Life and Teaching of Naropa (Paperback)

by Herbert V. Guenther (Author)
Key Phrases: inner mystic heat, initiated potentialities, transcending awareness, The Theoretical Content of Náropa's Training, The Theoretical Content of Naropa's Training, Developing Stage (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In the history of Tibetan Buddhism, the eleventh-century Indian mystic Nâropa occupies an unusual position, for his life and teachings mark both the end of a long tradition and the beginning of a new and rich era in Buddhist thought. Nâropa's biography, translated by the world-renowned Buddhist scholar Herbert V. Guenther from hitherto unknown sources, describes with great psychological insight the spiritual development of this scholar-saint. It is unique in that it also contains a detailed analysis of his teaching that has been authoritative for the whole of Tantric Buddhism. This modern translation is accompanied by a commentary that relates Buddhist concepts to Western analytic philosophy, psychiatry, and depth psychology, thereby illuminating the significance of Tantra and Tantrism for our own time. Yet above all, it is the story of an individual whose years of endless toil and perseverance on the Buddhist path will serve as an inspiration to anyone who aspires to spiritual practice.

Language Notes
Text: English, Tibetan (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (April 4, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570621012
• ISBN-13: 978-1570621017
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #515,980 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An insightful book on the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. , November 23, 2005

By	Vinay Varma "VinVar" (India) - See all my reviews

This biography narrates the spiritual development of Naropa, the Indian Buddhist master from whom Mapra the Translator of Tibet, received instruction and started the Tibetan Kagyu lineage of Tantric Mahayana Buddhism.

It's not a biography in the traditional sense - it only provides sketchy details about Naropa's early life. But it delves into great detail on the teachings of Tilopa to Naropa during Naropa's 12 year apprenticeship with his guru, Tilopa.

Specifically, it covers the twelve major trails and twelve minor ones, each of which represents a turning point in Naropa's journey to spiritual perfection and also on the recommended path for any Buddhist.

This is however, not a book that you can soak up without reflection and any understanding at first reading will not capture everything in essence. The prose is difficult, abstruse and at places deeply symbolic.

Guenther's translation is primarily written for Western rather than Eastern readers and explains Tantric philosophy in western philosophical terminology to compare and contrast it with Western philosophy. This makes it eminently suitable for Western readers steeped in Western philosophy, although Geunther's use of terminology borrowed from twentieth century existentialism, pragmatism, phenomenology etc. to describe eleventh century Buddhist thought makes me distrust the translation to some extent.

As a reader from the East, I did not feel the directness with which an Easterner grasps Eastern philosophy while reading this translation. Eastern readers may also find it difficult to understand Guenther's references to Western philosophy and use of similar terminology.

Nevertheless, the effort is highly commendable because Guenther makes extensive commentary based on other sources to elucidate difficult passages and also to throw more light on the twelve trials and their significance. Guenther also takes special pains to explain the essence of the teachings, against possible misinterpretations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advanced English-language Mahamudra work, December 1, 2008

By	Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is an advanced philosophically-oriented book on Mahamudra (MM) & is, therefore, appropriate only for those who have already extensively studied it. The author elucidates many subtle & esoteric points of knowledge, making this a rare & valuable work. It is also unusual in that he correctly criticizes prior translations of Tibetan texts, esp. regarding Western interpretations, literal word-for-word mappings, & translators' lack of appropriate philosophical & experiential knowledge. Examples include: nothingness vs. emptiness, king vs. administrator, contemplation vs. prayer, channels & other completion stage terms which do not map directly to the physical body, & body/speech/mind. He says "Linguistic specialists very often produce translations which are philosophically irrelevant, if not wrong & misleading." & "The practice itself remains unintelligible & meaningless if its theoretical background is not grasped." This parallels his view of MM where, "Only when the individual frees himself from all bias & removes himself to a point whence he can apprehend reality as it is without internal warping." He also points out that "Tibetan calligraphies abound in orthographic mistakes. Moreover, the letters n & d are, even in print, easily mistaken for each other."

However, while this critique is necessary in order to comprehend his many deviations from standard (though IMHO nonsensical) terms, the bulk of the book is a translation of an old Buddhist "biography" (with embedded teachings) & a separate, structured (but not mapped to the text) commentary on Naropa's teachings including the six exercises & MM. The text is, of course, not Western literal/objective biography but rather a symbolic rendition mostly of Naropa's enlightenment under the guidance of his teacher Tilopa. This story is well known. What is not common, however, is Guenther's extraordinarily erudite, psychological & philosophical analysis--esp. explaining Tibetan symbolic teachings in Western parlance. Still, this teaching is extremely profound-not for the faint of heart. Guenther also pays proper attention to mysticism, both Eastern & Western. As he says, "To experience one's being-in-the world as a god or goddess in a mansion has the character of a magic spell. It is the magic that is important, not the spell or its content." Thus he elucidates & demystifies Tantric love, Being-in-itself vs. being-oneself, & gives the Karnatantravajrapada's pithy definition of MM: "acquisition of non-dual knowledge...bliss...authentic being, free in itself & being the shining lamp of coincidence." He also provides an extensive apologetic for both development & completion stages & the 4 initiations. Unfortunately, he equates Kagyu with Vajrayana, overlooks the mythological nature of Tantric models, & is too philosophical vs. scientific. But, this is one of few relatively advanced English language MM books vs.many introductory & some mid-level ones. It's a pleasure to slowly study & absorb the book--it's hardly a fast read. It's value far outweighs its few flaws. For a fine, less esoteric, but easier text: Mind at Ease: Self-Liberation through Mahamudra Meditation.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The task is too difficult. . . , June 30, 2008

By	Lynn Hoffman, author:The Short Course in Beer (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Ultimately, the task of expressing the way of Tibetan Mahayana in terms that are derived from Western Philosophy is one that's bound to lead to failure. In fact, a good book for the western reader would be one that approaches the nature of that failure and introduces language and 'concepts' to deal with a reality that is meta-linguistic and anti-conceptual.
From my limited understanding of the original material (I've only read in translation) it seems that Guenther has done a sensitive and sensible job. The text remains extremely difficult and the 'problems in translation' to which he alludes are barely dealt with.
However, this is a good start, a reading that may loosen a few cords and enable the student to get a bit closer.

Lynn Hoffman, author of bang BANG