Customer Reviews

Buddha Nature: The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Commentary

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Having not read a novel for many years, this reminded me of the "can't put it down" books I used to read years ago.

I defy anyone to read this book and not feel that they wouldn't mind attaining perfect enlightenment. Be of the greatest possible benefit to all beings and do it without effort? - That has to be a state worth being in!! There is a catch though, there is no such state definable by our limited conventional logic.

I had many more questions at the end of this book than I came to it with, but that's one of the beauties of the Dharma - each question leads to the next and the next, until there are no more questions to ask, or indeed any desire to seek answers to anything.

Incredible value for such a profound and well produced book. A word of warning though - this book is in typical Tibetan teaching style, with a lot of repetition (I like to think of it as 'lots of useful revision'). Probably not an introductory text on the topic for someone new to Buddhist philosophy.

Buddha Nature: The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra With Commentary is an impressively presented, highly recommended contribution to the rapidly growing library of Buddhist studies literature available to the western reader. Enhanced with exceptional and informative commentary by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, and with additional explanations by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Buddha Nature is one of the finest, most accessible presentations on the basis and process of enlightenment with the Buddhism. A seminal, benchmark publication, no dedicated student of Buddhist enlightenment can omit a careful and reflective reading of Buddha Nature.

This excellent translation provides first the text of the tantra and then extensive commentary. The translation is a little flowery but accessible. The commentary is so flowery that it needs another commentary. That's redudant so it's probably best just to study the tantra itself and be mindful. A search for literal meanings to the metaphors would be fruitless, just let it flow nicely. It's an uplifting teaching.

If you are a beginner Buddhist,as I am, this text comes alive with a teacher's 'live' commentary. Author does provide commentary in the book. Nonetheless, an additional interpretation and explanation gives the reader a better understanding of Mahayana. That said, the text is important,delivering a foundation for further studies. Not easy, leisurely quick reading on the subject by any means. You know you're reading something important and revered and cannot rush. It is a meditation to hold in your hand.
For long-time practitioners, I bow.

THIS BOOK IS AMAZE, SO SIMPLE AND AT SAME TIME SO PROFOUND??? IT SHOULD BE IN EVERY SERIOUS SEEKERS LIBRARY.

Having practiced in the Theravedan, Tibetan and currently in the Zen traditions I find it amusing how people have interpreted the Buddha's teachings. Probably the most profound teaching and I hope the Buddha doesn't mind me using that word as he is probably laughing at our stupidity and hoping that some of us will come to understand and will be able to show the others without them having to pay "Dana" or fees. The Buddha never asked for money, nor did he disguise it as a gift. I feel sorry for people who abuse his teachings.

The Buddha gave many teachings based on how he thought people would understand what he was saying. One teaching that stands out though is "the Lankavatara Sutra". This teaching is so important because it shows what the essence of reality is ie "emptiness" but at the same time this emptiness manifests itself as a process and construction. The Lankavatara
also explains what you will experience on the path ie "a turning about in the deepest part of your consciousness". The Buddha explains until this happens you will only be deluding yourself and others.

In modern times science has confirmed the Buddha's understanding which makes it even more unbelievable that the Buddha could see into the depths of his experience without the aid of modern scientific instruments.

Because the Buddha understood "emptiness" so well he knew it would be very hard for people to understand, therefore, when he taught he wanted people to get beyond the words as they were only relevant to the world of forms and cause and effect.

The Buddha taught knowing full well that what we call beings, or our sense of "I" and "mine" is an elaborate and conditioned construction that has no fundamental essence. He never taught that there was such a thing as Buddha nature, perfect enlightenment, nor did he give vows so that one can be re-born to save other human beings, although, a noble concept. Because this wouldn't be the truth. And most importantly he wanted people to see the truth, to see why they were suffering and once they fully understood the truth of "emptiness' they would be able to free themselves from suffering and from the confines of the ego.

Therefore, it became very important that once the process is understood that one not lapse into seeing "emptiness' as nothingness as that also wouldn't be true, hence, the combining of compassion and emptiness along with being fearless, and I cannot emphasize enough the being fearless part. Because most people will fall into the trap of belonging to a group or following a particular teaching or tradition, and therefore are really only looking for safety and security. The Buddha doesn't want this he wants you to question everything and to be fearless. It is the only way you can free yourself and others.