In the Footsteps of Bodhisattvas: Buddhist Teachings on the Essence of Meditation

by Phakchok Rinpoche

The term "meditation" is often spoke of as a single, uniform practice but in fact there are innumerable techniques that can be employed to achieve different ends. However, to make real progress in any of them, the methods need to be paired with a view of how our minds and our experience of the world around us really work.

In this uncommonly practical and experiential guide, Phakchok Rinpoche leads us through how to achieve this correct view and really practice a meditation that can transform our lives, help us abandon our own bad habits and hypocrisy, and make real progress on the path to true freedom from the circles we follow that only lead to unhappiness. Grounding this presentation is The King of Samadhi Sutra – one of the most important in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition – which the author employs as a touchstone throughout. The simplicity will appeal to new and aspiring meditators, while the insightful approach based on living these practices will help seasoned practitioners get unstuck and make swift progress.

Genres: Buddhism

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 27, 2020

About the author

Phakchok Rinpoche is a premier example of a new generation of Tibetan Buddhist masters. He combines the most profound aspects of traditional wisdom teachings with his pithy, humorous observations of their ongoing relevance to the incredibly fast pace of modern urban life.

Born in 1981 to a family recognized for their generations of spiritual accomplishment, Rinpoche was recognized as the seventh Phakchok Rinpoche and incarnation of a great teacher and meditation master. Receiving ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rinpoche received a thorough education and training in Buddhist philosophy and meditation, studying with some of the most accomplished masters of modern times, his main teachers being his grandfather Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche.

Rinpoche completed his education at the Dzongsar Institute of Advanced Buddhist Studies in Bir, India, where he received the Khenpo title. He is able to playfully combine the scholarly tradition of his studies with the experiential tradition of his main teachers in order to give his students the necessary tools to discover the wisdom and compassion that lies beneath our habitual ways of seeing ourselves and the world around us.

Now, Rinpoche travels the world, teaching in Buddhist centers, universities, and monasteries from Asia to the United States, from South America to Europe.

more information about Rinpoche's teachings can be found at samyeinstitute.org

Reviews

[Don Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phakchok Rinpoche's clear commentary on sections of the King of Meditation sutra. Valuable instructions for anyone on the Buddhist path.

[Nicholas Vettese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on, and a commentary, on the King of Meditation Sutta. The author doesn't go through the sutta in a linear fashion, but takes it apart and enlightens the reader with an idea or interpretation on that verse. It is a great way to understand the sutta and to gain a grasp of coming up with your own understanding.

At the end of each chapter, the author gives you insight and ways to improve your path as a Buddhist. It is an amazing way to keep you engaged and apply the principles of Buddhist philosophies.

I would recommend this to anyone, no matter if they are a practicing Buddhist or not, or the level they are involved with Buddhist teachings.

[Mark Bourdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phakchok Rinpoche has taken the Buddha’s words from the King of Meditation as the basis for In The Footsteps of Bodhisattvas. This is a spectacular text for all meditation practitioners. Rinpoche teaches in a very engaging manner. This is a text that shouldn’t be read and then kept in a bookcase for posterity. It is a text that could be studied and practiced daily. 🙏🏻

[Violetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is of course a Buddhist book, but it contains all 3 pathways in 1: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana. Clearly described in simple terms, with quotes from the Buddha and exercises that are also structured in a logical, practical way. To be used continuously, I shall come back to this book again and again.

[Mr. Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Buddhists books go, this is highly accessible and practical. I appreciate how Rinpoche turns to the original text of the Heart of Meditation Sutra and provides his own, updated commentary on those select passages. I like how he structured each chapter in waves of increasingly complex ideas, and I like how each chapter concluded with a single page of practical ideas.

I read this as a library copy, and I liked it so much (and plan to re-read it so much) that I bought my own copy.

[Mark David Vinzens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The earth can break open with its mountains and forests
and the ocean waters can likewise part;
the sun and moon can fall to the ground,
but the speech of the Victorious One never changes.
—THE KING OF MEDITATION SUTRA, CHAPTER 14

[Thomas Zegray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will help many people to either find the path or become stronger at their practices

[Marc Mannheimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Vehicle teachings from a Vajrayana teacher. Insightful and well written, bare bones, no room for fluff. The Rinpoche seems right on the mark. Not a beginner's manual.

[Linus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little read on the path and practice of the Bodhisattva, looking at it both from a Mahayana and Vajrayana perspective. Highly recommended to any serious Buddhist practitioner!