Books

The subject of Vowed Morality, or Vinaya as it is known in Sanskrit, is one of the five foundational subjects of training for students of Buddhist philosophical systems.  The study of vowed morality is largely focused on Freedom Vows, meaning commitments that people may make to refrain from harming others and leading an ethical life in their pursuit freeing their minds from the cycle of pain.  There are different sets of these vows, some designed for lay people and some for the ordained. This book grants us a very detailed explanation of those different sets of vows, as well as an understanding of how the vows can be broken, how they can be restored, and some advices for how to keep these kinds of commitments.

This incredible work treats in detail the rules and regulations he established for the monastic order. It covers various aspects of monastic life, including rules of conduct, ethical guidelines, rituals, procedures for ordination, and methods for resolving disputes within the monastic community.

It is commenting upon the Vinaya Sutra, which is typically organized into several sections, each addressing different categories of rules and disciplinary measures. These may include rules related to the proper use of requisites (such as food, clothing, and shelter), ethical conduct (such as refraining from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, and intoxication), and procedures for confession and purification.

The work also contains stories and anecdotes illustrating the importance of ethical conduct and the consequences of transgressing the rules. These narratives serve as moral teachings and provide insight into the challenges and virtues of monastic life.

The moral codes discussed are essential for maintaining harmony, order, and purity within the monastic community, as well as for preserving the integrity of the Buddha's teachings. It continues to be studied, practiced, and upheld by Buddhist monastics across different traditions and schools of Buddhism, serving as a guide for living a life dedicated to spiritual practice, ethical conduct, and the pursuit of liberation.

The Treasure House of Higher Knowledge, or the Abhidharmakosha, as it is known in Sanskrit, is one of the foundational great books of Buddhist philosophy.  It was written by Master Vasubhandu (c. 350 AD) and contains a compilation of much of the philosophical and cosmological ideas that were present in the Buddhist communities in the centuries following the Buddha’s passing.  It presents ideas that range from the formation of the universe and our world to the ideas of actions and their consequences, and how the mind functions to perceive reality.  This work constitutes main text of the Detailist school—the first and “lowest” of the classical four schools of ancient India—and as such provides a foundation upon which all of the classical schools of ancient India rely.

This detailed commentary unlocks the meaning contained within the otherwise cryptic verses of the Abhidharmakosha, illuminating these crucial ideas for the world to understand and use.  This book is vital to gaining a higher understanding of how reality works, as well as being sprinkled with many useful tools that we can apply to our lives immediately.

Master Asanga's Abhidharma Samuchaya is a foundational text in Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, particularly within the Abhidharma tradition. Asanga, a prominent Buddhist scholar and philosopher, composed this work in the 4th century CE as a systematic summary of Abhidharma teachings.

The Abhidharma Samuchaya serves as a concise and comprehensive overview of key Abhidharma concepts and principles, presenting them in a structured and accessible format. Asanga elucidates fundamental aspects of Buddhist psychology, ontology, and epistemology, providing insight into the nature of reality, the workings of the mind, and the path to liberation. The text is divided into chapters that explore various topics, such as the aggregates (skandhas), sense bases (ayatanas), elements (dhatus), and factors of existence (dhammas). Asanga also discusses the nature of suffering (dukkha), the Four Noble Truths, and the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, among other foundational Buddhist teachings.

One of the distinctive features of the this work is its integration of both Theravada and Mahayana perspectives, reflecting Asanga's synthesis of diverse Buddhist traditions. While rooted in the Abhidharma tradition of early Buddhism, the text incorporates Mahayana insights and interpretations, making it relevant to practitioners of both traditions.

Overall, Abhidharma Samuchaya is valued for its clarity, depth, and systematic presentation of Abhidharma teachings, making it a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of Buddhist philosophy and psychology. It remains an influential text in the study and practice of Buddhism, revered for its profound insights into the nature of reality and the path to awakening.

The promise of these ancient books, for more than two thousand years, is that there exists—in tandem with the world we know—an invisible higher world, going on around us all the time. We can call it the “Diamond World,” but a simpler (and easily misunderstood) name is simply “Emptiness.”

The idea is that—if we can make contact with this higher world, if we can touch it directly—then that touching sets into motion unstoppable wonderful changes in our being. The touching sets off a transformation in the flesh of our very body itself, sort of a wonderful cancer, which inexorably spreads through our entire being and changes it into living diamond: eternal and infinite beauty and wisdom. We could call it paradise—a paradise available to every living being in the entire universe, where we live together into all future time, in perfect harmony and happiness.

