Words of My Perfect Teacher
A Complete Translation of a Classic Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism
Revised and Updated Edition
March 1999 | 500 pages | SAGE Vistaar
A favourite of Tibetans and recommended by the Dalai Lama and other senior Buddhist teachers, this practical guide to inner transformation introduces the fundamental spiritual practices common to all Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Words of My Perfect Teacher is the classical commentary on the preliminary practices of the Longchen Nyingtin—one of the best-known cycles of teachings and a spiritual treasure of the Nyingmapa school—the oldest Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
| Foreword | DALAI LAMA |
| Foreword | DILGO KHYENTSE RINPOCHE |
| Preface |
| Introduction |
| A Brief Historical Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism |
| Prologue |
I. THE ORDINARY OR EXTERNAL PRELIMINARIES
| The Difficulty of Finding the Freedoms and Advantages |
| The Impermanence of Life |
| The Defects of Samsara |
| Actions: The Principle of Cause and Effect |
| The Benefits of Liberation |
| How to Follow a Spiritual Friend |
II. THE EXTRAORDINARY OR INTERNAL PRELIMINARIES
| Taking Refuge, Foundation Stone of all Paths |
| Arousing Bodhicitta, the Root of the Great Vehicle |
| Meditating and Reciting on the Teacher as Vajrasattva to Cleanse all Obscurations |
| Offering the Mandala to Accumulate Merit and Wisdom |
| The Kusali`s Accumulation: Destroying the Four Demons at a Single Stroke |
| Guru Yoga, Entrance-way for Blessings, the Ultimate Method for Arousing the Wisdom of Realization |
III. THE SWIFT PATH OF TRANSFERENCE
| Transference of Consciousness, the Instructions for the Dying: Buddhahood without Meditation |
| Conclusion |
| Postface by JAMGON KONGTRUL LODRO THAYE |
| Glossary |
| Bibliography |
| Index |