Customer Reviews

The Treasury of Knowledge, Book 5: Book Five: Buddhist Ethics (v. 5)

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This book is an absolute must for serious Buddhist students. Jamgon Kongtrul's "Shes Terzod" (of which this is a translation in part) is a classic, and this is a surprisingly easy read. The translator is thorough and careful, and graciously provided the commentary he received in the annoted section. The notes could almost be published as a separate work.

Beginning students are confused by the differences between Tantric practice and the well-known monastic tradition of Buddhism. This book puts it all together and explains in detail how both are practiced simultaneously.

The bibliography to the book alone is a treasure map of resources for new students, and no one who has received any wang or any vow in Buddhism should be without such a careful explanation of the meaning of vows as this.

For very advanced students, Jamgon Kongtrul put no sect of Buddhism above another, and studied all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism thoroughly. Consequently this is an excellent guide for students of different schools to clearly understand philosophical commonalities & differences, breaking down biases and misunderstandings. This is especially valuable in his description of the differences between the Nyingma and Sarma, in his even-handed, thorough description of Highest Yoga Tantra, and Maha, Anu and Ati Yoga Tantra. A truly invaluable work.

This book is the most comprehensive account of how to live one's life in a Buddhist manner. END

This precious book is a complete summery of all modes of ethical conduct in the Buddhist system from lay vows, novice and full ordained monk vows, Bodhisattva vows up to Vajrayana vows as it has been transmitted in Indian-Tibetan Buddhism.

I have never seen or heard from a more detailed book in any Western language. If one is interested in this important and basic topic of Buddhism (the Vinaya or Ethics) one will find with this book a real and complete treasure.

If you are interested in Buddhist vows, this is an excellent book. Also see "Perfect Conduct."