Kedrup Je’s Destroying the Darkness is a pre-eminent work on the seven volumes on accurate perception as presented by the Indian master, Dharmakirti. This work provides a thorough treatment of subjects such as perception, consciousness, the four truths, the path to liberation, and the science of reasoning. Steeping ourselves in reasoning trains the mind to be flexible, to think about a topic from a variety of angles, and to succinctly articulate the consequences of any given argument. Furthermore, the study of accurate perception is far beyond being a simple academic exercise, as the path to total enlightenment is paved by a series of steps that can only be traversed with the aid of analytical reasoning. Subsequently, reasoning is the key that unlocks the door to ultimate reality and our ability to serve all beings, in all places, at all times.

“The Jewel of the Truth Thought” is a modern commentary on one of the most important and difficult texts in the history of classical Indian philosophy, the Commentary on Accurate Perception (Pramana Vartika), by the Master Dharmakirti (c. 650 ad.). While this is also a commentary on an older book, the Compendium on Accurate Perception (Pramana Samuchaya) by Master Dignaga (c. 440ad.), Dharmakirti’s Commentary has come to be the quintessential text for the study of Buddhist logic and the theory of how it is we come to know things. The modern commentary here is written by Geshe Yeshe Wangchuk (1928-1997), a teacher from Sera Mey Monastary. It is a rarely accessible exploration of a classical text that many people have found to be otherwise impenetrable on its own. The Jewel includes the complete text of Dharmakirti’s original work which was inserted by a young Michael Roach sometime before he earned the title of Geshe from this same monastery.

This detailed book on logical thinking is derived from Master Dharmakirti’s Commentary on Valid Perception. It is a common book used to train young monks in the art of debate and is sometimes known as the door to emptiness.  In our translation program this book represents the logic school.

"The Golden Key" is a wondrous exploration of some of the deepest ideas in Buddhist philosophy. It is truly a key for unlocking some of the deepest wisdom ever espoused in world history!  Jigme Rikpay Reltri's commentary to Je Tsongkapa's classic work on the Mind only school is both easy to read and deep in its import.  The annotations Jigme Rikpay Reltri provides makes this very difficult subject clearer.  One of the most difficult philosophical subjects in the world is finally accessible in the English language.

Our author takes a poem written over six hundred years ago and makes the finer points clear for today's audience. The original poem is in effect a summary of over four thousand pages of difficult philosophy from ancient India. Without a good commentary, reading this sort of text can be daunting at best. It is exciting to consider how much this book can change how the world thinks! This might be the most comprehensive book translated on the Mind Only school into English today.

Je Tsongkapa's "Difficult Questions in the Mind Only School" is an auto commentary to one of his earlier works. It helps to clarify many of the finer points discussed in his original poem.  He gives an in depth description of the two additional consciousnesses of the Mind Only school.  His work is founded upon and backed by the great works of the Mind only scholars of India including Masters Asanga and Vasubandhu and of course Buddha Shakyamuni.  The contents of this text codifies the works of 1900 years before it in one place.

It is hard to imagine this much knowledge packed into one book.  Je Tsongkapa's amazing intellect and unsurpassed knowledge of Buddhist literature allowed him to write a text that no one else could.  Due to the vast knowledge required to write this book, it also takes a great deal of ability to translate as well.  Thankfully the text has been translated by scholar's directly in Je Tsongkapa's lineage allowing them to make clear the  most esoteric points in the text some six hundred years later.  This text along with its companion, The Golden Key, is intended to do nothing less than change how the world thinks.

This is a deep analysis—written in debate format—of the twelve links of dependence, the main message of the Wheel of Life. This is the reason why people who received the painting from Lord Buddha keep achieving good result to see emptiness directly. And getting out of the wheel after seeing the emptiness directly will help us stop the circle of sadness.

This book is written in the classical style of one of the great monastic textbooks of classical Tibet—a style which began as the Tsongkapa tradition by Je Tsongkapa (1357–1419) and his major disciples. This book starts with the explanations of the divisions of dependence; of how these different divisions can be grouped; of how many lives are required for all the divisions to be completed; and of the parity between the different levels at which they are found.

At some point as you work on grasping the whole significance of Lord Buddha’s little painting, you come to a sudden realization that each and every inch of the Wheel (at least the part in the arms of Death) really is suffering—and that the purpose of learning about the Wheel is to get out of it.

