Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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...

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

"Don't mistake mere words to be the meaning of the teachings. Mingle the practice with your own being and attain liberation right now." It really is advice, in plain English.

This collection of 12 termas (hidden treasures) from 6 tertons (treasure revealers), p. 9: "companion volume to Dakini Teachings : Padmasambhava's Oral Instructions to Lady Tsogyal (Dragon Editions Ser.)," varies widely in level of teachings. The smaller termas & the early parts of the longer are at an introductory level--possibly due to the supposition that Buddhist practice would have all but died out when hidden texts were discovered (~the Dead Sea Scrolls). But in longer chapters ("A Spur to Spiritual Practice" & esp. "The Treasury of Precious Jewels to Dispel Hindrances"), are subtle & profound Dzogchen teachings--p. 136: "When you realize that all that appears & exists to be your mind, there is no path of enlightenment apart from that...When Samsaric existence is freed in itself, there is no awakened state to accomplish apart form that. Once you realize this, samsara & nirvana are not two." More mid-level--p. 69: Shamatha & Vipashyana; Chod: p. 76: "The demon is your own demon & cutting through it pacifies yourself...Therefore, it is a greater enhancement to confront a single frightening place than to do three years of meditation."

It has two seeming contradictions: p. 30: "If you give with compassion & bodhichitta you achieve hundredfold merit. If you give without bodhichitta resolve, your merit will not increase," since 100 times nothing is nothing! Also, p. 76: "This secret conduct is not only aimed at the thought of demons but also at cutting through contagious diseases such as leprosy & feelings of fear, dread, repulsion, disgust, timidity, cowardice, embarrassment & so forth" vs. p. 90: "You become defiled from...having contact with lepers." But, I assume such instructions were aimed at differing levels of practitioners engaged in different practices per p. 142: "The intelligent person instructed in what is not interesting will remain unsatisfied, which will diminish his faith."

Provocatively, p. 73: "How will my bodhichitta, which is merely platitudes & intellectual idea, accomplish the true meaning?" & p. 120: "Best is when such a master is within reach; if not, it is sad. For whoever has supreme faith and resolve, the Buddha will be present as if in person." My favorite pith advice is: p. 143: "Unless you eradicate your own inner faults the vile zombie of disturbing emotions will rise again, even though you have glimpsed the blissful & clear state of wakefulness." How true!

Another important volume, also important to remember that intent is the crux of any action. Inspiring regardless of how much the advice is put into practice, and of course, this lifetime isn't quite over yet.