One of the greatest contributors to Buddhism was the first Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, who in the nineteenth century, along with Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa, were the heart of a Buddhist renaissance that revived the dying lineages of Buddhism. Jamgon Kongtrul gathered together all these lineage transmissions and teachings into what is known as The Five Treasures of Jamgon Kongtrul: 1. The Treasury of Hidden Treasure Teachings (Rinchen Terzod), a collection of all the termas; 2. The Treasury of Kagyu Mantra Teachings (Kagyu Ngakzod), a collection of all the tantras, practices and empowerments of the Kagyu lineage; 3. The Treasury of Spiritual Instructions (Dam Ngakzod), a collection of all the essential teachings, practices, tantras and sacred instructions of the eight lineages of Vajrayana Buddhism; 4. The Treasury of Vast Teachings (Gyachen Kardzo), the collected writings of Jamgon Kongtrul; 5. The Treasury of All-Encompassing Knowledge (Sheja Kunkhyap Dzo), a collection of his writings on the ten traditional fields of knowledge. Commencing in August 2006 at Palpung Sherabling, the seat in exile of Kenting Tai Situpa. Situ Rinpoche began the transmission and empowerment of these five treasures. The principal recipient was the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul, who received these along with many Rinpoches, ordained sangha and thousands of devotees from around the world. Contained in this five volume set are the oral instructions and teachings given by the Vajradhara, Kenting Tai Situpa, during these transmissions.

Nectar of Dharma: The Sacred Advice, Volume One

Tai Situ Rinpoche

Zhysil Chokyi Ghatsal

The Shangpa Kagyu lineage is generally little known. It is often considered to be a secondary line of the Karma Kagyu lineage (the celebrated lineage of Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa, and the Karmapas), but in fact these two lineages were born at about the same period in India, around the 10th century. The Karma Kagyu lineage begins with Tilopa and Naropa. The Shangpa Kagyu lineage begins with the latter's sister, the dakini Niguma, and the dakini Sukhasiddhi. From that time onwards each of the two lineages had its own development, even if they remained close to each other within Tibetan history. Throughout its history, the Shangpa lineage has never converted itself into an institution or school. It is above all a lineage of practice and has never been concerned with power or wealth. Most of its holders were great yogis living in hermitages all of whom had attained great spiritual enlightenment. It had very few monasteries, was without hierarchy, and remained a "secret" lineage transmitted from master to disciple. In each generation, several branches appeared; some of them passed away, others endured. Moreover, it was often held by masters of other lineages and schools. In the 19th century, when it was almost extinguished, the great masters Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo gathered together the transmissions of the different branches and gave renewed energy to the lineage. They along with Pema Nyingche Wangpo (the ninth Kenting Tai Situpa) put great effort into preserving and upholding the Shangpa lineage. The lineage was revived in Palpung Monastery in Tibet where the Shangpa Kagyu retreat Nigu Choe Drug (Six Yogas of Niguma) was established, and still today functions as a Shangpa Kagyu retreat. Then of course the previous Kalu Rinpoche went all over the world and established many retreat centres of both the Marpa Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages.

Shangpa Kagyu Teachings

There is a formal, precise sequence of contemplations and practices within all of the four major lineages of Vajrayana Buddhism, usually referred to as the graduated path. Although it has different names in each lineage - Lam rim, Path and Fruition, Words of my Perfect Teacher , and The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, this path incorporates the same sequence. All the paths begin with the contemplation on the four thoughts that turn the mind, then bodhichitta, then the meditation on the yidam deity, then a meditation on devotion to the guru, then the ultimate truth, Mahamudra, and finally the dedication. These five elements constitute the Five-fold Path of Mahamudra by Lord Jigten Sumgon, which is the root text for this extensive commentary by His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche. This is an eloquent, clear and systematic explanation of the path, covering not only the essentials, but also providing wide ranging and contemporary examples and exposition. For example, karma, the kayas, the six perfections, sleep yoga, the bardo and the benefits of yidam practice are some of the topics beautifully and clearly explained. There is also a comprehensive commentary on the Ganges Mahamudra, which is the advice given to Naropa by the MahasiddhaTilopa. The book also benefits from the friendly and accessible vocabulary of Ina Bieler, the translator, and thus provides a valuable and authentic resource for both the beginning and the more mature student of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Mahamudra: EMAHO - How Amazing

His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche

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Books by Zhysil Chokyi Ghatsal

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Zhysil Chokyi Ghatsal publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Nectar of Dharma: The Sacred Advice, Volume One

Shangpa Kagyu Teachings

Mahamudra: EMAHO - How Amazing