An Explanation of the First Principal and the Divisions of the Dependence by Master Vasubandhu (350AD). A detailed explanation of the 12 links of dependence, and how we can become free from pain.

What’s exciting about Vasubandhu’s commentary on the links of the Wheel is that he is writing from the school he himself was excited about; in a sense, he “comes out of the closet” and puts a very deep, beautiful spin on the entire Wheel. Not just that, but we can see him let loose in a way that he can never do in the Abhidharma Kosha; thus, this commentary is actually a better insight into him, as a very lively, dialectic, cutting thinker, much like Je Tsongkapa (as if some of his half-brother had worn off on him).

We feel that this translation will be a great contribution to the entire subject of dependence. This book is unique in the sense that since we have not located a single relevant commentary from the 17 centuries for this book. Further, the Sanskrit original is missing in this world, and the Tibetan translation we’re working from is—in a word—quirky.

Kedrup Tenpa Dargye's "The Garland of White Lotuses" is renowned for its clarity, precision, and depth of insight into the profound teachings of the Perfection of Wisdom sutras. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and students of Tibetan Buddhism, inspiring contemplation, debate, and realization of the timeless wisdom contained within these sacred texts.

This work is a monastic textbook for the study of Maitreya's Abhisamaya Alanka, or "The Jewel of Realizations", which is structured into eight chapters, each focusing on different aspects of the bodhisattva path, such as the qualities of enlightenment, the ten grounds (bhumis) of awakening, and the methods for attaining liberation. Through clear and systematic exposition, Asanga offers invaluable guidance for practitioners at various stages of spiritual development, inspiring them to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and skillful means on the path to Buddhahood.

The Sixty Verses on Reasoning by Arya Nagarjuna are considered by scholars to be one of Master Nagarjuna’s Six Great Works on Logic, and as such, consists of philosophical arguments designed to prove to the so called “lower” schools of Buddhism that although they don’t realize it, they already accept the profound explanations of emptiness that have been offered previously by Shakyamuni Buddha, Master Nagarjuna, and are accepted by the Middle Way school.

The commentary written by Gyaltsab Je, one of Je Tsongkapa’s main disciples, is a thorough elucidation of the meaning of the many arguments put forth by Arya Nagarjuna illustrating the true meaning of emptiness and the fact that accepting any other idea of the concept of emptiness would be mistaken.  He also goes into great detail on several subjects including the differences between the two branches of the Middle Way School, why the Buddha taught lower viewpoints, among many others.

In addition to Gyaltsab Je’s commentary, we have translated as part of this work notes that Gyaltsab Je took to a teaching on the Sixty Verses given by his own teacher, Je Tsongkapa Lobsang Drakpa (1357-1419).

The translators’ goal was to translate definitive works that would help people all over the world master these two combined practices: quietude, or deep meditation; and then the insight into reality which is only possible from inside this state of quietude. The book begins by presenting theory—a treatise called Light on the Path to Freedom: An Explanation of the Steps for Developing an Understanding That Nothing Is Itself, by Choney Lama, Drakpa Shedrup (1675–1748).

It then continues with four different classics which—when taken together—are just about everything one would ever need to know for developing the platform of quietude: Stages of Meditation, by Arya Nagarjuna (200AD); the third Stages of Meditation, by Master Kamalashila (775AD); The Illustrated Stages of Meditation, by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (1900–1981); and a selection on how to develop quietude from The Gift of Liberation, Thrust into Our Hands, notes taken by Trijang Rinpoche, on an oral teaching given by Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche (1878–1941), on Je Tsongkapa’s Great Book on the Steps of the Path.

Interlude on Emptiness is a remarkable and highly regarded book on emptiness as understood in Mahayana Buddhism, the greater vehicle, written by one of Je Tsongkapa’s main spiritual heirs. In his presentation of the two Mahayana philosophical schools, Kedrup Je begins with detail on the Mind Only School’s presentation of emptiness, as taught by the innovators Arya Asanga and Master Vasubandhu, 3rd century.  He then moves to the Middle Way School’s presentation, as elucidated by the extraordinary Arya Nagarjuna, 2nd century. Next comes a more in-depth look at the two branches of the Middle Way School, which have distinct ideas about emptiness—the Independent branch and the Consequence branch. Kedrup Je concludes the book by diving even deeper into the understanding and practice of emptiness as presented by the Consequence branch.

