Jamgon Kongtrul's Retreat Manual

Ngawang Zangpo

Jan 1990 · Shambhala

About this ebook

The Kagyu and Nyingma traditions of Himalayan tantric Buddhism require a long period of intensive training in meditation—a three-year, three-month retreat—before a practitioner is considered to be a qualified teacher. Jamgon Kongtrul's Retreat Manual was written in the mid-nineteenth century for those who wish to embark on this rigorous training. It guides them in preparing for retreat, provides full details of the program of meditation, and offers advice for their re-entry into the world. Jamgon Kongtrul's Retreat Manual also introduces us to one of the towering figures of nineteenth-century Tibet: Jamgon Kongtrul the Great (1813–99). The three-year retreat center he describes in this book was his creation, and its program consisted of those practices Kongtrul treasured enough to pass on to future generations through the spiritual leaders he trained.

About the author

Ngawang Zangpo (Hugh Leslie Thompson) lives in Santa Cruz, CA. He completed two three-year retreats under the direction of the late Kalu Rinpoche. His previous books published by Snow Lion are "Jamgon Kongtrul's Retreat Manual" & "Enchantment". He contributed to the work of Kalu Rinpoche's translation group's books "Myriad Worlds" & "Buddhist Ethics". He presently works on translation projects under the direction of Chadral Rinpoche, Bokar Rinpoche, & Lama Tarchin Rinpoche.