Books by Padma Karpo Translation Committee

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Noble One Called Point of Passage Wisdom

Noble One Called Point of Passage Wisdom, A Great Vehicle Sutra
By: By The Word of the Buddha from the Kangyur, translated by Tony Duff and Sergey Dudko

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This book contains a translation of an actual sutra of the Buddha. It is a very short but particularly important sutra from the Great Vehicle teachings given in the third turning of the wheel. The sutra is important for two reasons. Firstly, it is one of the five condensed sutras, sutras which sum up the five very large sutras of the Great Vehicle sutrasthe Avatamsaka, and so on. This sutra sums up the meaning of the major sutra called The Nirvana Sutra in which the Buddha gives many final instructions before passing away. Therefore, it is regarded that the Point of Passage Wisdom sutra teaches final teachings of the Buddha in a very condensed way. This sutra is so important that the early Dharma Kings of Tibet recited it daily.

About The Three Lines That Strike Key Points

About The Three Lines That Strike Key Points: An Explanation of Thorough Cut With Direct Crossing Woven In by Dodrupchen III, Tenpa'i Nyima
By: Tony Duff

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The Dodrupchens are well-known as one of the main holders of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage. The first Dodrupchen, Jigmey Thrinley Ozer was a direct disciple of Jigmey Lingpa. After spending many years with Jigmey Lingpa, he returned to East Tibet and established a monastery at Dodrupchen. The third Dodrupchen declared that he would write extensively as a way to provide support for transmission of the lineage. Later, he was known especially for his writings in support of the system.

The text here contains a teaching given when he was quite young and shows the extent to which he understood the depths of the system even at that early age. He was asked to give some clarification of Garab Dorje's Three Lines teaching and this text is the result. This text of the Dodrupchen's is particularly interesting because it was not included in the original Collected Works of this Dodrupchen but was discovered much later and included only in recent editions of the Collected Works.

The Three Lines teaching is one of the main ways that Dzogchen view is transmitted these days. The Three Lines teaching is essentially a teaching on Thorough Cut. This can be clearly seen from Patrul's explanation of the teaching in his text called Feature of the Glorious, Expert King. In fact, Patrul's text is a pithy presentation of the way that the Dzogchen lineage transmits the meaning of Garab Dorje's Three Lines.

Dodrupchen's explanation of the Three Lines Teaching is particularly interesting because, as he himself says, the teaching does not follow the time-honoured style of explanation of Garab Dorje's teaching. It is clear from reading the text that Dodrupchen was explaining the subject from his own realization. This makes the text a particularly interesting complement to a text like Patrul's Feature of the Expert, Glorious King and we would strongly recommend that the two be read in conjunction with each other. Moreover, Dodrupchen's explanations cover important points that are not covered or not clearly covered in Patrul's text. It is for these various reasons that Lama Tony felt that this text should be translated and added to PKTC's collection of texts made specifically for the sake of Dzogchen practitioners.

One of the features of the transmission of Dzogchen in Tibet, as Lama Tony has experienced it personally, is that the teaching of Thorough Cut is never really divorced from the teaching of Direct Crossing (thogal). Therefore, it is no surprise that Dodrupchen does not stop merely with an explanation of Thorough Cut in this book but continues by showing how it connects to Direct Crossing and then gives a short teaching on the main points of Direct Crossing.

The book contains the Dodrupchen's text in English. It includes extensive notes from Lama Tony to clarify difficult points in the text, a complete glossary to help clarify the meaning of the unique terminology of the system, and the Tibetan text as well.

PMKTC, 100 Pages

Alchemy of Accomplishment: Instructions of Mountain Dharma, Heart Guidance on the Practice Expressed in an Easy-to-Understand Way by Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje
By: Tony Duff

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Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje was one of the great masters of the Nyingma tradition who lived during the 1900's. At one time, he was asked to give the basic instructions for Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo) practice to the members of a three year three month retreat that had just started. His discourse was recorded in writing and included in his Collected Works. The text of his discourse has become another of the several texts that have become very important for and are used frequently to present the teaching on Thorough Cut (khregs chod) of innermost Dzogchen. It has become popular not only in the Dudjom lineage but in Nyingma traditions in general because of its exceptionally clear and easy-to-understand explanation that comes right from the heart and goes straight to the heart.

The text contains full details of Thorough Cut practice explained in a way that is very easy to understand but which does not avoid any of the unique and beautiful technical language of the system. Here is a small quote from the book. It is what he says to the retreatants just after he has given the introduction (sometimes called pointing out instruction) to them:
“With that, we have made the mind of Samantabhadra blaze forth for us in direct perception and what could be more enjoyable? This itself is the heart of the six million, four hundred thousand tantras of Great Completion, which are the ultimate of all of the eighty-four thousand dharma heaps distinguished by the Conqueror. There is no more celestial destination than this...”
The book starts with an introduction that gives the context for the text. It continues with the translation which is fully footnoted and contains extensive explanations of the unique language of this teaching. An extensive glossary is included so that even the technical language can be fully understood. This text together with Patrul's Feature of the Expert, Glorious King, Dodrubchen's About the Three Lines, and Zhechen Gyaltshab's Essential Points of Practice are recommended as “must-read” texts for anyone doing any Great Completion practice and Thorough Cut practice in particular.

We found that the original edition of the text as found in Dudjom's Collected Works has many errors in it. Therefore, we made a new, correct edition that was checked by Gan Rinchen, the former head of Dudjom Rinpoche's centres in the United States.

PKTC, 94 Pages

Bodyless Dakini Dharma: The Dakini Hearing Lineage of the Kagyu

Bodyless Dakini Dharma: The Dakini Hearing Lineage of the Kagyu
By: / Tony Duff

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The hearing lineage Chakrasamvara and Vajrayogini teachings were obtained in person by Tilopa when he stormed the palaces of Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi. The teachings from Vajravarahi became known as the Bodyless Dakini teaching and were passed down through the Kayu lineage. The Dakini Hearing lineage as it is called is one of the root teachings of the Kagyu. It is a very important for Kagyu practitioners in general and especially for Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara practitioners.

This book is a major exposition of the Bodyless Dakini teaching. A comprehensive introduction lays out the history of the teaching and its transmission, the principal figures involved, the texts of the system, and more. The body of the book includes translations of the root texts of the system and a major exposition of the system by the fourth Drukchen, All-knowing Padma Karpo.

The book was compiled by Tony Duff, well known teacher and translator, and long time scholar-practitioner of Kagyu and Nyingma lineages.

Complete Path for the Ocean of Profound Meaning, An Extensive Liturgy for the Visualization Procedures of the Mahamudra Preliminaries with a Listing of the Key Topics of the Main Practice

Complete Path for the Ocean of Profound Meaning, An Extensive Liturgy for the Visualization Procedures of the Mahamudra Preliminaries with a Listing of the Key Topics of the Main Practice
By: Tony Duff

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There are a number of branches of the Drukpa Kagyu and each has it own liturgies for doing the preliminary practices (Tib. ngondro). The Kham (East Tibetan) tradition of the Drukpa Kagyu, headed by the Khamtrul Rinpoches has a number of these liturgies. However, the one composed by Kunga Tendzin, the third Khamtrul Rinpoche is the one most often used. It is the liturgy used for example at Tashi Jong in India, the present-day seat of Khamtrul Rinpoche.

