The Teacup and the Skullcup contains Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s important teachings on Zen. The heart of the book is a series of seven talks given to students and the public in 1974, under the title “Zen and Tantra.” The talks provide a warmly appreciative survey of the roots, meditation, training techniques, results, and the historical places of Zen and tantra—particularly the “crazy wisdom” tradition—in the development of Buddhism. Trungpa Rinpoche delineates the underlying philosophies and aesthetic expression of the two traditions through vivid example, personal experience, and especially through a lively give and take with the audience. At times enigmatic, often humorous, and always challenging conventional ideas, Trungpa Rinpoche sheds a unique light on practice and the path.

The Teacup and the Skullcup also includes his tantric commentary on one of Zen’s most famous teaching devices—the ten Oxherding Pictures—as well as his eulogy for friend and mentor, Zen master Shunryu Suzuki Roshi.

 The Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche is known as one of the most important meditation teachers of Buddhism of the 20th century. Scholar, author, artist, educator, and founder of Naropa University and Shambhala Training, Trungpa Rinpoche’s presentation remains unique. Although himself a master of the “crazy-wisdom” tradition of Tibetan vajrayana Buddhism, he continually explored and incorporated other useful forms for students in the west. In particular, he forged productive spiritual friendships with Zen masters Shunryu Suzuki, Kobun Chino, Eido Shimano, Taizan Maezumi, and Jakusho Kwong.

Teacup and the Skullcup: Chögyam Trungpa on Zen and Tantra, Vajradhatu Publications, Paperback, 2007, 168 Pages, $16.95

Chögyam Trungpa authored numerous books on Buddhism. He was a published poet and calligrapher. Some previous titles include Born in Tibet, Meditation in Action, The Path is the Goal, the Art of Calligraphy, The Myth of Freedom, Timely Rain (poems), First Thought, Best Thought (poems), and The Collected Works of Chögyam Trungpa