Myriad Worlds: Buddhist Cosmology in Abhidharma, Kalachakra & Dzog-chen [Paperback]

Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

Describes four major cosmological systems found in the Tibetan tradition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Tibetan

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559390336
• ISBN-13: 978-1559390330
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,797,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book review of Myriad World, February 18, 2002

By 

shalav rana (Kathmandu, Nepal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myriad Worlds: Buddhist Cosmology in Abhidharma, Kalachakra & Dzog-chen (Paperback)

We all know that Buddha's teachings have many levels of understanding. It order to fully understand and fathom the teachings, one needs to be a Buddha. However, for a novice, a simple philosophy also exist - to help understand and then gradually move on the to difficult ones. In this book - Myriad World, the depth and many levels of Buddha's teachings are brought to light. Myriad World is an explanation of Buddhist cosmology. The author has used the interpretation of three different tradition to explain the cosmology. These traditions are : Sarvastivada (very similar with Theravada), Kalachakra (which is of a Vajrayana tradition) and the Dzogchen tradition. The author believes that these three explanations are not contradictory; instead they compliment each other - the explanation found in Kalachakra has a deeper meaning than that of Sarvastivada system, and the author concludes that Dzogchen interpretation is the final view. This book, hence, is a coming together of three great tradition.

Cosmology for many might not be an important/interesting subject to delve in. But in Buddhism, the subject is substantially significant; no wonder Abhidharma is full of it. Unless one knows were one stands, in the context of place, time and ones karma, one can never comprehend - what one is doing and the consequences of ones action. Therefore, understanding Cosmology contributes immensely in comprehending the true meaning of Buddhism. By all means, the subject must not be treated lightly.

Jamgon Kongtrol, the author of the book, was one of the most famous Buddhist personality of the 19th century Tibet. He was also one of the most prolific writer. Born in a Bonpo family, Control attended Nyingma monastery before moving on to Kagyu monastery, where he stayed and learned the most. This mix background perhaps, molded Control's thought, making him a non-sectarian. He has criticized, in plenty, the sectarian nature of many Buddhist monasteries and its monks. Always believing in a non-sectarian and synergetic approach, the book comes out to reflect this position. Despite considering the Dzogchen interpretation as the final, he never for ones disparages the other views.

After a short biography of the author and a short introductory chapter, the main subject of book is divided in three chapter; explaining in each the cosmological interpretation of Sarvastivada, Kalachakra and Dzogchen. The Sarvastivada interpretation of the cosmology is a popular one and can be understood by majority, with a slight background on Buddhism. However, the Kalachakra and Dzogchen interpretation are complex and takes lot of time and perhaps a guide to understand. Nevertheless, with simple and precise wording throughout, the book is very helpful, despite the difficulty of the subject. A beginner will definitely find it difficult to understand and enjoy the book. Nonetheless, an introductory chapter exist, where the book and the subject matter are explained in a simple manner - which should be helpful.

Translated under the auspices of the late venerable Kalu Rinpoche, the book aims to introduce and keep as much English word as possible, rather than use Sanskrit or Tibetan word. As a result, I encountered several English words used in this context. For example, 'Evolutionary Process' is the English translation for Karma. Instead of using Karma, the book uses 'Evolutionary Process' all the time. There are merits and demerits for using such word, however, in view of the growth and the easy understanding that the word might have, they are justified in using it.

I enjoyed reading the book and I would recommend to anyone interested in furthering their knowledge about Buddhism. I have no doubt that if one can read, especially the Kalachakra and Dzogchen part, more than once and understand the concept fully, this will contribute in more profound understanding of Buddhism.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rime cosmology, December 2, 1999

By 

Don Carlton (Bloomington, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myriad Worlds: Buddhist Cosmology in Abhidharma, Kalachakra & Dzog-chen (Paperback)

The primary aim of MYRIAD WORLDS is to give a context for understanding the Dzog-Chen view of 'cosmology', presenting the Dzog-Chen view and two varying cosmologies in as clear and respectful ways as possible A book like this has been long desired by many of us. Though brand new, it is already a treasured resource. Many of us have or will have tremendous gratitude toward the translators and publishers. Translated by a committee, but relatively user-friendly anyway, the book appears targeted toward scholars and toward practitioners who have also devoted a lot of time to reading primary sources (at least translated primary sources). This translation hits at a middle ground between the 'purist specialist' and mass market audiences. Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye was a superstar of the Rime ('without sect') Tibetan ecumenical movement at the end of last century. His deepest appreciation and love is clearly for the Dzog-chen but this does not get in the way of his clarity and compassion.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vast and stunning, October 26, 2004

By 

Peacock Eye - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myriad Worlds: Buddhist Cosmology in Abhidharma, Kalachakra & Dzog-chen (Paperback)

"Myriad Worlds" is a translation of the first of ten books in Tibetan contained within the major treatise "The Infinite Ocean of Knowledge", which itself is a commentary on the root verses "The Encompassment of All Knowledge."

This item is currently unavailable, but ASIN/ISBN 155939188X is exactly the same text in an available edition.

From the preface of "Myriad Worlds": The translation of the entire body of "The Infinite Ocean of Knowledge" has been one of (late) Kalu Rinpoche's most ambitious projects. (...) Kalu Rinpoche explained the importance of this work as follows: "(...) If this great work is translated into English, the nature of all samsara and nirvana will appear as vividly as a reflection in a clear mirror in the minds of the most learned people of the world, as though the expanse of their understanding were illuminated with sunlight."

"Myriad Worlds" discusses Buddhist cosmography and the genesis of beings who inhabit the universe.

Kongtrul delineates four levels of cosmology:

1. The numerically definite cosmology of the Individual Way (hinayana), in which the collective force of the evolutionary actions of sentient beings creates the world, and therefore all beings contribute to the creation of the world;

2. The cosmology of infinity buddha-fields of the Universal Way (mahayana), in which infinite world-systems come into being as phantom appearances, through bodhisattvas purifying buddha-fields, in which they may fulfill their heroic vows to liberate all beings. The universe is conceived as a cycle without commencement that repeats itself until all beings are liberated from the sufferings of cyclic existence;

3. The cosmology of the Tantra of the Wheel of Time (Kalacakra), which establishes a correspondence between the macrocosm and microcosm in terms of the formation of the universe and fetal development, and between the configuration of the universe and the shape and size of the human body;

4. The noncosmology of the Dzog-chen (Great Perfection) system, drawing extensively from Longchenpa, in which the primal creative cause of the universe is neither the evolutionary actions of beings nor the interrelationships of the compassion of the buddhas and sentient beings, but rigpa, a state of pure and total awareness, which is nothing other than the primordially pure ground of being itself. Failure to recognize the primordially pure nature of the ground of being is unawareness, which itself arises from intrinsic awareness. The primordial freedom that one seeks to attain by practicing the spiritual path is something that one already possesses. Intrinsic freedom is itself the path that leads to the actualization of the goal.

From the translator's introduction: "Myriad Worlds contains invaluable material for study, reflection, and the refinement of one's mind. (...) and it contains seeds of wisdom that are sure to sprout and blossom in the minds of spiritual aspirants and other attentive readers."

This book is unique in its kind.