any suggested readings for a Vajrayana beginner?

KuJiMieDao

being a former Catholic who took refuge under Kagyu lineage, I always feel like a "kinder-gardener sitting in a university lecture room" due to lack of foundations in Hinayana and Mahayana schools. Right now I am reading V.V. Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary on "Jewel Ornament of Liberation", for it briefly touches on the basics such as 4 Noble Truths, Enightfold Path, 6 Perfections, and etc.

Could anyone suggest further readings? Thank you!


-I bow to the Buddha within all beings.

taiyaki

http://www.amazon.com/The-Crystal-Way-Light-Philosophy/dp/1559391359/ref=la_B001H6P740_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1336610306&sr=1-4

Not really for beginner but then again its dzogchen. Off topic but its a good book.

Jeffrey

Khenpo Gyamptso Tsultrim Rinpoche, Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness
Shenpen Hookham, the Buddha Within
Rigdzin Shikpo, Clarity, Openness, and sensitivity

KuJiMieDao

thank you! I will look into them when amazon.ca has them both in stock!

TomAmundsen

The Words of My Perfect Teacher - http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Teacher-Revised-Edition-Literature/dp/1570624127

This is probably the best introduction to Nyingma Buddhism, if not all of Tibetan Buddhism.

sharonsaw

The Vajrayana tradition places a tremendous emphasis on the role of the Spiritual Guide/ Teacher. As such, i would thoroughly recommend this book "Gurus For Hire, Enlightenment For Sale" by H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. It covers what is a Guru and why do we need one, as well as a brief introduction to Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa tradition, and the politics of dharma centres!

This is the copy on the back of the book which is self-explanatory.

The first book of its kind, Gurus for Hire, Enlightenment for Sale provides an insiders guide to the precarious, often tricky Guru-disciple relationship. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche explains with great clarity the meaning of spiritual practice in the context of our contemporary lives and how we can apply it in our everyday lives.

Good luck and happy reading!

Floating_Abu

Or you could go online and read teachings compiled by generous persons!

http://www.abuddhistlibrary.com/Buddhism/J - Navigation Pages and A List of Books/Navigation Pages/Tibetan Buddhism.htm

Good luck with it all

Abu

wisdombeing

I find Tharpa's (http://www.tharpa.com/uk/) books a good read also, such as Introduction to Buddhism, Heart Jewel, Eight Steps to Happiness. They are written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and are easy to read and absorb.