This translation will be published in five volumes, the first of which—focusing on the Mind Only School—is scheduled for publication in 2025.

"Master Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" is a classic text in Mahayana Buddhism that outlines the path of the bodhisattva, one who aspires to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. Written in the 8th century CE, this profound and inspirational work is divided into ten chapters, each addressing different aspects of the bodhisattva's journey.

In the text, Shantideva presents teachings on cultivating altruism, compassion, patience, ethical conduct, mindfulness, and wisdom. He emphasizes the importance of bodhichitta, the intention to attain enlightenment for the welfare of all sentient beings, as the driving force behind one's spiritual practice. Shantideva also discusses the challenges and obstacles encountered on the path, offering practical advice on how to overcome them with patience, perseverance, and wisdom.

One of the most famous sections of the text is the chapter on "The Perfection of Patience", where Shantideva teaches profound methods for transforming adversity into opportunities for spiritual growth and cultivating a mind of boundless patience and tolerance.

Overall, "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" is renowned for its depth of wisdom, poetic language, and practical guidance for living a compassionate and meaningful life dedicated to the welfare of others. It continues to be studied and revered by Buddhist practitioners around the world as a timeless source of inspiration and guidance on the path to awakening.

Je Tsongkapa's Praise of Dependence is a profound and poetic homage to the fundamental Buddhist teaching of dependent origination. Composed by the renowned Tibetan Buddhist master Je Tsongkapa in the 14th century, this text celebrates the interconnectedness and interdependence of all phenomena.

In Praise of Dependence, Je Tsongkapa extols the wisdom of dependence as the key to understanding the nature of reality and transcending the cycle of suffering. He elucidates the profound implications of this teaching, emphasizing its role in uprooting ignorance and eradicating the causes of suffering. He praises the beauty and profundity of this teaching, exhorting practitioners to contemplate its meaning deeply and integrate it into their spiritual practice.

This work serves as both a devotional hymn and a profound philosophical treatise, inviting practitioners to explore the profound insights contained within the teaching of dependence and its implications for their spiritual journey. It is revered as a masterpiece of Buddhist literature, inspiring practitioners to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and insight into the true nature of reality.

The Diamond Cutter Sutra is one of the most famous Buddhist books of all time; it was taught by the Buddha 25 centuries ago, and then spread throughout India, China, Tibet, Japan, and many other countries. The Chinese edition seen here is the oldest printed book in the world with a date inside. The sutra focuses on the concept of emptiness, which is a key to success and happiness in the modern world, if we get a good explanation of how to apply it at work and at home.

The Heart Sutra, also known as the "Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom" (Prajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra), is a concise and revered scripture in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly within the Prajnaparamita tradition. It is considered one of the most profound and essential teachings on the nature of reality and the path to enlightenment.

Despite its brevity, the Heart Sutra encapsulates the essence of the Perfection of Wisdom teachings, which emphasize the transcendent wisdom of emptiness and the interdependence of all phenomena. The sutra takes the form of a dialogue between the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and the monk Shariputra, in which Avalokiteshvara expounds on the nature of reality and the path to liberation.

Key themes in the Heart Sutra include the emptiness of inherent existence, the illusory nature of all phenomena. Through concise and profound verses, the sutra elucidates the concept of emptiness as the ultimate truth beyond conceptual elaborations, challenging conventional notions of self and reality.

The Heart Sutra is revered as a profound and transformative scripture, guiding practitioners on the path to awakening and inspiring contemplation on the nature of reality. It is recited, studied, and revered by Mahayana Buddhists around the world as a timeless expression of the wisdom of emptiness and the compassion of the bodhisattvas.

Throughout Je Tsongkapa's life, he rarely spoke about his own inner spiritual life. However, in his work, "Song of My Spiritual Life", also known as "The Short Book on the Steps of the Path", written by Je Tsongkapa, he recounts the events of his own spiritual journey—showing us how he applied the Lam Rim—and continually mentions the following verse to encourage us: “I, the deep practitioner, this is how I practice; you, who seek freedom, must try to do the same.”

It will be in the form of a pocket book, meaning you can put it in your backpack and take it out whenever you need a chunk of wisdom from the master. In this treatise, you will receive personal advice from Je Tsongkapa, from how to find your own teacher and properly rely on them, to how to practice the six perfections, starting from sharing, and ultimately, achieving total enlightenment.