The text of the liturgy was translated into English by Lotsawa Tony at the request of Tsoknyi Rinpoche. It is a standard, Mahamudra style preliminaries liturgy in which there are four sets of one hundred thousand preliminaries to be done. The liturgy is extensive. Kunga Tenzin included a lot of material in his liturgy and this makes it useful as a reference for anyone. For example, the whole laying aside practice done with the practice of The Thirty-five Buddhas, and the Sutra of the Three Heaps is contained in it. There is also a magnificent guru yoga section for the Drukpa Kagyu, which is exceptionally beautiful. There is also a nice collection of dedication prayers at the end.

The translation was done by Lotsawa Tony during a three-month session at Tsoknyi Rinpoche's Ngedon Osel Ling in Nepal, when a large group of Drukpa Kagyu lamas and rinpoches of the East Tibetan tradition gathered together for a Drukpa Kagyu Dharma Festival. The translation went very nicely and it was generally felt that the poetic qualities of the Tibetan came out well into English, which was pleasing to all concerned.

The liturgy should be of special interest to all Drukpa Kagyu followers. More than that, it should be of interest to anyone doing the preliminary practices.

Paperback, 95 Pages

Complete Session of Meditation: A Manual of the Theory and Practice of Meditation <br> By: Mingyur Rinpoche / Tony Duff

Complete Session of Meditation: A Manual of the Theory and Practice of Meditation
By: Mingyur Rinpoche / Tony Duff

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This is a book of teachings on how to do a complete session of meditation. The book is a compilation made by Lama Tony to help those who would like to practise meditation in the Kagyu or Nyingma way. It emphasizes the practical style of instruction found in the Kagyu tradition for those who actually want to do something with the mind. It deliberately avoids the scholarly style taught in some other Tibetan Buddhist traditions and focusses directly on working directly with one's own mind. Nonetheless, the book is very precise and clear about all of the key points involved in meditation practice.

The book emphasizes the Kagyu approach in particular. Lama Tony has received teachings from many Kagyu masters and used his knowledge of the tradition as a basis for making the book for his own students. Tony selected important texts from Gampopa and other early masters to set explain the basis for meditation. Tony was Mingyur Rinpoche's first translator and translated many of his teachings so a number of them were used for the actual instructions on meditation contained in the book. Lama Tony added other, necessary teachings according to the extensive teachings he has received over many years from many, different Kagyu masters, such as Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The result is a book that contains a complete teaching on how to do a complete session of meditation in the style of the Kagyu tradition.

The book begins with a length introduction by Lama Tony which is a teaching in its own right. Mingyur Rinpoche likes to teach science and learned a lot of what he does know from much time spent with Lama Tony, who has a Ph.D. in molecular biology. Lama Tony writes a lengthy piece about what can and cannot usefully be obtained from science in terms of dharma practice. This should be of real interest to Westerners, especially those who believe that science has something to offer Buddhist practice. Following the introduction, there is a long chapter on buddha nature, which is presented by using a significant portion of Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen's explanation of the ground in his famous Mountain Dharma text. This text is often taught by Kagyu gurus in order to show the meaning of buddha nature. This is the first time that this part of Dolpopa's text has been fully translated and published. Following that, there is a chapter containing an unpublished work of Gampopa that lays out the whole Kagyu path. Following that is the seminal text written by Gampopa that sets out his teaching of the four Dharmas of Gampopa. This also has not been published to date. The next chapter is a clear teaching on the whole Kagyu path by Mingyur Rinpoche that is based on Gampopa's Four Dharmas. All the chapters so far have been for setting the stage for the actual teachings on meditation.

Condensed Chronicle by Orgyan Padma
By: Tony Duff

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Padmasambhava himself gave two verbal accounts of his life and who he was. One is a very long exposition, known simply as the Chronicles of Padma. The other is a much shorter version of the same, known as The Condensed Chronicle by Orgyan Padma.

The condensed version was told by Padmasambhava as a story to King Mutri Tsanpo, son of King Trisong Deutsen, at the King's request. Padmasambhava recounts in his unique style who he is, his life story, practices, and accomplishments. Then, at a further request of the king, Padmasambhava makes many predictions into the far future. The predictions are interesting because many of them are about past events and every prediction can be seen to have been exactly correct. Padmasambhava commanded that his story should be recorded and hidden as treasure. That was done and the record of it was revealed much later on; the details are also included in the text.

The book is a translation of the text with introduction and some notes as necessary to clarify certain parts of the text. The events around the work of translation were quite interesting. The work was done during a major set of empowerments given at Zhechen monastery in 2005. Zhadeu Thrulzhig Rinpoche, who was giving the empowerments, introduced the reading of the entire text as part of the daily prayers for the entire assembly. He explained that reading it out loud once a day or even once a month, etcetera, had profound power to avert obstacles and problems and bring auspiciousness. At the time there was no translation in English and the large Western contingent was unable to do the practice. Therefore, I did the translation the next day, printed it, and offered it to the Westerners who were pleased to be able to join in. On its presentation, Thrulzhig Rinpoche was especially pleased, and there were unusual signs in the environment that showed the dakinis likewise were very pleased!

PKTC, 30 Pages

Differentiating Non-Distraction and So Forth: An Aspect of Training in Thorough Cut

Differentiating Non-Distraction and So Forth: An Aspect of Training in Thorough Cut
By: Tony Duff

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The author of this text is unknown but the text is regarded within Tibetan circles as one of a number of particularly useful texts that deal with specific aspects of innermost Great Completion (Dzogchen) practice. This text deals with the specific aspect of Thorough Cut (Thregcho) practice called differentations.

The text is unusual in that “differentiations” are usually transmitted orally from the teacher to the student and mostly are not written down. There are many differentiations. The author of this text lays out three of the most important ones. He also adds some further oral instruction connected with the general practice of Thorough Cut. This is another important text to have in a library of teachings on Thorough Cut.

Note that, although this text was written as part of Dzogchen instruction, it is equally applicable to the practice of essence Mahamudra. Thus, the text is ideal for anyone who is practising either of the two. A short but clear introduction makes the content of the text accessible.

Paperback, 20 Pages

Drukchen Padma Karpos Collected Works on Mahamudra

Drukchen Padma Karpo's Collected Works on Mahamudra , translated by Tony Duff

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This book contains all of Padma Karpo's writings on Mahamudra as found in his Collected Works. Padma Karpo [1527-1592 C.E.] was the fourth Drukchen or leader of the Drukpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. He is one of the most famous of all Tibetan authors, and is well-known for his erudite explanations of difficult subjects.

A few of the smaller texts in this book have been seen in English. For example, the short but pithy Notes on Mahamudra, which is widely used in all Kagyu lineages these days as an instruction manual on the Four Yogas of Mahamudra, has been translated a number of times, beginning with Evans-Wentzs famous first effort. It has been freshly translated to solve various problems with the earlier translations. This raises an important point. All the translations in this book are based on extensive personal teaching received from various Drukpa Kagyu masters over the span of a decade, often privately and directly in Tibetan. The Drukpa Kagyu has its own way of understanding the view and practice; existing translations by followers of other Kagyu lineages go astray in places because of lack of knowledge of the particulars of Drukpa Kagyu view and meditation. This book does not suffer from that problem. To the contrary, it is the first major presentation of texts of the Drukpa Kagyu in English done by someone who has studied closely with the Drukpa Kagyu.

