the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
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the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
I posted similar question that what is your favourite dharma book, on the book review section but it is not active and been few days and nobody bothers to answer. my wish is to get a list of good, lucid, clarifying, enlightening, clear and helpful dharma books or texts youve read or studied.
my all time number one clear and helpful and CLEAR dharma text is by Lama Zopa Rinpoche - how to practice Dharma the teachings on the 8 worldly dharmas.
this book is amazing in its clarity and down to earth style of teaching that applies perfectly for the samsaric mind. teaching what is truly renunciation and that has been hard to figure out what true renunciation of mind is. basically its renouncing the eight worldly dharmas and this what Lama Zopa Rinpoche talks about. there are also great stories in this book. really really good book. i recommend.
i think this topic 8 worldly dharmas is a topic that most of the dharma practitioners dismiss or do not pay attention allthough the results can be achieved in other practices indirectly but if you want to get head on with the 8 worldly dharmas in your mind this is the book for it.
the book clearly defines what is Dharma practice and what is not.
please post on this thread books that youve found most helpful and your favourite books or texts and maybe tell a little bit.
i hope people due to this thread may find precious gems ( dharma books ) and find good texts and books to read and study.
thanks
my all time number one clear and helpful and CLEAR dharma text is by Lama Zopa Rinpoche - how to practice Dharma the teachings on the 8 worldly dharmas.
this book is amazing in its clarity and down to earth style of teaching that applies perfectly for the samsaric mind. teaching what is truly renunciation and that has been hard to figure out what true renunciation of mind is. basically its renouncing the eight worldly dharmas and this what Lama Zopa Rinpoche talks about. there are also great stories in this book. really really good book. i recommend.
i think this topic 8 worldly dharmas is a topic that most of the dharma practitioners dismiss or do not pay attention allthough the results can be achieved in other practices indirectly but if you want to get head on with the 8 worldly dharmas in your mind this is the book for it.
the book clearly defines what is Dharma practice and what is not.
please post on this thread books that youve found most helpful and your favourite books or texts and maybe tell a little bit.
i hope people due to this thread may find precious gems ( dharma books ) and find good texts and books to read and study.
thanks
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....
In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….
-Milarepa
OMMANIPADMEHUNG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....
In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….
-Milarepa
OMMANIPADMEHUNG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
The Crystal and The Way of Light, by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu.
- treehuggingoctopus
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 6:26 pm
- Location: EU
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
The Mirror, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. A complete contemplation manual in some sixty pages. As essential and as lucid as they can get.
Générosité de l’invisible.
Notre gratitude est infinie.
Le critère est l’hospitalité.
Edmond Jabès
Notre gratitude est infinie.
Le critère est l’hospitalité.
Edmond Jabès
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
Everyday Zen - Charlotte Joko Beck.
When walking, standing, sitting, lying down, speaking,
being silent, moving, being still.
At all times, in all places, without interruption - what is this?
One mind is infinite kalpas.
New Haven Zen Center
being silent, moving, being still.
At all times, in all places, without interruption - what is this?
One mind is infinite kalpas.
New Haven Zen Center
- bryandavis
- Posts: 375
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:47 pm
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism:
Turnip
Turnip
- dharmagoat
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- Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:39 pm
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Shunryu Suzuki
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
I"ll second Chogyal Namkhai Norbu's "The Crystal and the Way of Light."
Two others I really like are Kennard Lipman's "Secret Teachings of Padmasambhava: Essential Instructions on Mastering the Energies of Life" and Martin Boord's "A Bolt of Lightning from the Blue."
Two others I really like are Kennard Lipman's "Secret Teachings of Padmasambhava: Essential Instructions on Mastering the Energies of Life" and Martin Boord's "A Bolt of Lightning from the Blue."
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
"Mindfulness in Plain English" by Henepola Gunaratana. It saved my life.
Namu Amida Butsu
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
I think it depends on karma. Some teachings for you are clear, profound, life changing, boring, or even insulting. The same teachings can be seen in a completely different way by someone else. But for me it is The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech: A Detailed Commentary on Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva .
Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
-
- Posts: 1358
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:50 pm
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
i have that commentary of shantideva on my next books list to buy and i am adding the CNN books to it also ) thanks everyone so far.
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....
In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….
-Milarepa
OMMANIPADMEHUNG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....
In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….
-Milarepa
OMMANIPADMEHUNG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
Rinzai Roku.
Say what you think about me here.
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
One other book I should have mentioned is "Heart Drops of Dharmakaya" by Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen with commentary by Lopon Tenzin Namdak. This is the most concise and complete English language explanation of Dzogchen practices I know of. An absolute must-read for anyone interested in Dzogchen.
- bryandavis
- Posts: 375
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:47 pm
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
I will add one more as CUTTING THROUGH SPIRITUAL MATERIALISM was / is great for clarifying the reason and view of why / how to embark on the path.
Oh, and of course it is by Trungpa, not Turnip as I posted! haha.
As far as a book that clarified a lot of deeper insights or misunderstanding and led to a greater level of clarity in my practice life was being able to read:
DOLBOBA'S MOUNTAIN DOCTRINE translated by JEFFERY HOPKINS. But take in mind I practice mainly in the Kagyu system so it was helpful in regard to the views I was working with at the time.
Oh, and of course it is by Trungpa, not Turnip as I posted! haha.
