This is the definitive text for beginning or advanced ngondro practitioners. The text describes the Four Foundation Practices that all practitioners of Vajrayana Buddhism must complete. The nature of impermanence, the effects of karma, the development of an enlightened attitude, and devotion to the guru are among the subjects covered. Practical instructions are given and explanations.

Three eminent contemporary Tibetan Buddhist masters: Kalu Rinpoche, Deshung Rinpoche, and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, explain the significance of The Torch of Certainty for modern day students and practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Torch of Certainty, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Shambhala Publications, Paperback, 1977, 161 pages, $18.95

Jamgon Kongtrul (1813-1899) was a versatile and prolific scholar. He has been characterized as a "Tibetan Leonardo" because of his significant contributions to religion, education, medicine, and politics.

CONTENTS: The Torch of Certainty
List of Illustrations			ix
Foreword by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche			xi
Preface			xiii
Abbreviations			xviii
INTRODUCTION
1.	Description and Background		1
		Notes	7
2.	Practice of the Four Foundations		9
		Interviews with Kalu Rinpoche, Deshung Rinpoche and Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche	9
		Notes	24
THE TORCH OF CERTAINTY
Invocation			27
1.	The Four Ordinary Foundations		29
	Prologue		30
	1.	The Precious Human Birth	31
	2.	Impermanence	35
	3.	Action, Cause and Result	38
	4.	The Shortcomings of Samsara	43
	Conclusion		47
	Notes		49
2.	First of the Four Special Foundations: Taking Refuge and Engendering the Enlightened Attitude		53
	Taking Refuge		53
	Engendering the Enlightened Attitude		60
	Notes		69
3.	Second of the Four Special Foundations: The Hundred-Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva Which Purifies Harmful Deeds and Removes Obscurations		79
	Prologue		79
	Practical Instructions		80
	Commentary		82
	Notes		88
4.	Third of the Four Special Foundations: The Mandala Offering Which Perfects the Two Accumulations		93
	Practical Instructions		96
	Commentary		105
	Conclusion		110
	Notes		111
5.	Fourth of the Special Foundations: The Guru Yoga Which Rapidly Confers Blessing		119
	Meditation		120
	Commentary		123
	Conclusion		129
	Notes		133
Colophon			139
Notes			139
Bibliography			141
Index 1: General Names and Subjects			145
Index 2: Tibetan Technical Terms and Names			159