Biographical note:

PADMASAMBHAVA was the legendary tantric master who, at the invitation of King Trisong Deutsen, established Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the ninth century. He hid innumerable Dharma treasures throughout Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan to be revealed by destined disciples in the centuries to come. CHOKGYUR LINGPA (1829-70) is regarded as one of the major tertons in Tibetan history, and his termas are widely practiced by both the Kagyu and Nyingma schools. JAMGON KONGTRUL (1813-99) was a leader at the forefront of the nonsectarian rimey movement in the nineteenth century. Renowned as an accomplished master, scholar, and writer, he authored more than 188 volumes of scripture. JAMYANG KHYENTSE WANGPO (1820-92), the last of the five great tertons, was the master and teacher of all the Buddhist schools of Tibet and the founder of the nonsectarian rimey movement.

Country of final manufacture:

US

Main description:

The role of a Vajra Master in a student's spiritual development to clear away hindrances on the path and enhance self-realization forms the core of this final volume in the Light of Wisdom series. Padmasambhava, the lotus-born founder of Vajrayana Buddhism, established Buddhist doctrine in Tibet during the eighth century. He concealed teachings in the form of hidden treasures, to be revealed at an appropriate time in the future.

The book is a combination of three texts: the root text, The Gradual Path of the Wisdom Essence comprising oral instructions of Padmasambhava, recorded by his chief female disciple, Yeshe Tsogyal; The Light of Wisdom by Jamgön Kongtrül, one of the most prominent Buddhist masters of nineteenth-century Tibet, an extensive commentary on this sacred scripture; and Entering the Path of Wisdom, annotations on the commentary by Jamyang Drakpa, a student of Jamgön Kongtrül as dictated to the scholar Jokyab Rinpoche.

Review quote:

"The root text of Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, a terma revealed by the great treasure-finder Chokgyur Lingpa, and its commentary by Kongtrül Rinpoche, the great translator in person, form together a complete scripture that embodies all the tantras, statements and instructions of the Nyingma School of the early translations, which is most rare to find in the past, present, or future.... I find it important that all Dharma practitioners study and reflect upon this book."—Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

"It is correct that it will be quite difficult to practice the entire Gradual Path of the Wisdom Essence, so you should use what is directly appropriate for your training.... Light of Wisdom contains the complete path for different kinds of individuals, of Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. But since its title is the Wisdom Essence, it means that its ultimate practice is Dzogchen."—Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche