Synopses & Reviews
To Tibetan Buddhists Guru Rinpoche is a Buddha. In 763, Tibet's powerful armies overran the capital of China and installed a puppet emperor. Why didn't Tibet continue its aggressive military campaigns? This transformation was due to Guru Rinpoche who tamed and converted Tibet to Buddhism and thereby changed the course of Asian history.
This book recounts Guru Rinpoche's historical visit to Tibet and explains his continuing significance to Buddhists. Three very different Tibetan accounts of his story are presented: one Buddhist; one according to the pre-Buddhist Tibetan religion, Bon; and one based on Indian and early Tibetan historical documents.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. [349]-362).
About the Author
Ngawang Zangpo (Hugh Leslie Thompson) completed two three-year retreats under the direction of the late Kalu Rinpoche. He is presently working on a number of translation projects under the direction of Chadral Rinpoche and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche. He has also contributed to Kalu Rinpoche's translation group's books Myriad Worlds and Buddhist Ethics.
Table of Contents
Buddhism, history, and the truth -- Buddhist history after the Buddha -- Tibet and Asia on the eve of Guru Rinpoch's arrival -- India in Guru Rinpoch's era -- Guru Rinpoch -- Timeless Guru Rinpoch and Wisdom bridges to the Present -- A biography of Guru Rinpoch by Jamgon Kongtrul -- The immaculate white lotus by Yesh Tsogyal -- The Indian Version of the Life of Guru Rinpoch / by Taranata -- The B"n version of the life of Guru Rinpoch / by Jamyang Kyents Wongpo -- Supplications to Guru Rinpoch / by Guru Rinpoch -- Visualizations to accompany the supplications / by Jamgon Kongtrul.