the Transmission of Tibetan Buddhism in the West Humble before the Void: A Western Astronomer, His Journey East, and a Remarkable Encounter between Western Science and Tibetan Buddhism Introduction To Research And Medical Literature For Health Professionals (Blessing, Introduction to Research and Medical Literature for Health Professionals wi) Wisdom of Buddha: The Samdhinirmochana Sutra (Tibetan Translation Series) The Illustrated Tibetan Book of the Dead: A New Translation With Commentary Perfect Phrases for the Perfect Interview: Hundreds of Ready-to-Use Phrases That Succinctly Demonstrate Your Skills, Your Experience and Your Value in Any Interview Situation (Perfect Phrases Series) The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume Sacred Scripts: A Meditative Journey Through Tibetan Calligraphy Faces of Compassion: Classic Bodhisattva Archetypes and Their Modern Expression _ An Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions The Confessions: (Vol. I/1) Revised, (The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century) (The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century, Vol. 1) Translation-mediated Communication in a Digital World: Facing the Challenges of Globalization and Localization (Topics in Translation) Lancelot-Grail: 2. The Story of Merlin: The Old French Arthurian Vulgate and Post-Vulgate in Translation (Lancelot-Grail: The Old French Arthurian Vulgate and Post-Vulgate in Translation)
