|
| Publications For Sale |
 |
General Information
| All of our books come as fully typeset, commercial quality productions, with a great deal of attention to detail. This is equally true for books on paper and books delivered as PDF's. | |
| Many books are available both on paper and as PDF's. PDF's are electronic editions that can be read and printed with Adobe's free Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can use the PDF files electronically or, because they come as a fully typeset book, ready for the printer, you can print and bind them and add the books to your library. PDF's are delivered free of charge, whereas paper books do have a shipping charge from our location in Nepal. | |
| PDF's will generally be sent to you within two days by e-mail. Note that we are sometimes out of the office and that our office is open for normal hours, not around the clock or on weekends. Books on paper will be sent to you by registered airmail or courier, depending on the shipping option that you choose. If you choose registered airmail delivery, the parcel will arrive at your post office and you will have to sign for it there. With registered airmail shipping, don't forget to check with the post office to get your books. | |
| Some books have the Tibetan text included. If not and you need the text, you can always ask for it and we will try to help. | |
| When you click a purchase button, it will open a shopping basket. If you need more than one item, just come back to this page and click on another item. The shopping basket will appear with all items showing. When you are ready, make the purchase. Our shop is very secure. | |
| Shipping costs for paper books: if you want to purchase multiple copies of any given paper book, contact us with a list of what you want to purchase and we will send you a shopping basket by return e-mail with the correct shipping applied. This will be less expensive than purchasing multiple copies of a single book with shipping for each. | |
| If you need further assistance, please use the e-mail link at the bottom of the page to contact us. |
| We sell books to distributors and to dharma shops and centres large and small. Dharma centres who'd like to have a few of our titles in stock are just as welcome as larger concerns. Use the link at the bottom of the page to contact us and ask about our attractive terms for resellers. |
Special Feature: Tibetan texts
Our goal is to provide dharma books of commercial quality but to go a step further and give the greatest possible
access to the dharma materials involved. To that end, we provide the Tibetan texts associated with each book
if possible as electronic files that can be read, searched, and used as part of an electronic Tibetan reference
library. You can look up Tibetan terms in these electronic texts with the help of our electronic dictionaries
just by clicking on the terms. The electronic files come in our special TibetD format and do need need our
for their use. If you do not have our software yet, we recommend that you purchase our Illuminator Tibetan-English Dictionary; this
will give you our best dictionary as well as the software needed to use the electronic texts. You can read
more about our dictionaries  here and
can purchase our software here. The
availability of electronic files for any book is listed with each book title; where files are available, a link is provided
for their immediate and free download. |
Titles in Print
Works in progress
| A number of these titles are available as pre-publication items on PDF. The PDF comes as a fully formatted book, ready for publication. If you are particularly interested in a title, contact us using the e-mail link at the foot of this page, and ask us about it. | |||
|
Three books on Zhantong teachings These include translations of several texts, including the chapter on the two truths from Jamgon Kongtrul's Treasury of Knowledge; several talks from Khanpo Tsultrim Gyatso; songs of Milarepa, a text on the Zhantong view by Khyentse the Great, and explanations of Zhantong by the author that make the subject easy to understand. One of the books is published, see:
|
|||
|
Chariot that Establishes the View A major text by the second Drukchen of the Drukpa Kagyu. The books clearly lays out the view of the Drukpa Kagyu and thus of the Kagyu in general, by relying on the view of the non-dual tantras. Many explanations of the view according to the mother and father tantras are given and many details of Kalachakra. The translator, Lotsawa Tony, provides a long introduction to clarify the many threads contained in the book, and provides a paraphrase of the main two chapters on the view, so that they can be more easily understood in English. |
|||
|
Several grammar books Lotsawa Tony has written a standard reference to Tibetan grammar of over 900 pages, that includes translations of all important grammar sources. The text includes a complete history, explanation of grammar lineages, Thumi Sambhota's root texts, Tony's long explanation of Thumi's first text that makes the meaning exceptionally clear, a major exposition of pronunciation, and more. In addition, Lotsawa Tony has produced several other smaller books that translate and clarify all other major facets of grammar. These various books will form a complete set on grammar. See this page for more:
|
|||
|
Kagyu Mahamudra A book of Beru Khyentse Rinpoche's teaching. Beru Rinpoche gave a complete set of teachings on the Karma Kagyu Mahamudra Prelimaries and on Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's Prayer of Aspiration to Mahamudra. These will be published in one book. A pre-publication version of the book is available to those who need the instructions for their practice. Contact us by e-mail with the request. |
|||
|
Unending Auspiciousness A complete explanation of The Sutra of the Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels which is used widely throughout all Buddhist traditions as a way of remembering the Three Jewels and deepening faith in them. This sutra is the one that is chanted at the start of the Tibetan monastic meal liturgy and the Oryoki liturgy used in Shambhala centres.) The book contains an extensive introduction that explains the origins and use of the sutra, a translation of the sutra, and two commentaries. The first commentary is by the author, Lama Tony Duff, and was written to be easy to read and easy to understand. The second is Ju Mipham Namgyal's extensive explanation of the sutra; this commentary is extensive and at times very technical, so extensive notes have been provided to make it accessible. The Tibetan of the sutra is included. |
|||
|
Padma Karpo on Mahamudra A book containing all of the texts on Mahamudra by the fourth Drukchen and widely revered Kagyu author, Padma Karpo. The selections included are, with one exception, new and have not been seen in English before. It is anticipated that there will be both English and German editions of the book, which is part of our ongoing efforts to encourage European translators to make authoritative translations in their own language. |
|||
|
Gampopa's Question and Answer Sessions with his Great Disciples (The first Karmapa, and others) Gampopa's Collected Works contains a section with records of the questions that Gampopa's most advanced disciples asked of their master and his replies to them. The records of these interviews give a personal picture of these great disciples, including the first Karmapa, and what they went through on their personal journeys to enlightenment. The answers from Gampopa give a very clear picture of how the Mahamudra teaching was given in the early days of the Kagyu lineage. Many important points, some which seem to have been lost historically, can be understand from Gampopa's way of teaching his disciples. It is anticipated that there will be both English and German editions of the book, which is part of our ongoing efforts to encourage European translators to make authoritative translations in their own language. |
Full Descriptions of Titles in Print
 |
Oryoki and the Oryoki Chant By Tony Duff 146 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$20, paper only, no PDF available. ISBN: 978-9937-9031-0-3 Tibetan text: text of liturgy and sutra included. 
Oryoki is the Japanese way of turning meals into meditation practice. The Vidyadhara Chogyam
Trungpa Rinpoche introduced it to his Shambhala community of Western Buddhists in 1980. He
adapted it slightly, putting a Tibetan monastic meal liturgy with it. Accordingly, the book starts
with a history of Oryoki going from its beginnings in the East through its early development in the
West under the guidance of the Vidyadhara. Following that, the book explains the meaning of
the whole liturgy, step by step so that every part of it can be understood and applied to the practice
of eating.The book was originally written to provide a full explanation of Oryoki practice for members of the Shambhala community. And the Shambhala Office of Practice and Study has encouraged the book's use within the Shambhala community given the author's extensive knowledge of Oryoki and his first hand experience of the Vidyadhara's teaching of it at several seminaries. However, as the book took form, the author was asked by members of various other Buddhist communities to write about the practice in way that would give them access to the practice too. The result is a book that could easily be used as a starting point for any Buddhist practitioner or group, Tibetan or otherwise, wanting to make meals into meditation practice. The monastic meal liturgy translated and explained in the book is a standard liturgy for the purpose compiled by Dudjom Rinpoche. The book will be of specific interest to followers of his tradition, too. The liturgy begins with a sutra called “Sutra of the Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels”. The Buddha gave the teaching in the sutra for the use of all of his disciples. It is the means for developing faith and strength of refuge in the Three Jewels. This sutra is so fundamental to Buddhist practice that it is used in one form or another in all schools of Buddhism. The author has translated the sutra, together with the rest of the liturgy, and has also written an extensive commentary to it that should be of great value to every Buddhist, quite aside from the rest of the book. Some Tibetan commentaries on the sutra can be hard to understand because of the technical detail that they go into. The author wrote his commentary specifically so that the sutra is fully explained but in a way that anyone could understood it. The following texts are included:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Teachings of the Mountain Hermit of Mandong Taking Refuge and Arousing Bodhichitta Explained According to Atisha's Lineage Translations and introduction by Tony Duff 128 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$20, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-9031-8-9 Tibetan texts: not included. 
