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Enlightenment is a Choice: The Beauty of the Dharma

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A collection of previously published book prefaces showcasing Tarthang Tulkus' early introduction of Tibetan Buddhism to America by establishing Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center, Dharma Publishing, Nyingma Institute, Odiyan Monastery, Tibetan Aid Project, Tibetan Nyingma Relief Foundation, penfriend program, & Bodh Gaya Peace Ceremonies. His reaction to America is insightful: pp. 168-73: "What now remains is to stimulate America to make its own unique contribution to Dharma...In view of the problems involved in bringing the Dharma to a new country, the teaching may not always find the proper response to every situation...A proper teacher must not just encourage people to engage in some exotic behavior, but should make sure that students realize their full potential & deal directly with their personal & psychological problems... Traditional features of the Dharma may be either unattractive or inappropriate for Americans...America is not quite ready for a monastic approach & that the formal & ceremonial elements are not necessarily the right bases for the growth of American-style Dharma." Prefaces include: Tibetan mythology, hagiography, history, & art--displaying a mixture of forward thinking & tradition (e.g. bemoaning western thangka reproductions as inauthentic). My two favorite prefaces are "Annals II" relating Vajrayana to America & "Grand Treasures of Ancient Teachings" relating Tantric Buddhism to science--beautifully done & reminiscent of General Systems Theory. Such early insights are impressive, but the vast majority of the prefaces are very lightweight & don't justify the lovely title.