Despite the fact that the Drukpa Kagyu view is presented in these texts, the book should be of immense value to anyone who is studying and practising Mahamudra. There are many explanations of the Four Yogas of Mahamudra in here which show the whole system in a level of detail not seen before. A bonus is that, in one text, Padma Karpo quotes extensively from his predecessor, the second Drukchen Gyalwang Je, who was famous for the brilliance of his expositions on tantra. Another gem is Padma Karpo's explanation of a song of Saraha on the non-dual view which came to Marpa the Translator in a dream.

A lengthy introduction has been provided and ample notes and a long glossary have been provided to explain technical details where needed.

The book contains translations of the following texts:
    Jetsun Tillipas Instruction to Naropa commonly known as The Ganges Mahamudra
    The Guru of All Explanations That Thoroughly Distinguish the Ascertainments of The Four Yogas
    An Explanation of the Four Yogas Called An Eye to Look at the Definitive Meaning
    An Explanation of the Four Yogas Points Out Superfact
    Notes on Mahamudra
    A Mirror on Mind, Foremost Instructions on the Heart Meaning
    Mind Harvest, An Instruction on Five-Part Mahamudra

PKTC, Paperback, 246 Pages, $25.00

Dusum Khyenpa's Songs and Teachings
By: Tony Duff

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The Collected Works of Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa, consists of about four volumes of texts. It is very rare, almost non-existent. We managed to obtain a copy and save it from extinction.

Much of Dusum Khyenpa's Collected Works are taken up with complete sets of teachings on the various yidams of the Kagyu lineage that he received and practised. However, there is a small section containing eight dohas (spontaneous songs of spiritual realization) sung by Dusum Khyenpa. There is also a short text that gives the transmission of a specific Mahamudra teaching called Mahamudra, the Thunderbolt. We translated seven of the eight dohas and the Mahamudra teaching and put them together into a small book, for the sake of the many followers of the Karmapa and the Kagyu teachings in general.

PKTC, 62 Pages

PKTC, 62 Pages

As a matter of interest, we were amazed to find a text in Dusum Khyenpa's Collected Works that gives specific details of how to do the practice called Dead Entry, a practice which was supposedly eliminated from the Kagyu transmission because of the dangers involved. It is often said that the teaching disappeared with Marpa the Translator but this entry in the Collected Works shows that it really was transmitted on through the lineage.

The following texts are included:
Mahamudra, The Thunderbolt
Dohas two to nine of the doha collection in the Collected Works

Empowerment and Ati Yoga
By: Tony Duff

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This book was composed to assist Western students who are taking empowerments in general. The book pays attention in particular to the meaning of the fourth empowerment, which itself is the direct meaning of Mahamudra and Maha Ati (Dzogpa Chenpo). It presents translations of the ritual texts used to give key empowerments in the Nyingma system and, especially, presents the root empowerment text of the Longchen Nyingthig cycle of innermost Dzogchen.

The book starts with an introduction that clearly explains empowerment. The introduction uses quotations from Padma Karpo's explanation of the Bodyless Dakini cycle of the Kagyu, which is the ultimate Dharmakaya practice given to Tailopa directly by Vajravarahi. Although this comes from the Mahamudra teachings, it is a teaching at the dharmakaya level, therefore it has the same meaning as innermost Dzogchen. The introduction continues by making particular reference to the Ati way of empowerment.

The book continues with the root empowerment text of the Longchen Nyingthig cycle, The King's Coronation Anointing Vase Empowerment. This text is from the root volumes of the Longchen Nyingthig Dzogchen transmission; anyone receiving the empowerments of the Longchen Nyingthig cycle will want the book just for this text. There are copious notes that explain the particular language of this empowerment and which show the unique approach of innermost Dzogchen in the process.

Following that text, the text for the fourth empowerment of The Narrow Fortress of the Eight Logos is presented. This is one of the central empowerments of the collected Kama empowerments of the Nyingma system. It shows the meaning of the fourth empowerment especially clearly and in Ati style. Again, there are copious notes to help bring out the meaning.

Once empowerment has been obtained, it is necessary to get the instructions on the practice and then to do the practice. Therefore, in order to make the book complete, the empowerment texts are followed by a teaching from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche on how to practice at this level. It was written as a letter to one of his Tibetan lady disciples. The letter contains a beautiful exposition of the Great Completion path, in purely practical style, and provides an excellent summary of the actual practice of the whole path of Thorough Cut.

The book overall consistently uses the unique language of Great Completion and the selection of texts shows how that language is used by the tradition when giving the empowerments and instructions on how to practice. Altogether, the book gives an overview of the path, all from an Ati perspective, in a way that notseen so far in the West. The commentary on empowerment was written entirely by Lama Tony Duff based on his years of experience with this particular dharma. All of the translations were done either during the empowerments themselves, for the sake of the other practitioners present, or, in the case of the final teaching, during the teachings on the letter given by Rabjam Rinpoche during the annual Zhechen seminar at Bodhgaya. The text carries the full weight of the blessings of the various empowerments and instructions that prompted the translations and ultimately, composition of the book.

The following texts are included:

	From Longchen Nyingthig: The Entire Text of the Root Empowerment, The King's Coronation Anointing Vase Empowerment
	From the Collected works of the Nyingma Kama Transmission: The Fourth Empowerment section of The Narrow Fortress of the Eight Logos
	From the Collected Works of the Nyingma Kama Transmission: The Suchness Empowerment Section of The Six-Faced Yamantaka
	Dilgo Khyentse's Advice To a Lady Disciple

PKTC, 72 Pages

Essential Points of Practice
By: Tony Duff

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Zhechen Gyaltshab was one of the principal masters of Zhechen Monastery in East Tibet, the monastery where Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche made his home before leaving Tibet. The Zhechen Gyaltsabs have always been regarded as highly learned and accomplished and this comes through in the clarity of the instructions in his text.

The text is a short but very clear presentation of the essential points of practice of Thorough Cut (khregs chod) of innermost Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo). We provide many texts of the Thorough Cut practice and each one adds something to the understanding of that practice. Zhechen Gyaltsab's text transmits the same meaning as Patrul's Feature of the Expert, Glorious King which is also available from us. However and just as the title suggests, Zhechen Gyaltshab writes in a very practical way and in doing so, makes a number of points that other authors do not. His text is well-known in the Tibetan tradition as one of several texts that are particularly useful to anyone who is practising Thorough Cut.

An introduction explains the place of the text and extensive notes to the text form a commentary to the text. An extensive glossary is provided to help clarify the meaning of the unique terminology of this system. The book is ideal for anyone who is practising Thorough Cut. As with our other books on innermost Dzogchen, we strongly advise that you not purchase the book unless you have had the necessary instructions.

