Tantra in Tibet: Great Exposition of Secret Mantra

by Dalai Lama XIV, Tsongkhapa, Jeffrey Hopkins

This edition of Tantra in Tibet consists of three parts published under the auspices of the Dalai Lama. "Essence of Tantra" by H. H. the Dalai Lama reveals the highly practical and compassionate use of this science of spiritual development. His Holiness discusses tantra for practice, refuge, the three paths, greatness of mantra, clear light, and initiation. "The Great Exposition of Secret Mantra—part 1" by Tsong-ka-pa is one of the principal classic texts on tantra. It presents the main features common to all the Buddhist tantra systems as well as the differences between sutra and tantra. In this volume Tsong-ka-pa covers paths to Buddhahood, vajra vehicle, deity yoga, and method in the four tantras. "Supplement" by Jeffrey Hopkins discusses the meaning of emptiness, transformation, and the purpose of the four tantras. Tantra in Tibet is part of the Wisdom of Tibet series.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub), the 14th Dalai Lama, is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and the leader of the exiled Tibetan government in India.

Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.

On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.

After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.

Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not the fan of this translation in particular, it seems too technical and dry for the most part and I had hard time staying awake and had to re-read parts of the chapters multiple times to reinforce understanding. I am not completely brand new to the topic and this edition is not my favorite. I prefer "Deity Yoga" and "Yoga Tantra" instead.

[Timothy]

Awesome! People who fall asleep reading it will need to study more sutrayana to understand this books significance.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important and needs to be read again!