Bodhicaryavatara A Guide to the Buddhist Path to Awakening written in the early 8th c. by Shantideva, (Oxford World's Classics) translated by Kate Crosby and Andrew Skilton, introduction by Paul Williams.

According to the story, this was Shantideva's first and only talk ever given before an assembly in one of the meeting halls of ancient Nalanda. At the time, he was popularly referred to as the Lazy One, so the request for teachings was actually intended as an embarassment rather than a sign of respect. In the course of presenting what has become the tenth chapter, he spontaneously levitated and wasn't seen again in those parts. Those who heard the talk  wrote it down. This work became very popular in Tibet.  Every buddhist should become familiar with at least one version of the Bodhicaryavatara. This is a good translation in a handy little edition. Number one among the top ten titles in a survey done in the year 2000 on the Tibetan Buddhist newsgroup.

Buddha from Dolpo A Study of the Life and Thought of the Tibetan Master Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen by Cyrus Stearns

The Buddha from Dolpo examines the life and thought of the Tibetan Buddhist Master, Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (1292-1361). Known as "The Buddha from Dolpo," he was one of the most important and original thinkers in Tibetan history, and perhaps the greatest expert on the tantric teachings of the Kalachakra or "Wheel of Time." Based largely upon esoteric Buddhist knowledge believed to be preserved in Tibetan Buddhism after almost 700 years. Dolpopa emphasized two contrasting definitions of the Buddhist teachings of emptiness: "emptiness of self-nature," which applies only to the level of relative truth, and "emptiness of other," which applies only to the level of absolute truth. Dolpopa identified ultimate reality as the Buddha-nature inherent in all living beings. This view of an "emptiness of other," known in Tibetan as Zhentong, is Dolpopa's main spiritual legacy. This book contains the first translations into any language of major works by Dolpopa. A General Commentary on the Doctrine is one of the earliest texts in which he systematically presented his view of the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. The Fourth Council, written at the end of his life may be viewed as a final summation of his ideas. Cyrus Stearns's book describes both Dolpopa's life and his ideas. Earlier Tibetan precedents for the Zhentong view are also discussed, as well as Dolpolpa's own unique use of language and the major influences on the development of his controversial theories. The fate of his tradition, which was censured by the Tibetan government in the seventeenth century, is examined, and several of the most important adherents to the Zhentong theory are also discussed. Cyrus Stearns is a longtime student of Tibetan language and religion, and has served as a translator for Tibetan teachers of all traditions. For many years he has studied with and translated Chogye Trichen Rinpoche and the late Dezhung Tulku Rinpoche. Cyrus has a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from the University of Washington in Seattle, and is the author of several articles on Buddhism.

Buddha Nature The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Commentary//Arya Maitreya, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche

All sentient beings, without exception, have buddha nature, the inherent purity and perfection of the mind, untouched by changing mental states. The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra, one of the "Five Treatises" said to have been dictated to Asanga by the Bodhisattva Maitreya, present the BUddha's definitive teachings on how we should understand this ground of enlightenment and clarifies the nature and qualities of buddhahood. This seminal text details with great clarity the view which forms the basis for Vajrayana, and especially Mahamudra, practice. Thus it builds a bridge between the Sutrayana and Vajrayana levels of the Buddha's teaching, elaborated here in Jamgon Kongtrul's commentary. Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye (1813-1899), the profoundly learned and realized master who compiled what are known as the "Five Great Treasures," wrote the outstanding commentary to the Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra translated here. Called the Unassailable Lion's Roar, it presents Maitreya's text as a background for the Mahamudra teachings in a way that is especially clear and easy to understand. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche provided the annotations and the explanations on which the present translations is based. A renowned scholar and highly accomplished yogi, he is a living example of the ongoing tradition of oral transmission. He first visited the West in 1977, at the request of H.H. the sixteenth Karmapa, and since then has been looking after an ever-growing number of disciples throughout the world.

