Brilliant Moon: The Autobiography of Dilgo Khyentse [Hardcover]

Dilgo Khyentse (Author), Ani Jinba Palmo (Translator), Dalai Lama (Foreword), Sogyal Rinpoche (Foreword), Dzongsar Khyentse (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2008

Through lively anecdotes and stories this highly revered Buddhist meditation master and scholar tells about his life of study, retreat, and teaching. The formative events of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s life, and those insights and experiences that caused him to mature into the warm, brilliant, and highly realized meditation master and teacher he was, are deeply inspiring. The details of his early life and spiritual training reveal an authentic and human view of Tibetan culture, as well as the hardships endured by the Tibetans who fled their country and reestablished their tradition in exile.

The first part of this volume includes Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s early life story, told in his own words. The second half of the book comprises recollections by Khyentse Rinpoche’s wife; his grandson and spiritual heir, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche; Tenga Rinpoche; Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche; Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche; Kenpo Pema Sherab; the Queen Mother of Bhutan; Trulshik Rinpche; and Pewar Tulku.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“It gives me immense pleasure to know that this authentic account of the life and activities of Khyentse Rinpoche, whom I am fortunate to revere among my own precious teachers, has been prepared to remind those who knew him and inform those who did not.”—the Dalai Lama

“Who could ever forget Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche if they had ever seen him? Both in his spiritual realization and in his physical appearance and build, he was larger than life. In every sense there was something universal, even superhuman, about him.”—Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

“Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was the perfect example of how a teacher can be a source of inspiration. By reading the life story of such a great teacher, we can gain some understanding about what we could achieve if we were to follow such a teacher, receive his instructions, and practice the way he did. What inspired me most in Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche is the beauty of his inner freedom; no matter what happened around him.”—Shechen Rabjam, author of The Great Medicine That Conquers Clinging to the Notion of Reality

“He was a great leader, and just like a majestic American Indian chief or a distinguished samurai general, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was never affected by chaotic or difficult circumstances, however tumultuous. He always remained quite still, like a mountain, effortlessly exuding an all-pervasive confidence that evoked confidence in those around him, and an absolute, unshakeable equanimity.”—Dzongsar Khyentse, author of What Makes You Not a Buddhist

About the Author

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910–1991) was a highly accomplished meditation master, scholar, and poet, and a principal holder of the Nyingma lineage. His extraordinary depth of realization enabled him to be, for all who met him, a foundation of loving-kindness, wisdom, and compassion. A dedicated exponent of the nonsectarian Rime movement, Khyentse Rinpoche was respected by all schools of Tibetan Buddhism and taught many eminent teachers, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He tirelessly worked to uphold the Dharma through the publication of texts, the building of monasteries and stupas, and by offering instruction to thousands of people throughout the world. His writings in Tibetan fill twenty-five volumes.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (November 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590302842
• ISBN-13: 978-1590302842
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.3 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #994,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( D ) > Dalai, Lama

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good addition, June 5, 2009

By 

John "Tinny" (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brilliant Moon: The Autobiography of Dilgo Khyentse (Hardcover)

This is, as said before, half autobiography and half anecdotes from family, students, etc.

Much of the book is "Khyentse Rinpoche gave such and such empowerment at such and such time", which to some people would be very boring.

However, within that, there are some very interesting stories. You do get a sense of how the mind of the terton Khyentse works, and also of the devotion that other lamas had towards him, as well as other things- stories about his time in retreat, etc.

All in all, for a person who is willing to sort of go through the seemingly thousands of empowerments that he gave, the book is a good account of one of the recent meditation masters of Tibet.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enlightned poet, December 5, 2009

By 

M. H. Pandji (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Brilliant Moon: The Autobiography of Dilgo Khyentse (Hardcover)

A Brilliant Moon - is a beautiful book with a rare glimpse into the mind of an enlightened being through his words and poetry. One gets a taste of what Dilgo Khyentse was like through reading this book.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome addition to Buddhist studies shelves strong in biographies of spiritual leaders, December 8, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brilliant Moon: The Autobiography of Dilgo Khyentse (Hardcover)

Brilliant Moon: The Autobiography of Dilgo Khyentse is a compilation of anecdotes, stories, and recollections from the friends, family, and students of Buddhist meditation master and scholar Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Half of Brilliant Moon consists of Dilgo Khyentse's early life story told in his own words; the other half draws testimony from his wife, grandson, and spiritual heir, as well as such notable figures as the Queen Mother of Bhutan and many more. Enhanced with a handful of black-and-white photographs, extensive notes, a glossary, and a bibliography, Brilliant Moon is a welcome addition to Buddhist studies shelves strong in biographies of spiritual leaders.