Book Description

THE FIRST EXTENSIVE COMMENTARY TO BE GENERATED IN ENGLISH ON A TEACHING DELIVERED BY MANJUSHRI TO TSONGKHAPA For generations, The Four Mindfulnesses—of guru, bodhimind, divine body and emptiness—were taught only orally. The First Panchen Lama and Seventh Dalai Lama provided written texts, on which both of them Gelek Rimpoche has taught. The result is a rare combination that illuminates topics so central to practice. Born in Lhasa, Tibet, in 1939, bestselling author and internationally renowned Tibetan Lama Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche brings his traditional Buddhist training into strong dialogue with science, psychology, medicine, metaphysics, politics and the arts; he skillfully addresses the dilemma of living a spiritual life in a material world. His collected works now include over 30 transcripts of his teachings, numerous articles as well as the national bestseller Good Life, Good Death (Riverhead Books, 2001) and The Tara Box: Rituals for Protection and Healing from the Female Buddha (New World Library, 2004). Rimpoche is a U.S. citizen and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1988, Rimpoche founded Jewel Heart, a Tibetan Buddhist Center with chapters in the US, Europe and Asia. Jewel Heart offers a multi-layered program for spiritual development, including weekly webcasts, annual retreats and special events. The organization also supports senior lamas and the training of young monks, a children’s school and orphanage, and Buddhist performing arts tours. Sales from the Jewel Heart Store support Tibetan refugees and monasteries in India and Nepal. Gelek Rimpoche has consistently shown resiliency and flexibility of character and sound understanding of selflessness. He can be an elegant lama in a formal setting . . . a wise advisor in another setting . . . a loyal and creative colleague in the endless work of seeing to the continuing usefulness of the Dharma. —Robert A.F. Thurman Gelek Rimpoche’s mix of astute psychological insight, extraordinary intellect, and great compassion—plus delightful wit—makes him a wonderful, wise spiritual friend and guide. —Daniel Goleman Gelek Rimpoche constantly shows wisdom, gentleness, depth, rascality, humor, spaciousness, and the spiritual side to everyday life. —Ram Dass