PKTC, 62 Pages

Feature of the Expert, Glorious King: Teaching on the Three Lines That Strike the Key Points, Root Text and Commentary by Dza Patrul
By: Tony Duff

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The first Patrul Rinpoche is one of the important lineage holders of the Longchen Nyingthig transmission of innermost Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo). He wrote many texts on Great Completion practices. One of them has become particularly famous as a manual for the practice of Thorough Cut (Thregcho). It is treasured for its particularly clear and complete explanation of the practice from the very beginning all the way to the very end of the practice. These days, it is the text most commonly used to explain the practice

The actual title of this text is The Feature of the Expert, Glorious King; The Expert, Glorious King is Patrul's description of himself as someone who has the lineage and means to provide this explanation of one of the most profound practices of dharma. The lineage of innermost Dzogchen has several root teachings on Thorough Cut practice and all of them can be used as a basis for a manual of how to practice Thorough Cut. One of the most popular ones is a teaching that came from Garab Dorje after he had passed away. This teaching was given as a set of three lines of instructions to his disciple Manjushrimitra and is generally known as the Three Lines. Patrul's text is actually an explanation of the Three Lines teaching from Garab Dorje. Patrul used the three lines as a basis and then expanded on them so that their meaning could be more easily understood. For that reason, the text has become known as The Three Lines that Strike the Key Points. It is so commonly called by this name that many people do not know the actual name of the text.

There are a number of translations of the text floating around but all of them are lacking in various ways. One of biggest problems with these translations is that most of them were made by translators who were not fully familiar with the material. The result is that most translations make major mistakes in the translation and all of them miss out on the subtleties of meaning involved. Proof of this is contained in the fact that most of them even mistranslate the title, not understanding its words or their significance! Because of this Tsoknyi Rinpoche asked Lotsawa Tony, who had already heard, practised, translated, and explained this text and the teachings on Thorough Cut in general for many years, to make a very careful translation of the text.

Patrul Rinpoche not only wrote this text but wrote his own, short commentary to it as well. The commentary certainly will help anyone to understand the very terse words of the original text. Therefore this book contains translations both of the root text and Patrul's own commentary to it. The book also includes an introduction that tells more about the text, notes and a glossary that provide significant help with the unique terminology involved, and an explanation of what the title actually says!

PKTC, 82 Pages

Flight of the Garuda: A Complete Explanation of Thorough Cut by Zhabkar

Flight of the Garuda: A Complete Explanation of Thorough Cut by Zhabkar , translated by Tony Duff

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Flight of the Garuda is a series of twenty-three songs sung by the Dzogchen master Tshogdrug Rangdrol [17811850 C.E.] for the sake of his students. The songs explain the practice called Thorough Cut (Thregcho), which is one of the two innermost practices of Dzogchen or Great Completion. Tshogdrug Rangdrol, who is more commonly known as Zhabkar, later compiled the songs into a text. Over time, this text became one of the most popular texts used to explain Thorough Cut because of its complete and very clear treatment of the practice.

Zhabkar went further and made Flight of the Garuda into the first of a trilogy of texts. The other two texts in the trilogy explain the second innermost practice of Dzogchen, called Direct Crossing (Thogal). These two texts are not included in this book, though a clear explanation of all three texts in the trilogy is given in the introduction. Note that the second text of the trilogy is essentially the famous text by Jigmey Lingpa Guidebook called Highest Wisdom (Triyig Yeshe Lama) re-arranged by Zhabkar and put into verse. Jigmey Lingpas text is available in English through PKTC, which means that there is way to obtain the content of the second text of the trilogy without it being translated into English. The third text of the trilogy contains personal instructions on Thogal which were meant for Zhabkars students and which might not be suitable for publication in English.

The translation here is a fresh translation of Flight of the Garuda which improves considerably on two earlier translations. The translation was made by Lama Tony in Tibet, while receiving an extended teaching on the entire text by the great treasure revealer Ontrul Tenpai Wangchuk. The translation benefits from the exceptional knowledge and high realization of this master and the general atmosphere of pure blessings of the Nyingthig Dzogchen (Quintessential Great Completion) tradition in his retreat centre.

Those who have read either of the other translations available will be surprised and delighted at this translation. Verse and prose versions of the translation are provided to accomodate all needs. A summary of topics of the text, by Ontrul Tenpai Wangchuk, which has not been seen before and which helps considerably to understanding the many topics within the text itself has been included.

A lengthy introduction helps the reader understand the background to the text. Extensive footnotes and a long glossary have been provided so that the reader can clearly understand all the details involved.

Ontrul Tenpai Wangchuks principal lineage of Dzogchen teachings is that of Dzogchen Monastery,

PKTC, Paperback, 248 Pages, $25.00

Gampopa Teaches Essence Mahamudra: Interviews with his Heart Disciples, Dusum Khyenpa and Others

Gampopa Teaches Essence Mahamudra: Interviews with his Heart Disciples, Dusum Khyenpa and Others , translated by Tony Duff

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This book began as a translation of the Interviews section of Gampopas Collected Works. Interviews or question and answer sessions as they are literally called in Tibetan are records of the personal interviews of a great teacher with those who come to see him. These are amongst the most interesting writings to be found in Tibetan literature because of the very personal quality found in them. The interviews section of Gampopas Collected Works consists of interviews with four of his greatest yogin disciplesthe first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa, source of most of the lesser Kagyu lineages Phagmo Drupa, Lord Gomtshul, and Yogin Choyung.

The outstanding feature of these interviews is that Gampopa [10791153] uses them to give private teachings on Essence Mahamudra, the ultimate transmission of Mahamudra within the Kagyu lineage. In one session after another, Gampopa reveals all the teachings of Essence Mahamudra to his foremost disciples in a thoroughly personal, pointed, and practical manner. Another feature of these interviews is the very clear picture they paint of how the ultimate Mahamudra teaching was given in the early days of the Kagyu lineage. Many important points of the teaching, some which seem to have been lost historically, can be understood from them. Yet another feature of these interviews is that the majority of them are notes that were taken on the spot or written out just after the interviews. As such, they are historical records which give us a very personal sense of Gampopa and these great disciples and what they went through on their personal journeys to enlightenment. More than that though, the reader gets a distinct impression of the personalities involved through their own, hand-written records.

Gampopa tells the story of his own dharma journey on two occasions in the book. Here he tells it in his own words to Dusum Khyenpa who has recorded it for us:
Because the interviews are so focussed on Gampopas presentation of Mahamudra, two more texts from his Collected Works were added to give a further sense of his way of teaching it: first, a short text which is the root of his famous Four Dharmas of Gampopa teaching; and second a medium length text which records an oral teaching he gave on the entire path of Mahamudra. These two texts form a perfect introduction to the teachings contained in the interviews. A point of interest is that the first addition makes the original teaching of The Four Dharmas of Gampopa available in English for the first time. Gampopas explanation of the Four Dharmas differs a little from some modern-day presentations of it, a point which is clarified for the reader in the introduction to the book.
A very lengthy introduction has been provided to help the reader see and understand the many interesting threads contained in this book, including paraphrases of the entirety of Phagmo Drupas interviews. Extensive footnotes and a long glossary have been provided so that the reader can clearly understand all the details involved.

The book contains translations of the following texts:
    The Four Dharmas in Brief
    Precious Garland of the Supreme Path
    Lord Dvagpos Personal Advice and Lord Gomtshuls Interviews
    Dusum Khyenpas Interviews
    Lord Phagmo Drupas Interviews
    Yogin Choyungs Interview

PKTC, Paperback, 342 Pages, $30.00

Gampopa’s Mahamudra: The Five Part Mahamudra of the Kagyu

Gampopa's Mahamudra: The Five Part Mahamudra of the Kagyus
By: Gampopa / Tony Duff

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Mahamudra is reality! “Five-Part Mahamudra” is a specific and effective way of entering reality. It was first taught by Lord Gampopa, one of the mainstays of the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He taught it to his heart disciple Phagmo Drupa who taught it widely. After that, it became one of the main ways of practising Mahamudra in the Kagyu lineage. This book is a compendium of these teachings that accurately transmits the whole Five-Part Mahamudra system. It includes a complete commentary on the practice by one of the current lineage holders, Benchen Tenga Rinpoche. Tenga Rinpoche is one of the most senior teachers in the Karma Kagyu, and one of Karmapa Orgyen Thrinley’s gurus.