A book of teachings given according to Atisha's lineage of explanation as passed through the Kadampa. There are two
teachings in the book: one on taking refuge in the Three Jewels and one on the development of bodhichitta. Both
teachings contain many stories and quotes from the early Kadampa masters. The teachings are translated
from the Collected Works of the Hermit of Mandong. The hermit was a Kagyu master who lived in
caves in the Mandong area of Tibet. He lived during the latter half of the 20th century after the Communist
Chinese invasion and was particularly well-known for making sure that the local and very impoverished people
received teachings on Buddha dharma that they really could understand and practice. Thus, the teachings
are very oriented to traditional Tibetan mind but they come with a tremendous amount of love and sincere concern
for the audience. This alone makes them very interesting. In addition though, his teaching here is
a very complete teaching on refuge, something that seems to get passed over these days in Western Buddhism. It
is a very interesting book for these reasons.We offer a money-back guarantee on the PDF version of this book. We do this because the book really is a good read, not to mention helpful with refuge and bodhicitta, however, it tends to be overlooked because these days people are tending to forget about refuge and bodhicitta and seek only the hot topics of Dzogchen ... which we also have in plenty. So, we've put this here as a reminder that refuge and bodhicitta are indispensable for all. And we are offering you a money back guarantee (only on the PDF version) so that you don't just skip by this book! This is one of Lotsawa Tony's personal favourites... The following texts are included:
free Tibetan texts page, as a complete
source of teachings on refuge and bodhichitta that follows Atisha's style of explanation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Maitripa's Writings On The View The Main Indian Source of the Tibetan Views of Other Emptiness and Mahamudra Translations and extensive commentary to each text by Tony Duff 94 pages, line drawings, 5.5" X 8.5", US$20, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-9031-7-2 Tibetan texts: included. 
Maitripa was a great Indian Buddhist master who was a contemporary of Naropa. He was regarded
as one of the most knowledgeable people of his time on the Buddhist view. For that reason, Naropa
told Marpa the Translator that he should not get the view from him but should go to Maitripa and get it
from him. Thus Maitripa became the source of the view for the Kagyu lineage. Maitripa is
also famous for having re-discovered the Uttaratantrashastra of Maitreya which had been lost till that
time. Having recovered the text from an old stupa, Maitreya appeared to him and transmitted the
profound meaning associated with that text. In that way, Maitripa became a central figure in the
transmission of what is called “the profound meditation system of Maitreya”. In many ways, he was
the source of the Other Emptiness (gzhan stong) style teaching of Maitreya and Asanga that came into
Tibet. For all these reasons, he is regarded as an important figure within Tibetan Buddhist
history and is particularly important to the Kagyu and Nyingma.A number of Maitripa's writings were included in a compilation of important Indian Buddhist texts which is simply called “The Main Texts of India”. It is a very old compilation, dating from the early days of the second wave of dharma that came into Tibet. Maitripa's writings are mostly very short and pithy and have the quality of oral teaching. These writings always deal with the view and are very important to followers of the Other Emptiness teaching because they definitely show that view. This book is a compilation of several of these writings. They were selected from the whole set of Maitripa's writings because they very clearly show his presentation of the Other Emptiness view in both sutra and tantra contexts. There are texts on Madhyamaka, Co-emergence, Chakrasamvara practice, and so on. The book has the texts in translation with a full set of notes and commentary by the author to make the meaning of the very terse writing clear. Kagyu practitioners who are interested in the view will find the book very useful and Chakrasamvara practitioners in general will appreciate the Chakrasamvara text. The book can be previewed by downloading a free version of the book that does not have the notes and commentary from our free texts page. The following writings of Maitripa are included in the book:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Lion's Roar That Proclaims Zhantong by Ju Mipham Namgyal Translation, introduction, and commentarial notes by Tony Duff 72 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$15, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-8244-6-0 Tibetan text: included. 
Ju Mipham Namgyal is one of the best known authors of the Nyingma tradition. He was a prolific writer with an
extraordinary knowledge of his own and others' dharma traditions. He wrote many texts on philosophical
issues including a pair of commentaries on Zhantong (Other Emptiness). Of them, the first focusses on
the meaning of Other Emptiness and the second focusses on the meaning of sugatagarbha taken from an Other Emptiness
perspective. The book here contains a translation of the first of the two texts.Lama Tony has had many teachings on Other Emptiness from various important teachers both Kagyu and Nyingma and is very knowledgeable of the subject. In particular, he received extensive commentaries on this text in private from Khenpo Palden Sherab, Khenpo Thrangu Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyatso, and Traleg Rinpoche. The translation in this book reflects Lama Tony's considerable knowledge of Zhantong in general and his deep understanding gained through the commentaries received from these very learned Tibetan teachers and the many texts on the subject that he has read. Although there are other translations available, the reader will find this one particularly clear. Also, the reader will find that the threads of logic running through the long section of very difficult philosophical argument are outstandingly clear. Lama Tony has become well-known for his careful use of innovative terminology, all based in traditional explanations of the meaning of the terms, and this text on the view is greatly helped by it. A major work is in progress which will put together the translation contained in this book with a very extensive commentary to the text written by Lama Tony. The commentary will be based especially on detailed commentaries received from Khenpo Palden Sherab and Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. It will not be available for some time so this book, containing the root text, has been published to help the many students who are now studying this text. In addition, another major work on Other Emptiness is being readied for publication. This work explains Other Emptiness very extensively, presenting many texts from the Kagyu tradition. Many Westerners have developed the idea, from reading texts like this of Mipham, that Other Emptiness is all about extremely difficult philosophy. In fact, it is not; it is a teaching meant for practice! This other major work will show the practical side of Other Emptiness. Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: available here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Condensed Chronicle by Orgyan Padma By Tony Duff 30 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$15, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-8244-5-3 Tibetan text: not included. 
