Central to Buddhism of Tibet are the esoteric techniques of the tantric, or
Vajrayana, tradition. These practices involve recitation of matra and complex visualizations and are passed from teacher to student during sacred initiation ceremonies. Tantra constitutes the fabric of a Tibetan Buddhist's daily practice, but cannot be succesful without adherence to the tantric precepts, the code of ethical behavior for aspirants on the Vajrayana path. The tantric vows are the highest of the three complementary sets of vows in Tibetan Buddhism, following the Pratimoksha (monastic) and Mahayana vows.
The scholar and tantric adept Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), one of the greatest philosophers produced by Tibet's Buddhist culture, composed works on every aspect of Buddhist philosophy and practice. This book contains a translation of his
Fruit Clusters of Siddhis, an explanation of the tantric vows, and provides a clear explanation of the nature of each vow and the criteria for determining when a downfall has occured.
Tantric Ethics, An Explanation of the Precepts for Buddhist Varjayana Practice, Tsongkhapa, Sparham tr., Wisdom Publications, Paperback, 2005, 189 Pages, $16.95
Gareth Sparham was a Tibetan Buddhist monk for more than twenty years. He holds a Ph.D. in Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia. He has translated and edited works by Tsongkhapa previously in his books The Fulfillment of All Hopes: Guru Devotion in Tibetan Buddhism and Ocean of Eloquence: Tsongkhapa's Commentary on the Yogacara Doctrine of Mind. He currently teaches Tibetan language at the Universty of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
