Dakini Teachings by Padmasambhava, translated by Erik Pema Kunsang

Title: DAKINI TEACHINGS

Secondary Title: A Collection of Padmasambhava’s Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal

Description: The words of advice collected in this book are part of the ancient tradition of religious texts known as terma (treasures) – works that were hidden in secret places during the first spread of Buddhism in Tibet, in the ninth century, to be rediscovered by qualified persons (tertons) and newly expounded to future generations. According to legend, Padmasambhava’s oral teachings to his chief disciple – Yeshe Tsogyal, Princess of Kharchen – were recorded in coded language called dakini script and concealed for centuries.

The selections in Dakini Teachings are timely advice — short, direct instructions relating to the three levels of Buddhist practice: Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. The main emphasis of Padmasambhava’s teaching is that spiritual knowledge must be personalized and not remain as mere theory.

Padmasambhava, the Indian mystic and tantric Buddhist master, is second only to Buddha Shakyamuni as the most famous personage in the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism. In the ninth century, he made the journey across the Himalayan Mountains to establish Buddhism for the people in that country. Now, more than 1,000 years later, we are able to hear and be touched by his voice as contained within this collection of oral advice.

The book includes an introductory discourse by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and a short biography of Padmasambhava by Jamgon Kongtrul the First.

Author: Padmasambhava

Commentary: Recorded and concealed by Yeshe Tsogyal, revealed by Nyang Ral Nyima Oser and Sangye Lingpa

Translator: Translated, according to the oral teachings of Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, by Erik Pema Kunsang

Publisher: Rangjung Yeshe Publications

Style: Paperback

Edition Print: 1999

ISBN: 9789627341369

Pages: 189