Becoming Vajrasattva: The Tantric Path of Purification [Paperback]

Lama Thubten Yeshe (Author), Nicholas Ribush (Editor), Lama Zopa Rinpoche (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

Like Becoming the Compassion Buddha, this is another of Lama Yeshe's examinations of key Tantric deity practices in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Common to all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, the practice of Vajrasattva is used to purify obstacles to spiritual development, negative karma, and illness. Lama Yeshe, the inspirational teacher who strongly influenced the development of Buddhism in the West, found that the practice of Vajrasattva brought dramatic results for his Western students. Becoming Vajrasattva is a complete guide to this purification practice, providing instruction on the method, commentary on the traditional texts, and insight into tantra. Also included is an entire section of complete retreat instructions—required reading for anyone undertaking a meditation retreat in the Tibetan tradition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications; 2nd edition (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861713893
• ISBN-13: 978-0861713899
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #419,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not idle reading, October 24, 2005

By 

John S. Baker "Chela 01" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Becoming Vajrasattva: The Tantric Path of Purification (Paperback)

This book is an advanced work for experienced Buddhist practitioners in the Tibetan tradition. I doubt that other readers would get much out of it. It is like a cookbook, you have to do what it says if you want to satisfy yourself. And if you want to cook, you need the utensils. In this case you need to be studying with a lama, have received initiation and have some experience practicing in order to work with this book.

The teacher of the text is in the Gelug tradition. I am a Kagyu, so that colors what I say. The author is very formal and rigorous. He makes much of what I perceive as minor matters (don't move your meditation cushion, keep it in the same place throughout your retreat). So I filter out some of what he says as not essential.

I was practicing Vajrasattva when I bought this book and I wanted something to keep the practice fresh. This provided it.

If you are practicing Vajrasattva, this book will be very helpful. There are also some things in this book that could be helpful to other practitioners.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important and Inspiring Book for Vajrayanists, November 19, 2004

By 

Nessander - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Becoming Vajrasattva: The Tantric Path of Purification (Paperback)

Although not a household name among American Buddhists, Lama Yeshe should really go down in history as one of the chief teachers responsible for transmitting Buddhism to the West. He managed to find a voice for this ancient tradition of Tibetan Buddhism that makes it accessible, inspiring, and transformational to contemporary Westerners. This is evident in the several excellent volumes that have been put forth by his student, Nick Ribush, and Wisdom Publications, including this book on Vajrasattva practice.

Purification practice is essential for students of Tibetan Buddhism, and one of the most important tantric practices for this is that of Vajrasattva. This book contains excellent teachings on this very important practice. (It will probably not be very useful to those who have not received empowerment into this practice, or who are not practicising tantra). The emphasis of the book is actually on Heruka Vajrasattva, but I believe it can be of benefit to anyone practising Vajrasattva.

Readers who enjoy this book should also pick up a copy of Lama Yeshe's "Introduction to Tantra", which is phenomenal.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caution - Prerequisites, February 10, 2009

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Ross Lasley - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Becoming Vajrasattva: The Tantric Path of Purification (Paperback)

I wanted to let folks know that I have not read this book (yet). The preface provides a clear and specific warning that the material is only for those that have completed Highest Yoga Tantra Initiation and I was able to confirm this with the nun at my local FPMT center. In typcial Buddhist fashion she didn't really provide a "rule" but did offer "it would be best if you waited..." sort of advice. As such I now have a ribbon around this book that says "read me when highest yoga tantra completed". I think this would be a good book for the generally curious and Lama Yeshe's writings that I have read are just amazing, but if you are making a purchase as part of your journey on the path it may be useful to you to be aware of the request Lama Yeshe makes in the preface.