Padmasambhava himself gave two verbal accounts of his life and who he was. One is a very long exposition, known simply as the
Chronicles of Padma. The other is a much shorter version of the same, known as The Condensed Chronicle by
Orgyab Padma.The condensed version was told by Padmasambhava as a story to King Mutri Tsanpo, son of King Trisong Deutsen, at the King's request. Padmasambhava recounts in his unique style who he is, his life story, practices, and accomplishments. Then, at a further request of the king, Padmasambhava makes many predictions into the far future. The predictions are interesting because many of them are about past events and every prediction can be seen to have been exactly correct. Padmasambhava commanded that his story should be recorded and hidden as treasure. That was done and the record of it was revealed much later on; the details are also included in the text. The book is a translation of the text with introduction and some notes as necessary to clarify certain parts of the text. The events around the work of translation were quite interesting. The work was done during a major set of empowerments given at Zhechen monastery in 2005. Zhadeu Thrulzhig Rinpoche, who was giving the empowerments, introduced the reading of the entire text as part of the daily prayers for the entire assembly. He explained that reading it out loud once a day or even once a month, etcetera, had profound power to avert obstacles and problems and bring auspiciousness. At the time there was no translation in English and the large Western contingent was unable to do the practice. Therefore, I did the translation the next day, printed it, and offered it to the Westerners who were pleased to be able to join in. On its presentation, Thrulzhig Rinpoche was especially pleased, and there were unusual signs in the environment that showed the dakinis likewise were very pleased! Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: available here. However, note that the electronic edition is not the same as the one used for the translation. The one used for the translation is from the original revealed treasure, the one provided here had been incorporated in the New Termas of Chogling and was extracted from that. There are slight differences between the two editions; the original edition is slightly better. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Feature of the Expert, Glorious King Teaching on the Three Lines That Strike the Key Points, Root Text and Commentary by Dza Patrul Translations and extensive introduction by Tony Duff 82 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$20, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-8244-3-9 Tibetan text: included. 
The first Patrul Rinpoche is one of the important lineage holders of the Longchen Nyingthig transmission of
innermost Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo). He wrote many texts on Great Completion practices. One of them
has become particularly famous as a manual for the practice of Thorough Cut (Thregcho). It is treasured for its
particularly clear and complete explanation of the practice from the very beginning all the way to the very end of the
practice. These days, it is the text most commonly used to explain the practiceThe actual title of this text is “The Feature of the Expert, Glorious King”. The Expert, Glorious King is Patrul's description of himself as someone who has the lineage and means to provide this explanation of one of the most profound practices of dharma. The lineage of innermost Dzogchen has several root teachings on Thorough Cut practice and all of them can be used as a basis for a manual of how to practice Thorough Cut. One of the most popular ones is a teaching that came from Garab Dorje after he had passed away. This teaching was given as a set of three lines of instructions to his disciple Manjushrimitra and is generally known as the “Three Lines”. Patrul's text is actually an explanation of the Three Lines teaching from Garab Dorje. Patrul used the three lines as a basis and then expanded on them so that their meaning could be more easily understood. For that reason, the text has become known as The Three Lines that Strike the Key Points. It is so commonly called by this name that many people do not know the actual name of the text. There are a number of translations of the text floating around but all of them are lacking in various ways. One of biggest problems with these translations is that most of them were made by translators who were not fully familiar with the material. The result is that most translations make major mistakes in the translation and all of them miss out on the subtleties of meaning involved. Proof of this is contained in the fact that most of them even mistranslate the title, not understanding its words or their significance! Because of this Tsoknyi Rinpoche asked Lotsawa Tony, who had already heard, practised, translated, and explained this text and the teachings on Thorough Cut in general for many years, to make a very careful translation of the text. Patrul Rinpoche not only wrote this text but wrote his own, short commentary to it as well. The commentary certainly will help anyone to understand the very terse words of the original text. Therefore this book contains translations both of the root text and Patrul's own commentary to it. The book also includes an introduction that tells more about the text, notes and a glossary that provide significant help with the unique terminology involved, and an explanation of what the title actually says! Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: available here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
About The Three Lines That Strike Key Points An Explanation of Thorough Cut With Direct Crossing Woven In by Dodrupchen III, Tenpa'i Nyima Translation and extensive introduction by Tony Duff 100 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$35, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-8244-4-6 Tibetan text: included. 
The Dodrupchens are well-known as one of the main holders of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage. The first Dodrupchen, Jigmey
Thrinley Ozer was a direct disciple of Jigmey Lingpa. After spending many years with Jigmey Lingpa, he returned to East Tibet
and established a monastery at Dodrupchen. The third Dodrupchen declared that he would write extensively as a way to provide
support for transmission of the lineage. Later, he was known especially for his writings in support of the system.The text here contains a teaching given when he was quite young and shows the extent to which he understood the depths of the system even at that early age. He was asked to give some clarification of Garab Dorje's Three Lines teaching and this text is the result. This text of the Dodrupchen's is particularly interesting because it was not included in the original Collected Works of this Dodrupchen but was discovered much later and included only in recent editions of the Collected Works. The Three Lines teaching is one of the main ways that Dzogchen view is transmitted these days. The Three Lines teaching is essentially a teaching on Thorough Cut. This can be clearly seen from Patrul's explanation of the teaching in his text called Feature of the Glorious, Expert King. In fact, Patrul's text is a pithy presentation of the way that the Dzogchen lineage transmits the meaning of Garab Dorje's Three Lines. Dodrupchen's explanation of the Three Lines Teaching is particularly interesting because, as he himself says, the teaching does not follow the time-honoured style of explanation of Garab Dorje's teaching. It is clear from reading the text that Dodrupchen was explaining the subject from his own realization. This makes the text a particularly interesting complement to a text like Patrul's Feature of the Expert, Glorious King and we would strongly recommend that the two be read in conjunction with each other. Moreover, Dodrupchen's explanations cover important points that are not covered or not clearly covered in Patrul's text. It is for these various reasons that Lama Tony felt that this text should be translated and added to PKTC's collection of texts made specifically for the sake of Dzogchen practitioners. One of the features of the transmission of Dzogchen in Tibet, as Lama Tony has experienced it personally, is that the teaching of Thorough Cut is never really divorced from the teaching of Direct Crossing (thogal). Therefore, it is no surprise that Dodrupchen does not stop merely with an explanation of Thorough Cut in this book but continues by showing how it connects to Direct Crossing and then gives a short teaching on the main points of Direct Crossing. The book contains the Dodrupchen's text in English. It includes extensive notes from Lama Tony to clarify difficult points in the text, a complete glossary to help clarify the meaning of the unique terminology of the system, and the Tibetan text as well. Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: not available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
This book centres on the liturgy for doing the preliminary practices of Longchen Nyingthig. It was written by the
first Dodrupchen, one of the heart disciples of Jigmey Lingpa. The book features a fresh translation of the liturgy that
corrects the many mistakes, omissions, and un-necessary additions found in the several translations available
