For generations, Buddhist masters in Tibet have composed sheldam, poignant instructions tailored to the needs of their disciples in the form of short works of advice. Often difficult to find in publication, these works cover topics ranging from practicing while ill to sitting in solitary retreat to recognizing the nature of mind. This collection focuses on an influential and inspiring generation of Buddhist teachers: the nineteenth-century ecumenical, or rime, tradition of eastern Tibet. A Gathering of Brilliant Moons provides lively translations of nineteen pithy and profound works by these great masters, along with essays by their translators which explore the aesthetic qualities of their chosen works, highlight their ecumenical features, and comment on the journey of translation.

Includes works from Jamgon Kongtrul, Dza Patrul Rinpoche, Ju Mipham Rinpoche, Dudjom Lingpa, The Third Dodrupchen, Do Khyentse, Tokden Sakya Sri, Jikme Lingpa, Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen, Getse Mahapandita, Shangton Tenpa Gyatso, and Bamda Thupten Gelek Gyatso.

This book arose from a unique conference on Tibetan translation, where the fourteen translators shared their process with each other and received feedback from their peers with a special focus on the literary aspects of the source texts. As a reflection of this genesis, the accompanying essays in this volume by the translators explore the aesthetic qualities of their chosen works, highlight ecumenical features in them, and comment on the journey of translation. This unique book will be welcomed by religious scholars, Buddhist practitioners, and meditators.
Gathering of Brilliant Moons: Practice Advice from the Rime Masters of Tibet, Holly Gayley, Josh Schapiro, Wisdom Publications, Paperback,
344 pp, $22.95

Holly Gayley is assistant professor of Buddhist Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her current research explores an emerging ethical reform movement in eastern Tibet, spearheaded by cleric-scholars at Larung Buddhist Academy in Serta. Her first book is Love Letters from Golok: A Tantric Couple in Modern Tibet.

Joshua Schapiro is a lecturer in the Theology Department at Fordham University, where he teaches undergraduate courses on Asian religion. His current research explores conceptions of skillful teaching in religion, with a special focus on Tibetan Buddhist advice literature and the life and writings of Dza Patrul Rinpoche.

Foreword Ringu Tulku	ix
Preface	xi
Introduction Holly Gayley and Joshua Schapiro	1
PART I: WORLDLY COUNSEL	21
1. Facing Your Mind Jamgon Kongtrul and Dudjom Lingpa Translated by John Canti	23
2. Playful Primers on the Path Dza Patrul Rinpoche Translated by Joshua Schapiro	47
3. Dictums for Developing Virtue Shangton Tenpa Gyatso Translated by Gedun Rabsal and Nicole Willock	83
4. Bold judgments on Eating Meat Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen Translated by Geoffrey Barstow	97
5. A Letter to the Queen Jikme Lingpa and Getse Mahapandita Translated by Jann Ronis	109
PART II: MEDITATION ADVICE	123
6. Advice for Solitary Retreat Do Khyentse, Dza Patrul Rinpoche, and the Third Dodrupchen Translated by Holly Gayley	125
7. Traversing the Path of Meditation Bamda Thupten Gelek Gyatso Translated by Michael Sheehy	171
8. How to Practice When Ill Jikme Lingpa Translated by Wulstan Fletcher	191
9. An Intimate Exhortation Tokden Sakya Sri Translated by Amy Holmes-Tagchungdarpa	201
10. A Meditation Instructor's Manual Dza Patrul Rinpoche Translated by Sarah Harding	211
PART III: ESOTERIC INSTRUCTIONS	239
11. Pointing to the Nature of Awareness Ju Mipham Rinpoche Translated by Douglas Duckworth	241
12. Putting Buddha Nature into Practice Jamgon Kongtrul Translated by Marc-Henri Deroche	285
Glossary	303
Tibetan Proper Names	317
Contributors	327