Perfect Conduct: Ascertaining the Three Vows [Paperback]

Dudjom Rinpoche (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999

Perfect Conduct is a translation of an ancient exposition of the three levels of moral codes in Tibetan Buddhism: the vows of individual liberation; the vows of the bodhisattva, who selflessly strives for the enlightenment of all beings; and the vows of tantra, the esoteric practice of Mahayana practice. Here, for the first time, a comprehensive explanation of these vows is presented with teachings on how to practice them in everyday life. From the author of The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism and supreme head of the Nyingma tradition until his death in 1987.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Tibetan

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861710835
• ISBN-13: 978-0861710836
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #891,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars essential, January 20, 2001

By 

taylor caron - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perfect Conduct: Ascertaining the Three Vows (Paperback)

I'm not of a caliber to review a book like this, but suffice to say it is a complete exposition of the three levels of vows as understood within the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. The author of the "root text," Ngari Panchen (1487 - 1542), was a famous scholar, and his text is used widely to teach both the vows themselves and how to maintain them. The lengthy commentary, by Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, Dudjom Rinpoche, adds much to the very concise style of the main text. Dudjom Rinpoche's qualifications for this are beyond challenge. If you are interested in the nature of the three vows, and how to maintain and restore them within Nyingma, there is no other book. However, as far as Tibetan Buddhism as a whole is concered, there is another book on the same subject, but from a master of the Kagyud school, translated as "Buddhist Ethics," which is equally profound and informative. The translations of both of these books are top-notch. Both teams referred and deferred to lama-consultants within the lineage. This sort of book is especially important these days, when so many people are diving into traditional practice without perhaps all of the traditional education (for lack of resources or whatever.) Even for this reason alone, I highly recommend carefully perusing both of these texts.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, December 13, 2009

By 

Ngawang (Kathmandu, Nepal) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Perfect Conduct: Ascertaining the Three Vows (Paperback)

This is an excellent book covering the whole spectrum of vows and samayas and it is a must read for any serious Tibetan Buddhist practitioner. It is very hard to find in one place the inner tantra samayas (like the series of 25 & 27 vows, etc.) and they are all here, masterfully and concisely explained by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche. Buy it.