Like An Illusion: Lives of the Shangpa Kagyu Masters [Paperback]

Nicole Riggs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 26, 2000

"Like An Illusion: Lives of the Shangpa Kagyu Masters" presents the lively, touching, vibrant tales of the rare Shangpa Kagyu lineage of Tibet. This is the first English translation of biographies written between 500 and 1000 years ago.

"Like An Illusion" includes the biographies of two accomplished women, the dakinis Niguma and Sukhasiddhi. The life stories then continue through the lineage, from Khyungpo Naljor, great yogi of the Shangpa Lineage, to Mokchokpa, Kyergangpa, on down to Jetsun Taranatha.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Reminiscent of Milarepa's Songs, the stories in "Like An Illusion" combine enlightened songs, beautifully rendered in Nicole Riggs' translation, with profound wisdom. The translator also offers an introduction that looks at the importance of women in the lineage, the appeal of solitude to the Shangpa masters, and other features of this unique lineage.

About the Author

Nicole Riggs worked on "Like An Illusion" over a period of five years while living in isolation in a camper and travelling with the seasons.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Dharma Cloud Pr; 1St Edition edition (December 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970563906
• ISBN-13: 978-0970563903
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,873,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good read, but hardly a faithful translation..., February 7, 2006

By 

Thomas Roth (Nepal/Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Like An Illusion: Lives of the Shangpa Kagyu Masters (Paperback)

Nicole Riggs has presented a very well written book, but comparing her translation to the Tibetan original, I can't help but notice that she often omits sizable chunks of the texts. But what really has me bewildered is the strange gender issue that she seems to have. When I translate a text, I translate what's written there, period. I do not add things, unless I make it very clear that it is an addition by me, and I certainly don't change things around so they suit me better. But changing even the names of male deities into female ones, now that's utterly ridiculous!!! But as I say, otherwise a good and inspiring read...

Thomas Roth, one of Ven. Tenga Rinpoche's interpreters, Kathmandu

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent treatment, January 24, 2001

By 

"lomjoanne" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Like An Illusion: Lives of the Shangpa Kagyu Masters (Paperback)

In this book, Nicole Riggs provides both a translation--several hundred pages long--of Buddhist biographies, and a thorough introduction that is thoughtful and filled with examples from the text; I thought her treatment of the issues of women, solitude, and miracles, was outstanding. I also liked "Appendix III: Songs of the Dakinis", with the Tibetan text on the recto page. I strongly recommend the book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb, charming, valuable translation, December 20, 2003

By 

Bruce (Calgary Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Like An Illusion: Lives of the Shangpa Kagyu Masters (Paperback)

I strongly recommend this book. It is engaging, delightful, and full of help for those seeking enlightenment. These biographies will inspire and entertain readers while at the same time providing valuable information. Obstacles can be overcome. Nicole Riggs is clearly highly realized and very knowledgeable about Tibetan Buddhism. She is the only author I have encountered who has explained what Dakinis are (what they are symbolic of) and their purpose in achieving enlightenment. I look forward to getting a copy of her other book "Milarepa, Songs on the Spot". Buy this book.