Customer Reviews

Mahamudra: The Quintessence of Mind and Meditation

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This book, p. xxi: "represents the advanced doctrine and practice as understood and realized by the Kagyupa Order of Tibetan Buddhism." It is a translation of the 16th century "Moonlight: An Excellent Elucidation of the Meditational Stages of the Ultimate Great Seal" abbreviated as Moonlight of Mahamudra (source text for Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary, "Essentials of Mahamudra"). "This extraordinary treatise provides not only a wealth of knowledge but also methods for realizing enlightenment." The translator provides an extensive Introduction including a brief synopsis of the book. The author, Tashi Namgyal (1512-87) was a member of the Takpo Kagyu meditational order or lineage. This book includes tons of quotes from Sutras, Tantras, & Masters, noting conflicting opinions & with explanations thereof, presenting an -"exhaustive elucidation of the metaphysics and the meditation of Mahamudra." His (p. 413) "excellent treatise" and "elegant literary composition" does just that; it explains The 9 Stages of Tranquility (frontispiece)-(I obtained this diagram in Lhasa) & explores existence, dependent arising, relation to Madhyamaka philosophy, types of meditation, Sakya Pandita's criticisms,, condensed & elaborate explanations of Mahamudra (MM) meditation, relation of karma to MM (p. 287), "elevating the mind to the path," the 12 levels of the 4 MM Yogas in the greatest detail I've seen including their relation to Tantric grounds/paths/(bhumis), post-absorption, & non-conceptualization. He calls his approach "The Mahamudra of Ultimate Certainty."

More specifically, Namgyal explains the nature of intrinsic reality such that (p. xlviii): "The deities and mandalas are not external entities but a kind of psychological geograph of our mind" & (p. 218): "Alas, the 6 levels of sentient beings are Emanations of deluded minds" and describes the interrelationship of Mahamudra & Vajrayana/Tantric methods: while Gampopa (Milarepa's #1 disciple & 1st Karmapa's master), p. 112: "considers Mahamudra to be a separate path and independent of the sutras and tantras" & p. 123: "did not make the esoteric empowerment a prerequisite for receiving the Mahamudra teachings," (p. 124): "Lately the followers of this meditative order adapted Mahamudra to the practice of Tantric mysticism...Since these Mahamudra meditations incorporated Tantric elements, practitioners are required at the outset to receive ...initiation."

He provides the best description I've seen (p. 350) of the 3 groups of meditators (and their realizations): great (instantaneous), average (evanescent), and ordinary (gradual) and states that (pp. 123 & 144): "A great medicine for gradual seekers Becomes a poison for instantaneous seekers. A great medicine for instantaneous illumination Becomes a poison for gradual illumination."

He provides excellent descriptions of techniques: (p. 280): Mindfulness "is done in the same way an experienced cowherd watches his cattle. Without rounding them up or following every animal, he keeps them all under his observation, letting them graze freely, even though some may wander,"(pp. 334-5): the 5 practices of self-transformation to sublimate adverse conditions: "To behave--like a wounded deer" (shun companions); "a lion" (not fear internal/external obstacles); "the wind blowing through space" (let thoughts flow freely/openly without any attachment); "space" (unfocussed meditation without any support); "a crazy person" (without objective direction, attachment to anything, or value judgments), and (p. 335): bringing dualistic thoughts to the illuminating path, and even mentions chö [chöd].

This is the best, most complete, most beautiful guide to meditation practice that I have ever seen. It is a marvelous, profound work that covers the Sutric paths of meditation from the perspectives of theory and practice. Richly documented with citations from Sutra and Shastra, this magnificent work illuminates the path with clarity and precision. I am extremely pleased to see that it is coming back into print. Highly recommended.

Some very real intelligence went into the translation and preparation of this text for readers of English. Mahamudra is a path in which the student's relationship with his or her teacher is of primary importance; readers should know that some fo the last century's foremost yogins and teachers of Tibetan Buddhism to non-Tibetans participated, including the Sixteenth Karmapa, Deshung Rinpoche (the "Saint in Seattle") and Trungpa Rinpoche. The reader can trust that this priceless text is transmitted in English responsibly and by very able hands in this volume.

Please allow me now to shut up and get out of your way.

(Of interest to Shambhala people: Trungpa Rinpoche would review a Tibetan edition of this text when preparing the lectures now collected in his books of Shambhala Teachings.)

Homage to the Enlightened Ones!