at the moment. At the same time, it words the liturgy in a way that is convenient for recitation in English.The Tibetan liturgy assumes a high level of understanding of the system and its terminology. Therefore, several Tibetan commentaries have been written to explain it. Four of them are included in the book. The commentary of the first Khyentse Rinpoche, Khyentse Wangpo is presented in order to explain the procedures involved. It is regarded as one of the root texts of the Longchen Nyingthig scriptures. It focusses on the procedures and does not delve into the theory or terminology involved. To explain the terminology and the theory where needed, the author was encouraged by his lineage gurus to write a major commentary in English. His commentary, the first written by an English lama, has been included. This commentary clarifies the unique terminology of the system and also the meaning of the liturgy in a straightforward but precise way. It also clarifies several very difficult points of the liturgy, such as the refuge section, showing how they should be understood according to the lineage. To write the commentary, the author relied on the extensive oral instructions he has received from a variety of lineage gurus and his extensive reading of Tibetan commentaries. These sources are quoted throughout the commentary. To make the book even more complete, two commentaries by a great Nyingthig master who lived in East Tibet in the 20th century, Yukhog Chadralwa, have been included. Yukhog Chadralwa was known for having heard an enormous amount of teaching from various masters and having practised it to completion. His writings are filled with oral instructions obtained from various Longchen Nyingthig lineage holders, giving the reader access to the tradition in ways not normally possible. Excerpts from one of his commentaries give very clear presentations of important but little-known aspects of the theory behind the refuge verse, the Vajrasatva practice, and the mandala practice. The other commentary is particularly interesting because it highlights the meditational aspect of the preliminaries, showing how the practice of the preliminaries is really a practice of the innate wisdom mind and how to connect with that key point when doing the practices. This text alone will make the book of interest to practitioners at all levels and not only those who are working on the preliminary practices. His written works are very hard to obtain; these are the first translations of his works to appear in English. There are a number of prayers and supplications that are usually done with the preliminary practices. Therefore, several prayers and support practices are included. There is the waking practice by Jigmey Lingpa, the speech blessing, and the Prayer that Spontaneously Fulfills Wishes by Padmasambhava. The translation of the Padmasambhava's prayer includes historical material of interest that is part of the original prayer but which is mostly excluded from English translations; this contextual material is important because it helps to arouse faith and devotion so it has been included. The book contains an extensive introduction that explains the meaning of Longchen Nyingthig Great Completion and all other matters relevant to the book. It also includes a summary of Jigmey Lingpa's encounters with Longchenpa taken from his autobiographies. All parts of the book are copiously footnoted and there is an extensive glossary, too. If you are doing the Longchen Nyingthig preliminary practices, you will find that this is the clearest and most complete presentation of the practice available. For others, this compilation of materials will give considerable insight into the theory and practice of the Longchen Nyingthig system and clarification of the Dzogchen dharma in general. In addition, there are many comments, definitions, and explanations which will be of great use to translators. The following texts are included:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The root texts of Longchen Nyingthig contain a text for Chod practice. The text is part of the root transmission of
the Longchen Nyingthig dharma that Jigmey Lingpa received as mind treasure from Longchenpa. The text includes both
an explanation of the practice and a liturgy for doing it. The text is popularly known by its Tibetan name “khadro gayjang”,
or “Sound of Dakini Laughter”. This book contains a fresh translation of the liturgy, one that corrects the many
mistakes, omissions, and un-necessary additions found in most translations available at the moment, and especially in
the ones that are available free on the internet. The translation was intended to be used as a practice text, and
the rhythms and poetry of the Tibetan original have been retained as far as possible.The Tibetan text assumes a high level of understanding of the system and its terminology. Therefore, several Tibetan commentaries have been written to explain it. The most popular one is by Dza Patrul and is called Profound Foremost Instructions for the Chod Practice Sound of Dakini Laughter. This commentary explains the details of all the visualizations involved in the practice and makes some very important comments about the right and wrong way to practice Chod. Amongst Tibetans, it is regarded as the best companion to Jigmey Lingpa's text. Therefore, the author has translated it, included notes as necessary to clarify it, and included it in the book. Furthermore, new editions of both Tibetan texts have been made and included. These new editions of the Tibetan texts carefully correct mistakes found in the main Tibetan editions that are available at the moment and especially in the copies of Jigmey Lingpa's text that are floating around on the internet. Jigmey Lingpa's text contains much which is not explained in Dza Patrul's text. Therefore, the author was encouraged by several lineage holding gurus to write a long commentary that would explain the whole text in a way that would make it accessible to English speakers. The commentary has been included in the book. It is the first true commentary to this text written by a qualified Western teacher. The author has added an introduction that clarifies many points, a glossary, and many notes to ensure that all details are fully explained. The author explains in detail how this particular practice of Chod is unusual because of being based in Nyingthig Dzogchen dharma. The author knows well, through personal experience of the practice done in one of the main Dzogchen monasteries of Tibet, how the view and practice of this Nyingthig Chod differs from the normal view and practice of Chod. He explains the difference very clearly and extensively in the introduction. His authentic experience and knowledge of the Longchen Nyingthig system has guided the translation of these texts so that they correctly reflect the view of the Longchen Nyingthig Chod practice. If you are a Chod practitioner, you will find this book invaluable. For others who are interested in Dzogchen practice, there are many insights to be gained from the text and the explanations provided with it. The following texts are included:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Empowerment and Ati Yoga by Tony Duff 72 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$20, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-8244-5-3 Tibetan texts: not included. 
This book was composed to assist Western students who are taking empowerments in general. The book pays
attention in particular to the meaning of the fourth empowerment, which itself is the direct meaning of Mahamudra
and Maha Ati (Dzogpa Chenpo). It presents translations of the ritual texts used to give key empowerments
in the Nyingma system and, especially, presents the root empowerment text of the Longchen Nyingthig cycle of innermost
Dzogchen.The book starts with an introduction that clearly explains empowerment. The introduction uses quotations from Padma Karpo's explanation of the Bodyless Dakini cycle of the Kagyu, which is the ultimate Dharmakaya practice given to Tailopa directly by Vajravarahi. Although this comes from the Mahamudra teachings, it is a teaching at the dharmakaya level, therefore it has the same meaning as innermost Dzogchen. The introduction continues by making particular reference to the Ati way of empowerment. The book continues with the root empowerment text of the Longchen Nyingthig cycle, The King’s Coronation Anointing Vase Empowerment. This text is from the root volumes of the Longchen Nyingthig Dzogchen transmission; anyone receiving the empowerments of the Longchen Nyingthig cycle will want the book just for this text. There are copious notes that explain the particular language of this empowerment and which show the unique approach of innermost Dzogchen in the process. Following that text, the text for the fourth empowerment of The Narrow Fortress of the Eight Logos is presented. This is one of the central empowerments of the collected Kama empowerments of the Nyingma system. It shows the meaning of the fourth empowerment especially clearly and in Ati style. Again, there are copious notes to help bring out the meaning. Once empowerment has been obtained, it is necessary to get the instructions on the practice and then to do the practice. Therefore, in order to make the book complete, the empowerment texts are followed by a teaching from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche on how to practice at this level. It was written as a letter to one of his Tibetan lady disciples. The letter contains a beautiful exposition of the Great Completion path, in purely practical style, and provides an excellent summary of the actual practice of the whole path of Thorough Cut. The book overall consistently uses the unique language of Great Completion and the selection of texts shows how that language is used by the tradition when giving the empowerments and instructions on how to practice. Altogether, the book gives an overview of the path, all from an Ati perspective, in a way that notseen so far in the West. The commentary on empowerment was written entirely by Lama Tony Duff based on his years of experience with this particular dharma. All of the translations were done either during the empowerments themselves, for the sake of the other practitioners present, or, in the case of the final teaching, during the teachings on the letter given by Rabjam Rinpoche during the annual Zhechen seminar at Bodhgaya. The text carries the full weight of the blessings of the various empowerments and instructions that prompted the translations and ultimately, composition of the book. The following texts are included:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Essential Points of Practice A Manual of Basic Instructions on Thorough Cut by Zhechen Gyaltshab Translation and extensive introduction by Tony Duff 62 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$20, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-9031-5-8 Tibetan text: included. 
