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Monday 13 June 2005

New book by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Mahamudra Tantra

Mahamudra Tantra: The supreme heart jewel nectar
An Introduction to Meditation on Tantra

This is a new book written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, who is the Spiritual Leader of the New Tradition of Kadampa Buddhism. He is based at the Manjushri Buddhist Centre in Ulverston, Cumbria UK. I attended a weekend meditation course there a few years ago, which was amazing. The centre is located on the shores of Morecambe Bay, and has a beautiful Buddhist Temple built in its grounds. It is well worth a visit. The books I have read by Kelsang Gyatso are beautifully written, in a clear prose and take you through the principles of buddhism in a succinct way. This new book, which I haven't got hold of yet, looks at meditation on the tantra. From the website:

"This exciting book introduces a new world of meditation.
It explains how we can use our imagination as a powerful tool in our spiritual practice
Mahamudra is a Sanskrit word that means union of bliss and emptiness, the very essence of Buddhist Tantric meditation.
Mahamudra Tantra is a practical manual for gaining deep experience of meditation and discovering the peace and happiness that lies within."

4 comments:

The Cam MC said...

Hi Stuart, - just found you via Google on GKG. I picked up a copy of this book at the so called "Spring Festival" which took place in Manjushri center this June. I have to say its a corker - I always had difficulty reading the Tantric Books because they seemed quite removed from my immediate capacity. This book, brings it into really practical clarity. It feels like "yes this is doable, liveable and the teachers of this stuff like Geshe-la must have actually gained these realisations - which I found really inspiring - to write with such clarity". It struck me as great for a begginer because it shows very clearly the intellectual underpinning of the goal of enlightenment and also for a finisher! Because it explains both Generation stage and Completion stage.

Like your blog by the way nice selection of themes.

Stuart said...

Hello

Thanks for the comment. You have inspired me to read the book now. I have been interested in the tantric side of things, but felt that it was way beyond my understanding of buddhism. Your comment has reassured me that the book is worth a try. Thanks for the comment on my blog - I took a look at yours too which looks interesting. How does the collaborative side of it work?

Stuart

Anonymous said...

Found your blog when I was doing a google search on Geshe-la. I recently picked up "Eight Steps to Happiness" and am simply amazed at how clearly he explains basic Buddhist concepts. Especially since I'm a new Buddhist struggling with a very Western mind :) We have a NKT center not far from where I live and I plan to visit soon. From reading your blog and the reply I can see that I am on the right path. I was a little cautious due to the Shugden controversies but have read quite a bit and feel that Geshe-la is correct in his belief in this practice. Nanmste, Robin

Stuart said...

Hi Robin

Thanks for the comments. I too am in the early stages of the journey - but am enjoying the path. I also had some concerns about the information that I read on the net about Dorje Shugden, but decided in the end to go with my own experiences and intuition. My encounters with the New Kadampa Tradition have been positive.

I have also read work by other Buddhists to broaden my understanding. I particularly like Thich Nhat Hanh's writings.

Stuart