“All sentient beings have a mind and they also have an essence of that mind. For all of them, the confusion that they experience comes about only in their mind; for all of them, the essence of mind itself never changes, never becomes confused.”
– from the commentary by Benchen Tenga Rinpoche

Ground, Path, and Fruition: Teachings of Tsoknyi Rinpoche on Mind and Mind Essence (Restricted)

Ground, Path, and Fruition: Teachings of Tsoknyi Rinpoche on Mind and Mind Essence (Restricted)

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Restriction:
At Tsoknyi Rinpoche's direction, this book is only available to those who have had the complete set of instructions on Thorough Cut (thregcho) from Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Tulku Ugyen, Chokyi Nyima, or Mingyur Rinpoche. The book is also available to students of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche who are at the sadhaka level. If you have a different teacher and have had a complete set of instructions, you might be eligible; please send an e-mail to us using the e-mail: .

Back cover text:
Ground, path, and fruition is a type of logic used to understand a whole subject clearly. Here, it is applied to teachings on mind and mind essence from Tsoknyi Rinpoche by Lotsawa Tony Duff to make a complete guide to the higher practices of Essence Mahamudra and the Thorough Cut of Great Completion. The book contains several, complete teachings on these subjects all carefully arranged into ground, path, and fruition presentations. Moreover, the path instructions are extensively presented using the logic of view, meditation, and conduct. Tony has additionally highlighted the special type of instructions, called upadesha, that form the core teachings of these practices.

From the Introduction by the author:
"Tsoknyi Rinpoche approached me, his translator, and asked me to create a book of his teachings that would show the tenets (of the Dzogchen and Essence Mahamudra teachings) and asked specifically for a ground, path, and fruition presentation. I selected three sets of his teachings for the purpose. The first gave extensive ground, path, and fruition teachings from both Kagyu Mahamudra and Nyingma Dzogchen perspectives. The second gave extensive instructions on the path from both perspectives. The third gave an extensive presentation just of the Dzogchen path. The selections chosen and the arrangements made of the teachings in them make the book into a manual both of the theory and practice of the Thorough Cut practice of Dzogchen that can be used by students of Tsoknyi Rinpoche or others who are studying and practising the same material...".

Highest Wisdom: A Guidebook to The Stages of Path of the Primal Guardian According to Longchen Nyingtig Great Completion by Jigmey Lingpa

Highest Wisdom: A Guidebook to The Stages of Path of the Primal Guardian According to Longchen Nyingtig Great Completion by Jigmey Lingpa , translated by Tony Duff (Restricted)

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The text here by Jigmey Lingpa is commonly known by its abbreviated Tibetan name, Triyig Yeshe Lama or Guidebook Called Highest Wisdom. It is the central text in the Longchen Nyingthig tradition of Great Completion or Dzogchen, and is used to explain the highest practices of the system.

The author, Lama Tony Duff, has spent much time at Dzogchen Monastery, East Tibet, receiving the complete transmissions of the Longchen Nyingthing system. He made and verified this translation during attendance at a number of extended teaching retreats on the text. Thus, the translation bears the blessings of one of the greatest living holders of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage, Padma Kalzang Rinpoche. The blessings are conveyed to those outside of Tibet through the author, who is one of the very few translators capable of receiving, understanding, and practising teachings in the purely Tibetan environment found in the depths of Tibet. These blessings are beautified with the ornaments of practical knowledge passed on to the author by the many yogins and khenpos steeped in the tradition, his close friends who live permanently in mountain retreats at the monastery. Tibetan lamas who know the Longchen Nyingthig teaching and who can speak English sufficiently well to judge the matter say that it is by far the best translation available in English.

It has to be said that this Guidebook Called Highest Wisdom is sealed and locked. The reason for this is that the text is a summation of the key points for practice found in the Seventeen Tantras, the tantras which are the very root of Great Completion. Those tantras explicitly warn that one must have the necessary empowerments, and so on, before beginning to be instructed in and read about these teachings. This is not a meaningless requirement; there is great danger in reading this material without first having the necessary empowerments and related instructions. Therefore, there is a mandate by the lineage that this text is only to be read after having received the Rigpa Liveliness Empowerment (Tib. rigpai tsal wang) or by those who are about to receive it during a session of teaching on the text.

PKTC, Paperback, 385 Pages, $85.00
Restricted, please email Padma Karpo Committee for permission.

Hinting at Dzogchen: A Compendium of Teachings by Tsoknyi Rinpoche
By: Tony Duff

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This book is a compendium of the dharma teachings given by Tsoknyi Rinpoche during his annual trips to the United States in the 1990s. Tsoknyi Rinpoche's stated preference during that time was toteach in a retreat setting for at least ten days so that he could expose the teachings of Thorough Cut-one of the two ultimate teachings of Great Completion-and the teachings of Mahamudra in their entirety. Tsoknyi Rinpoche also gave public talks and weekend intensives that exposed the meaning of these profound teachings without giving the introduction to mind and innermost oral instructions needed to practice them. The talks are not restricted and can be read by anyone. Collectively, they are an ideal way to get a clear understanding of these teachings and the terminology connected with them. Lotsawa Tony Duff, who was Tsoknyi Rinpoche's personal translator during the span of time covered by this book, and a qualified teacher in his own right,translated and helped to transmit all of the teachings contained here. He has collected, edited, and carefully arranged them into this book. The book forms a good introduction to Tibetan Buddhist meditation in general and will be an excellent resource for anyone interested in Thorough Cut and Mahamudra practices in particular. Lotsawa Tony, using his close personal knowledge of Tsoknyi Rinpoche and his teaching style has arranged the teachings so that they form an interesting history of the development of Tsoknyi Rinpoche's teaching style.

Instructions for Practising the View of Other Emptiness: A Text of Oral Instructions by Jamgon Kongtrul,

Instructions for Practising the View of Other Emptiness: A Text of Oral Instructions by Jamgon Kongtrul, translated by Tony Duff

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This is the translation of a text written by Jamgon Kongtrul Yontan Gyatso after receiving the teachings of the Jonang lineage from the Jonang throne-holder of his time. It is a manual on how to actually practice Other Emptiness, and puts to rest once and for all the idea which has developed that Other Emptiness is merely a difficult philosophy. Thrangu Rinpoche asked me to translate it many years ago because it is one of the few texts available that actually shows the practice of Other Emptiness.

Back Cover Text: Other Emptiness, or Zhantong in Tibetan, is the most profound view taught by the Buddha. It is the very basis of the teaching of the majority of Tibetan Buddhist schools, though has been overwhelmed by some reactive Tibetan Buddhist schools who have argued against it. As a result, it has not been well understood in the West, where it is often thought of as a complicated philosophical view enshrouded in argument. In fact, Other Emptiness is the penultimate teaching of the sutras and the root of all tantras. This book unequivocally shows that the Buddha did not teach this ultimate of views as a complicated philosophy for scholarly argument but as a practical view to be used for the attainment of enlightenment.

