Advice from the Lotus-Born: A Collection of Padmasambhavas Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Other Close Disciples [Paperback]

Padmasambhava (Author), Marcia Binder Schmidt (Editor), Erik Pema Kunsang (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 2004

Padmasambhava is the primary master of Vajrayana, the teachings for our time. Out of his great compassion and wisdom, he instructed his main disciple Yeshe Tsogyal to conceal terma treasures to be revealed at the destined time for future practitioners. The profundity of this advice is meant to be personally applied by all individuals in all circumstances. Advice from the Lotus Born is a classic work which contains valid truth for anyone who sincerely wants to follow a spiritual path.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The chief compiler of Padmasambhava’s teachings was Yeshe Tsogyal, an emanation of a female Buddha. There may be some people who believe that only men can attain enlightenment, but her life is proof to the opposite. The awakened state of mind is neither male or female."
- Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Introductory Teachings

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (May 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9627341207
• ISBN-13: 978-9627341208
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #486,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These are the essential dzogchen teachings., January 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Advice from the Lotus-Born: A Collection of Padmasambhavas Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Other Close Disciples (Paperback)

Before the reader begins these teachings, s/he must ask, "am I ready for this?" Padmasambhava's terma treasures are as exact, direct and profound as one might expect from the first teacher of dzogchen. There is nothing in these texts, nothing to be learned. I have never encountered anything more frighteningly wonderful in any other teaching. The translation is excellent as well, and the book includes a detailed glossary that any reader will find useful and informative.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The father of Tibetan Buddhism, March 11, 2004

By 

Nessander - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Advice from the Lotus-Born: A Collection of Padmasambhavas Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Other Close Disciples (Paperback)

Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is credited as being the main person who brought Buddhism to Tibet, and is also understood by Tibetan Buddhists to have been a Buddha himself.

In some contexts, one approaches teachings directly at their source first, and then looks to commentaries, explanations, etc. For example, in Protestant Christianity, one is often encouraged to go straight to the New Testament and read that. Then one reads the works of theologians, biblical scholars, preachers, and so on.

However, in Buddhism the approach is often the opposite. First one goes to a teacher who is a contemporary of yours. Then, having gained some confidence from that teacher, and having put into practice some of the teachings and having seen their effectiveness and practicality, one then turns to some other writings of an introductory nature. After having gained some grounding in those, one may then turn to a commentary on a root text. Then, one may read the root texts oneself. Lastly, one may turn to the sutras and words of the Buddha himself. Trying to start there, however, would not be advised -- as anyone who has tried to read the Tripitaka (the three baskets of teachings of the Buddha) or the tantras can attest!

Similarly in the case of this text -- one should have a good grounding before attempting very difficult texts, and they should in all cases be read while one is studying with a lama. Otherwise, misunderstandings may occur, and these may be worse than not having encountered the text in the first place. But if one does have that grounding, what greater treasure is there than to read such wonderful texts?

I write this review, and give it five stars, in part because I saw that there are already three reviews and even though each one praised the book, for some reason one of the reviews shows up as having no stars (a bug in Amazon's system, I suppose), and so the general rating of this book was only three and a half. Yet, clearly, stars cannot estimate the value of such works...

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best concise books on the Vajrayan Dharma., March 13, 2006

By 

H. Marassi (Danbury CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Advice from the Lotus-Born: A Collection of Padmasambhavas Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Other Close Disciples (Paperback)

Padmasambhava as most of you know was completedly enlightened. So, what a blessing it is to have access to material writen and dictated by himself. Under his immedeate counsel.

This book is good for practioners of every level. But, specially for those who are midway their paths. The direct advices will cut straight through the BS still there. And for begginers I think it definitely will inspire them.

This is an absolutely must have.

Hope that this review will drive you to read this book and the merit you'll collect brings us all to perfect liberation.

Rob