Torch of True Meaning: Instructions and the Practice for the Mahamudra Preliminaries

by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye, Wangchuk Dorje, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye’s classic text The Torch of True Meaning gives clear and concise instructions on the preliminary and main practices of mahamudra meditation. But it not only teaches mahamudra, it describes vividly what is necessary for any meditation practice. It is presented here in a new translation that includes the previously unpublished final chapter of Jamgn Kongtrul’s work, a brief yet inspiring description of the actual practice of mahamudra. Paired with Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye’s instructions is The Chariot That Travels the Noble Path , the standard practice text for the mahamudra preliminaries in the Karma Kagyu lineage, in a new version compiled by the Seventeenth Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje. Together, these two works are essential for anyone who wants to practice mahamudra.

Genres: Buddhism

184 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 2014

About the author

The first Jamgon Kongtrul, Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thayé (འཇམ་མགོན་ཀོང་སྤྲུལ་བློ་གྲོས་མཐའ་ཡས་ 'jam mgon kong sprul blo gros mtha' yas), was one of the preeminent scholars in 19th century Tibet, often referred to as Jamgon Kongtrul the Great. The name Kongtrul is a contraction of Kongpo Bamtang Tulku, of whom he was held to be an incarnation. He also was a tertön, or "revealer of Dharma treasures," and in that capacity was given the name Pema Garwang Chimé Yudrung Lingpa.

He was also a respected physician and diplomat. He is credited as one of the founders of the Rimé (རིས་མེད་ ris-med "unbiased" or non-sectarian) movement of Tibetan Buddhism, and he compiled what is known as the Five Great Treasuries.

Reviews

[Paraeinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the commentary by Jamgon Kongtrul on the Ngondro text 'The Chariot that Travels the Noble Path'. The contents are essential for those who have received the transmission of this specific Ngondro as it takes you through the minor and major preliminaries. I feel it is important to read this book several times. Consider this text as a guide which should be referred from time to time during the practice rather than just reading it once.