Zhechen Gyaltshab was one of the principal masters of Zhechen Monastery in East Tibet, the monastery
where Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche made his home before leaving Tibet. The Zhechen Gyaltsabs have
always been regarded as highly learned and accomplished and this comes through in the clarity of the
instructions in his text.The text is a short but very clear presentation of the essential points of practice of Thorough Cut (khregs chod) of innermost Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo). We provide many texts of the Thorough Cut practice and each one adds something to the understanding of that practice. Zhechen Gyaltsab's text transmits the same meaning as Patrul's Feature of the Expert, Glorious King which is also available from us. However and just as the title suggests, Zhechen Gyaltshab writes in a very practical way and in doing so, makes a number of points that other authors do not. His text is well-known in the Tibetan tradition as one of several texts that are particularly useful to anyone who is practising Thorough Cut. An introduction explains the place of the text and extensive notes to the text form a commentary to the text. An extensive glossary is provided to help clarify the meaning of the unique terminology of this system. The book is ideal for anyone who is practising Thorough Cut. As with our other books on innermost Dzogchen, we strongly advise that you not purchase the book unless you have had the necessary instructions. Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: not available. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Way of the Realized Old Dogs, Advice that Points Out the Essence of Mind, called “A Lamp That Dispels Darkness” by Ju Mipham Namgyal Translation and commentary by Tony Duff 52 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$20, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-8244-2-2 Tibetan text: included. 
Ju Mipham Namgyal is one of the best known authors of the Nyingma tradition. He was a prolific writer with an
extraordinary knowledge of his own and others' dharma traditions. He wrote several texts on the topics of innermost
Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo). The one here is one of his texts on Thorough Cut (khregs chod).
The wording of the title “Way of the Realized Old Dogs” is explained in the introduction by the author. Briefly though,
it means that this is a text that lays out the way of practice of those who just practise the essence of their own minds
and who develop realization that way. Through this, they eventually become realized in the system and wise to
it; they become “Realized Old Dogs”.The text is a favourite of tantrikas, or, in Tibetan, ngagpas. It is a favourite for them because it is specifically for practitioners who do not live in a monastery or other dharma institution and who do not spend their lives developing a vast scholastic knowledge of Buddhism. In modern, Western terms, it is a text written specifically for the urban yogi. As the text says,
As with each of our texts on Thorough Cut, this one has its own flavour and does emphasize certain aspects of the path. As it lays out the approach of the urban yogi, it has to present the introduction (often called pointing out) to the nature of mind. It does this in using what are called “differentiations”. This is unusual because differentiations are usually transmitted orally from the teacher to the student and mostly are not written down. There are many differentiations; in this case Mipham sets out the differentiation between alaya and dharmakaya. The presence of this teaching is another reason for adding this to a library of teachings on Thorough Cut. Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: not available. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Method of Preserving the Face of Rigpa, The Essence of Wisdom An Aspect of Training in Thorough Cut by Ju Mipham Namgyal Translation and commentary by Tony Duff 28 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$15, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-8244-1-5 Tibetan text: included. 
Ju Mipham Namgyal is one of the best known authors of the Nyingma tradition. He was a prolific writer with an
extraordinary knowledge of his own and others' dharma traditions. He wrote several texts on the topics of innermost
Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo). The one here is one of his texts on Thorough Cut (khregs chod).
The wording of the title “Preserving the Face of Rigpa” is explained in the introduction by the
author. Briefly though, it is saying that this is a text that focusses on one specific aspect of Thorough Cut
practice called “preserving rigpa”. The remainder of the title, “The Essence of Wisdom”, refers to the fact
that this technique of preserving rigpa really is the essential technique for developing wisdom.The text is short but has become one of the core texts used in Tibet to teach this specific aspect of Thorough Cut practice. Because it is so popular within the Tibetan tradition and because it is one of the few texts that deals specifically with this subject, we felt that it was a worthy addition to our selection of texts on the subject of Thorough Cut. Therefore, we have translated it and made a book out of it. Note that, although this text was written as part of Dzogchen instruction, it is equally applicable to the practice of essence Mahamudra. Thus the text is ideal for anyone who is practising either of the two. A short but clear introduction makes the content of the text accessible. Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: not available. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Differentiating Non-Distraction and So Forth An Aspect of Training in Thorough Cut Translation and commentary by Tony Duff 32 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$15, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-9031-2-7 Tibetan text: included. 
The author of this text is unknown but the text is regarded within Tibetan circles as one of a number of
particularly useful texts that deal with specific aspects of innermost Great Completion (Dzogchen) practice. This
text deals with the specific aspect of Thorough Cut (Thregcho) practice called “differentations”.The text is unusual in that “differentiations” are usually transmitted orally from the teacher to the student and mostly are not written down. There are many differentiations. The author of this text lays out three of the most important ones. He also adds some further oral instruction connected with the general practice of Thorough Cut. This is another important text to have in a library of teachings on Thorough Cut. Note that, although this text was written as part of Dzogchen instruction, it is equally applicable to the practice of essence Mahamudra. Thus, the text is ideal for anyone who is practising either of the two. A short but clear introduction makes the content of the text accessible. Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: not available. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Key Points of Direct Crossing, called “Nectar of the Pure Part” From the Collected Works of Khenchen Padma Namgyal of Zurmang College Translation and introduction by Tony Duff A text about Direct Crossing (thogal) practice ISBN: 978-9937-9031-1-0 26 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$25, PDF and paper available. Tibetan text: included. 
Khenchen Padma Namgyal was one of the great khenpos of Zurmang Monastery in Kham (Zurmang is the seat of the Trungpa
Rinpoches). Khenchen Padma Namgyal travelled to Dzogchen monastery where he entered the famous Shri Singha College
to gain a deep Buddhist education. He also learned the practices of Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo) while he was
there. After completing his studies, he returned to Zurmang where he became renowned as a particularly knowledgeable
khenpo who also had a deep practical understanding of innermost Great Completion practice.One day, Khenchen Padma Namgyal had gone out onto a mountain side for a session of Direct Crossing (thogal) practice with his students. He started the session, as is usually done, with some instruction. The instruction turned into a summary of the whole practice of Direct Crossing. Lama Tony, while receiving these same instructions in places formerly visited by the Khenchen, was given the text. The auspicious connection was overwhelming so he translated the text immediately in the hope that it would be useful to others. The text is very short but the instruction is complete and will definitely be helpful to anyone who is genuinely doing Direct Crossing practice. The book can be purchased by writing to Lotsawa Tony and asking for a copy. It will only be sold to those who are actually doing the practice and who do have proper instructions. Please present your credentials at that time. Needless to say, this kind of material is very hard to come by! Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: not available. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
E-mail a request for the book | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Alchemy of Accomplishment Instructions of Mountain Dharma, Heart Guidance on the Practice Expressed in an Easy-to-Understand Way by Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje Translation and extensive introduction by Tony Duff 94 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$25, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-9031-3-4 Tibetan text: included. 
Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje was one of the great masters of the Nyingma tradition who lived during
the 1900's. At one time, he was asked to give the basic instructions for Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo)
practice to the members of a three year three month retreat that had just started. His discourse was recorded
in writing and included in his Collected Works. The text of his discourse has become another of the
several texts that have become very important for and are used frequently to present the teaching on Thorough Cut
(khregs chod) of innermost Dzogchen. It has become popular not only in the Dudjom lineage but in Nyingma
traditions in general because of its exceptionally clear and easy-to-understand explanation that comes right from
the heart and goes straight to the heart.The text contains full details of Thorough Cut practice explained in a way that is very easy to understand but which does not avoid any of the unique and beautiful technical language of the system. Here is a small quote from the book. It is what he says to the retreatants just after he has given the introduction (sometimes called pointing out instruction) to them:
We found that the original edition of the text as found in Dudjom's Collected Works has many errors in it. Therefore, we made a new, correct edition that was checked by Gan Rinchen, the former head of Dudjom Rinpoche's centres in the United States. The new edition is included in the book for all concerned and is available as a free electronic edition from our site (see below). Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: available here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Gampopa's Mahamudra The Mahamudra of the Kagyu in Five Parts by Lotsawa Tony Duff 205 pages, line drawings, 5.5" X 8.5", US$25, paper only, no PDF available. ISBN: 978-9937-2-0607-5 Tibetan texts: not included. 
