Buddhist Acharya Padmasambhava of the Vajrayana school of Mahayana sect, being invited by the king of Tibet, went there during the first half of the eighth century AD. He firmly established this esoteric form of Buddhism there and other Himalayan lands, which is known as “Lamaism”. He is deified and celebrated in Lamaism as Buddha himself, even more than that. As a direct result of Padmasambhava’s efforts, the people of Tibet were elevated to a state of unsurmountable spiritual culture. He is, therefore, truly one of the greatest of the world’s culture heroes. He is most revered and is honoured as the Second Buddha. He belongs to India and hails from Uddiyana. Therefore, he is popularly known as Uddiyana Guru. But, a holy personality known all over the world, a Great Guru, is almost a forgotten name in India, least remembered, not in history, not in literature, not anywhere even among the Buddhist circles in India. Padmasambhava originally belongs to Uddiyana, the location of this place has been disputed by some scholars to be in Swat Valley within the ancient Gandhara region, which is not tenable. The present work is an attempt to study all aspects pertaining to this Guru, starting from his magical appearance and penances to his mystical life, his works and achievements all through the Himalayan region along with Tibet. That leads to establish strongly that the home of the Uddiyana Guru is nowhere else but in Odisha. Focus has been laid to establish facts and all evidences showing that Uddiyana is but Odisha. This may be considered as the exclusive and exhaustive compilation, published for the first time in India.

Cultural Writing. Various types of sacred texts are included in this volume including prayers of supplication to Guru Rinpoche for his guidance and for achieving profound wisdom through devotion and meditation. In the eighth century, Guru Padmasambhava--the Lotus Born--came to Tibet from India and became known as Guru Rinpoche, the Precious Teacher. He transmitted many esoteric teachings to his disciples and concealed them as Ter (gTer) or Terma (gTerma)--hidden Dharma treasures--for the sake of future disciples. From the eleventh century until today thousands of volumes of those concealed teachings have been discovered by the reincarnations of his chief disciples through spiritual discernment. Guru Rinpoche is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism and is referred to as the Second Buddha by his followers. Translator Mike Dickman has previously translated many texts of the Nyingma and 'Drigung Ka'gyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

In English translation for the first time, this is "the most authoritative scripture" regarding how the Dharma was planted in Tibet, according to His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Titles in the original Tibetan "The Sanglingma Life Story," it was recorded by the dakini Yeshe Tsogyal, concealed in the ninth century at Sanglingma (Copper Temple) in Samye, and revealed by Nyang Ral Nyima Oser in the twelfth century. In addition to narrating the legendary story of a unique spiritual personality, the book contains oral instructions and advice that he left for the benefit of future generations. Also included are "A Clarification of the Life of Padmasambhava" by Tsele Natsok Rangdrouml;l, an extensive glossary and index, and a bibliography of Tibetan and English sources.

A unique commentary on the preliminary practices of Vajrayāna Buddhism, from a beloved Nyingma master. A Chariot to Freedom is one of the most beloved presentations of the preliminary practices, or ngöndro, that form the foundation of the Vajrayāna Buddhist path. This set of practices, common to all schools of Himalayan Buddhism, is what nearly every practitioner begins with, yet it also constitutes a complete method in and of itself. Although ngöndro are considered a prerequisite for further teachings and initiations into other practices, many of even the most accomplished masters continue to engage in them every day. Most of the other excellent works on these foundational techniques are specific to a particular tradition, but this text is widely considered to be exemplary, in part, because it is applicable to all traditions of ngöndro. Drawing from the original words of the Buddha in the sūtras and from later treatises by such masters as Nāgārjuna, Shāntideva, and Guru Padmasambhava, Shechen Gyaltsap’s commentary is a wonderfully curated anthology of Buddhist teachings on the preliminary practices of Vajrayāna Buddhism. It covers the thoughts that turn one’s mind away from ordinary pursuits and toward enlightenment, taking refuge, arousing the mind set on enlightenment (bodhichitta), purification, maṇḍala offering, and Guru Yoga. Shechen Gyaltsap explains why each practice is beneficial and provides profound and eminently useful guidance for practitioners, while simultaneously transmitting the wisdom of generations of Buddhist masters.

This extensive work dedicated to the unique textile art of Bhutan is an impressive illustration of how closely art, spirituality, and life are interwoven in the last of the Buddhist kingdoms in the Himalayas. It gives new insight into Bhutanese cosmology, worldview, culture, and society, which is associated with a variety of historical, philosophical, religious, social, and artistic perspectives. The remote mountain location, low-key foreign policy, and basic principles of Buddhism has made it possible for Bhutan, the last of the Buddhist kingdoms in the Himalayas, to preserve a remarkable form of textile art that is interwoven with all aspects of life. Karin Altmann shows us Bhutan textiles in their diversity: they are clothes and everyday objects, currency and commodity, mark important events as gifts during life, and are testament to the social status of a person. But they are also an integral aspect of religious festivals, dances, and rituals that provide insight into the mystical and religious beliefs of the Bhutanese people, and reflect the concept of gender in Bhutanese society. The book also tells the story of a country that is searching for a sensitive balance between tradition and progress in a globalized world.

Through lively anecdotes and stories this highly revered Buddhist meditation master and scholar tells about his life of study, retreat, and teaching. The formative events of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s life, and those insights and experiences that caused him to mature into the warm, brilliant, and highly realized meditation master and teacher he was, are deeply inspiring. The second half of the book comprises recollections by his wife; his grandson, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche; Tenga Rinpoche; the Queen Mother of Bhutan; and many prominent teachers.

Karma Chakme's Mountain Dharma includes the text as taught by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) from 1999 to 2003, with translations by Lama Yeshe Gyamtso and Chojor Radha. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa (Rangjung Rikpe Dorje, 1923-1981) asked that Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche present Karma Chakme's Mountain Dharma to Western students. In accordance with this wish, Khenpo Rinpoche began teaching this text in 1999 at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, the North American seat of His Holiness, located in Woodstock, New York. Rinpoche omitted chapters that he considered restricted; these restricted or secret parts will be taught and published separately at Karma Ling Retreat Center for use by qualified students. This work makes the entire contents of Karma Chakme's Mountain Dharma available in English for the first time.