Sacred Ground: Jamgon Kongtrul on pilgrimage and sacred geography
Sacred Ground: Jamgon Kongtrul on pilgrimage and sacred geography
$32.95
In stock, will ship in 2 – 3 business days
ISBN / SKU
9781559391641
Format
Hardback
Pages
260
Dimensions
225 x 150
Category/ies
Description
Sacred Ground describes two journeys: a journey outward to specific pilgrimage places in Eastern Tibet; and a journey inward, to the sacred world of tantra, accessible through contemplation and meditation. It sheds light on Himalayan Buddhists' concepts of sacred land, places of pilgrimage in tantric Buddhism, and how pilgrimage is undertaken. It enhances our appreciation of the world and its sacred aspect everywhere first and foremost, wherever we sit now. On the basis of a judicious choice of rare Tibetan texts, translated here for the first time, correlating inner and outer pilgrimage, this book is of considerable value to the Buddhist practitioner.
The Tsadra Foundation takes its inspiration from the 19th Century non-sectarian Tibetan scholar and meditation master, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye, and is named after his hermitage in Eastern Tibet, Tsadra Rinchen Drak. The Foundation's programs reflect his values of excellence in both scholarship and contemplative practice, and a recognition of their mutual complementarity. Sacred Ground is part of The Tsadra Foundation Series published by Snow Lion Publications.
PRAISE
"Sacred Ground is a revelation! Here for the first time in any Western language are several key ideas: the exact way outer sacred lands relate to points in the tantric body and the parallel terminology between the types of sacred ground and the stages of attainment. Ngawang is precise and to the point."
—Hubert Decleer, Director of the Tibetan Studies Program of the School for International Training, and author of Lightning Terror
"In his continuing investigation of the mind and world of one of the most significant figures in the development of Tibetan Buddhism, Ngawang Zangpo has again given us a well-researched and richly informative setting to another jewel from Jamgon Kongtrul's writings. Anyone who is a pilgrim, in any sense of the term, will find this book fascinating."
—Richard Barron (Chokyi Nyima), translator of Buddhahood without Meditation
"Ngawang Zangpo has done a remarkable job translating and commenting upon the profound and pertinent subject of sacred ground. The reader can gain a welcome appreciation for the various levels of comprehension that accompany this important subject. For many devoted Buddhists, reading this book will be like making a pilgrimage to Do-Kham and most especially to the sacred land of Tsadra. In addition, this book gives us a basis for further understanding many of the passages and references found in our tantric sadhanas. It is a pleasure to be led through this journey by the mind of a sublime master the likes of Jamgon Kongtrul with the additional authoritative clarity of Ngawang's lively commentary full of present day idioms and anecdotes. Sacred Ground is like a rich mineral spring bubbling over with important information that will help buddhists better appreciate the tremendous talent and profound spiritual realization of these great lineage holders and their lineages which through their kindness have passed into our hands."
—Sangye Khandro, trans. Of Perfect Conduct and The Life of Mandarava
"Ngawang Zangpo is a delightful writer and his presentation of salient aspects of both inner and outer journeys are practical, yet deeply inspiring."
—Branches of Light
"This book is so much more than a travelogue or pilgrimage guide. For, the author well understands that pilgrimage is really an "inner journey"—and that the outer journey is just the reflection. We all have sacred ground within us. Our body itself is sacred. When we journey deep into the body, we are making a spiritual pilgrimage. Most importantly, this book seems to connect the reader to powerful spiritual forces. I had many seemingly unrelated insights as I read this. Also many dreams and visions of the Dalai Lama. This book is a way of tuning in to something very deep and high."
—Diamond Fire
"To experienced practitioners, the Tsadra Foundation Series is more precious than gold dust."
—Tricycle Magazine
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye (1813-99) was one of the most outstanding Tibetan writers and teachers of his time.
Ngawang Zangpo (Hugh Leslie Thompson) completed two three-year retreats under the direction of the late Kalu Rinpoche. He is presently working on a number of translation projects under the direction of Chadral Rinpoche and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche. His previous works include Jamgon Kongtrul's Retreat Manual and Enthronement: Recognition of the Reincarnate Masters of Tibet and The Himalaya's. He also contributed to the work of Kalu Rinpoche's translation group's books Myriad Worlds and Buddhist Ethics.
The Tsadra Foundation takes its inspiration from the 19th Century non-sectarian Tibetan scholar and meditation master, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye, and is named after his hermitage in Eastern Tibet, Tsadra Rinchen Drak. The Foundation's programs reflect his values of excellence in both scholarship and contemplative practice, and a recognition of their mutual complementarity. Sacred Ground is part of The Tsadra Foundation Series published by Snow Lion Publications.
PRAISE
"Sacred Ground is a revelation! Here for the first time in any Western language are several key ideas: the exact way outer sacred lands relate to points in the tantric body and the parallel terminology between the types of sacred ground and the stages of attainment. Ngawang is precise and to the point."
—Hubert Decleer, Director of the Tibetan Studies Program of the School for International Training, and author of Lightning Terror
"In his continuing investigation of the mind and world of one of the most significant figures in the development of Tibetan Buddhism, Ngawang Zangpo has again given us a well-researched and richly informative setting to another jewel from Jamgon Kongtrul's writings. Anyone who is a pilgrim, in any sense of the term, will find this book fascinating."
—Richard Barron (Chokyi Nyima), translator of Buddhahood without Meditation
"Ngawang Zangpo has done a remarkable job translating and commenting upon the profound and pertinent subject of sacred ground. The reader can gain a welcome appreciation for the various levels of comprehension that accompany this important subject. For many devoted Buddhists, reading this book will be like making a pilgrimage to Do-Kham and most especially to the sacred land of Tsadra. In addition, this book gives us a basis for further understanding many of the passages and references found in our tantric sadhanas. It is a pleasure to be led through this journey by the mind of a sublime master the likes of Jamgon Kongtrul with the additional authoritative clarity of Ngawang's lively commentary full of present day idioms and anecdotes. Sacred Ground is like a rich mineral spring bubbling over with important information that will help buddhists better appreciate the tremendous talent and profound spiritual realization of these great lineage holders and their lineages which through their kindness have passed into our hands."
—Sangye Khandro, trans. Of Perfect Conduct and The Life of Mandarava
"Ngawang Zangpo is a delightful writer and his presentation of salient aspects of both inner and outer journeys are practical, yet deeply inspiring."
—Branches of Light
"This book is so much more than a travelogue or pilgrimage guide. For, the author well understands that pilgrimage is really an "inner journey"—and that the outer journey is just the reflection. We all have sacred ground within us. Our body itself is sacred. When we journey deep into the body, we are making a spiritual pilgrimage. Most importantly, this book seems to connect the reader to powerful spiritual forces. I had many seemingly unrelated insights as I read this. Also many dreams and visions of the Dalai Lama. This book is a way of tuning in to something very deep and high."
—Diamond Fire
"To experienced practitioners, the Tsadra Foundation Series is more precious than gold dust."
—Tricycle Magazine
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye (1813-99) was one of the most outstanding Tibetan writers and teachers of his time.
Ngawang Zangpo (Hugh Leslie Thompson) completed two three-year retreats under the direction of the late Kalu Rinpoche. He is presently working on a number of translation projects under the direction of Chadral Rinpoche and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche. His previous works include Jamgon Kongtrul's Retreat Manual and Enthronement: Recognition of the Reincarnate Masters of Tibet and The Himalaya's. He also contributed to the work of Kalu Rinpoche's translation group's books Myriad Worlds and Buddhist Ethics.
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