The Sakya Jetsunmas: The Hidden World of Tibetan Female Lamas

by Elisabeth A. Benard

An exploration of an extraordinary group of female meditation masters from the Buddhist tradition in Tibet whose determination and accomplishments can serve as a great example for meditators the world over.

Among Tibetan spiritual biographies there are many life stories of exceptional male wisdom-holders or vidyādharas . But biographies of religious women are few. This book focuses on the hidden world of the great female spiritual adepts who were born into a prominent lineage of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. For centuries, this family of wisdom holders has been committed to helping others alleviate their suffering and develop a strong dedication to spiritual practice.

320 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Anne Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing else is comparable to this excellent biography of female lamas in the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. Elisabeth Benard has used all of the available resources and her personal relationships with Tibetan masters and living scholars to mine the most reliable information about her subject from oral accounts, private diaries written in Tibetan, and published academic works. The book is an inspiring and interesting introduction to a "hidden world" that has been
known to those who live in it, but rarely described to outsiders.

[Steph Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elisabeth Benard's The Sakya Jetsunmas is a dream come true--a thoroughly authentic and historical gem of research and writing on a rare and far too long untold story of some of the women leaders and practitioners in Tibetan Buddhism. A wonderful, superb account of their lives, behind the scenes experiences, and great photographs, too.