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Source Literature

Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:26 pm
by Vidyaraja
Hello, I was wondering if anyone could point me to a list or give me some suggestions of some good literature of Tibetan Buddhism from prior to the 20th century, preferably medieval works. I asked a similar question before regarding literature on Dzogchen actually, but now I am looking more broadly in scope. To give a good example of what I am talking about, it could be actual scriptural sources, commentaries on scripture, or works by Tibetan masters, such as Longchenpa or Dolpopa for example. Anything you can suggest (in English of course) would be greatly appreciated as I need to expand my knowledge on Tibetan Buddhism and am looking for some new reading material. While I have nothing against modern literature or masters, I can always find sources on such material, whereas hearing recommendations about older literature isn't as easy to come by.

Thanks!

Re: Source Literature

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 1:44 am
by dakini_boi
Words of My Perfect Teacher by Paltrul Rinpoche (19th C.) is a classic and pretty entertaining too.

Re: Source Literature

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 5:37 am
by heart
Vidyaraja wrote:Hello, I was wondering if anyone could point me to a list or give me some suggestions of some good literature of Tibetan Buddhism from prior to the 20th century, preferably medieval works. I asked a similar question before regarding literature on Dzogchen actually, but now I am looking more broadly in scope. To give a good example of what I am talking about, it could be actual scriptural sources, commentaries on scripture, or works by Tibetan masters, such as Longchenpa or Dolpopa for example. Anything you can suggest (in English of course) would be greatly appreciated as I need to expand my knowledge on Tibetan Buddhism and am looking for some new reading material. While I have nothing against modern literature or masters, I can always find sources on such material, whereas hearing recommendations about older literature isn't as easy to come by.

Thanks!
Tulku Thondrups "Dzogchen practice" is both practice texts and philosophical texts by Longchenpa, and Rickard Barron's translations of Longchenpas's seven treasuries should keep you busy for a while. Milarepa's songs also comes highly recommended.

/magnus

Re: Source Literature

Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 4:43 pm
by conebeckham
I strongly recommend the translations of Jamgon Kongtrul's "Encyclodpedia of Knowledge," which is huge in scope and pretty nonsectarian in outlook.

I can't even recall how many volumes there are, but here are a few off the top of my head:
"Myriad Worlds"
"Buddhist Ethics"
"Systems of Buddhist Tantra"
"Esoteric Instructions"

There are many more.....I think the whole project is now complete.