The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism: Its Fundamentals and History

 (6 customer reviews)

The two volumes are both extremely useful for anyone seriously interested in Buddhist philosophy in general and Tibetan Buddhism in particular. Dudjom Rinpoche gives a thorough, encyclopedic overview of all Buddhist schools, seen from the Nyingma (i.e. The Great Perfection, or Dzogchen) perspective, and an account of the history of the Nyingma lineage is given. The reference volume contains amongst other items a brilliant bibliography. Dudjom Rinpoche's work is not easy reading, but demonstrates the complexity of Buddhist thinking and practice. Gyurme Dorje's translation is annotated and is in itself a remarkable feat in buddhology and tibetology.

One could not categorise Nyingma School as an ordinary book. It is a translation of teachings and the pure mind retrospective knowledge of the amazing activities of past masters from the eminent Dudjom Rinpoche, one of the greatest Tibetan Buddhist masters of this century and a living Buddha. His incarnation has reappeared. An ordinary person could spend 20+ years digesting this discourse. This particular book, which is a cheaper and more economical printing of a two-book box set, is a chance for anyone to access this superlative material much more easily. Recently, a bookseller in Kathmandu wanted to charge me $USD 500 for the original box set. Years ago, you could buy it for about $200. The price has shot through the sky! So, if you want a collector's item, buy the original box set but if you simply want the wisdom and inspiration, this book will rip your mind apart.

This tome is a must for those interested in theory and practice in the Nyingma tradition. The section on the 9 yanas is excellent. It will be a lifelong reference work for me.