| Abstract |
"Box set is not being sold through Simon; volume 1 is The latest offering from a renowned translator in the Buddhist world, of one of the most important texts in one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism (the Sakya school). This translation was done at the request of the head of the Sakya school. Ngorchen K̐uonchok Lhundrup's Ornament to Beautify the Three Appearances is the most extensive explanation of the Three Appearances ever written. Ornament to Beautify the Three Continua is the most extensive explanation of the Three Continua in a single text. This 2-volume set contains translations of the Vajra Lines of the great Indian adept Vir̐uupa (ca. seventh-eighth centuries), the basic text of the Lamdr̐ue tradition, the most precious system of tantric theory and practice in the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, and extensive explanation and guidance by Ngorchen K̐uonchok Lhundrup (1497-1557). The translations have been made at the personal request and approval of His Holiness the Sakya Trichen with certainty that they will benefit all beings who desire liberation. The Vajra Lines represents the distilled essence of the Hevajra Tantra and its two explanatory tantras, and is almost entirely concerned with esoteric tantric practice. The first topic, however, is the fundamental teachings of Hinay̐uana and Mah̐uay̐uana Buddhism, which are the essential basis for the main tantric practices of Vajray̐uana. In the Lamdr̐ue system, this first topic of preliminary instructions is known as the Three Appearances. The second topic, the main Vajray̐uana practices, is known as the Three Continua. The preliminary practices presented in the first volume, Ornament to Beautify the Three Appearances, may be practiced by anyone, without specific, required preparation. The guiding instructions on impure appearance are for the purpose of developing renunciation, and this volume focuses on three main topics: the defects of sa̐ums̐uara, in order to produce renunciation; the rarity, benefit, and transience of life as a human being, in order to arouse diligence; and the nature of positive and negative actions and results, in order to understand what types of behavior to accept and reject. The guiding instructions on the appearance of the experiences are for the purpose of producing the altruistic intent. This section concerns two main topics: meditation until the common experiences have arisen, which focuses on cultivating love, compassion, and bodhicitta; and cultivating joy now about the uncommon experiences that will arise later when practicing the Vajray̐uana teachings. The guiding instructions on pure appearance are for the purpose of producing enthusiasm for the ultimate result of complete awakening. This section briefly describes the inconceivable nature of a buddha's enlightened body, speech, and mind. The second volume explains the main tantric practices of the Three Continua. It is a restricted text, intended only for students who have at least received the great initiation of Hevajra. It is the most extensive explanation of the Three Continua in a single text. These three are the causal continuum [the abiding mode of phenomenon, which involves meditation on the view of the indivisibility of sa̐ums̐uara and nirv̐ua̐una for the purpose of eliminating all conceptual elaborations], the method continuum [the precise way to meditate-the main practice of the Teaching, the method for guiding the true nature of the mind, primordially free of conceptual elaborations, the ground of everything, to the four k̐uayas-which involves instructions on each of the four initiations, the various sacred commitments associated with the four initiations, the propitiation of the ̐ud̐uakas and ̐ud̐uakin̐uis if these commitments have been damaged, and the initiations at the time of the path, which is the main topic of the method continuum], and the resultant continuum [buddhahood]. Dependent on the causal continuum of the mind, or universal ground, which is like a field, being purified by the method continuum of the body, which is like water and manure, the resultant continuum of mah̐uamudr̐ua (the four resultant k̐uayas), which is like the ripened fruit, is actualized"-- Provided by publisher. |
