"It is alive, a tale with compelling magical adventures, the force of narrative, and great variety."-Steven D. Goodman, Institute of Buddhist Studies, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley.
"This is an accurate, readable translation of an important Tibetan autobiography, rich with details about Tibetan culture, religion, attitudes, and practices." -Janet Gyatso, Amherst College
The Life of Shabkar has long been recognized by Tibetans as one of the master works of their religious heritage. Following his inspired youth and early training in his native province of Amdo under the guidance of several extraordinary Buddhist masters, Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol devoted himself to many years of meditation in solitary retreat. With determination and courage, he mastered the highest and most esoteric practices of the Tibetan tradition of the Great Perfection. He then wandered far and wide over the Himalayan region expressing his realization.
His autobiography vividly reflects the values and visionary imagery of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the social and cultural life of early nineteenth-century Tibet.

The Life of Shabkar: The Autobiography of a Tibetan Yogin, Translator M. Ricard, Snow Lion Publications, Paperback, $49.95

Ricard is Jean-Francois Revel's son. He is a Buddhist monk who lives in the Shechen Monastery. He received his doctorate in molecular biology from the Institut Pasteur in Paris.

Foreword	vii
Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Translator's Introduction	xiii
A Celebration of Shabkar	xxxi
The Life Story
Introduction	3
Early Years	15
Renouncing the World	27
Meeting My Teacher	39
Retreat at the Hermit's Cave	49
Meditation at Tigress Fort	65
At The Heart of the Lake	95
Meditation at Mount Machen	155
At White Rock Monkey Fortress	179
Pilgrimage to Central Tibet	205
The Ravines of Tsari	243
At Mount Kailash	275
Pilgrimage to Nepal	349
Meditation at Lapchi	395
Return to Central Tibet	447
Return to Domey	485
Conclusion	541
Appendices
Introduction to the teachings dealt with in the biography	547
Shabkar's spiritual teachers	557
Chogyal Ngakyi Wangpo's ancestry	565
Kunzang Dechen Gyalpo and the Wish-fulfilling Gem, Hayagriva and Varahi	569
Shabkar's writings	577
Shabkar's disciples	589
List of Abreviations	593
Glossary of Enumerations	595
Bibliograpy	607
Maps	617
Table of Songs, Letters, Teachings, and Major Events	625
Indexes
General index	633
Index of persons, deities, and sacred images	655
Index of places	679
Index of Tibetan works	693