Enlightened Courage ~~An Explanation of Atisha's Seven Points of Mind-Training by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1993)

~~ Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, whose remarkable life came to an end in September, 1991, was one of the foremost poets, scholars, philosophers and meditation masters of the Mahayana, Mahamudra and Great Perfection traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism. He was highly respected by thousands of students in Tibet and throughout the world. The text he presents here is the Seven Point Mind Training, brought to Tibet by the Indian master Atisha. This teaching is the very core of the entire practice of Tibetan Buddhism. It condenses the compassionate path to Buddhahood into practical instructions which make use of all the circumstances of everyday life. Khyentse Rinpoche gave his commentary during his last visit to the West. He speaks frankly from his heart, drawing on his own life-long experience. The fact that Rinpoche has departed from this world adds much poignancy to his words, which many of his students regard as his parting gift.

Enlightened Journey ~~ Buddhist Practice as Daily Life by Tulku Thondup // edited by Harold Talbot (1995)

~~ This collection of fifteen articles and talks by Tulku Thondup -- never before published in book form -- constitutes a manual on how to transmute the situations encountered in daily life, whether external or internal, into spiritual disciplines and experiences. Among the topics covered are: the fundamental principles of Buddhism the practice of meditation as a means of arousing compassion how suffering can become a more powerful tool than happiness in achieving enlightenment the symbolic significance of holy places, temples, statues, books, and other spiritual artifact the religious significance of Tibetan Buddhist art as a source of teaching, inspiration, and power Tibetan Buddhist teachings on the experiences of dying and the after-death state a commentary on the preliminary practices (Ngondro) of the Longchen Nyingthig tradition The most essential training in Buddhism, and for that matter in any spiritual path, is the "skillful means" that enables the trainees to transmute every aspect of their daily life into spiritual training. Spiritual training is the exercises that release the intensity of our mental grasping and the driving forces of our craving. Spiritual training eases the pain and suffering created by our narrow, rigid views and our burning, confusing emotions. Spiritual training is crucial to the realization and experiences of openness, peace, joy, love, and wisdom. If our mind is filled with peace, love, and wisdom, our mental and spiritual energies will be strengthened. If our mental and spiritual energies are strengthened, the physical elements of our body become healthy and the events in our life become positive. By the same token, if our mental energy is strong, our body will be healthy and our life positive; our mind will be naturally more peaceful and joyful. The days of our entire life will flow in a cycle of true happiness. As the third Dodrupchen Rinpoche writes: When your mind is not disturbed, your energy will not be disturbed, and thereby other elements of the body will also not be disturbed. Because of this, your mind will not be disturbed, and so the wheel of your joy will keep revolving. There are two important ways to transmute daily life into training. First, if you have realized the wisdom that transcends mental conceptions, or even if you have not yet transcended mental conceptions but have powerful spiritual experiences such as compassion, devotion, or contemplation, then you can unite or transform al appearances and experiences into a support for the energy of realized wisdom and spiritual experience. For great adepts, every phenomenal appearance becomes the expression of their inner wisdom itself. All appearances become the power of realization, like the rays of the sun that coax the flowers of happiness to blossom in the hearts of all those around. Second, for ordinary people like ourselves, whose minds are conceptual, emotional and unrealized, it is essential to rely on any skillful means -- positive and spiritual images, signs, sounds, or sources of power -- as the means of generating spiritual energy. If we could see the objects that surround us as a source of inspiration and peace, they will generate peace and joy within us because of the power of our own mental perceptions. In the same vein, we cannot transform negative situations into positive ones if we see them as negative and react to them with negative emotions. As long as we hold on to negative perceptions, viewing our circumstances through dark shades, the whole world will appear negative, and all our efforts will be one never-ending struggle. So we should lay the foundation of true peace and joy in our own minds by developing the skillful means of spiritual training, not by struggling to ward off adversity. As Shantideva explains: Foes are as unlimited as (the extent of) space; They cannot possibly all be overcome. Yet if you just overcome the thought of hatred, That will be equal to overcoming all foes. Where is the leather With which one can cover the earth? But wearing a leather sandal Is equal to covering the earth with leather. This book contains fifteen of my published articles and transcriptions of talks. It is divided into two parts: an introduction to the Buddhist path and a discussion of meditation practice. The core of this book is the article on the meditation practice of Ngondro, the essential training of the Longchen Nyingthig tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The Ngondro embodies a complete process of training, beginning with inspiring one's mind toward Dharma and ending with unifying one's mind with the enlightened mind of the Buddha, universal enlightenment. The other articles deal with introductory or supportive material which, taken together, constitute a manual on how to turn the various experiences we encounter, whether external or internal phenomena, into spiritual views, disciplines, and experiences. -Tulku Thondup from the Preface

