An Ocean of the Ultimate Meaning: Teachings on Mahamudra [Paperback]

Khenchen Thrangu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2004

In this new book, Khenchen Thrangu provides an exhaustive commentary on the longest and most comprehensive of the three classic treatises on Mahamudra composed by the sixteenth-century scholar Wangchuk Dorje, the Ninth Karmapa. Khenchen Thrangu's teachings encompass the entire path of Mahamudra, including the preliminaries, the main practice, removing obstacles, and attaining the result of buddhahood—with detailed instruction in tranquility and insight meditation. This is the only available volume that presents Khenchen Thrangu's detailed commentary on this entire text.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A practical handbook for advanced meditators that discusses the subtleties of shamatha and vipashyana meditation, particularly their stages and the methods for working with obstacles."— Buddhadharma

From the Inside Flap

In this new book, Khenchen Thrangu provides an exhaustive commentary on the longest and most comprehensive of the three classic treatises on Mahamudra composed by the sixteenth-century scholar Wangchuk Dorje, the Ninth Karmapa. Khenchen Thrangu?s teachings encompass the entire path of Mahamudra, including the preliminaries, the main practice, removing obstacles, and attaining the result of buddhahood?with detailed instruction in tranquility and insight meditation. This is the only available volume that presents Khenchen Thrangu?s detailed commentary on this entire text.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (February 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590300556
• ISBN-13: 978-1590300558
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,336,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Commentary on 9th Karmapa's longest Mahamudra Classic, December 14, 2004

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Ocean of the Ultimate Meaning: Teachings on Mahamudra (Paperback)

This is another commentary on the 16th century text by the 9th Karmapa (head of the Karma Kagyu lineage). The original is one of 3 written by the Wangchuk Dorje (9th Karmapa). The other two are "Pointing out the Dharmakaya" (also available in commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche) and "Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance" (a translation by Alex Berzin with commentary by Beru Khyentze Rinpoche is also available). Interestingly, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche previously published a commentary on the very same original text under the title: "The Ninth Karmapa's Ocean of Definitive Meaning." It is also a high quality textbook on Mahamudra, but I no longer own it (gave it away to someone) so I can't do a point-by-point comparison. This version is said to follow the original's ordering and to be a complete commentary. It is fairly detailed but is written in an easy to read flowing style. I would guess the translation to be more aimed at the essence rather than to be literal. Of course, with the original written in the 16th century it is based upon standard, medieval Tibetan cosmology, medicine, metaphysics, mythology, etc. It also covers the basic territory of several other Mahamudra books presently available in English. I don't see much new here though it is well organized and well written. As Thrangu Rinpoche writes, there are 3 types of practitioners--the one who gets it immediately, the one who kind of jumps around, and the gradual, methodic one. This book is directly stated to address the last type though it is very useful to the middle type as well. I find it useful to read many different texts on the same deep subject--I get variety while the knowledge seeps in. Also, sometimes different hints on how to practice better. As a scientist (despite the medieval assumptions which are only of historical interest to me), I find the experiential focus of Mahamudra to be highly beneficial and appropriate. They appreciate the theory, but the real thrust is in the practice and what you get from the experience. I'll second that.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Insightful Read, April 27, 2008

By 

Jae (SG) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Ocean of the Ultimate Meaning: Teachings on Mahamudra (Paperback)

This can be just another book on Mahamudra for a good intellectual read. Combined with actual practice and understanding, this is a very insightful book that will invoke deeper understanding of the nature of your own mind.

The content on Shamatha meditation provides very good foundational guidance on meditation techniques that seemed to be similar to other traditions. The Vipashyana topics are the ones, where I feel, that jumps into the specifics on analyzing and understanding the nature of your mind, specifically in the Mahamudra context. I personally gained much benefits from the Vipashyana content.

Depending on the preliminary readiness of the reader, a varying degree of benefit will be reaped from reading this book. I personally gained tremendous insight from this book and it also clarified some of my doubts I had before. Again, no two readers will have exactly the same experience on reading this book. But I'm sure with time and practice, there will be deeper experience every time you return to this book.