New translations of teachings on meditative practice from four highly influential Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

Drawing primarily from the Pacification, Severance, Shangpa Kagyu, and Bodongpa traditions, Four Tibetan Lineages presents some of Tibet's most transformative yet lesser-known teachings on meditative practice. Most works in this volume are drawn from a Tibetan anthology known as the Treasury of Precious Instructions compiled by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye (1813-1900). A vast preservation project, this anthology reflects Kongtrul's attempt to rescue rare teachings from disappearing. By foregrounding the teachings of masters like Khedrup Khyungpo Naljor (d. 1135), Dampa Sangye (d. 1117), Machik Labdron (1031/55-1126/50), Jonang Taranatha (1575-1634), and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-92), this volume extends Jamgon Kongtrul's preservation efforts into the modern world.

Four Tibetan Lineages: Core Teachings of Pacification, Severance, Shangpa Kagyu, and Bodong; Sarah Harding (translator); Wisdom Publications; Hardcover; 688 pp; $79.95

Sarah Harding has been studying and practicing Buddhism since 1974, and has been teaching and translating since completing a three-year retreat in 1980 under the guidance of Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche. She was associate professor at Naropa University for twenty-five years in Boulder, Colorado, where she currently resides, and has been a fellow of the Tsadra Foundation since 2000. She specializes in literature with a focus on tantric practice. Her publications include Creation and Completion; The Treasury of Knowledge: Esoteric Instructions; Niguma, Lady of Illusion; and two volumes on Cho and Shije from The Treasury of Precious Instructions.

CONTENTS: Four Tibetan Lineages
General Editor's Preface		xv
Translator's Preface		xix
Technical Note		xxi
Translator's Introduction		1
PACIFICATION (SHIJE)
1.	Essential Precious Segments of the Inconceivable Secret Tantra: Source Text of the Holy Dharma Pacification of Suffering Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-92)	23
2.	Distilled Elixir: A Unified Collection of the Guidebooks of the Early, Middle, and Later Pacification Lochen Dharmasri (1654-1717/18)	43
3.	Dampa Sangye's Advice to Bodhisattva Kunga Dampa Sangye (d. 1117)	139
SEVERANCE (CHO)
4.	The Great Bundle of Precepts: The Source Text of Esoteric Instruction on Severance, the Profound Perfection of Wisdom Machik Labdron (1031/55-1126/50)	145
5.	Heart Essence of Profound Meaning: The Quintessence of All Source Texts and Esoteric Instructions on Severance, the Perfection of Wisdom Jamyang Gonpo (b. 1196/1208)	159
6.	Practice Manual on the Profound Severance of Evil Object Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339)	169
7.	Essence of the Vial Meaning: A Practice Manual of Profound Object Severance Jonang Taranatha (1575-1634)	179
8.	Rainfall of Desirables: A Profound Guide on Severance Instruction Konchok Bang (1525-83)	193
9.	The Body Donation and Feeding Ritual Arranged as Convenient Litury: Combining Lord Rangjung Dorje's Ninefold Spirit Feast and Six Earth Lord Application with Mikyo Dorje's Single-Seat Severance Poem Karma Chakme (1613-78)	207
10.	The Lion's Play in the Conduct of Perfect Wisdom Drukpa Pema Karpo (1527-92	231
11.	A Guide for Those Who Desire Liberation: Instruction on Severance Panchen Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen (1570-1662)	239
SHANGPA KAGYU
12.	The Vajra Lines of the Six Dharmas of Niguma, Dakini of Timeless Awareness, and Its Clarification Niguma, Dakini of Timeless Awareness (tenth-eleventh centuries)	261
13.	Clarification of the Root Verses of the Six Dharmas Khedrup Khyungpo Naljor (1050/990-1127)	267
14.	The Inventory Clarifying the Six Dharmas Khedrup Khyungpo Naljor (1050/990-1127)	273
15.	The Sealed-Knot Vajra: An Authentic Basic Liturgy for the Five Golden Dharmas of the Glorious Shangpa Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye (1813-1900)	275
16.	Collection of Essentials: Vital Words of Instruction on the Six Dharmas of Niguma, Dakini of Timeless Awareness Thangtong Gyalpo (1361?-1485)	299
17.	Niguma's Auxiliary Practices: Guidance in Amulet Mahamudra, Immortal Body and Mind, and Three Integrations Thangtong Gyalpo (1361?-1485)	329
18.	Thangdalma: Displaying the :Profound Meaning: A Guidebook on the Profound Path of Niguma's Six Dharmas, the One Sufficient Reading Jonang Taranatha (1574-1634)	343
19.	The Single Sitting: Words of the Dakini of Timeless Awareness: A Concise Guide to Niguma's Six Dharmas, the Root of the Golden Dharmas of the Glorious Shangpa Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye (1813-1900)	425
20.	The Words of the Dakini of Timeless Awareness: A Guidebook on the profound Path of Niguma's Six Dharmas Gyalwa Gendun Gyatso (1476-1542)	449
BODONG TRADITION
21.	Essence of Elixir, Advice from the Adepts: A Mahamudra Guidebook Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-92)	497
22.	Dispersing the Gloom of Ignorance: The Combined Liturgy for the Preliminaries of the Mahamudra of Applied Coemergence and Inseparable profundity and Clarity Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-92)	519
23.	A Gift of Supreme Timeless Awareness: A Supplication to the Long Lineage of the Mahamudra of Profundity and Clarity Sangye Yeshe (1525-91) / Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-92)	537
Table of Tibetan Transliteration		543
Notes		565
Bibliography		593
Index		617
About the Contributors		653