As far as a book that clarified a lot of deeper insights or misunderstanding and led to a greater level of clarity in my practice life was being able to read:
DOLBOBA'S MOUNTAIN DOCTRINE translated by JEFFERY HOPKINS. But take in mind I practice mainly in the Kagyu system so it was helpful in regard to the views I was working with at the time.
-
- Posts: 1358
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:50 pm
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
hmm, could you tell me a bit more about this mountain doctrine book ? i see it deals with other emptiness and buddha matrix but could you give a little preview or introduce the book and its content.
thanks
thanks
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....
In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….
-Milarepa
OMMANIPADMEHUNG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....
In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….
-Milarepa
OMMANIPADMEHUNG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
- bryandavis
- Posts: 375
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:47 pm
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
Regarding the Mountain Doctrine text i would describe it as follows:
Dolboba is wrote his view / theory or what ever you want to call it on other emptiness. He goes about it in three ways ( or I am describing it that way to simplify what the huge volume of work is pointing at ).
1. It is broken down into three parts: ground, path, and fruit.
2. each of the three parts then shows the sutra/tantra connection in relation to ground,path,fruition.
3. each section is presented in the style of an opponents view and Dolbobas argument against it.
As well there is a lot of good information and reasoning from his side on the distinction of yogacara / cittamatra /and other emptiness.
Long quotes and passages from supporting sutras in regards to the above.
The tantric side of argument and reference relies mainly on the Stainless light commentary to the Kalachakra tantra.
Then there is a summary section condensing all the points made.
Dolboba is wrote his view / theory or what ever you want to call it on other emptiness. He goes about it in three ways ( or I am describing it that way to simplify what the huge volume of work is pointing at ).
1. It is broken down into three parts: ground, path, and fruit.
2. each of the three parts then shows the sutra/tantra connection in relation to ground,path,fruition.
3. each section is presented in the style of an opponents view and Dolbobas argument against it.
As well there is a lot of good information and reasoning from his side on the distinction of yogacara / cittamatra /and other emptiness.
Long quotes and passages from supporting sutras in regards to the above.
The tantric side of argument and reference relies mainly on the Stainless light commentary to the Kalachakra tantra.
Then there is a summary section condensing all the points made.
- Dorje Shedrub
- Posts: 438
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- Location: Indiana, USA
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
Zurchungpa's Testament, HH Dilgo Khyentse
The Supreme Source (Kunjed Gyalpo tantra), ChNNR
The Supreme Source (Kunjed Gyalpo tantra), ChNNR
Homage to the Precious Dzogchen Master
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
How to Practice. HHDL.
Shaun
Shaun
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Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
This was actually written as a college textbook introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, but it was for Naropa Institute and by a longtime student of Trungpa R., Dr. Reginald Ray. He was also the head meditation instructor for Shambhala before he broke off on his own. So it is a good survey course type overview, but very well written, pleasant/easy to read, and by a practitioner that knows what he is talking about, not just some academic. It is directed towards Tibetan Dharma, but it includes history & core teachings from India. Volume 1 has 80 pages covering Abhidharma, Madhyamaka, and Buddha Nature ideas. I dont see any Trungpa spin in it at all. He gets it right.
Volume 1 "Indestructible Truth"
Volume 2 "Secret of the Vajra World"
Nothing so secret in the second text. It's just the one about Vajrayana, with 30 pages or more for Mahamudra and Dzogchen each.
These are the books I would liked to have read when I started out. An overview is helpful, it would have made my life sooo much easier. Walking into a HYT empowerment, a LamRim teaching, and then a Madhyamaka teaching can be very disorienting if you don't know how they all work together. Plus even today there are gaps in my knowledge. Dr. Ray gets the things I know a good deal about exactly right, so when he talks about the things I don't know anything about I have confidence he is getting that right too.
Volume 1 "Indestructible Truth"
Volume 2 "Secret of the Vajra World"
Nothing so secret in the second text. It's just the one about Vajrayana, with 30 pages or more for Mahamudra and Dzogchen each.
These are the books I would liked to have read when I started out. An overview is helpful, it would have made my life sooo much easier. Walking into a HYT empowerment, a LamRim teaching, and then a Madhyamaka teaching can be very disorienting if you don't know how they all work together. Plus even today there are gaps in my knowledge. Dr. Ray gets the things I know a good deal about exactly right, so when he talks about the things I don't know anything about I have confidence he is getting that right too.
1.The problem isn’t ‘ignorance’. The problem is the mind you have right now. (H.H. Karmapa XVII @NYC 2/4/18)
2. I support Mingyur R and HHDL in their positions against lama abuse.
3. Student: Lama, I thought I might die but then I realized that the 3 Jewels would protect me.
Lama: Even If you had died the 3 Jewels would still have protected you. (DW post by Fortyeightvows)
2. I support Mingyur R and HHDL in their positions against lama abuse.
3. Student: Lama, I thought I might die but then I realized that the 3 Jewels would protect me.
Lama: Even If you had died the 3 Jewels would still have protected you. (DW post by Fortyeightvows)
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
Life in Relation to Death
By Chagdud Tulku
Small, but mighty
By Chagdud Tulku
Small, but mighty
Re: the most helpful and lucid dharma text/book you've read?
Chod Practice Manual and Commentary, Fourteenth Karmapa
The Great Path of Awakening, Jamgon Kongtrul
The Great Path of Awakening, Jamgon Kongtrul
I should be meditating.