Gampopa taught Mahamudra to his heart disciple Phagmo Drupa in a specific way that made it into a five-part practice. Phagmo Drupa
practised it then taught it widely to his disciples. From there, “The Five-Part Mahamudra”, as it is called became an
important part of the Kagyu approach to Mahamudra.This book is a complete reference to the Five-Part Mahamudra teaching. It contains translations of several key texts by important authors of Drigung, Drukpa, and Karma Kagyu lineages. It contains unpublished selections from Gampopa's Collected Works including his exchanges with Phagmo Drupa that led to the Five-Part system. It contains texts that explain the entire practice from Jigten Sumgon, The translator from Throphu, Situ Chokyi Jungnay, and the Zhamar Konchog Yanlag. It ends with a very extensive oral explanation of the system from the current Benchen Tenga Rinpoche. This is the first book to present the Five-Part Mahamudra system in its entirety and is unusual for the extensive translations of source texts contained. The introduction by the author provides a very clear overview of the tradition and full information on the texts in the book. Download Tibetan texts in TibetD format: available here. The following texts are included:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dusum Khyenpa's Songs and Teachings A Variety of Songs and Teachings from the First Karmapa's Collected Works Translations, biography, and introduction by Tony Duff 62 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$20, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-9031-3-4 Tibetan texts: not included. 
The Collected Works of Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa, consists of about four volumes of texts. It
is very rare, almost non-existent. We managed to obtain a copy and save it from extinction. (You can
purchase a copy from us at our electronic texts for sale; it is the
only place you can get it from, to the best of our knowledge).Much of Dusum Khyenpa's Collected Works are taken up with complete sets of teachings on the various yidams of the Kagyu lineage that he received and practised. However, there is a small section containing eight dohas (spontaneous songs of spiritual realization) sung by Dusum Khyenpa. There is also a short text that gives the transmission of a specific Mahamudra teaching called “Mahamudra, the Thunderbolt”. We translated seven of the eight dohas and the Mahamudra teaching and put them together into a small book, for the sake of the many followers of the Karmapa and the Kagyu teachings in general. As a matter of interest, we were amazed to find a text in Dusum Khyenpa's Collected Works that gives specific details of how to do the practice called “Dead Entry”, a practice which was supposedly eliminated from the Kagyu transmission because of the dangers involved. It is often said that the teaching disappeared with Marpa the Translator but this entry in the Collected Works shows that it really was transmitted on through the lineage. The following texts are included:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Two of the key teachings in the Kagyu system are the hearing lineage Chakrasamvara and Vajrayogini
teachings which Tailopa obtained in person by storming the palaces of Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi respectively. The
instructions received from Vajravarahi became known as the dharmakaya teaching of the Bodyless Dakini and
the teachings were passed down in what is known as the Dakini Hearing Lineage.The Dakini Hearing lineage is one of the root teachings of the Kagyu. It is a very important teaching for any Kagyu practitioner but especially for anyone doing the Vajrayogini or Chakrasamvara practices. This book is a major exposition of the Kagyu Dakini Hearing lineage teaching. It begins with a long introduction to the Dakini Hearing Lineage. The introduction gives the history of the teachings and its transmission, principal figures involved, the texts of the system, and a great deal of background information. It also tells the story of the criticisms levelled at the system by the Sakya Pandita and the very strong refutation of his criticisms by the famous fourth Drukchen, Padma Karpo. Three key texts of the system are presented in the body of the book. The first text is the very root of the Bodyless Dakini dharma, the original teaching spoken out of empty space by Vajravarahi to Tailopa, and the teachings that he in turn spoke out of empty space to Naropa. Following that, there is the original Indian sadhana for the practice. Then comes a very long explanatory text called The Thorough Explanation by Padma Karpo that shows the whole path of realization of these Vajrayogini teachings. The book is a handbook of the Bodyless Vajrayogini teachings that contains much information that will be of interest to Vajrayogini and Chakrasamvara practitioners. The book will be of general interest to all Kagyu followers. It will also be of interest to Sakya followers and to historians interested in Sakya Pandita's attacks on the Kagyu lineage. The following texts are included:
Entire set of Tibetan texts of the Rechungpa Hearing Lineage is available from our Tibetan texts page. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Peak Doorways to Emancipation Great Completion Texts on the Introduction to the Nature of Mind and Thorough Cut from the Collected Works of Shakya Shri Translations, extensive introduction, and commentarial notes by Tony Duff 88 pages, 1 colour plate, 5.5" X 8.5", US$20, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-9031-9-6 Tibetan texts: included. 
Shakya Shri was one of the greatest masters of the Drukpa Kagyu around the end of the nineteenth century. He was renowned
for having practised and accomplished both the Mahamudra traditions of the Drukpa Kagyu and the Great Completion (Dzogpa Chenpo)
tradition that had come to him through his root guru, Khamtrul Rinpoche. He taught students either Mahamudra or Great
Completion or a mixture of both, whatever was suitable for them.This book presents two texts from his Collected Works. Each one presents a specific aspect of innermost Dzogchen practice though the first text, on the introduction to the nature of mind, is fully applicable to essence Mahamudra, too. We chose the two texts because they highlight specific aspects of these practices that are not explained in any other texts available from us. As with several other texts on Thorough Cut, each text offers instruction on a key aspect of the teaching. The first text is specifically on the topic of introduction to the nature of mind (sometimes called pointing out instruction). It is hard to find a text which, like this one does, specifically discusses this key technique of the higher tantras. The text will be of interest to anyone who is practising Mahamudra or Dzogpa Chenpo. The second text continues by giving instruction on how to realize the nature of mind after it has been introduced to the disciple. This text specifically explains the practices of the Thorough Cut (khregs chod) of Great Completion. This text also includes specific instructions on the special preliminary practice of innermost Great Completion called Parting into Sides (Tibetan, rushen). Both texts are very explicit and will be of real interest to anyone engaged in Mahamudra or Great Completion. The texts are Drukpa Kagyu so they will be of special interest to Drukpa Kagyu followers. The book includes a very complete introduction and extensive notes to help understand the texts. The following texts are included:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ground, Path, and Fruition Teachings of Tsoknyi Rinpoche Translation, extensive introduction, and commentarial notes by Tony Duff 206 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$25, paper only available. ISBN: Tibetan texts: not applicable. 
A companion to the Hinting at Dzogchen book. This is a restricted publication because it contains
the profound oral instructions of Great Completion (Dzogchen) and Essence Mahamudra. It consists of
three complete teachings given by Tsoknyi Rinpoche and translated by Lotsawa Tony Duff. The
teachings focus on Essence Mahamudra in general and the Thorough Cut practice of Dzogchen Nyingthig
in particular. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
go here for details, purchase.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Hinting at Dzogchen Teachings of Tsoknyi Rinpoche Translation, extensive introduction, and commentarial notes by Tony Duff 302 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$35, paper only available. ISBN: 978-9937-2-0224-4 Tibetan texts: not applicable. 