Enlightened Living ~Teachings of Tibetan Buddhist Masters Tulku Thondup, edited by Harold Talbot

~~ The eight short writings translated here focus on how to live harmoniously in the world through the practice of social and spiritual values. In a poetic style, ornamented by metaphor, proverb, and folktale, the collection offers advice on ethical conduct from several prominent Tibetan teachers of modern times: Paltrul Rinpoche, Jigme Thrinle Özer, Lobzang Gyatsho,Jigme Tenpe Nyima, and Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa. One of the texts, by Paltrul Rinpoche, takes the form of a moving folktale in which a honeybee named Wide Wings faces the sudden death of his wife, Sweet Voice, and strengthens his resolve to follow the Buddhist path. Another text by Jigme Tenpa Nyima, is a short handbook of spiritual psychotherapy that shows how to turn the ups and downs of worldly life into a means of spiritual training. Althought varied in style, these writings all beautifully convey the living spirit of Buddhism in secular life.

Enlightenment is a Choice Tarthang Tulku, (1998)

Enlightenment is a Choice presents the scope and depth of Buddhist teachings clearly and directly. Each of these forty-five essays, drawn from books and articles that span thirty years of work for the Dharma in the West, illuminates a particular facet of Buddhist philosophy and practice. The essays include teachings on karma, compassion, the Bodhisattva path, meditation, and the nature of Vajrayana practice, with major sections devoted to sacred art and Dharma in the West. Anyone interested in Buddhism and in broader perspectives on knowledge and freedom will find much of value here. The truths these teachings convey inspire us to consider enlightenment as our destiny; they awaken joy and open possibilities for a more satisfying way of life. Blessings of the Lineage Letter from His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche May my blessing be with the members of the Nyingmapa Meditation Center, that all those who practice the Dharma may attain success. The teachings of Lord Buddha were passed on with great care from master to disciple in India. In the eighth century these esoteric teachings were transmitted to the people of Tibet. These same teachings have been maintained up to the present in an unbroken lineage, a clear channel of spiritual knowledge. Now, especially in this era of dark distress, it becomes increasingly clear that our worldly pursuits will never provide the answers we seek. The real cause of our problem is our lack of awareness of the mind's true nature. Selfish attachment to desire, animosity, and ignorance gives rise to a perpetual state ofdissatisfaction. The objects of desire appear as a rainbow that the childishly fascinated mind tries in vain to capture. But as the mind moves, so does the rainbow! The final result of the Lord Buddha's teachings is the attainment of complete satisfaction, fulfillment, and release from such bondage. The teachings of the Vajrayana transmute all aspects of our situation into a heavenly undersatnding of the mind's true nature. The Vajrayana uniquely possesses the essence of Lord Buddha's teachings, including all nine lesser paths and the most skillful and direct of all meditation practices to develop the mind. In this time of short life, strong, ever-shifting currents of change, and great difficulties, we have great need for this all-inclusive Vajrayana, into whose vastness and depth flow the streams of all other teachings. It is only through this highest vehicle, which contains the final esoteric teaching of the Lord Buddha, transmitted through his manifestations in the Great Guru Padmasambhava, that we may attain complete liberation from the bondages of samsara in one lifetime. Now the subtle beauty and power of the direct lineage teachings is being planted in the West, fulfilling Padmasambhava's prophesy that the Vajrayana would bloom throughout the world. May all difficulties -- inner, outer and secret -- be transformed into the grace of Vajrayana. May my blessing, through my spiritual representative, Tarthan Tulku, rest with all sentient beings in the Western Hemisphere. May the Buddhas, Great Bodhisattvas, and all the Dharmapalas empower this blessing, that all beings who earnestly practice the Dharma quickly attain full realization, enlightenment and long and happy lives. May these blessings prevail. -Jig Dral Yeshe Dorje His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche Supreme Head of the Nyingmapa Darjeeling, 15th June, 1971