The author has received extensive explanations on the Middle Way view during nearly forty years of close association with eminent teachers of all four Tibetan Buddhist schools, so has an unusually clear and comprehensive understanding of the Other Emptiness view. He has recently written a series of books which show Other Emptiness from Kagyu, Nyingma, and Jonang perspectives. This book showcases an instruction manual for the actual practise of the Other Emptiness view. The manual was written by Jamgon Kongtrul, one of the great masters of the Kagyu school. He wrote the manual after going to the throne-holder of the Jonang school, who gave him the entire Jonang transmission of Other Emptiness.

This book has an extensive introduction which will go far towards clarifying Other Emptiness for scholars and practitioners alike. The introduction examines Other Emptiness from many sides, so that even readers who are not technically inclined can understand it. For those who are technically inclined, the text itself provides a wealth of detail on how to develop the view and do the meditation of Other Emptiness.

The book contains a translation of the following text:
Instructions for Practising the View of the Other Emptiness Great Middle way, Light Rays of Stainless Vajra Moon by Jamgon Kongtrul Yontan Gyatso

PKTC, Paperback, 150 Pages, $20.00

Juggernaut of the Non-Dual View: Ultimate Teachings of the Second Drukchen

Juggernaut of the Non-Dual View: Ultimate Teachings of the Second Drukchen, Gyalwang Je, translated by Tony Duff

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This is a remarkable book with many interesting themes. It presents a translation of the text entitled Chariot of Establishment, Treasure Trove of a Mind Absorbed in the Profound Meaning by the second Drukchen [1428-1476 C.E.] or leader of the Drukpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. To begin with, it is of interest simply because it is the first major text of Drukpa Kagyu teachings to have been translated into English.

The text is a compilation of over sixty different oral teachings given by the second Drukchen. The compiler, an attendant, tells us that the teachings included were selected because they establish the ultimate, non-dual view of the Kagyu tradition as it is presented by the Drukpa Kagyu. The text begins with a long teaching on the view of the Kagyu in general, making it of interest to all Kagyu followers. An important feature of this teaching is that it clearly shows the Other Emptiness approach which is at the root of the Kagyu view, though does so according to the earliest teachings of the Kagyu lineage in which the name Other Emptiness is not mentioned. Through it, we see how Other Emptiness was taught originally in the Kagyu and we see how the Drukpa Kagyu in particular presents the Other Emptiness view of the Kagyu without using the name Other Emptiness.

The text continues to a second long teaching in which the second Drukchen neatly establishes the view of the tantras as non-dual wisdom seen in direct perception. In doing so, he cleanly chops the Tibetan Buddhist schools who are infamous for insisting that the emptiness of the second turning of the wheel of the sutra teaching is the utltimate non-dual view. This is a fascinating chapter because it shows a logic to establishing the view which has rarely been seen in the West to this point. It will certainly give academics who have thought that the emptiness of the Middle Way is the ultimate presentation of the view something to think about.

The text then presents many smaller teachings on the view, always with reference to the non-dual view of Kalachakra as the ultimate way to establish the view. Thus, the book also contains many teachings on tantra in general as well as many interesting points from the Kalachakra. For instance, there are clear explanations of mother, father, and non-dual tantra and how each demands a different approach. One chapter has a fascinating presentation which shows the meaning of Kalachakra; it shows that the commonplace translation of Kalachakra as Wheel of Time is mistaken.

A long introduction by the author, giving a history of the lineage, a guide to the Other Emptiness view and how it is presented in the various Kagyu schools, and more will be of great help to readers of all levels. A second chapter by the author is dedicated to clarifying the meaning of the first and largest chapter on the view.

Obviously, the book will be of great interest to Drukpa Kagyu followers. However, it should be of great interest to a wider audience because it shows how the Kagyus express the ultimate, non-dual view and it also shows how the practice of tantra is the ultimate approach to the Buddhas teaching. Personally, I find this a difficult book to summarize because it has so many differing threads, all of which are of interest.

The book contains translations of the following texts:
Chariot of Establishment, Treasure Trove of a Mind Absorbed in the Profound Meaning

PKTC, Paperback, 290 Pages, $25.00

Key Issues of Visualization: Four Nails Pinning the Life-Forces: A Melody of Brahma Playing Throughout the Three Realms by Dza Patrul

Key Issues of Visualization: Four Nails Pinning the Life-Forces: A Melody of Brahma Playing Throughout the Three Realms by Dza Patrul
By: Tony Duff

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The first Patrul Rinpoche (Dza Patrul Chokyi Wangpo) was a very learned and accomplished master of the 19th century in Tibet. He wrote widely on all aspects of practice. In this text, he explains the most important foremost instruction taught in the Nyingma tradition for Development Stage practice. It is a Nyingma teaching but it is completely applicable to the Development Stage practice taught in all of the schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

The name of the foremost instruction explained in the text is Four Nails Pinning the Life-Forces. This instruction is a set of four headings which cover all the main topics of Development Stage practice and which are, at the same time, a complete set of instructions for the practice. It goes even further than that: because they are the main topics of Development Stage practice, they also include all of the many sub-topics of the practice. Patrul Rinpoche explains all of this clearly and then enumerates forty different sub-topics, each one being an instruction for Development Stage practice. Moreover, when Dza Patrul explains the Four Nails, he also explains it in terms of the other main instructions for Development Stage practice; for example, he gives an excellent explanation of the subject called Purifying, Completing, Ripening in relation to the first nail. Altogether the text is a very rich source of instruction for anyone doing Development Stage practice and an excellent resource for those trying to understand its various details.

PKTC, Paperback, 88 Pages, $20.00

Key Points of Direct Crossing, called Nectar of the Pure Part

Key Points of Direct Crossing, called Nectar of the Pure Part

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Khenchen Padma Namgyal was one of the great khenpos of Zurmang Monastery in Kham (Zurmang is the seat of the Trungpa Rinpoches). Khenchen Padma Namgyal travelled to Dzogchen monastery where he entered the famous Shri Singha College to gain a deep Buddhist education. He also learned the practices of Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo) while he was there. After completing his studies, he returned to Zurmang where he became renowned as a particularly knowledgeable khenpo who also had a deep practical understanding of innermost Great Completion practice.

One day, Khenchen Padma Namgyal had gone out onto a mountain side for a session of Direct Crossing (thogal) practice with his students. He started the session, as is usually done, with some instruction. The instruction turned into a summary of the whole practice of Direct Crossing. Lama Tony, while receiving these same instructions in places formerly visited by the Khenchen, was given the text. The auspicious connection was overwhelming so he translated the text immediately in the hope that it would be useful to others. The text is very short but the instruction is complete and will definitely be helpful to anyone who is genuinely doing Direct Crossing practice.

26 Pages The book can be purchased by writing to Lotsawa Tony and asking for a copy. It will only be sold to those who are actually doing the practice and who do have proper instructions. Please present your credentials at that time. Needless to say, this kind of material is very hard to come by!

