Customer Reviews

Natural Liberation: Padmasambhava's Teachings on the Six Bardos

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Occasionally - very rarely - the wish-granting gem is placed in one's hands. This text, a skilful interweave of the root verses by Guru Padmasambhava and a commentary given recently on the US West Coast by the Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche, is exactly one such opportunity. As a long-term practitioner of the Düd'jom Lineage of teachings, and translator to His Holiness Shenphen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche, I cannot too strongly recommend this book to all those who feel they would like to undertake the Buddhist path. The Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche skilfully steers the practitioner - be they beginner or mature student - through the various reefs of hope and fear attached to such an undertaking, and brings them clear to at least a vision of the path that leads to the other shore, beyond, and back again. He is to be thanked profoundly for his great compassion, humorous skill and wisdom.

Padmasambhava's teachings on the six bardos is truly brought to life by Gyatrul Rinpoche's commentary, and B. Alan Wallace [as usual] does a superb job of translation.

This book should be read by all those who are interested in practicing Buddhism, whether of the Vajrayana, Mahayana, or Theravaden tradition. Here you will find the words of a master, whose words will engage you and urge you to change your life. Those who find this book and begin its practices are indeed fortunate.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved in making this book availible to the public.

In Natural Liberation, Padmasambhava (the great Tantric Buddhist master) gives very clear instructions on how one can find englightenment in at any time (and I mean at any time at all), and Gyatrul Rinpoche explains these instructiosn in detail and in a context appropriate for a contemporary English reader. The result: a very potent 300 pages, friends. If you approach this text motivated to learn and put what you learn into practice for the good of all that is... well, that's the attitude Gyatrul Rinpoche asks of you, so you are on the right track.

Natural Liberation is appropriate for those committed to the Buddhist path, and is quite rigorous without being particularly difficult stylistically or intellectually. Here is a representative selection of Gyatrul Rinpoche's commentary: "Here's the critical point: experientially inquire into these issues until you come to complete certainty. Even if youpractice this meditation a little bit, if you do not gain certain knowledge, you will never gain competence in this training" (p 118). If one is interested in an in depth examination of the inquiry process, one might consider a close study of Tarthang Tulku's brainchild: Time, Space, and Knowledge.

Thank you to Padmakara, Karma Lingpa, Gyatrul Rinpoche, and Alan Wallace for giving us this treasure!

This book is a good follow-up to Gyatrul Rinpoche's commentary on portions of Karma Chagme's 17th century text, "The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen." The 2 volumes are entitled: "Naked Awareness" and "A Spacious Path to Freedom." All 3 are translated by B. Alan Wallace and, I believe that, the introductions make the connection between the two original texts. "Natural Liberation" and is attributed to the earlier master Padmasambhava. However, even the 3 together are not a complete exposition of the Union. Chokyi Rinpoche also wrote a small commentary on Karma Chagme's text entitled: "The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen." All 4 of these books are well worth reading. They are among the clearest and pithiest of currently available English translations of Mahamudra and Dzogchen texts and help one to not only understand their relationships, but more importantly to understand the underlying truths within them. They also provide considerable practical guidance for the practitioner. Mahamudra is contended to be the highest teaching within the Kagyu tradition (among the 4 Tibetan Buddhist traditions). Dzogchen is similarly regarded for the Nyingma tradition. Thus, such original works can be said to address the very highest Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhist) teachings. It is obvious (even in translation) that both Karma Chagme and (the much celebrated and revered) Padmasambhava were great, enlightened masters. This volume contains a wealth of valuable material and is highly recommended.

Comprehensive- well translated- and with extensive commentary, both erudite and pratical,by Lama Gyaltrul, on this famous Masterpiece of Tibetan meditation technology,a hertofor untranslated section from a large set of cannonical works known collectivly as Karma Lingpas "Shi- Tro Bardo Rangdrol,{from which the well known Tibetan Book of the dead is also derived}A jewel of a Dharma book-brings one of the best Lamas and most highly qualified translators of 20th century(Gyaltrul and Wallace) togather with one of the finest works previous generations of Tibetan scholars and meditators so as to make this book a completly traditional,while at the same time up to date modern classic a welcome addition to any library,Buddhist or other.

I've only gotten through 30 pages so far and I have to say the translator has really gone out of his way to do the translation with adding a dash of his own feelings and thoughts. First he puts out a message discouraging a certain type of person from reading the book, then he adds his opinions on abortion and current modern day ethical issues, and he adds his opinions on other current day morality issues.

This is probably my 7th book on Tibetan Buddhism and the books I have read have been amazing at explaining the bardos, death, meditation, rigpa, karma, etc. They strive hard to bring the pure translation of these writings to a Western audience. I can say that I feel that those other books I have read have resonated deep within myself as ringing true. Kind of like when you read the Bible, you feel a blessing and purifying of the mind. This book however I can honestly say I have a nagging feeling, I feel like its "impure" or even a bit "polluted" by having the translator intermingle his thoughts, feelings, and personal beliefs/morality into the writing.

I will keep reading the book, but so far I am disappointed.

Have just began to study these extraordinary teachings. Vow they will continue to be of benefit for All beings. Carinho, pema rinchen, josé.