In the first of a series of blog entries, we present Buddhist books from the “recommended reading list” for students of Diamond Way Buddhism by various authors, together with links to a reliable UK-based supplier, Wisdom Books. These books are also available, for example, in the libraries of many of our UK groups and centres. This first group of books cover general topics in Buddhism.
The Way Things Are – A Living Approach to Buddhism for Today’s World
Lama Ole Nydahl
In this new and updated edition, Lama Ole Nydahl asks: What is Buddhism today? How do the Buddha’s teachings utilize the full potential of our being? Through which practices may we experience mind as limitless space and bliss? How can one use the daily joys and difficulties of one’s job, family, or partnerships for spiritual growth? A very good introduction to Buddhism in General and the Diamond Way in particular.
O Books Publishing (2008) ISBN: 978-1-84694-042-2
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The Dharma That Illuminates All Beings Impartially
Kalu Rinpoche
A complete manual of the Buddhist path. This collection of teachings by the late renowned Kagyu master Kalu Rinpoche, one of the main teachers of Hannah and Lama Ole Nydahl, were given in America in 1982 and cover a wide range of topics, including the Four Dharmas of Gampopa, accomplishments, women in Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths, the Bardo, mandala offerings, taking refuge, commitments and the levels of the Great Seal (Skt. Mahamudra).
State University of New York Press (1986) ISBN 0887061575.
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Kalu Rinpoche
A memorial volume of teachings by one of the greatest lamas of the 20th century and one of the main teachers of Hannah and Lama Ole Nydahl, which includes many valuable oral teachings on the nature of the mind, taking refuge, working with the emotions, death and rebirth, meditation, Buddhist tantra and the Great Seal (Skt. Mahamudra), plus a detailed commentary on the Loving Eyes (Tib. Chenrezig) practice.
Station Hill Press (1995) ISBN 0882681532.
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Profound Buddhism: From Hinayana to Vajrayana
Kalu Rinpoche
This book includes an overview of the entire Buddhist path including the mechanisms of the Cycle of Conditioned Existence (Skt. Samsara), the nature of mind, The Great Seal (Skt. Mahamudra), the links between body and mind, the elements and aggregates, Dzogchen, teachings on the nature of the mind, emptiness, compassion and Karma. Kalu Rinpoche also explains the methods of working with disturbing emotions from the Small Way (Skt. Hinayana), the Great Way (Skt. Mahayana), and the Diamond Way (Skt. Vajrayana) points of view: in the Hinayana by rejecting them, in the Mahayana by transforming them, and in the Vajrayana by simply recognizing them.
Clearpoint Press (1995) ISBN 0963037153.
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Secret Buddhism: Vajrayana Practices
Kalu Rinpoche
Kalu Rinpoche reveals the essentials of the Diamond Way (Skt. Vajrayana), mantras, empowerments, the Six Yogas of Naropa, Chod, the Pure Land, and the Six Bardos. A history of Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages and some explanations of the principles of Tibetan medicine complete this survey of Tibetan Buddhism. Kalu Rinpoche puts the tantras in the context of the three vehicles and the introduction of the Diamond Way (Skt. Vajrayana) from India to Tibet. He also discusses vows and commitments, Tummo, Phowa, the Preliminary Practices (Tib. Ngondro), Mandala Offering, Guru Yoga, Machig Lapdron, and Diamond Mind (Skt. Vajrasattva) practice in this all-encompassing book of special teachings.
Clearpoint Press (2002) ISBN 0963037161.
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Excellent Buddhism: An Exemplary Life
Kalu Rinpoche
The third in a series of publications by Clearpoint Press compiling oral teachings of Kalu Rinpoche. This book contains biographical reminiscences of Kalu Rinpoche, as well as teachings on Buddhism in daily life, inspiring stories on Buddhist practitioners of the past, and reflections on the relationship between Buddhism and the West. Included in this book are the details of Kalu Rinpoche’s last moments before his death, plus inspiring selections of his extraordinary teachings from around the world supplemented by anecdotes and stories.
Clearpoint Press (1995) ISBN 0963037145.
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Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
These teachings are primarily selected from talks given by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche during the last two years of his life. The emphasis in Volume One is on the Development Stage of Diamond Way (Skt. Vajrayana) meditation and practices associated with it. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche was an incredible Buddhist master. The great lamas of his times – Dudjum Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and the 16th Karmapa – all venerated him as one of their root gurus. The book begins with interviews with Rinpoche’s four sons – all incarnate lamas themselves – in which they give a revealing insight into their father’s qualities and teaching style. As Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche states “What we need to know is that our nature is an unconfined empty cognizance. Knowing this to be as it is, is the mandala of the victorious ones – just as the Buddhas know it to be.”
Rangjung Yeshe Publications (1999) ISBN 9627341355.
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Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
This second volume of practice instructions contains teachings given by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche during 1994-1995, the last two years of his life. The instructions are primarily selected from talks given by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche during the last two years of his life. The emphasis here is on the Completion Stage of Diamond Way (Skt. Vajrayana) meditation and the practise of non-conceptual meditation. As Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche states, “The difference between buddhas and sentient beings is that sentient beings are busy fabricating.”
Rangjung Yeshe Publications (2000) ISBN 9627341398.
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Lineage of Diamond Light (Crystal Mirror, Vol. 5)
Tarthang Tulku (Editor)
From the popular Crystal Mirror series of publications from Dharma Publishing. A revised edition of Crystal Mirror Vol 5, which contains a history of Buddhism in India and Tibet with a special focus on the Nyingma tradition. Included are the early and later development of Buddhism in India, detailing the life of the Buddha, his teachings, the different schools, Vinaya, Abhidharma, Yogacara, Madhyamika, Prajnaparamita, the 84 Mahasiddhas, the development of Buddhism in Tibet, the transmissions and lineages, Dzogchen, termas, and the Nyingma monasteries. Two short teachings by Longchenpa are also added including “How Samsara is Fabricated from the Ground of Being”.
Dharma Publishing (1992) ISBN 0898002397.
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Holy Places of the Buddha (Crystal Mirror, Vol. 9)
Tarthang Tulku (Editor)
From the popular Crystal Mirror series of publications from Dharma Publishing. This excellent volume is a rich and extensive description of the historical lands of the Buddha, tracing the expansion of Buddhism across India, through Afghanistan to Central Asia. Tarthang Tulku’s Dharma Publishing group have compiled this excellent survey and pilgrimage guide to the traditional eight great places of Buddhist Pilgrimage including Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kusinagara; and also covering Nalanda, Rajagrha, Kapilavastu, Vikramasila, Kashmir, Mathura, Ajanta, Ellora, Gandhara, Uddiyana and the Swat valley, Afghanistan, Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa, etc.
Dharma Publishing (1994) ISBN 0898002443.
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Happy reading!
Other posts which may be of interest :
FollowTags: Buddhism, Buddhist Books, Dharma, Hannah Nydahl, Kalu Rinpoche, Lama Ole Nydahl, Tarthang Tulku, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Very useful, is there a Part 2 to follow?
Sure, hopefully in a few days time.