Please email for permission before ordering; Namse Bangdzo Bookstore

Longchen Nyingthig Chod: Sound of Dakini Laughter, Text by Jigmey Lingpa, Instructions by Dza Patrul, and Commentary by the Author Tony Duff

Longchen Nyingthig Chod: Sound of Dakini Laughter, Text by Jigmey Lingpa, Instructions by Dza Patrul, and Commentary by the Author Tony Duff

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The root texts of Longchen Nyingthig contain a text for Chod practice. The text is part of the root transmission of the Longchen Nyingthig dharma that Jigmey Lingpa received as mind treasure from Longchenpa. The text includes both an explanation of the practice and a liturgy for doing it. The text is popularly known by its Tibetan name "khadro gayjang", or "Sound of Dakini Laughter". This book contains a fresh translation of the liturgy, one that corrects the many mistakes, omissions, and un-necessary additions found in most translations available at the moment, and especially in the ones that are available free on the internet. The translation was intended to be used as a practice text, and the rhythms and poetry of the Tibetan original have been retained as far as possible.

The Tibetan text assumes a high level of understanding of the system and its terminology. Therefore, several Tibetan commentaries have been written to explain it. The most popular one is by Dza Patrul and is called Profound Foremost Instructions for the Chod Practice Sound of Dakini Laughter. This commentary explains the details of all the visualizations involved in the practice and makes some very important comments about the right and wrong way to practice Chod. Amongst Tibetans, it is regarded as the best companion to Jigmey Lingpa's text. Therefore, the author has translated it, included notes as necessary to clarify it, and included it in the book.

Furthermore, new editions of both Tibetan texts have been made and included. These new editions of the Tibetan texts carefully correct mistakes found in the main Tibetan editions that are available at the moment and especially in the copies of Jigmey Lingpa's text that are floating around on the internet.

Jigmey Lingpa's text contains much which is not explained in Dza Patrul's text. Therefore, the author was encouraged by several lineage holding gurus to write a long commentary that would explain the whole text in a way that would make it accessible to English speakers. The commentary has been included in the book. It is the first true commentary to this text written by a qualified Western teacher.

The author has added an introduction that clarifies many points, a glossary, and many notes to ensure that all details are fully explained. The author explains in detail how this particular practice of Chod is unusual because of being based in Nyingthig Dzogchen dharma. The author knows well, through personal experience of the practice done in one of the main Dzogchen monasteries of Tibet, how the view and practice of this Nyingthig Chod differs from the normal view and practice of Chod. He explains the difference very clearly and extensively in the introduction. His authentic experience and knowledge of the Longchen Nyingthig system has guided the translation of these texts so that they correctly reflect the view of the Longchen Nyingthig Chod practice. If you are a Chod practitioner, you will find this book invaluable. For others who are interested in Dzogchen practice, there are many insights to be gained from the text and the explanations provided with it.

Longchen Nyingthig Preliminaries, The Excellent Path to Omniscience

Longchen Nyingthig Preliminaries, The Excellent Path to Omniscience
By: Tony Duff

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This book centres on the liturgy for doing the preliminary practices of Longchen Nyingthig. It was written by the first Dodrupchen, one of the heart disciples of Jigmey Lingpa. The book features a fresh translation of the liturgy that corrects the many mistakes, omissions, and unnecessary
additions found in the several translations available at the moment. At the same time, it words the liturgy in a way that is convenient for
recitation in English. To explain the terminology and the theory
where needed, the author was encouraged by his lineage gurus to write a major commentary in English. His commentary, the first written by an English lama, has been included. This commentary clarifies the unique terminology of the system and also the meaning of the liturgy
in a straightforward but precise way. It also clarifies several very difficult points of the liturgy, such as the refuge section, showing how
they should be understood according to the lineage. To write the commentary, the author relied on the extensive oral instructions he has received from a variety of lineage gurus and his extensive reading of Tibetan commentaries. These sources are quoted throughout the commentary. Two commentaries by a great Nyingthig master who lived in East Tibet in the 20th century,

Peak Doorways to Emancipation: Great Completion Texts on the Introduction to the Nature of Mind and Thorough Cut from the Collected Works of Shakya Shri

Peak Doorways to Emancipation: Great Completion Texts on the Introduction to the Nature of Mind and Thorough Cut from the Collected Works of Shakya Shri
By: Tony Duff

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Shakya Shri was one of the greatest masters of the Drukpa Kagyu around the end of the nineteenth century. He was renowned for having practised and accomplished both the Mahamudra traditions of the Drukpa Kagyu and the Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo) tradition that had come to him through his root guru, Khamtrul Rinpoche. He taught students either Mahamudra or Great Completion or a mixture of both, whatever was suitable for them.

This book presents two texts from his Collected Works. Each one presents a specific aspect of innermost Dzogchen practice though the first text, on the introduction to the nature of mind, is fully applicable to essence Mahamudra, too. We chose the two texts because they highlight specific aspects of these practices that are not explained in any other texts available from us. As with several other texts on Thorough Cut, each text offers instruction on a key aspect of the teaching.

The first text is specifically on the topic of introduction to the nature of mind (sometimes called pointing out instruction). It is hard to find a text which, like this one does, specifically discusses this key technique of the higher tantras. The text will be of interest to anyone who is practising Mahamudra or Dzogpa Chenpo.

The second text continues by giving instruction on how to realize the nature of mind after it has been introduced to the disciple. This text specifically explains the practices of the Thorough Cut (khregs chod) of Great Completion. This text also includes specific instructions on the special preliminary practice of innermost Great Completion called Parting into Sides (Tibetan, rushen).

Both texts are very explicit and will be of real interest to anyone engaged in Mahamudra or Great Completion. The texts are Drukpa Kagyu so they will be of special interest to Drukpa Kagyu followers. The book includes a very complete introduction and extensive notes to help understand the texts.

Presentation of Instructions for the Development Stage Deity: A Stairway Leading to Akanishthaby Jigmey Lingpa

Presentation of Instructions for the Development Stage Deity: A Stairway Leading to Akanishtha by Jigmey Lingpa
By: Tony Duff

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The Root Volumes of Longchen Nyingthig Great Completion contains specific texts for the various topics that need to be covered during the transmission of the teaching. One of them is a text by Jigmey Lingpa that gives a complete set of instructions on Development Stage practice, that is, the practice of visualizing a deity. The text, which is one of the core texts of the Longchen Nyingthig transmission of Great Completion, provides an extensive level of instruction in deity practice using a ground, path, and fruition presentation of the subject. The instruction is based on the root tantra of Mahayoga, the Core of the Secret (in Sanskrit, Guhyagarbha), in Tibetan gsang ba snying po. However, it adds instructions on applying the view of Great Completion to the visualization practice. The text is popularly known by its name Stairway Leading to Akanishtha.

Jigmey Lingpa's text presents many different instructions of Development Stage practice, including the key instruction called The Four Nails Pinning The Life-Forces. The full teaching on the Four Nails should be read in conjunction with it, hence PKTC has published a book of Dza Patrul's teaching on it called Key Issues of Visualization: Four Nails Pinning the Life Forces, A Melody of Brahma Playing Throughout the Three Worlds.

The author has added an introduction that clarifies many points, a glossary, and many notes to ensure that all the many details of visualizing a deity are fully explained. The introduction clearly shows the special value of this text for those who are practising Great Completion. The differences between deity practice in the Mahayoga and Atiyoga are clearly shown. The author's authentic experience and knowledge of the Longchen Nyingthig system has guided the translation of these texts so that they correctly reflect the view of Longchen Nyingthig.

