Groundless Paths: The Prajnaparamita Sutras, The Ornament of Clear Realization, and Its Commentaries in the Tibetan Nyingma Tradition by Karl Brunnholzl (PDF)

Description

The Abhisamayalamkara summarizes all the topics in the vast body of the prajñaparamita sutras. Resembling a zip-file, it comes to life only through its Indian and Tibetan commentaries. Together, these texts not only discuss the “hidden meaning” of the prajñaparamita sutras—the paths and bhumis of sravakas, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas—but also serve as contemplative manuals for the explicit topic of these sutras—emptiness—and how it is to be understood on the progressive levels of realization of bodhisattvas. Thus these texts describe what happens in the mind of a bodhisattva who meditates on emptiness, making it a living experience from the beginner’s stage up through buddhahood. Groundless Paths contains the first in-depth study of the Abhisamayalamkara (the text studied most extensively in higher Tibetan Buddhist education) and its commentaries from the perspective of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. This study consists mainly of translations of Maitreya’s famous text and two commentaries on it by Patrul Rinpoche. These are supplemented by three short texts on the paths and bhumis by the same author, as well as extensive excerpts from commentaries by six other Nyingma masters, including Mipham Rinpoche. Thus this book helps close a long-standing gap in the modern scholarship on the prajñaparamita sutras and the literature on paths and bhumis in mahayana Buddhism. Arya Maitreya’s Ornament of Clear Realization, with its Indian and Tibetan commentaries, presents the complex dynamics of the path to liberation as a succession of realizations of the empty nature of all phenomena. This presentation is a powerful antidote to whatever two-dimensional views we might hold about spiritual experience and the journey to enlightenment.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review “Groundless Paths completes Karl Brunnhölzl’s brilliant three-volume study of Tibetan commentaries on the Ornament of Clear Realization. In this volume, the great nineteenth-century master Patrul Rinpoche adds a Nyingma perspective to the Kagyü viewpoints found in Gone Beyond. Altogether, this collection is a marvelous resource for scholars and practitioners who wish to understand the depth and breadth of the Buddhist path.”—Andy Karr, author of Contemplating Reality “Groundless Paths contains Dza Patrul Rinpoche’s brilliant commentaries on the Abhisamayalamkara, masterfully translated and annotated by Karl Brunnhölzl. This third volume completes the presentation of the major Kagyü and Nyingma works on the prajñaparamita literature in English for the first time.”—Elizabeth Callahan, translator of The Treasury of Knowledge: Book Six, Part Three From the Back Cover The Abhisamayalamkara summarizes all the topics in the vast body of the prajñaparamita sutras. Resembling a zip-file, it only comes to life through its Indian and Tibetan commentaries. Together, these texts not only discuss the “hidden meaning” of the prajñaparamita sutras—the paths and bhumis of sravakas, pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas, but also serve as contemplative manuals for the explicit topic of these sutras—emptiness—and how it is to be understood on the progressive levels of realization of bodhisattvas. Thus, these texts describe what happens in the mind of a bodhisattva who meditates on emptiness, making it a living experience from the beginner’s stage up through buddhahood. Groundless Paths contains the first in-depth study of the Abhisamayalamkara (the text studied most extensively in higher Tibetan Buddhist education) and its commentaries from the perspective of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. This study consists mainly of translations of Maitreya’s famous text and two commentaries on it by Patrul Rinpoche. These are supplemented by three short texts on the paths and bhumis by the same author as well as extensive excerpts from commentaries by six other Nyingma masters, including Mipham Rinpoche. Thus, this book helps close a long-standing gap in the modern scholarship on the prajñaparamita sutras and the literature on paths and bhumis in mahayana Buddhism. About the Author Karl Brunnhölzl, MD, was trained as a physician and also studied Tibetology. He received his systematic training in Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy and practice at the Marpa Institute for Translators, founded by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. Since 1989 he has been a translator and interpreter from Tibetan and English. He is presently involved with the Nitartha Institute as a teacher and translator. Read more

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐excellent book……….. of course if you are going to read it be prepared to go slow and methodical, at least some of the way.It’s not for a beginner but I don’t suppose many beginners would attempt it. I also used as a cross reference the book by James Apple, Stairway to Nirvana. The books are not directly connected by the material but both have a storehouse of knowledge and wisdom.

⭐good introduction in Buddhism, recommended also by HH the Dalai Lama in a book about the 8 verses

⭐poorly written way too many numerical lists

⭐Shastras explain in detail how to find the path, how to progress along the path etc. They explore in detail how to practice and how to deal with experiences that arise along your journey and help dispel any confusions which arise. Although complex they are not works of gratutious intellect, but explain and clarify in detail the experiences which arise in the course of your Dharma practice.This particular Shastra concentrates on Wisdom or Prajna as it appears and is perfected (or not) in your practice, and is revered and praised and studied by all Buddhist traditions and by real Dharma practioners everywhere. It is one of the 13 great texts of Indian Buddhism and is a core text of both Tibetan and Chinese schools.

⭐This book is unremarkable. Simply beautiful I’m all ways and I am very happy and grateful to have it.

⭐Excellent work

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