The two biographies translated here are treasures revealed by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye, who was an emanation of the translator Vairochana, the subject of the second of the two biographies. Vairochana was a disciple of Guru Padmasambhava, the subject of the first biography. The purpose of these biographies is to inspire the reader. We are encouraged to vividly imagine the deeds of Guru Rinpoche and Vairochana, both so that we appreciate those deeds and so that we understand something of what such beings are. These stories are of people utterly unlike us in one sense and identical to us in another. Nevertheless, all of the qualities demonstrated by Guru Rinpoche and Vairochana are said by them to exist within us right now. We are in no way inferior to them in nature and are therefore potentially capable of doing everything they have done. However, because we have as yet not freed our potential from the limitations imposed on it by ignorance, our present state is very different from their present state. If we were incapable of achieving what these beings have achieved, there would be little point in studying their deeds. At the same time, seeing how extraordinary that achievement is can remind us that we have not yet realized our full potential. Therefore these stories are both uplifting and humbling.

Vajra Garland and The Lotus Garden: Treasure Biographies of Padmakara and Vairochana, Lama Yeshe Gyamtso, KTD Publications, Hardcover, 2006, 192 Pages, $21.95

Yeshe Gyamtso was trained in the traditional three-year retreat. Since then he has served as an interpreter for many eminent teachers, including His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa. His publications include Precious Essence: the Inner Autobiography of Terchen Barway Dorje and the forthcoming Chariot of the Fortunate: The Life Story of Mingyur Dorje Drakpo Nuden Tsal and The Fortunate Sun: The Life Story of the Peerless Holy Guru Nyima Tashi.

Read an excerpt on KTD Publication's website.