Customer Reviews

Tantra in Tibet (Wisdom of Tibet Series)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are two reasons this didn't get four stars. First, with a primary text and two commentators there's a lot of repetition. Second, it's a little dry. The Dalai Lama has since become a much better writer. This book is not for beginners or people looking for the sensational. It is a serious discussion of tantra that demands concentration. Hopkin's supplements contain a nice summary of the doctrine of emptiness, as well as some very handy diagrams of the relationships among Buddhist schools on the issue and even a diagramatic outline of the primary source text. All of this is beneficial for a reader who already has some familiarity with the topic.

Serious, long-term practitioners of Vajrayana will welcome a book like this one that gets beyond the surface. If you think the Dalai Lama's writing is intense, you should attend his teachings in person some time. Trying to take notes on the Sanskrit and Tibetan terminology from verbal teachings makes you really appreciate having it summarized in published form. The Buddha's Second and Third Turnings of the Wheel of (Dharma) Teachings are more advanced than the First (Deer Park). One simply does not enter the Tantrayana without completing the First Two Turnings in preparation. This book addresses the advanced levels.

This entire series was translated by Jeffrey Hopkins many years ago with the help of his assistants. The content is very concise which requires the reader to have an understanding of terminology and an understanding of the Buddhist path according to Tibet. As the first reviewer mentioned, this book requires a lot of concentration, but the translation is more difficult than it needs to be and IS NOT transcendental in nature. The Dalai Lama's commentary is just as difficult as Tsongkapa's text, so I cannot say Tsongkapa is to blame for writing a concise text!

This translation reveals "The Great Exposition of Secret Mantra" by the great Tsongkapa, and includes a commentary by the current Dalai Lama. Dharma is discussed beginning with the Hinayana and ending with Highest Yoga Tantra. Comparisons are made between the different vehicles of Mahayana, the Mantra path and the Perfection path; and the many different schools of the Perfection path are discussed. The role of compassion is discussed and its role during realizations of the bodhisattva. If you are not particularly interested in the discussion of Deity Yoga and its superiority over the Perfection vehicle, you may not appreciate this book.

There are too many comparisons throughout the text to count. The text as well as its commentary are very profound and concise. If you are not a student of Tantra, you will be missing what the book really has to offer.