Teachings of the Mountain Hermit of Mandong

Teachings of the Mountain Hermit of Mandong
By: Tony Duff

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A book of teachings given according to Atisha's lineage of explanation as passed through the Kadampa. There are two teachings in the book: one on taking refuge in the Three Jewels and one on the development of bodhichitta. Both teachings contain many stories and quotes from the early Kadampa masters. The teachings are translated from the Collected Works of the Hermit of Mandong. The hermit was a Kagyu master who lived in caves in the Mandong area of Tibet. He lived during the latter half of the 20th century after the Communist Chinese invasion and was particularly well-known for making sure that the local and very impoverished people received teachings on Buddha dharma that they really could understand and practice. Thus, the teachings are very oriented to traditional Tibetan mind but they come with a tremendous amount of love and sincere concern for the audience. This alone makes them very interesting. In addition though, his teaching here is a very complete teaching on refuge, something that seems to get passed over these days in Western Buddhism. It is a very interesting book for these reasons.

Theory and Practice of Other Emptiness Taught Through Milarepas Songs

Theory and Practice of Other Emptiness Taught Through Milarepas Songs, translated by Tony Duff

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Other Emptiness, or Zhantong in Tibetan, is the most profound view taught by the Buddha. It is the very basis of the majority of Tibetan Buddhist schools, though it has been overshadowed by the views of some schools who have argued against it. As a result, it has not been well understood in the West, where it is often thought of as a complicated and possibly questionable philosophical view. In fact, Other Emptiness is the penultimate teaching of the sutras and the root of all tantras. This book shows for the first time that the Buddha did not teach this ultimate of views as a complicated philosophy for scholarly argument but as a practical view to be used for the attainment of enlightenment.

The teachings of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism have been based on Other Emptiness from the beginning. The early lineage-holder Milarepa sang many songs which present it and two especially important ones are presented in this book. Fresh translations of the songs come with full explanations based on teachings heard from the Kagyu masters Khenpo Tsultrim Gyatso, Thrangu Rinpoche, and others. These explanations have the special feature of being the actual instructions of the lineage. They are practical in nature and free of the convoluted philosophical argument often but mistakenly claimed to be the meaning of Other Emptiness. Thus, for the first time in English, the teaching of Other Emptiness is clearly shown as a practical instruction, using the teachings of the Kagyu lineage.

The author has received extensive explanations on the Middle Way view during nearly forty years of close association with eminent teachers of all four Tibetan Buddhist schools, so has an unusually clear and comprehensive understanding of the Other Emptiness view. He has recently written a series of books to clarify the meaning of Other Emptiness. This book has an extensive introduction which will go far towards clarifying the view and meditation of Other Emptiness for scholars and practitioners alike. Practitioners who are scared off by books on philosophy should not be put off by talk of the viewthis is a book for every practitioner because it shows how to use the ultimate view and meditation taught by the Buddha a path to enlightenment.

The book contains translations of the following texts:
Milarepas Song: An Authentic Expression of the Middle Way
Milarepas Song: Ultimate Ground, Path, Conduct, and Fruition

PKTC, Paperback, 166 Pages, $20.00

Unending Auspiciousness: The Sutra of the Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels

Unending Auspiciousness: The Sutra of the Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels with Commentaries by Ju Mipham, Taranatha, and Tony Duff

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The Sutra of the Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels is compilation of the Buddha's teachings called "the recollections." The recollections are widely used throughout all Buddhist traditions as a way of remembering the Three Jewels and deepening faith in them. This book is a particularly complete collection of everything needed to study, practice, and even translate the Sutra.

The book starts with three chapters of introduction which explain: the origins of the Sutra; the many translation issues raised by the Sutra; and how to study and practise the Sutra. These chapters contain a wealth of material gathered and arranged in one place by the author after years of study of theSutra. They contain something for everyone. There are discussions of faith and how to arouse it using theSutra. There are extensive discussions of translation which are a must-read for anyone doing translation work from Tibetan Buddhist texts; they cover important issues of translation that have not been seen in print to date. Then there is helpful guidance on how to study and understand the Sutra. There is also a section on how to access the magic of fundamental reality using the Sutra.

Way of the Realized Old Dogs, Advice that Points Out the Essence of Mind, called A Lamp That Dispels Darkness by Ju Mipham Namgyal

Way of the Realized Old Dogs, Advice that Points Out the Essence of Mind, called A Lamp That Dispels Darkness by Ju Mipham Namgyal
By: Tony Duff

Our Price: $20.00
Members Price: $18.00

Ju Mipham Namgyal is one of the best known authors of the Nyingma tradition. He was a prolific writer with an extraordinary knowledge of his own and others' dharma traditions. He wrote several texts on the topics of innermost Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo). The one here is one of his texts on Thorough Cut (khregs chod). The wording of the title Way of the Realized Old Dogs is explained in the introduction by the author. Briefly though, it means that this is a text that lays out the way of practice of those who just practise the essence of their own minds and who develop realization that way. Through this, they eventually become realized in the system and wise to it; they become Realized Old Dogs.

The text is a favourite of tantrikas, or, in Tibetan, ngagpas. It is a favourite for them because it is specifically for practitioners who do not live in a monastery or other dharma institution and who do not spend their lives developing a vast scholastic knowledge of Buddhism. In modern, Western terms, it is a text written specifically for the urban yogi. As the text says,
Without need of vast training in hearing and contemplating
The village tantrikas in general who preserve the essence of mind
Using the way of foremost instruction will go with little hardship
To the level of the vidyadharas; it has the power of a profound path.
The text is short but has become one of the core texts used in Tibet to teach Thorough Cut. Because it is so popular within the Tibetan tradition and because it was specifically written for the urban yogi, we felt that it was a worthy addition to our selection of texts on the subject of Thorough Cut. Therefore, we have translated it and made a book out of it.

As with each of our texts on Thorough Cut, this one has its own flavour and does emphasize certain aspects of the path. As it lays out the approach of the urban yogi, it has to present the introduction (often called pointing out) to the nature of mind. It does this in using what are called differentiations. This is unusual because differentiations are usually transmitted orally from the teacher to the student and mostly are not written down. There are many differentiations; in this case Mipham sets out the differentiation between alaya and dharmakaya. The presence of this teaching is another reason for adding this to a library of teachings on Thorough Cut.

PKTC, 52 Pages

Words of the Old Dog Vijay
By: Tony Duff

Our Price: $15.00
Members Price: $13.50

Zhechen Gyaltshab IV, Padma Namgyal, was one of the principal masters of Zhechen Monastery in East Tibet, the monastery where Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche made his home before leaving Tibet. The Zhechen Gyaltsabs have always been regarded as highly learned and accomplished and this comes through in the clarity of the instructions in his text.

We provide many texts about Thorough Cut practice and this one adds something further. This text is very well-known in the Tibetan tradition as one of several texts that are particularly useful to anyone who is practising Thorough Cut of innermost Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo). The text consists of two short teachings of very practical instruction. Both teachings give a strong feeling of no-nonsense dharma and each one provides another take on the practice of Thorough Cut. For instance, the second teaching emphasizes the point of letting mind be as it is.

The book is ideal for anyone who is practising Thorough Cut. As with our other books on innermost Dzogchen, we strongly advise that you not purchase the book unless you have had the necessary instructions.