This book presents a collection of teachings given by Venerable Lama Thamthog Rinpoche in several teachings and retreats held at Ghe Pel Ling Institute of Tibetan Buddhist Studies in Milan, Italy. The lessons and this consequent book are the traditionally taught subjects found in the Lam rim (The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment), written by the Indian scholar and practitioner Atisha in Tibet in the 11th Century and commentated on, amongst many other Tibetan teachers, by Lama Tsong Khapa in the second half of the 14th Century. It includes the entire body of the original teachings of Buddha Śākyamuni, arranged in such an order as to lead the meditator to progressively refine their mind, overcome the afflicted emotions and wrong views and attain the achievement of enlightenment.

An essential collection of tantric texts on a meditation practice essential to one of the largest traditions of Buddhism in Tibet. Yamantaka is the wrathful expression of the wisdom buddha Manjushri and was Tsongkhapa’s foremost personal deity, from whom he received direct visions that were a constant source of empowerment, inspiration, instruction, and even personal advice. The oral instructions on the practice of Yamantaka fall into two main streams. The quintessential instruction of both of these lineages, including both their generation- and completion-stage teachings, are contained in the two commentaries presented in this volume. First, we have commentary from the great scholar, siddha, and lineage holder of the Gelug Mahamudra lineage, Ngulchu Dharmabhadra, on the Thirteen Deity practice. These texts contain a wellspring of oral instructions that provide rich and highly accessible details concerning the practice of Yamantaka that are equally applicable to the Solitary Hero practice, the practice of the second stream. The second commentary, composed by the Fifth Ling Rinpoche, Losang Lungtog Tenzin Trinley, is concerned with the Solitary Hero practice and contains many extraordinary instructions that have not been written down in other texts but have been preserved through the oral lineage. This text is part of a highly secretive volume containing many texts on Solitary Hero Yamantaka entitled the Eighteen Steps of Solitary Hero. The combination of these two texts gives the reader an unprecedented panoramic perspective on the entire spectrum of Yamantaka practice. Also included in this amazing volume is the extensive sadhana of the Solitary Hero composed by Pabongkha Rinpoche that can be used as a reference to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the commentaries.

Beautiful, clear translations of every text necessary for one of the most important Buddhist tantric practices. This book is strictly intended for those who have completed the empowerment into the five deity mandala of Heruka Chakrasamvara of Mahasiddha Ghantapa, according to the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa. The Source of Supreme Bliss contains the first English translations of important commentaries on the Highest Yoga Tantra system of the Heruka Chakrasamvara five deity practice. Included is a lucid, practical, and deeply profound explanation of the generation stage by Ngulchu Dharmabhadra. This is followed by an extremely rare and profound commentary by the First Panchen Lama Losang Chökyi Gyaltsen on the completion stage, along with a commentary on how to perform a proper Chakrasamvara retreat. The second half of the book comprises translations of the ritual texts associated with the commentaries. Indispensable for anyone who undertakes this practice, The Source of Supreme Bliss will also provide rich and profound insights for those interested in Highest Yoga Tantra. The Dechen Ling Practice Series from Wisdom Publications is committed to furthering the vision of David Gonsalez (Venerable Losang Tsering) and the Dechen Ling Press of bringing the sacred literature of Tibet to the West by making available many never-before-translated texts.

This book is the eponymous catalogue of an exhibition opening in November 2004 at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, California. Encompassing masterpieces of Tibetan furniture design and decoration in all its forms, the 148 exhibits are drawn from the large group of public and private collections in the western United States, the result of an active interest in the preservation and research of this long overlooked Tibetan art form. This particular catalogue communicates both the aesthetic significance of these exceptional works of art and the important role they have