A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems: Biographies of Masters of Awareness in the Dzogchen Lineage (A Spiritual History of the Teachings of Natural Great Perfection) [Hardcover]

Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorjé (Author), Richard Barron (Chökyi Nyima) (Translator), Sogyal Rinpoche (Introduction)

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Nyoshul Khenpo was a brilliant scholar and storyteller, reflected in his exhaustive historical research and inspiring stories from oral traditions. -- Buddhadharma--Winter 2005--Benjamin Bogin

Product Details

• Hardcover: 687 pages
• Publisher: Padma Publishing (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881847411
• ISBN-13: 978-1881847410
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,341,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable grace-filled translation of a key text, January 8, 2006

By 

Chris (England) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems: Biographies of Masters of Awareness in the Dzogchen Lineage (A Spiritual History of the Teachings of Natural Great Perfection) (Hardcover)

Together with Dudjom Rinpoche's history of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism this book by Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche is an essential source for information on the lineages of the Dzogchen transmission from Garab Dorje to the present. Since those lineages are so widespread, of necessity Nyoshul Khenpo has concentrated on his own, which derives from Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa to Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu and thence through his successors, especially Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Patrul Rinpoche. The lineages which come through those two are by far the most often met with in the West.

For example, if one were a student of the matchless Rigdzin Trinley Ozer (Lama Gonpo Tsedan), who was Panchen Vimalamitra in person, through Nyoshul Khen's book one can easily trace his lineage of transmission through his root teacher, Patrul Rinpoche of Tso, to Adzom Drukpa, to Khyentse Wango, and so forth all the way back to Garab Dorje, the source of the teachings.

Filled with inspiring biographies of innumerable great teachers, "A Marvelous Garland" also, for the discerning, is an important book showing forth the essence of the Dzogpa Chenpo itself, through the lives of the Lineage Holders, and in many cases their words and poetry.

Admirably translated by Lochen Chokyi Nyima (Lama Richard Barron), this book is a labor of love. I only have one teeny criticism: there is no glossary to make clear exactly what certain extremely important Tibetan words are being translated. And example of this (which I found frustrating) is his use of the terms "utter lucidity" and "timeless awareness". Are they the same? Subtly distinct from one another? Rigpa? Yeshe? Dzogpa Chenpo? I don't know. If there had been a short glossary the "Marvelous Garland" would have been perfect.

But then, this is just my quibbling and doesn't mean much in the face of this great and sublime work. I've met Chokyi Nyima. He very kindly and for gratis translated a unique Sakyapa text which had fallen into my hands (briefly, for I passed it on to someone who could care for it better than I). For that help alone I am eternally grateful to him. But much, much more, all students of the Dzogpa Chenpo in the future will be grateful for the work of Nyoshul Khen and his translator for making this "Marvelous Garland" available to us pygmies who have the temerity to attempt to stand on the shoulders of giants.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent text - authored by a noble practitioner, September 30, 2010

By 

Ngawang Lekpa ~ Lance - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems: Biographies of Masters of Awareness in the Dzogchen Lineage (A Spiritual History of the Teachings of Natural Great Perfection) (Hardcover)

Nyoshul Khenpo has done us all a great favour by kindly authoring an excellent history of the Dzogchen (Nyingma) lineage and has also included some good outlines of the dharma teachings necessary to engage in this tradition.
This text is quite brilliant and an excellent introduction to those interested in Dzogchen, approximately = to Chan[China], and Zen[Japan] ~ forms of meditation leading to enlightenment and a "beautiful pure" experience of awareness, knowing, living, and understanding divine existence.
It is obvious from my experience that Nyoshul was and is a highly accomplished master of the Dzogchen lineage.
It was and is a great blessing to have read this text. I definitely recommend this to those who wish to and or are endeavouring to gain enlightenment and by so doing helping others to also attain.