Böcker av Traleg Kyabgon

The Mahamudra path of direct perception is the pre-eminent method of the Dakpo Kagyu tradition. This definitive manual systematically explains its approach to meditation, complete with definitions, pointing-out instructions, and advice for the many pitfalls and errors that beset practitioners. Central to these errors is our failure to acknowledge the difference between understanding and experience, and our tendency to fixate on meditative experiences and mistake them for realization. This translation conveys the freshness and immediacy of these instructions. Belonging to the generation of teachers to first bring Tibetan Buddhism across cultures, Traleg Kyabgon (1955-2012) presents these Mahamudra instructions in a direct, relaxed, and intimate style.

In this uniquely insightful overview and practice guide, Traleg Kyabgon presents a thorough introduction to the Kagyu lineage's Mahamudra tradition. The author's approach is straightforward-he presents the Mahamudra teachings as a means of seeing things in, as he says, "a positive and open light. Even things we might normally regard as bad and undesirable can be interpreted in a more uplifting way due to the expansiveness of the Mahamudra vision." Mahamudra-which means "great seal" or "great symbol," referring to the symbol or mark of ultimate reality, or emptiness-points to the true nature of mind as well as the ultimate insubstantiality of all things. The book includes an exploration of Mahamudra fundamentals and thorough explanations of Ground, Path, and Fruition Mahamudra, including meditation techniques for investigating, experiencing, and contemplating these teachings.

During Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche's life, he taught extensively, not only in regard to Tibetan Buddhist texts, but also practical, down-to-earth advice on how to do life better, advice on how we can review our relationship with ourselves, others, and the world in such a way that can help to enhance our experience of life generally, and more heroically assist us to face the many challenges life presents. How To Do Life is a collection of teachings given by the author that includes discussion on such topics as love and relationships, emotions, and depression. Rinpoche provides a fresh approach to reviewing our experience, and explains the Buddhist perspective on building awareness and reducing suffering. It provides insights that can help us Do Life better.

Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche's oral translation of the ancient text "e;Song of Karmapa"e; explains the path of resting within and transforming the mind. This song was originally written by Rangjung Dorje, one of the most important teachers within the Tibetan tradition. In this book Traleg unwraps each cryptic verse revealing its hidden meaning. An enlightening journey into ways of developing insight, compassion, and wisdom, and reducing suffering, key components within the Buddhist tradition.

Sometimes a negative emotion is present, a strong intention to do harm is present, and we might even have prepared to undertake the action, but if we do not carry out that act, it will not be a fully karmic act, and will not produce complete negative karmic fruition. In other words, we create negative karma through coordinating body, speech and mind. We need 1) the object of an action to be present, 2) a negative state of mind, 3) the motivation, preparedness or strong intention to do harm, and 4) we have to perform the harmful action. When all four things come together, we create negative karma through body, speech, and mind. Letter to a Friend explores coordinating body, speech, and mind in such a way that produces positive karma and good outcomes. The Buddhist approach to ethical values is not so much moralistic. Our moral and ethical values are part of a moral psychology, what is happening in the mind and what type of attitudes and actions does this activity produce. Our personal psychology is seen as part of our aspirations and orientation. It is not just about conduct.

While on the one hand, it is said that Mahamudra is a very advanced form of meditation, on the other, if one were already advanced one would not need any instructions. Mahamudra manuals often tend to explain everything step by step as if the reader does not know anything. Obviously then, they are meant for people like us. In the King Doha, Saraha gives a step by step account of the pitfalls a meditation practitioner can fall into and how to avoid them. With a background of practicing extensively in the tantric tradition, he gives his reasons for considering the Mahamudra approach an appropriate path. Based on a commentary by Karma Trinleypa, Traleg Rinpoche gives a straightforward and clear explanation of Saraha's message to us as practitioners of Mahamudra.

Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche IX skillfully illustrates how to incorporate the whole human experience onto the Buddhist path. With mastery of Western concepts, the author explains how to integrate traditional Buddhist philosophies, psychology, and Tibetan medicine in the service of reducing suffering and developing all aspects of one's personhood to overcome the confinement of a limited sense of self.

A jargon-free explanation of two central teachings of the Buddha: karma and rebirth. The Buddha's teaching on karma (literally, "action") is nothing other than his compassionate explanation of the way things are: our thoughts and actions determine our future, and therefore we ourselves are largely responsible for the way our lives unfold. Yet this supremely useful teaching is often ignored due to the misconceptions about it that abound in popular culture, especially oversimplifications that make it seem like something not to be taken seriously. Karma is not simple, as Traleg Kyabgon shows, and it's to be taken very seriously indeed. He cuts through the persistent illusions we cling to about karma to show what it really is-the mechanics of why we suffer and how we can make the suffering end. He explains how a realistic understanding of karma is indispensable to Buddhist practice, how it provides a foundation for a moral life, and how understanding it can have a transformative effect on the way we relate to our thoughts and feelings and to those around us.

One of the clearest introductions to the teachings and philosophies of the three main schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan. This comprehensive guide to the Buddhist path is as accessible as it is complete. Traleg Kyabgon breaks the teachings down conveniently into the three traditional “vehicles,” while never letting us forget that the point of all the Dharma is nothing other than insight into the mind and heart. Along the way he provides vivid definitions of fundamental Buddhist concepts such as compassion, emptiness, and Buddha-nature and answers common questions such as:• Why does Buddhism teach that there is “no self”?• Are Buddhist teachings pessimistic?• Does Buddhism encourage social passivity?• What is the role of sex in Buddhist tantra?• Why is it said that samsara is nirvana?• Does it take countless lifetimes to attain enlightenment, or can it be achieved in a moment?