Lopon Tenzin Namdak : Heart Essence of the Khandro

Experiential Instructions on Bonpo Dzogchen: 30 Signs and Meanings from Women Lineage Holders

 

Author(s) : Lopon Tenzin Namdak and translated by Nagru Gelek Jinpa, and Carol and Dmitry Ermakov

Availability : Currently in stock

ISBN : 8170262828

EAN : 9788170262824

Cover : Hardback

Pages : 182

Size : 224 x 146mm

Publisher : Heritage Publishers

Published : 2012

Category : Bon and Dzogchen

 

Synopsis:

This book concerns the heart teachings of the women lineage holders of Bonpo Dzogchen, the Yetri Thasel Mogyud. It is rare to find a recorded lineage of female teachers in either Bon or Tibetan Buddhism, but here 30 heart teachings of Bon Khandro are being made publicly available for the first time. In fact, this book combines many unique features in one volume.

 

First and foremost, the Dzogchen Yetri Thasel Mogyud, a succession of women from all over Central and Inner Asia who received precious Dzogchen teachings and went on to achieve enlightenment within one lifetime. These amazing women of wisdom practised with perseverance in a variety of circumstances and, gaining insight into the true nature of their minds, they obtained miraculous powers and passed on the essence of their experience to a single female disciple. These quintessential pith instructions were collected like precious drops of nectar and written down by the eighth century Bonpo sage Lachen Drenpa Namkha.

 

Lopon Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, the most erudite teacher of Yungdrung Bon, gives a commentary on this work. The book also includes a translation of the root text.

 

Another major feature of this publication is the specially commissioned thangka of this cycle of Khandro painted by Geshe Monlam, reproduced here. Images of this female lineage are extremely rare, and Lopon consulted various texts to compile a detailed description of each lady. This text is also included here, and the image of each Khandro (dakini) is printed alongside her heart teachings enabling the reader to invoke her heart blessings while reading. The second half of the book is dedicated to the last yogini in this lineage, Choza Bonmo, who not only realized the ultimate meaning of Dzogchen but also played a pivotal role in saving the teachings of Yungdrung Bon from almost certain annilhilation during the eighth century persecution during the reign of the Tibetan king Trisong Deutsen. As an inspiration to Western students, Nagru Geshe Gelek Jinpa has compiled her biography by extracting key episodes of her spiritual path - the teachings she received, how she practised, and her inspiring Song of Experience.

 

Includes Tibetan texts.