Empowerment ~~Wishfulfilling Nectar to Delight the Worthy Offered in Reply to Questions on the Key Points of the Ripening Empowerments and the Mahamudra Path of Liberation by Tsele Natsok Rangdrol translated by Erik Pema Kunsang and edited by Marcia Binder Schmidt

~~ Comprehensive text by the 17th c. master contains a wealth of instructions on all key points of Buddhist training, in particular, focussing on the path of liberation of Mahamudra and Dzogchen.

Enlightenment Unfolds ~~The Essential Teachings of Zen Master Dogen by Kazuaki Tanahashi

Eihei Dogen (1200-1253) is unquestionably one of the most significant religious figures in Japanese history. The founder of the Soto school of Zen, he was a prolific writer whose works have instructed and inspired for more than seven hundred, and who used everything from poetry to the mundane details of everyday life in a monastery to illuminate Zen teaching. Enlightenment Unfolds contains works written by Dogen throughout his life, presented in chronological order, beginning with the journal from his study in China, providing a substantial selection from his masterwork, Treasury of the True Dharma Eye, and concluding with his spare but eloquent death poem. A number of the selections appear here in English for the first time. "The zazen I speak of is not learning meditation. It is simply the dharma gate of enjoyment and ease. It is the practice-realization of complete enlightenment. Realize the fundamental point free from the binding of nets and baskets. Once you experience it, you are like a dragon swimming in the water or a tiger reposing in the mountains. Know that the true dharma emerges of itself, clearing away hindrances and distractions." -Zen Master Dogen

Enlightenment is a Choice by Tarthang Tulku

~~ Presents the scope and depth of Buddhist teachings clearly and directly. Each of these forty-five essays drawn from books and articles that span thirty years of work for the Dharma in the west, each illuminating a particular facet of Buddhist philosophy and practice. Topics include teachings on karma, compassion, the bodhisattva path, meditation, the nature of Vajrayana practice, and major sections devoted to sacred art and Dharma in the West. Anyone interested in Buddhism and in broader perspectives on knowledge and freedom will find much of value here. The truths these teachings inspire us to consider enlightenment as our destiny; they awaken joy and open possibilities for a more satisfying life.

Entering the Stream An Introduction to the Buddha and His Teaching edited by Samuel Bercholz and Sherab Chödzin foreword by Bernardo Bertolucci

~~ The grandeur, simplicity, and freshness of the 2,500 year old tradition of Buddhism are reflected in this collection of writings intended as a primer for newcomers to the subject as well as a reference for those familiar with Buddhism. The selections include: the story of the Buddha's life, a concise historical background, key writings of Theravada, Mahayana, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism, meditation instructions, a Buddhist explanation of reincarnation, simple explanations of terms, a pictorial survey of Buddhist art and architecture. Among the contributors, both classical and modern are Ajahn Chah, Pema Chödron, Dogen, S.N. Goenka, Dainin Katagiri, Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi Milarepa, Nyanaponika Thera, Padmasambhava, the Second Dalai Lama, Shunryu Suzuki, Chögyam Trungpa, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jigme Lingpa, Patrul Rinpoche and others. Among many good introductions to Buddhism, this one stands out for seeing to it that its principles and practices are presented -- through either translations or original commentaries -- by masters who have dedicated their lives to teaching Westerners. The result is a book which, while faithful to the Buddhist traditionj, speaks unusually effectively to an English-speaking audience. -Huston Smith, author of The Religions of Man

Excellent Path to Enlightenment Short Preliminary Practice by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, explained by Dilgo Khyentse

~~ Here is a commentary on the ngöndro by one of the last great masters in a beautiful little edition. Includes original text in Tibetan and English. Named among the top ten titles in a survey done on the Tibetan Buddhist newsgroup in the year 2000.