Tangtong Gyalpo: A Guide for Readers Tangtong Gyalpo (1361-1485 CE), or "The King of the Empty Plain," was a Buddhist mahasiddha, physician, blacksmith, architect, and civil engineer. He's also known by the names Chakzampa, the "Iron Bridge Builder," and Tsondru Zangpo, "Excellent Persistence." Many people believe he was an emanation of both Padmasambhava (known as

Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso: A Guide for Readers Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche (1934-2024) was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher in the Kagyu tradition. Born to a nomad family in Ngangchen, Kham (the eastern region of Tibet), Khenpo Tsültrim began his training under Lama Zopa Tarchin at an early age. He later attended intensive retreats and continued his

Chöd: A Guide for Readers Machig Labdron, The Tibetan Yogini, 19th century Chöd, often pronounced "chö," is a meditative practice found in both the Buddhist and Bön traditions of Tibet. Chöd, translated literally as "cutting through," incorporates chanting, music, and visualization aimed as cutting through hindrances and obscurations that cloud ultimate wisdom and understanding of

Remembering Rigdzin Shikpo We are sad to share the news that Rigdzin Shikpo (Michael Hookham) passed away on April 28th, 2023. A short bio of him is included in Recalling Chögyam Trungpa: "Rigdzin Shikpo, a qualified master of the Nyingma tradition, has studied and practiced Buddhism for over fifty years. Before meeting his main teacher,

Arya Tara the Liberator: A Guide for Readers Ārya Tārā (Sanskrit), also known as Jetsun Drölma in Tibetan Buddhism, or simply "Tārā" is a meditation deity and an important figure in Buddhist thought, history, and practice. While often described as a goddess or protectress, she is considered a liberator for her ability to remove obstacles,

Doha and Gur: Indian and Tibetan Songs of Realization Bhutanese painted thanka of Milarepa (1052-1135) from the late 19th-early 20th Century, Dhodeydrag Gonpa, Thimphu, Bhutan Doha and Gur Doha (Sanskrit) or Nam Gur (Tibetan, Gur for short), is often translated as "Songs of Realization." This form of poetry is often sung or recited spontaneously and is

The Works of Karl Brunnhölzl: A Guide for Readers This guide for readers is dedicated to the works of author, translator, and teacher, Karl Brunnhölzl. Originally trained as a physician, Karl Brunnhölzl later studied Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy at the Marpa Institute for Translators and later the Nitartha Institute. Since 1989 he has been

Related Reader's Guides Related Tibetan Lineages: Jonang | Shangpa Kagyu | Kagyu Guides to Other Important Tibetan Buddhist Figures: Jamgon Kongtrul | Longchenpa | Tsongkhapa | Jigme Lingpa | Patrul Rinpoche Jetsün Taranatha, Kunga Nyingpo (1575-1634) Portrait of Taranatha, courtesy of the Jonang Foundation Jetsun Taranatha (1575-1634), also known as Kungpa Nyingpo, was a great

Tibetan Buddhism in 2022 Read More We published many books of interest from the Vajrayana traditions of Tibet, Bhutan, and the Indian Himalayas See our other Year in Review Guides: Theravada/Pali/Insight | Zen and Chan | Tibetan Buddhism Yoga | Personal Development | Kids Books Receive a 30% discount on these titles through January 2nd

See More: Lives of the Masters Series | Atisha | Tsongkhapa | Aryadeva | Jamgon Kongtrul | Jigme Lingpa | Patrul Rinpoche | Mipham Rinpoche The Life of the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339 CE) Rangjung Dorje, the 3rd Karmapa, was the head of Karma Kagyu, a sub-school of the Kagyu tradition. Well known for his