The String of Precious Jewels, written by Master Nagarjuna consists of advices given to a king both on how to rule and how to practice the teachings of the Greater Way.  While generally considered by scholars to be one of Arya Nagarjuna’s Six Great Works on Logic, it is also regarded as an early presentation of a genre known as Steps on the Path to Enlightenment.

The work is divided into the different goals that one could achieve through practice and  contains a detailed discussion of the true meaning of the idea of liberation from suffering.   Gyaltsab Je’s commentary to the text unlocks the meaning of Master Nagarjuna’s verses and presents practical details on how to use the wisdom contained within the work to live a better life and to transcend suffering altogether.

The Karma Vibhanga or in English All the Kinds of Karma is a teaching given by the Buddha which is primarily concerned with elucidating the nature and workings of karma, the law of moral causation that governs the consequences of actions. In the Buddhist context, karma refers to intentional actions of body, speech, and mind, and the Karma Vibhanga explores how these actions lead to various results or consequences, both in this life and in future lives.

The Karma Vibhanga categorizes different types of actions according to their ethical quality, classifying them as positive, negative, or neutral. It outlines the criteria for determining the moral significance of actions and provides detailed explanations of the various factors that influence the karmic outcome of an action, such as the intention behind the action, the object toward which it is directed, and the mental factors associated with it.

Furthermore, the Karma Vibhanga discusses the process of karmic fruition, explaining how actions give rise to their corresponding results, known as vipaka, and how these results manifest in different realms of existence. It also explores the concept of karma accumulation, highlighting the importance of cultivating positive actions and purifying negative actions through ethical conduct.

Overall, the Karma Vibhanga serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the principles of karma and their implications for moral conduct, personal development, and the path to liberation in the Buddhist tradition. It provides practitioners with invaluable insights into the workings of cause and effect and offers guidance on how to live a life of virtue, wisdom, and compassion.

The Vimalakirti Sutra is a revered Mahayana Buddhist scripture that is widely regarded for its profound teachings on wisdom, compassion, and skillful means. This scripture is named after its central figure, Vimalakirti, a lay bodhisattva known for his extraordinary wisdom and compassionate activity.

The Vimalakirti Sutra is celebrated for its literary excellence, intricate dialogues, and vivid descriptions of spiritual encounters. It presents a series of discourses and dialogues between Vimalakirti and various bodhisattvas, arhats, celestial beings, and disciples of the Buddha, offering profound insights into the nature of reality and the path to awakening.

At the heart of the Vimalakirti Sutra is the theme of "non-duality" which transcends conventional distinctions between mundane and spiritual, self and other, samsara and nirvana. Vimalakirti skillfully demonstrates how one can engage in worldly activities while maintaining a mind free from attachment and delusion, thereby manifesting the bodhisattva's compassionate vow to liberate all beings.

Throughout the Vimalakirti Sutra, Vimalakirti engages in skillful dialogues and displays miraculous powers to awaken beings to the true nature of reality. His teachings inspire practitioners to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and skillful means in their own spiritual practice, encouraging them to overcome ignorance, greed, hatred, and attachment and to realize the boundless potential for awakening within themselves.

The story of the Crown of Knives is a very famous tale in the traditions of some of the early Buddhists of the Himalayas.  It tells the story of someone experiencing the consequences of their positive and negative actions and then outlines many specific causes and effects that we observe and can apply in our own lives.

This book is an account of an oral teaching given on the Crown of Knives and contains many teachings on the subject of how to develop a good heart, that is how to develop great compassion through how we interact with other people.  The practice of developing a good heart is a powerful one that instructs us to take life’s hardships and turn them into opportunities for learning and growth.  In this fascinating book we learn of many methods to apply this practice to our lives and are led with advices that have been passed down over many centuries.

Representing the subject of Comparative Philosophy in our program, this book is a survey of the ancient Schools of Wisdom. It describes the beliefs of both Buddhist and non-Buddhist ancient schools of thought.

Every small group of people, on every small patch of land on this huge planet, has a different belief system.  This system determines everything about how those particular people run their lives, down to how they cut their hair, and what clothes they wear.  And by this belief system, people everywhere do their very best to be happy & prosperous.

Some belief systems work better than others, when measured by how much happiness or prosperity they produce.  It seems for example that the belief system of modern medicine has led people to have longer lives than they did, say, a few hundred years ago.