Lotsawa Tony was the personal translator to Tsoknyi Rinpoche throughout the 1990's. This book is a
compendium of many of the teachings that he heard at the time. It is a non-restricted
publication and companion to a second, restricted book of teachings
called Ground, Path, and Fruition. These translations are not available elsewhere nor
are they available as recordings. All of them deal with the practice of
Great Completion (Dzogchen), and Thorough Cut in particular. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
go here for details, purchase. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Meditator's Guide to Great Completion by Mingyur Rinpoche Translation and short introduction by Tony Duff 260 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$35, PDF and paper available. Tibetan texts: not applicable. 
A complete set of teachings on the path of Great Completion as given by Mingyur Rinpoche. The teaching covers every topic,
from beginning to end, for a person wanting to do the practice.The book starts with an explanation of the truth of suffering and proceeds through the basic sutra teachings that have to be contemplated in order to re-orient the mind so that it turns away from cyclic existence towards enlightenment. The teachings here are simple but precise and very clear. The teaching then goes through the basics of the Vajra Vehicle: the preliminary practices, followed by the need for empowerment, followed by the practice of development stage. In these teachings, Mingyur Rinpoche gave and taught the practice of Vajrasatva, which is the most universal practice that works for the whole Vajra Vehicle. This practice is also closely tied to the teaching of Great Completion so it is very fitting. Each of the subjects involved is again taught very clearly and precisely. The teaching then spends considerable time on the practices of shamatha and vipashyana which are taught in a way that is consistent with the Parting Sides (Tib. rushen) practice of Great Completion. This part of the teaching is very extensive. It can be understood equally as the general practice of emptiness that is taught in the Great Vehicle as well as a particular precursor to the main practices of Great Completion. The teachings here correspond exactly to what Mingyur Rinpoche has set out as the first level of practice for all of his students. The teaching then proceeds to the main practice of Thorough Cut (khreg chod) of Great Completion. The teachings here are well set out and taught in a way that eliminates the doubts that people who have practised the Lesser Vehicle often have when confronted with these higher teachings. This style of teaching happened because most of the students in the audience were the students of Tsoknyi Rinpoche who had been practising the Vipassana system taught by Jack Kornfield and his group. The teachings here are not diluted but are taught in a way that clears away misconceptions about the practice. The book ends with various subjects related to the practice of Thorough Cut. The teaching does not include teachings on Direct Crossing (Tib. thod rgal). This teaching was Rinpoche's first teaching in the West. It was given in California in 1997 with Lotsawa Tony as the translator. Tsoknyi Rinpoche asked Lotsawa Tony to go to translate for Mingyur Rinpoche because of Tony's many years of experience with the whole of the Buddhist teaching in general and particularly with translating Great Completion. Tony offered to make a book out of the teachings for Mingyur Rinpoche who was pleased with the idea. The book is unusually clear and complete because of the combined abilities of the teacher and translator. Mingyur Rinpoche asked that the book be restricted because of the explicit teachings on Thorough Cut. It can be purchased from us by contacting us and indicating that you are qualified to receive the book. To qualify, you have to have heard Mingyur Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, or Tulku Ugyen's teachings on Thorough Cut or you have a letter or other proof of authorization from Mingyur Rinpoche himself. Those who have obtained complete instruction in Thorough from another teacher can also apply. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
E-mail a request for the book | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A Complete Session of Meditation Mingyur Rinpoche and Lama Tony Duff 147 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$25, PDF and paper available. Tibetan texts: not applicable. 
This is a book of teachings on how to do a complete session of meditation. The book is a compilation made by Lama Tony
to help those who would like to practise meditation in the Kagyu or Nyingma way. It emphasizes the practical style of
instruction found in the Kagyu tradition for those who actually want to do something with the mind. It deliberately
avoids the scholarly style taught in some other Tibetan Buddhist traditions and focusses directly on working directly with
one's own mind. Nonetheless, the book is very precise and clear about all of the key points involved in meditation
practice.The book emphasizes the Kagyu approach in particular. Lama Tony has received teachings from many Kagyu masters and used his knowledge of the tradition as a basis for making the book for his own students. Tony selected important texts from Gampopa and other early masters to set explain the basis for meditation. Tony was Mingyur Rinpoche's first translator and translated many of his teachings so a number of them were used for the actual instructions on meditation contained in the book. Lama Tony added other, necessary teachings according to the extensive teachings he has received over many years from many, different Kagyu masters, such as Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The result is a book that contains a complete teaching on how to do a complete session of meditation in the style of the Kagyu tradition. The book begins with a length introduction by Lama Tony which is a teaching in its own right. Mingyur Rinpoche likes to teach science and learned a lot of what he does know from much time spent with Lama Tony, who has a Ph.D. in molecular biology. Lama Tony writes a lengthy piece about what can and cannot usefully be obtained from science in terms of dharma practice. This should be of real interest to Westerners, especially those who believe that science has something to offer Buddhist practice. Following the introduction, there is a long chapter on buddha nature, which is presented by using a significant portion of Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen's explanation of the ground in his famous Mountain Dharma text. This text is often taught by Kagyu gurus in order to show the meaning of buddha nature. This is the first time that this part of Dolpopa's text has been fully translated and published. Following that, there is a chapter containing an unpublished work of Gampopa that lays out the whole Kagyu path. Following that is the seminal text written by Gampopa that sets out his teaching of the four Dharmas of Gampopa. This also has not been published to date. The next chapter is a clear teaching on the whole Kagyu path by Mingyur Rinpoche that is based on Gampopa's Four Dharmas. All the chapters so far have been for setting the stage for the actual teachings on meditation. The remainder of the book is taken up with actual teachings on how to do a complete session of meditation. This part of the book is structured around the teaching on what is called “The Three Excellences”. Any complete set of meditation will begin with the preliminary practices of taking refuge and arousing enlightenment mind. Lama Tony has written a chapter on this. Following that, there is the main practice, which in the Kagyu system of meditation, will be shamatha-vipashyana practice that ultimately leads to Mahamudra realization. There are several, substantial chapters that cover all the topics involved. These chapters rely for the most part on Mingyur Rinpoche's teaching. A complete session of meditation will end with the third excellence, which is dedication. For this, there is a short chapter written by Lama Tony based on teachings received from many Kagyu gurus. The book is quite different from most of the books on meditation that are available to date. Lama Tony has used his extensive knowledge of the Kagyu tradition and of Tibetan literature to compile a book that presents the tradition accurately by including seminal works of early masters and combining them with modern-day teachings. Anyone who practises meditation will find this book useful in many different ways and Kagyu practitioners in particular will find it most useful. Moreover, the whole book corresponds to what Mingyur Rinpoche has set out as his first level of teaching for his own students; it will be a “must read” for them. The following texts are included:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Kunzang Thugtig, Samantabhadra's Mind Essence; the Texts for the Practice of Thorough Cut
and Direct Crossing (Thregcho and Thogal) Translations and introduction by Tony Duff 62 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$25, PDF and paper available. Tibetan texts: not included. 
