Treasury of Knowledge Book 8, Part 4: Esoteric Instructions, a detailed presentation of the process of meditation in Vajrayana

One of the only non-Gelug presentations of the tenet systems, Frameworks of Buddhist Philosophy is Kongtrul's masterful survey of broad themes and subtle philosophical points found in more than fifteen hundred years of Buddhist philosophical writings. In a clear and systematic manner, he sets out the traditional framework of Buddhism's three schools and four philosophical systems and provides an overview of the key points of each philosophical system. His approach is also syncretic in that it emphasizes the strengths of each philosophical system and incorporates them into a broad picture of philosophical endeavor. Both of these approaches are valuable for practitioners as an introduction and for scholars as a reference work.

Jamgön Kongtrul's Treasury of Knowledge in ten volumes is a unique encyclopedic masterpiece embodying the entire range of Buddhist teachings as they were presented in Tibet. Tibetan Buddhist teachers expected their students to study Buddhist philosophical texts as well as practicing reflection and meditation; present-day students have also realized that awakening has its source in study as well as in reflection and practice.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé (1813-1899), a pivotal figure in eastern Tibet's nonsectarian movement, was one of the most outstanding writers and teachers of his time. In his monumental Treasury of Knowledge he presents a complete account of the major lines of thought and practice that comprise Tibetan Buddhism.

Elizabeth M. Callahan has been practicing and studying Buddhism for over twenty-five years. She completed three-year retreat under the direction of Kalu Rinpoche, and has been a student of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche since 1985. She is currently working on long-term translation projects under the guidance of Khenpo Tsultrim and as a fellow of the Tsadra Foundation.

PRAISE
"This translation closes a longstanding gap, providing both Western scholars and practitioners with a sound foundation of the various Buddhist schools and their tenets as they are taught in the Kagyu school. In particular, the text furthers our understanding of Jamgon Kongtrul's presentation of the shentong view and its sources, supplemented by many helpful annotations. The introduction gives an excellent overview over the development of doxographical literature in both India and Tibet as well as Kongtrul's entire Treasury of Knowledge."
—Karl Brunnholzl, author of Straight from the Heart

"Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche gave extensive instructions to his students about this part of the Treasury of Knowledge so that by learning the stages of Buddhist philosophy, we could gain certainty in and also come to experience that which transcends philosophy—the true nature of mind. That this book is now available in English for all students to make use of in this way is wonderful."
—Ari Goldfield, translator of The Moon of Wisdom

"Meticulously researched and carefully worded, Elizabeth Callahan's translation of this key section from Jamgon Kongtrul's Treasury of Knowledge provides readable access to a terse and knotty exposition of a complex area of inquiry and study, for which we as her beneficiaries owe a considerable debt of gratitude."
—Jules Levinson, PhD, Light of Berotsana Translation Group