The Treasure tradition of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism is richly permeated with wonder and controversy. This unique and mysterious tradition embraces revelation as the primary path to spiritual awakening. Over the course of Tibetan history, revelations known as Treasures have been discovered, hidden in nature, or have emerged directly from the great minds of the Nyingma School, creating a profound and lasting effect on Tibetan religious society and culture. This book discusses central themes in the history and practice of Treasure revelation and presents translations of seminal texts of the tradition. It includes a discussion by the renowned master Ju Mipham (1846–1912) of the criteria by which to evaluate the authenticity of those who claim to have discovered such Buddhist scriptures. In addition, it introduces (for the first time in the West) the tradition and revelations of a major Treasure revealer of the nineteenth century.
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"Andreas Doctor's Tibetan Treasure Literature is a treasure trove of fresh insights into the fascinating forces at work in the continuing development of Tibetan Buddhism. By giving extensive new access to centuries of Tibet's remarkable visionary literature, he uncovers a multitude of Tibetan strategies to establish religious authenticity and unity amidst tremendous historico-cultural change and multiplicity. Fresh perspectives emerge on the crucial role of religious communities in the construction and authentication of revelation. This book is a must for those interested not only in Buddhism's past but also in its present and future ways of negotiating these fundamental issues." —John Makransky, professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology, Boston College
"This innovative book is a valuable, well-argued, and insightful contribution. . . . It lays bare the narrative and argumentative strategies behind the treasure polemics and broadens our knowledge of the fascinating literature not only by summarizing the results of the latest research but also by providing us with new significant materials." —Per K. Sorensen, professor, Institute for Indology and Central Asian Studies, University of Leipzig
"The continuing Tibetan tradition of terma hidden treasures is an important case for study. This book informs us about significant questions asked within the terma tradition including the all-important one, how are we to know if a revealed book contains authentic Buddha Word?" —Dan Martin, author of Unearthing Bon Treasures
"A compelling resource . . . perhaps the finest introduction to the Tibetan treasure tradition to date, well suited for the undergraduate classroom." —Alexander Gardner, Inner Asia
"This book offers a most lucid exposition." —Georg Feuerstein, PhD, author of Yoga Morality: Ancient Teachings at a Time of Global Crisis, The Deeper Dimension of Yoga, Holy Madness: Spirituality, Crazy-Wise Teachers, and Enlightenment, and Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga
"This innovative book is a valuable, well-argued, and insightful contribution. . . . It lays bare the narrative and argumentative strategies behind the treasure polemics and broadens our knowledge of the fascinating literature not only by summarizing the results of the latest research but also by providing us with new significant materials." —Per K. Sorensen, professor, Institute for Indology and Central Asian Studies, University of Leipzig
"The continuing Tibetan tradition of terma hidden treasures is an important case for study. This book informs us about significant questions asked within the terma tradition including the all-important one, how are we to know if a revealed book contains authentic Buddha Word?" —Dan Martin, author of Unearthing Bon Treasures
"A compelling resource . . . perhaps the finest introduction to the Tibetan treasure tradition to date, well suited for the undergraduate classroom." —Alexander Gardner, Inner Asia
"This book offers a most lucid exposition." —Georg Feuerstein, PhD, author of Yoga Morality: Ancient Teachings at a Time of Global Crisis, The Deeper Dimension of Yoga, Holy Madness: Spirituality, Crazy-Wise Teachers, and Enlightenment, and Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga
About the Author
Andreas Doctor holds a PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of Calgary. He lives in Nepal, where he is Director of Studies at Kathmandu University's Centre for Buddhist Studies.
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The Terma Tradition
May 8 2010
By applewood
- Published on Amazon.com
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This is a very accessible modern study of the Tibetan Terma ("hidden treasure") tradition, with special emphasis placed on the discoveries of Chokgyur Lingpa (1829-1870). Andreas Doctor gives a very readable, well informed and intelligent survey of the Nyingma tradition of hidden treasures, addressing some of the Sarma (new school) criticisms and Nyingma (old school) responses. I found it better (more complete and balanced) than similar available material (including the traditional and authoritative; Dudjom Rinpoche's The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism and Tulku Thondup's Hidden Teachings Of Tibet, or the more contemporary presentations such as found in Keith Dowman's introduction to Sky Dancer - life and songs of Yeshe Tsogyal).
The first part (40 pages) of discussions on, "What is a treasure?" and "Are the treasures authentic?", are especially good (and not insulting to either the traditional Tibetan visionary view, nor the skeptical Tibetan response or modern/Western approach), as is the second (25 page) chronology of Chokgyur Lingpa's life and discoveries (an amazing peek into the arcane visionary world of Tibetan Buddhism). The third part (60 or so page) translation of the actual terma (Vajrakilaya practice and instruction) while being an example of an authentic Earth Treasure and presenting rich details of tantric practice is probable of most interest to serious scholars and lineage holders.
The text is actually quite a bit shorter than the 245pg book length would indicate as several sections include both the original Tibetan and English translation side by side (Ju Mipham's investigation of treasure revealers, and Chokgyur Lingpa's revealed sadhana and instruction manual on Vajrakilya practice), plus the inclusion of some 70 pages of technical (academic) appendices, extensive footnotes, thorough bibliography and index. But this brevity is not a bad thing, as it presents the subject clearly and evenly, without obscuring it in too many details.
The first part (40 pages) of discussions on, "What is a treasure?" and "Are the treasures authentic?", are especially good (and not insulting to either the traditional Tibetan visionary view, nor the skeptical Tibetan response or modern/Western approach), as is the second (25 page) chronology of Chokgyur Lingpa's life and discoveries (an amazing peek into the arcane visionary world of Tibetan Buddhism). The third part (60 or so page) translation of the actual terma (Vajrakilaya practice and instruction) while being an example of an authentic Earth Treasure and presenting rich details of tantric practice is probable of most interest to serious scholars and lineage holders.
The text is actually quite a bit shorter than the 245pg book length would indicate as several sections include both the original Tibetan and English translation side by side (Ju Mipham's investigation of treasure revealers, and Chokgyur Lingpa's revealed sadhana and instruction manual on Vajrakilya practice), plus the inclusion of some 70 pages of technical (academic) appendices, extensive footnotes, thorough bibliography and index. But this brevity is not a bad thing, as it presents the subject clearly and evenly, without obscuring it in too many details.
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