The Chogling Tersar (New Treasures of Choggyur Lingpa) contains a number of anthologies that come
from the treasures revealed by Choggyur Lingpa and which contain everything needed for a complete practice
from beginning to end of the Vajra Vehicle. One of the most profound anthologies is the one popularly
called “Kunzang Thugthig” in Tibetan, Samantabhadra's Mind Essence.Kunzang Thugtig contains everything needed for a complete practice of Great Completion. It has empowerments, texts, and oral instructions that provide everything needed to do a complete practice of both Thorough Cut (Tib. khregs chod) and Direct Crossing (Tib. thod rgal). The book here contains two of the key texts of this system. The first is the revealed treasure of the anthology which sets out the entire path of Great Completion practice. It is a whole teaching in verse by Padmasambhava that shows the whole path of Great Completion starting from the ordinary preliminaries and going all the way through Parting into Sides, Thorough Cut, and Direct Crossing. It is a particularly beautiful work to read. The second is the main commentary that is used to clarify Guru Rinpoche's instructions in that revealed treasure. It is a commentary written by Karmey Khenpo who is one of the important figures connected with Choggyur Lingpa. The two texts were translated at the request of Tsoknyi Rinpoche, who gave all the necessary empowerments and instructions to the translator, Lotsawa Tony. This text is open to anyone who has this level of instruction and is provided especially for the students of Tulku Ugyen, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Chogling Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, and others of that family lineage. There was another translation available at the time but Tsoknyi Rinpoche felt it was not clear and asked Lotsawa Tony to make new translations of both texts saying specifically that a clearer and more accurate translation than the one available was needed. The following texts are included:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A Complete Manual for the Practice of Miyowa Trulkhor In Chogling Tersar Translations, compositions, and explanations by Tony Duff 40 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$125, Paper only available. Tibetan texts: not included. 
The Chogling Tersar (New Treasures of Choggyur Lingpa) contains a number of anthologies that come
from the treasures revealed by Choggyur Lingpa and which contain the practices of Thrulkhor (postures)
and Tsa lung thigle (channels, winds, and drops). These practices are at the completion stage with
signs level. Of them, the Achala (Tib. miyowa) anthology is particular famous for its
effectiveness. Lama Godi is a highly accomplished yogi of the system. At his request,
Lotsawa Tony translated all of the necessary practice texts and, in addition, some commentaries made
by earlier masters of the system. Lama Godi also asked Lotsawa Tony to write a complete commentary
on how to do the preliminaries that go with the main practice. This commentary was also included
in the book, together with a translation of the preliminaries text.This text is available only to people who have specific permission from one of the senior people of the Chogling system; it can be Lama Godi, Chogling Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, etc. Contact Lotsawa Tony by e-mail concerning this text. Download Tibetan texts in TibetD format: not available. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
E-mail a request for the book | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Commentary on the Barchay Kunsel Condensed Preliminaries of the Chogling Tersar Teachings by Tsoknyi Rinpoche, translated and compiled by Tony Duff 42 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$15, PDF and paper available. Tibetan text: not included. 
The Chogling Tersar (New Treasures of Choggyur Lingpa) contains a number of anthologies that come
from the treasures revealed by Choggyur Lingpa and which contain everything needed for a complete practice
from beginning to end of the Vajra Vehicle. The one most practised these days is the one popularly
called “Barchay Kunsel” in Tibetan, Total Dispeller of Obstacles. It has become very popular
because the late Tulku Ugyen taught it extensively.The Barchay Kunsel is a particularly large anthology and has several texts for doing the preliminary practices: long, middling, and short length forms. The late Tulku Ugyen, father of the current Tsikay Chogling Rinpoche was asked by his Western students to make an exceptionally short version of the already short version so that they could manage to do it in their busy Western lives. Tulku Ugyen accomodated their requests by writing a super-condensed version of the short length text. There was no official commentary on this super-condensed version until one day some students of Tsoknyi Rinpoche came and asked for an explanation of how to do it. At that time, Tsoknyi Rinpoche asked Lotsawa Tony to translate his explanation and additionally to produce a handbook for people wanting to practice it. Tsoknyi Rinpoche mentioned that his commentary was applicable to all versions of the Barchey Kunsel preliminaries, regardless of length. The book starts with Tsoknyi Rinpoche's commentary. After that, there is a short introduction to the main practice to be done after the preliminaries are complete, the Great Completion (Tib. Dzogpa Chenpo) practice of the Thorough Cut (Tib. khregs chod). The short introduction is a teaching given by Tsoknyi Rinpoche to some of his students at around the same time. Download Tibetan texts in TibetD format: not available. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tulku Ugyen's Guru Yoga and Commentaries on the Practice Practice text by Tulku Ugyen with two commentaries by Tsoknyi Rinpoche; translated and compiled by Tony Duff 56 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$15, PDF and paper available. Tibetan text: included. 
The late Tulku Ugyen wrote a guru yoga for himself in 1980 at the request of one of his long-time students. The text
is very short but exceptionally profound, incorporating all the elements of Great Completion (Tib. Dzogpa Chenpo) practice. The text
became very important at the time of Tulku Ugyen's passing when it was practised very extensively by a large number of
people. At that time, Tsoknyi Rinpoche gave a medium-length commentary on how to do the practice and just after that,
a further commentary on the meaning of Thorough Cut.The book includes the guru yoga in Tibetan script, in transliteration, and in translation to accomodate all needs. Both Tsoknyi Rinpoche's commentaries are included following that. The guru yoga sums up the path of Great Completion so there are many points in the commentary that will be interesting to practitioners of Great Completion in general, quite aside from their application to the guru yoga itself. The teaching on Thorough Cut will be of interest to all practitioners of Great Completion. Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: not necessary; the text is included in the book and is very short. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
“The Complete Path for the Ocean of Profound Meaning”, An Extensive Liturgy for the Visualization Procedures of the Mahamudra Preliminaries with a Listing of the Key Topics of the Main Practice The Drukpa Kagyu Mahamudra Preliminary Practices by Khamtrul III, Kunga Tenzin Translation and introduction by Tony Duff 106 pages, 5.5" X 8.5", US$15, PDF and paper available. ISBN: 978-9937-9031-6-5 Tibetan text: included. 
There are a number of branches of the Drukpa Kagyu and each has it own liturgies for doing the preliminary
practices (Tib. ngondro). The Kham (East Tibetan) tradition of the Drukpa Kagyu, headed by the Khamtrul
Rinpoches has a number of these liturgies. However, the one composed by Kunga Tendzin, the third
Khamtrul Rinpoche is the one most often used. It is the liturgy used for example at Tashi Jong in
India, the present-day seat of Khamtrul Rinpoche.The text of the liturgy was translated into English by Lotsawa Tony at the request of Tsoknyi Rinpoche. It is a standard, Mahamudra style preliminaries liturgy in which there are four sets of one hundred thousand preliminaries to be done. The liturgy is extensive. Kunga Tenzin included a lot of material in his liturgy and this makes it useful as a reference for anyone. For example, the whole laying aside practice done with the practice of The Thirty-five Buddhas, and the Sutra of the Three Heaps is contained in it. There is also a magnificent guru yoga section for the Drukpa Kagyu, which is exceptionally beautiful. There is also a nice collection of dedication prayers at the end. The translation was done by Lotsawa Tony during a three-month session at Tsoknyi Rinpoche's Ngedon Osel Ling in Nepal, when a large group of Drukpa Kagyu lamas and rinpoches of the East Tibetan tradition gathered together for a Drukpa Kagyu Dharma Festival. The translation went very nicely and it was generally felt that the poetic qualities of the Tibetan came out well into English, which was pleasing to all concerned. The liturgy should be of special interest to all Drukpa Kagyu followers. More than that, it should be of interest to anyone doing the preliminary practices. Download Tibetan text in TibetD format: available here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Translation Committee | Electronic Publications | Tibetan Dictionaries
Build an Electronic Reference Centre
Tools: Dictionaries, Texts, and Software
Distributors and Pricing
Email PKTC and TCC
© 1998-2009, Padma Karpo Translation Committee