Buddha Nature by Thrangu Rinpoche // translated by Erik Pema Kunsang

~~ teachings on the Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra which came through Maitreya to Asanga. A clarification and overview of the famous Mahayana scripture Uttaratantra, on our unchanging potential for enlightenment. Buddha Nature is an edited transcript of a ten day seminar given by Thrangu Rinpoche in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1985 to a group of Western students. "Space permeates all things. Within the expanse of space, whole universes are formed, destroyed, and again come into being, yet space itself neither arises nor ceases. Likewise, buddha nature, permeates all sentient beings. Although the beings themselves undergo many different kinds of change, like suffering, happiness, birth, old age, sickness, and finally death, no change occurs in the enlightened essence, itself. Constant change manifests only on the level of what sentient beings experience. Our innate buddha nature remains ever changeless. At present, we are wandering in samsara due to the combination of the ripening of our past karma and our confused reactions, the disturbing emotions, to what we experience. Because we are in a deluded state, mistaking all our experiences, we suffer. There is only one solution. We must look into the truth of reality, and discover precisely the nature of things. Most people lack the courage and self-confidence to do that. Therefore, we must rely on the teachings of the Buddha who explained how we can develop the knowledge that perceives the state of egolessness, the ultimate reality. By relying on his words, we will be able to cut through confusion."

Buddhahood Without Meditation A Visionary Account Known As Refining Apparent Phenomena by Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904) translated by Richard Barron

Dzogchen t'hreg-chhod teachings from the Dudjom Tersar ~~ A powerful, direct transmission from the previous incarnation of HH Dudjom Rinpoche expressed through visionary dialogue with fourteen enlightened beings including Avalokitesvara, Vajrapani, Longchenpa, and Saraha. Includes the Tibetan text as edited by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and features a glossary that incorporates equivalent English terms of present-day teachers and translators of Dzogchen. a holy relic This is a text usually reserved for those with years of personal guidance under a master, who would then explain the basically esoteric statements and explanations. However, those who do have some experience in Tantric Buddhism, especially Dzogchen, will likely benefit from studying this. As Chagdud Tulku explains at the start of the book, this text should be regarded as a holy object of veneration, and even to keep this on one's altar until transmission is received will bring blessings. The text is a compilation of visionary experiences had by Dudjom Lingpa, a famous lama-yogi of the 19th century. His next reincarnation, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje (Dudjom Rinpoche) edited them into the present format, and created a helpful outline of topics, appended to the translation. review by Taylor Caron as posted on amazon.com

Buddhist Advice for Living and Liberation Nagarjuna's Precious Garland arranged, translated and edited by Jeffery Hopkins

~~ Along with a penetrating analysis of reality and the way to realize both happiness and wisdom, Nagarjuna offers intimate counsel on how to conduct one's life and construct social policies that reflect Buddhist ideals. The greater part of Buddhism taught in the West is done through modern commentators. Jeffrey Hopkins offers us an alternative in his translation of one of the most revered Mahayana Buddhist scriptures: the Precious Garland by Nagarjuna. Written more than 1,500 years ago, its advice is still lucid and fresh. As counsel for a king, the text is the polar opposite of Machiavelli's The Prince; it elucidates reality, announces the way to cultivate personal virtue, and suggests ways to implement that virtue in public policy. Former interpreter for the Dalai Lama, Hopkins has translated the Precious Garland in colloquial verse that belongs with the most inspiring of spiritual scriptures. review by amazon.com

Buddhist Ethics Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye // translated by Elio Guarisco, Ingrid McLeod and the International Translation Committee founded by Kalu Rinpoche

~~ This text presents the three major systems of ethics found in Tibetan Buddhism. Kongtrul explains the need for and nature of an authentic teacher, before providing a complete code of personal liberation as it applies to both monastic and lay-persons in a way which is detailed, clear and easily understandable. Clear and thorough - Brilliant This book is an absolute must for serious Buddhist students. Jamgon Kongtrul's "Shes Terzod" (of which this is a translation in part) is a classic, and this is a surprisingly easy read. The translator is thorough and careful, and graciously provided the commentary he received in the annoted section. The notes could almost be published as a separate work. Beginning students are confused by the differences between Tantric practice and the well-known monastic tradition of Buddhism. This book puts it all together and explains in detail how both are practiced simultaneously. The bibliography to the book alone is a treasure map of resources for new students, and no one who has received any wang or any vow in Buddhism should be without such a careful explanation of the meaning of vows as this. For very advanced students, Jamgon Kongtrul put no sect of Buddhism above another, and studied all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism thoroughly. Consequently this is an excellent guide for students of different schools to clearly understand philosophical commonalities & differences, breaking down biases and misunderstandings. This is especially valuable in his description of the differences between the Nyingma and Sarma, in his even-handed, thorough description of Highest Yoga Tantra, and Maha, Anu and Ati Yoga Tantra. A truly invaluable work. -Review by A reader as posted on amazon.com