The Four Mindfulnesses
About this ebook
ENGLISH ON A TEACHING DELIVERED BY MANJUSHRI TO
TSONGKHAPA
For generations, The Four Mindfulnesses—of guru, bodhimind, divine body
and emptiness—were taught only orally. The First Panchen Lama and Seventh
Dalai Lama provided written texts, on which both of them Gelek Rimpoche has
taught. The result is a rare combination that illuminates topics so central to
practice.
Born in Lhasa, Tibet, in 1939, bestselling author and internationally
renowned Tibetan Lama Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche brings his traditional Buddhist
training into strong dialogue with science, psychology, medicine, metaphysics,
politics and the arts; he skillfully addresses the dilemma of living a spiritual
life in a material world. His collected works now include over 30 transcripts of
his teachings, numerous articles as well as the national bestseller Good Life,
Good Death (Riverhead Books, 2001) and The Tara Box: Rituals for Protection
and Healing from the Female Buddha (New World Library, 2004). Rimpoche is a
U.S. citizen and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In 1988, Rimpoche founded Jewel Heart, a Tibetan Buddhist Center with
chapters in the US, Europe and Asia. Jewel Heart offers a multi-layered program
for spiritual development, including weekly webcasts, annual retreats and
special events. The organization also supports senior lamas and the training
of young monks, a children’s school and orphanage, and Buddhist performing
arts tours. Sales from the Jewel Heart Store support Tibetan refugees and
monasteries in India and Nepal.
Gelek Rimpoche has consistently shown resiliency and flexibility of character
and sound understanding of selflessness. He can be an elegant lama in a
formal setting . . . a wise advisor in another setting . . . a loyal and creative
colleague in the endless work of seeing to the continuing usefulness of the
Dharma.
—Robert A.F. Thurman
Gelek Rimpoche’s mix of astute psychological insight, extraordinary intellect,
and great compassion—plus delightful wit—makes him a wonderful, wise
spiritual friend and guide.
—Daniel Goleman
Gelek Rimpoche constantly shows wisdom, gentleness, depth, rascality,
humor, spaciousness, and the spiritual side to everyday life.
—Ram Dass
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About the author
Born in Lhasa, Tibet in 1939, Gelek Rimpoche was recognized as an incarnate lama at the age of four. Carefully tutored by some of Tibet's greatest living masters, Rimpoche gained renown for his powers of memory, intellectual judgment, and penetrating insight. He is among the last generation of lamas educated in Drepung Monastery before the 1959 Communist Chinese invasion of Tibet.
Forced to flee to India in 1959, Gelek Rimpoche later edited and printed over 170 volumes of rare Tibetan manuscripts that would have otherwise been lost to humanity. In the late 1970’s, Rimpoche was directed to teach Western students by his teachers, the Senior and Junior Tutors to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabje Ling Rimpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rimpoche. Since that time he has taught Buddhist practitioners throughout the world.
Gelek Rimpoche is an example of kindness, generosity, good humor, and inspirational insight. He is particularly distinguished for his thorough knowledge of English, familiarity with modern culture, and special effectiveness as a teacher of Western practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.
In 1989, Rimpoche founded Jewel Heart, a Tibetan Buddhist and Cultural Learning Center. On June 24, 1994, Rimpoche became a U.S. citizen. He has authored numerous transcripts as well as the national bestseller Good Life, Good Death (Riverhead Books 2001) and The Tara Box: Rituals for Protection and Healing from the Female Buddha (New World Library 2004).
