Mahamudra, the great sealing nature, refers to systems of meditation on both the conventional and ultimate natures of the mind. These have been transmitted through the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Within the Gelug, mahamudra teachings occur in a combined Gelug/Kagyu tradition, exemplified in the First Panchen Lama's Root Text for the Precious Gelug/Kagyu Tradition of Mahamudra.

The work presented here contains two brilliant commentaries by the Dalai Lama. The first is a teaching based directly on the First Panchen Lama's root text. In the second, His Holiness bases his discussion on the First Panchen Lama's own commentary to this text. The book opens with an overview of mahamudra by Alexander Berzin that discusses the relation of mind, appearances and reality and offers practical techniques for overconing problems of excessive worry, anxiety and disturbing thought.
This treasury of practical instruction contains extensive teachings on the nature of mind, the development of shamata, sutra and tantra levels of rnahamudra, and the compatibility of dzogchen and anuttarayoga tantra.

The Gelukpa/Kagyu Tradition of Mahamudra, H.H. the Dalai Lama, Snow Lion Publications, 395p., $39.95

Born in Amdo, Tibet in 1935, Tenzin Gyatso was recognized as the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, spintual and temporal leader of Tibet. Winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, tod:ay he is known the world over as a great spiritual teacher and a tireless worker for peace. His genuine warmth, penetrating intellect and disarming humility have won hirn many friends and admirers throughout the world.

Alexander Berzin received a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1 972 from the Departments of Far Eastern Languages and Sanskrit and Indian Studies. A member of the Translation Bureau of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives since 1972, he is the author of numerous books and articles. He frequently travels to the Americas, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, lecturing on Buddhism and Tibetan culture and helping to establish programs of co-operation between the Tibetan community and academic and religious institutions.