The Treasury of Knowledge: Book Eight, Part Four: Esoteric Instructions Hardcover – March 1, 2008

My review is only on this single book, as alas for my purposes I was not able to read all of them nor afford the whole set. Though I am no great scholar of the Tibetan language but I find this book very readable and useful for my own practices.Having read this specific book cover to cover, I have a very different impression from that of the other reviewer as I had a different reading experience. I think its best to preface this review by telling potential readers who the author of the collection was:Jamgon Kongtrul was the founder of little known movement in Eastern Tibet during the late 19th century called Rime. Rime is a Tibetan word which means basically "no sides", or "non-sectarian" It was founded by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, though Kongtrul is really respected as the originater. This is a more Gnostic style of Tibetan Buddhism, more direct, inclusive, and based upon ones direct knowing. The most prominent contemporary Rimé master, Ringu Tulku, emphasized the message of Rimé saying that; Rimé is not a new school. It is simply an approach allowing freedom of choice, and seeing the Tibetan yoga systems from a more global perspective, which was always the majority practice within the history of Tibetan Buddhism. The Karmapas, Je Tsongkhapa, the Dalai Lamas, Sakya lineage heads and major Nyingma and Kagyu figures took teachings and empowerments from all the various schools and lineages.If one reads Greg Mullins book, "the 14 Dali Lama's" one sees the same picture that happened within Zen. Sects that formed were really about method. Various methods to enlightenment developed and there was often infighting regarding who's method was best. One of the Dalai Lamas main purposes was to stop the infighting (and ocassional actual violence between monasteries) and to bring tolerance and acceptance for each of the different systems.Though some will argue this is untrue because of his being a Geluk.In my experience of reading this magnificent book, Jamgon Kongtrul has tried to highlight the most valuable esoteric practices within each of the various systems.And while he does reveal openly many of the hidden uses for certain practices, he does still leave out details meant to be supplemented from direct teaching from a Lama, such as with the karmamudra, chod and illusiory body practices for example.Though it is still one of the most explicit volumes i have ever read, I would advise the reader that it does not mean that one could use it and totally practice without guidance from another experienced practicioner. Though (being a practicioner of the 6 yogas of Naropa myself) it comes pretty darn close. As Kongtrul himself says in the intro, "I shall compose a short, clear, comprehensive work in order to insure that those with insufficient knowledge or interest to understand the texts will not lose thier opportunity on this isle of treasures". (Authors resolve by Jamgon Kongtrul.)Finally, While this volume is amazing in its scope, it does require that you have previous knowledge of the terminologies of the Tibetan Tantric meditation systems, in other words there are slightly different terminologies (yes even in english)used for explaining the meditation systems.This is not a book you could read outright as an introduction to Tantric meditation. Even if you wanted to dive right into esoteric practices this book is for the dedicated student of Tibetan styles of Buddhism. One might be able to approach reading this book more easily after having read "the 14 Dali Lamas" as it give a good and simple overview of the various systems.

The great 19th century scholar-adept Jamgon Kongtrul in this volume (part of the 8th volume of his Treasury of Knowledge) lays out in some detail the theory and practice of the Eight Chariots of Vajrayana. To begin with, the Vajrayana is the "Adamantine Vehicle" of Buddhadharma, and is itself a refinement of the Mahayana ("Greater Vehicle"). But where Mahayana generally is based in Sutra, Vajrayana is based in both Sutra and Tantra. The great tantras Hevajra, Chakrasamvara, Guhyasamāja, Yamāntaka, Mahāmāyā, Kalacakra, and so on, in turn are the basis of anuttarayoga, i.e. Highest Yoga Tantra, which is the culmination of the praxis of the Eight Chariots (practice lineages) of Tibetan tantric Buddhism, listed historically as Nyingma, Kadampa, Marpa Kagyu, Shangpa Kagyu, Sakya, Chod, Jodruk, and Nyendrub. Vajrayana praxis itself is generally bifurcated into Method and Wisdom, with "Method" the container for the Six Yogas of Naropa and Niguma, and "Wisdom" the container for Mahamudra and Dzogchen. All of this is only part of the prerequisite to making sense of Sarah Harding's wonderful annotated translation of this monumental work. It is for serious students of Tibetan Buddhism only, and develops much of the material that has until recently been available only to scholars and advanced practitioners. And as has been often pointed out, these texts can never be fully understood without the oral instructions of a fully-qualified guru who is part of a chain of transmission that has been unbroken and uncompromised for a thousand years or more. But this book is certainly one of the best, and most comprehensive, presentations of Tantric Buddhism I have ever come across.

Sarah Harding's translation of " The Treasury of Knowledge: Book 8, Part 4: Esoteric Instructions " joins her translation of "Machik's Complete Explanation" on my bookshelf as constant, Good Companions. Companions upon whom I can rely. The clarity of her exposition reveals a mind both vastly informed and deeply understanding of the actual purpose of the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist path.This text, the 4th of 4 movements in the eighth symphony of Jamgon Kongtrul's 10 symphony opus of Buddhist Methods and Wisdom stands out as an UNBIASED review of the 8 lineages of practice current in the Tibet of his day. Simply put, it is what these eight lineages did and in what order they did it to achieve realization.Beginning with the Nyingma, and proceeding historically through the Kadam and through the various Kagyu lineages as well as the Kalachakra and Chod, it puts all in a perspective like cities seen in a valley from a mountain ridge.But what struck me was the way 20 years of empowerments and teachings and readings which had been floating like a cloud in my mind were pulled together like someone had passed a magnet over iron-filings. Think of the way rock-candy is made, by dipping strings into boiled sugar water. The crystals form into candy of the threads of string. These concise overviews of each lineage act in the same way for me."Rime is the attitude of the Bodhisattva who generatesthe immeasurable emotion of Rejoicingwhen reviewing the Sangha."

Incredible wisdom that serves mankind!Clear abd luminous.

Beautiful book, great condition. Thank you.

An invaluable addition the Kongtrul's "Treasury of Knowledge".Sarah Harding has, once again, delivered an inspired gift through her skillful translation of this masterpiece.

ECXCELLENT! PART of the Treasury of Knowledge which should be bought in its entirety for scholars or curious of Buddhism