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Tibetan Buddhism
A Roll of Thunder from the Void: Developing the deity through mantra recitation and establishing the sacred mandala: 2
£59.00
This important collection of teachings from the Northern Treasures Vajrakila cycle includes liturgical practice texts (sadhana) from the original treasure revelations, together with explanatory notes and commentaries by the 17th century master Padma ’phrin-las on how to take these practices into a closed retreat and employ them for the highest benefit of oneself and all living beings. Having become empowered in the mandala of Vajrakila by a master guru, trainees may use the skilful esoteric techniques, described herein, in order to develop a profound experiential certainty of the true nature of reality. These texts are manuals, designed to be studied by disciplined individuals who wish to train themselves in skilful altruism. They are traditional methods for overcoming the instincts of egoistic self-interest, allowing the mind to become focussed on the general welfare of the world, so that beneficial changes of great social value may be brought about in both thought and behaviour.
Painstakingly researched and annotated, this volume includes English translations of eight important texts, together with much of the original Tibetan.
Within the instructions for the preparation and protection of the retreat area are hitherto unpublished details of the means to suppress the various classes of afflicting demons (sri) that are potential causes of downfall for all tantric yogins. This is an ancient and vital aspect of vajrayana ritual practice that has been much neglected until now.
From the foreword:
“My previous study of the ’Bum nag, Tibet’s most authoritative literary overview of the entire tradition of Vajrakıla, revealed the history of the Vajrakıla doctrines and analysed their twofold purpose. The present work goes directly to the essential core and offers the reader those very meditations by means of which such twofold purpose may be accomplished. As stated in the ritual text, “Padmasambhava studied the hundred thousand sections of the Kılavidyottama-tantra and then practised for twelve years in the rock cavern of gYa’-ri-gong. The ritual form of his practice is exactly the one given here.” The amazing results of the great guru’s meditation in gYa’-ri are well known. As it is written in the gSol ’debs bar chad lam sel:
At the time when you introduced the jina’s doctrines [to Tibet]
You accomplished your practice in the forest around gYa’-ri.
The kıla of your ritual service rose up to the vault of the sky
And you caught it with a vajra gesture.
Rolling it between the palms of your hands,
You threw it into the sandalwood forest
And the resulting blaze even dried up the lake.
Thus the abode of wicked heretics was completely destroyed
And the evil spirits [that they served] were annihilated.
As the destroyer of Mara, you have no equal!
Thus, for those who have studied the ’Bum nag and wish now to absorb themselves in such powerful meditation for the destruction of Mara, this book is offered.”
Rig-’dzin rdo-rje (Martin Boord) studied with Lama Khamtrul Yeshe Dorje, Chhimed Rigdzin Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche. At the university of London he received a doctorate for his thesis “The Cult Of The Deity Vajrakila.” Currently he lives with his wife in quiet seclusion in the Cotswolds, devoting himself to the study of the Northern Treasures. More information about Martin Boord you will find here.
Further books in this series of the Vajrakila texts of the Northern Treasures Tradition (Byang-gTer Phur-Pa) are planned or already released:
Vol.1 Gathering the Elements A detailed study of the Vajrakila tradition, looking at its origins, significance and lines of transmission, as well as a history of the Northern Treasures (Byang-gter) school and an overview of the approximately 200 available texts of Vajrakila that it maintains. This book is a new and completely revised edition of the study formerly published as The Cult of the Wrathful Deity Vajrakila, incorporating the latest research on the subject and freshly translated material.
Vol.2 A Roll of Thunder from the Void Including ritual practice texts (sadhana) from the original treasure revelations, together with explanatory commentaries by the master Padma ‘phrin-las on how to employ these practices for the highest benefit of oneself and all living beings. Within the instructions for the preparation and protection of sacred space are details of the means to suppress the various classes of afflicting demons (sri) that are potential causes of downfall for all tantric yogins. See above.
Vol.3 A Blaze of Fire in the Dark Rituals for fire sacrifice (homa), traditionally performed at the end of a retreat, and rites of empowerment (abhiseka).
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Kurukulla: Goddess of Bewitchment by Verónica Rivas
out of stock - £120.00
Out of print hardback edition.
Condition: Fine - As New.
