Wearing the Body of Visions [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Ngakpa Chogyam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1995

Ngakpa Chogyam Rinpoche describes the path of Inner Tantra in fresh, creative, contemporary language. We are offered a direct revelation of visionary transformation from the radical perspective of Dzogchen, in which the practice of envisionment is illuminated. The three spheres of being are brought to life as the dance of spacious passion and passionate space, as he exposes the heart-essence of the most dramatic paradigm: the vajra relationship with the Lama; the iridescent nature of transmission and the non-dual fire of empowerment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ngakpa Chogyam Rinpoche (Ngak'chang Rinpoche) is a Lama of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born and educated in the West and currently lives in Wales. Ngak'chang Rinpoche is recognized as the incarnation of Aro Yeshe, the son of the early 20th century female gTerton, Khyungchen Aro Lingma. Ngak'chang Rinpoche, along with his wife and spiritual consort, Khandro Dechen teach Vajrayana to their many students throughout the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: Aro Books Inc.; 2nd edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965394816
• ISBN-13: 978-0965394819
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An illuminating explanation of the Mandala perspective, November 17, 2004

By 

Peacock Eye - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wearing the Body of Visions (Paperback)

If perhaps you find yourself being in the process of sorting out the true mandala of your (non)being, then this book may add to your understanding. Main elements of Tibetan Buddhist Tantrayana are discussed in a very illuminating, lively way.

"Tantra is limitless dance. The dance of our senses with their corresponding sense fields - divided yet undivided, separate yet non-dual. The play of emptiness and form is the fabric of experience - the life-blood of Tantra."

This "limitless dance" is further explained as a trinity of realms:
"Emptiness, the sphere of unconditioned potentiality;
Energy, the visionary sphere of intangible appearance;
Form, the sphere of realised manifestation."

"Emptiness and form, in their essential undivided nature as the dance of reality, comprise the primal source of vision. This primal source is a continual outpouring of avenues back into itself. Every pattern that springs spontaneously out of this space is communication - a self-existing method by which our intrinsic nature can be realized. Such a pattern allows us to realize the unbounded space of what we are (...) because the irridescent splendor of inner [and outer] vision completely overawes our habitual self-concepts."

"Now, what is meant by "kyil-khor" (mandala of primal irridescence)? There are two kyil-khors - that of inner space and that of external space. There is a continual exchange of energy between them. In the dualistic condition, they appear to be divided, and we seem somehow at odds with the phenomenal world.
The basis of all siddhis (enlightened qualities) is however the ability to allow the internal and external kyil-khors (mandalas) to be undivided."

"To arise as the Tantric deity (yidam), is to wear the body of visions [title of this book]. This is what is called, living the view. Living the view, or living sacred outlook, means that we experience the world around us as the realized dimension of the deity."

- I like this book, and propose it to the interested reader, if you feel affinity with the above quotations from the book. It has certainly provided me with some typical missing links regarding the true nature of the subjects discussed.
Another book by this author, "Spectrum of Ecstasy; Embracing the Five Wisdom Emotions of Vajrayana Buddhism" (ISBN 1590300610) may also interest you (though I would rate that one with 4 stars).

"In true love, two mandalas mirror each other."

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guide to Buddhist Tantra, April 18, 2009

By 

Aro Gar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wearing the Body of Visions (Paperback)

Wearing the Body of Visions is a unique overview of Tantric Buddhism. Ngak'chang Rinpoche abandons the didactic expository style of most books on Tantra. Instead, he adopts language that is poetic, electric, evocative, experiential, unconstrained and unconventional. This is the style of Tantra itself: Rinpoche writes Tantra rather than writing about Tantra.

The title of the book refers to one of its main topics - a central practise of Tantra. `Wearing the body of visions' is envisionment or self-arising, in which one experiences oneself as an enlightened being (yidam). This chapter of the book gives a better sense than anything else available in English of what it is like to practise envisionment. A related chapter discusses empowerment, a prerequisite for yidam practise.

The second major theme of the book is the nature of the relationship between a Lama and student. This will be of particular interest to those contemplating Aro apprenticeship. The degree of resonance experienced when reading this chapter provides a good indication of the likelihood of finding a permanent home in Aro. If you are excited by the prospect of the author personally enacting the rôle of Lama in your life, you may well have discovered the most important book you will ever read.

Wearing the Body of Visions also has chapters on the yanas, the kayas, and form, emptiness and non-duality.

Each chapter is supplemented with an extensive transcript of an oral question-and-answer session discussing its material with students. The book contains numerous depictions of yidams. These can deliver quite a jolt--they are at once shocking and beautiful--despite being line drawings. Finally it includes a valuable and informative glossary of the Tibetan and Sanskrit words used in the text.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly illuminates the path of yidam practice, December 24, 2010

By 

Seng-ge Dorje "ngakpasengge" (Brentwood, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wearing the Body of Visions (Paperback)

This book clearly illuminates upon the subject of yidam practice. It begins with the fundamentals and then moves on to the more complex aspects of the practice. This is one of the easiest to read books about the subject of development stage practice which is central to the Nyingma tradition. Anyone wanting to practice deity yoga would benefit greatly from this down to earth text on the subject. The author spends no time wasting the reader's time using language which is antiquated or grossly academic. This is a highly accessible text for the average reader.