Lot of 2 Books describing Tibetan Buddhist Writings & Practices (Shambhala Soft-cover editions)

• Author: Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche’s translation of Nāgārjuna MMK

• Author: The 14th Dalai Lama

• Publisher: Shambhala Publications, Inc. Boston, MA U.S.A. 2003 & 1988

Siddhartha Gautama (who became known as the Buddha, lived for about 80 years somewhere between 570BC and 400BC) was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who traveled through India. He taught there was a Middle Way between sensual indulgence and asceticism that could lead to Nirvana (freedom from the vices of human existence through awareness of the patterns and acting in harmony with the Universe.) This teaching became the basis for Buddhism which then developed mainly through oral traditions.

Nāgārjuna [c. 150 – c. 250 AD (disputed dates)] was an Indian Mahāyāna Buddhist thinker, scholar-monk, philosopher, and founder of the Middle Way School. He is widely considered one of the most important Buddhist philosophers. His Mūlamadhyamakakārikā (Root Verses on Madhyamaka, or MMK) is the most important text on the Madhyamaka philosophy of emptiness. The MMK inspired a large number of commentaries in Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan, Korean and Japanese and continues to be studied today.

Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche is a prominent scholar yogi in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He teaches widely in the West, often through songs of realization, his own as well as those composed by Milarepa and other masters of the past. “Tsültrim Gyamtso” translates into English as “Ocean of Ethical Conduct.”

The Dalai Lama historically is the title given by the Tibetan people to their highest spiritual leader and national government leader. Although the Dali Lama might have a regent to operate the government, he will be the leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism (the newest and most dominate school in Tibet) by the virtue of being an incarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Due to the annexation of Tibet by the Communist Chinese, the incumbent Dali Lama now lives in exile in India.

Tenzin Gyatso is the incumbent Dali Lama, the 14th in succession. He has worked to overcome sectarian and other divisions in the exiled community and has become a symbol of Tibetan nationhood for Tibetans both in Tibet and in exile. Foremost, he teaches to encourage Compassion as a guiding principle for daily living in the quest of enlightenment.

Both books in this lot offer an exploration of Buddhist theology and practical application of teachings in interpersonal relationships. Specific information regarding the titles follows:

The Sun of Wisdom; Teachings on the Noble Nagarjuna’s Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way (2003 – Shambhala Publications, Inc. ISBN: 1-57062-999-3) The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way was written in the second century and is one of the most important works of Nagarjuna, the pioneering commentator on the Buddha's teachings on the Madhyamika or Middle Way view. The subtle analyses presented in this treatise were closely studied and commented upon by many realized masters from the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Using Nagarjuna's root text and the great modern master Ju Mipham's commentary as a framework, Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso explains the most important verse from each chapter in the text in a style that illuminates for modern students both the meaning of these profound teachings and how to put them into practice in a way that benefits both oneself and others. xxii + 215pp

A Flash of Lightning in the Dark of Night: A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (Shambhala Dragon Edition) (1994 – Shambhala Publications, Inc. ISBN: 0-87773-971-4) Compassion is the guiding principle of the bodhisattvas, those who vow to attain enlightenment in order to liberate all sentient beings from the suffering and confusion of imperfect existence. To this end, they must renounce all self-centered goals and consider only the well-being of others. The bodhisattvas' enemies are the ego, passion, and hatred; their weapons are generosity, patience, perseverance, and wisdom.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is considered to be a living embodiment of this spiritual ideal. His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama presents here a detailed manual of practical philosophy, based on The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyavatara), a well-known text of Mahayana Buddhism written by Shantideva. The Dalai Lama explains and amplifies that text, alluding throughout to the experience of daily life and showing how anyone can develop bodhichitta, the wish for perfect enlightenment for the sake of others. This book will surely become a standard manual for all those who wish to make the bodhisattva ideal a living experience. xiii + 141pp + 2pp of ads.

The designation of a title as a “Shambhala Dragon Edition” means the publisher believes the information merits the widest possible dissemination to the public. There were 31 such titles listed in 1994.

Both are trade soft-covers with complete wraps. Both wraps have full color cover schemes with an author photograph illustration. No creases in spines, show only minor shelf-wear. No ownership markings. Interiors are tight, clean, and unmarked. Books have been opened, but not studied or perhaps even read. Near Fine (As New) condition.

• Size: 8vo – over 7¾ - 9¾” tall, 393pp.

• Condition: Near Fine (As New) Trade Paperbacks – No Ownership markings. Always Privately Owned.

Copyrights given above. All printed in U.S.A. Print-line indicates none are 1st Edition since both from at least the 3rd printing. ISBNs given above.