In Kurukulla: Goddess of Bewitchment – A Devotional Path to the Red Enchantress of Uddiyana, author Verónica Rivas combines academic research with personal experience to offer a theoretical-practical study of Kurukulla, the goddess in Hinduism related to desire, lust, magic, and witchcraft.
Many of these aspects were left aside, however, as her importance and popularity within Tantric Buddhism continued to grow. In Kurukulla, we have a goddess of tribal origins, initially venerated as a protector by various nomadic clans who related her to fertility and material affairs, yet also considered her dangerous and fearsome. Progressively, the goddess was incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon, and during this process, Kurukulla acquired different roles and lost others. Many practices were developed related to issues such as protection against animals and certain diseases, obtaining influential positions in society, love affairs, and even getting rid of one’s enemies.
Kurukulla: Goddess of Bewitchment offers a tantric perspective on a deity considered the goddess of eroticism, the mistress of enchantments and bewitchment, who uses desire as a weapon for transcendence. Practicing with Kurukulla allows us to reach our true nature by making our daily life, our fears and weaknesses, the very source of liberation.
The goddess of the red body represents the pure manifestation of intrinsic wisdom, the primordial energy that nourishes all realms of existence, as well as life and death as complementary opposites.
The rituals and devotionals presented in this book are intended to openly and freely establish a deep connection with the deity. They are shared in a simple and understandable way that will allow practitioners to integrate them into their life easily and completely.
Rainbow Body by Loel Guinness
£85.00
There is no better illustration of the radical transformative power of the ancient Tibetan contemplative teachings of Dzogchen than the extraordinary phenomenon of bodily disappearance or “rainbow body”, which is considered its ultimate fruit. In this groundbreaking study of rainbow body in the Bön tradition, which is the first of its kind in a western language, the neophyte reader is guided into the profound insights of Dzogchen, while all the components required to understand this most mysterious and enigmatic of phenomena are laid out gently and methodically.
Illustrated by unique thangkas commissioned especially for this study, the book’s emphasis is on clarity of exposition. Simple enough for the layman, but detailed enough to do justice to these ancient and subtle traditions, Rainbow Body serves both as an introduction to Bön Dzogchen, and also as a pioneering study of Tibetan textual sources related to the phenomenon of rainbow body. It is offered to the public in the hope that as many people as possible may benefit from the profundity of this ancient wisdom. For as Loel Guinness states in his preface, “Dzogchen is not just for monks. It is as suitable for the businessman, the academic, the adventurer, or the practitioner. The insights of Dzogchen are relevant for all”.
The 2021 edition is updated and revised in a smaller, more accessible format, of the 2018 edition.
The Profound Inner Principles
£49.00
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In accordance with the instructions of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, this book is intended only for people who have completed the preliminary practices, received pointing-out instructions, and begun a niruttara yidam practice (i.e., any yidam practice from the higher tantras) under the guidance of a qualified teacher. |
With masterful clarity and precision, The Profound Inner Principles delineates the principles and foundations of Vajrayāna practice. Rangjung Dorje presents the nature of things—mental and physical—and looks at the cause of delusion, what delusion creates, and how delusion is corrected. His explanations capture the principles of the Vajrayāna’s niruttara tantras, with a special focus on the structure and functioning of the body. Just as sugatagarbha, or buddha nature, is the nature of our mind, the potential for awakening lies within our body. The Mahāyāna literature refers to this pure potential as the evolving gotra, whereas the Vajrayāna refers to it as the “vajra body”—the subtle body of channels, winds, and bindus with six elements (earth, water, fire, wind, space, and wisdom-bliss). The vajra body is not only our innate capacity, it is also our path. Understanding its components and properties is essential for most meditators. The overarching theme of the text is that we need to understand how buddha nature is present in sentient beings, those on the path, and buddhas. All the details concerning the mind’s workings, the vajra body’s structures, and the meditations, paths, and stages will reinforce that understanding and give us insight into how and why the Vajrayāna path provides access to wisdom through the body.
This translation includes a commentary by Jamgön Kongtrul with extensive footnotes containing extracts from all the other important commentaries to The Profound Inner Principles; several glossaries with annotations by the translator; a works cited list and a selected bibliography; and an index
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