NEWS
Snow Lion Publications
Volume 19, Number 4
ISSN 1059-3691 BN:86605 3697
Dalai Lama in Arizona
“I’ll use these three days to dis-
cuss the potentials of our inner
world,” says the Dalai Lama. The
days is question are September 16-
18, and the setting is a huge, hid-
eously carpeted conference room
at a resort in Tucson. His Holi-
ness is sitting on a dais in front of
an unusual black tangka depict-
ing a Buddha floating above what
appears to be an Arizona mountain.
Tall pink flowers lean out of vases
arrayed across the stage, rather like
indiscrete desert flamingos.
Here, in the Marriott Starr Pass
Resort—a quasi 21st-century god-
realm—food appears and disap-
pears, the swimming pools are
mostly empty, and the views spec-
tacular. Just about the only perfection
required of the attendees is patience,
and an immunity to hayfever.
His Holiness, along with many
members of the audience, is react-
ing to a potent allergen in the air.
He sneezes—and suggests that the
crowd will have to say “God bless
you” to him frequently. It’s a joke
of course, but the group of several
thousand complies loudly several
times throughout the weekend. In
accord with the Dalai Lama’s usual
style, the teachings, a rich presenta-
tion based on chapter 8 of Shantide-
va’s Guide to the Bohdisattva’s Way of
(Above photo of the Dalai Lama in
Tucson by Kathryn Wilde.)
Life, are liberally flavored with his
contagious good humor and inter-
esting forays.
His Holiness recollects his strug-
gles as a young boy to memorize
various texts. Apparently he would
be hit with a yellow whip when
he failed to perform up to expecta-
tion. “The memorization of this text
under the shadow of this yellow
whip was not easy,” he recalls.
of mind,” he adds. “It’s not about
In a discussion about severe closing your eyes and just becoming
drowsiness during meditation, he relaxed. If it were, the rabbits would
recommends that the practitioner be very good at it.”
In response to a question about
“Sometimes people helping pets who have died, His
Holiness comments that the pat-
mistakenly think that terns in the bardo are the same for
Buddhism promotes
humans and animals. He points
people without emotion,” out that just as prayers by a teacher
he says, “but Buddhism can have a beneficial outcome for
promotes a very high level students, prayers by an owner can
of emotion—empathy with have a positive effect on pets.
all sentient beings—not About relationships, he notes how
quickly so-called love can turn into
detachment.”
hatred. His comment: “If intimacy
is based on a genuine recognition of
“walk around, wash the face, find an
the person and his qualities, that kind
expansive view toward the horizon—
of love is much more stable and less
and in the future eat less dinner.” For
likely to slide toward hostility.” And
those who have “too many internal
adds that a genuine recognition of
processes,” he suggests a meditation
interdependence is key.
on counting the breath, from one to
“Negative emotions are impul-
ten, and then back down from ten
sive; positive emotions are grounded
to one. “It relaxes the mind and pre-
upon a realistic way of seeing
vents distraction.” things and are complemented with
“In meditation you’re trying to wisdom,” he observes.
attain a very alert and clear state “Sometimes people mistakenly
think that Buddhism promotes
people without emotion,” he says,
“but Buddhism promotes a very high
level of emotion—empathy with all
Forward Service Requested
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PO Box 6483
Snow Lion Publications
sentient beings—not detachment.” ■
Practical Mindfulness Techniques
by HIS HOLINESS JIGDAL
DAGCHEN SAKYA
Mindfulness Meditation
Techniques
Every day we have different mental
experiences. We are in a good mood
or a bad mood. We are happy or
unhappy. These thoughts are always
working on us. These experiences
are natural, but it is important to
understand their nature. They arise,
abide, and cease, continually and
seemingly without end.
We must understand the origins
of our thoughts. To accomplish this,
we should practice Calm Abiding
and Insight Meditation. As part of
one’s meditation, posture should be
considered. When we sit up straight,
our psychic channels open up and
stabilize our mental state; it helps to
straighten our mind, and improves
ITHACA, NY14851
PERMIT NO. 746
the breathing. Analyzing the func-
U.S. POSTAGE
PRSRT STD
tion and nature of the mind, and
PAID
observing how thoughts, emotions,
and feelings arise for a moment,
cease, and then change into another
thought or feeling is very beneficial
for pacifying the mental sufferings.
PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851 607-273-8519
NEWSLETTER & CATALOG
Interview with
JEFFREY HOPKINS
On the release of two new books
YOGA TANTRA:
Paths to Magical Feats
ABSORPTION IN NO
EXTERNAL WORLD
Q: I have to confess I’m intrigued by
the subtitle, Magical Feats. I’m won-
dering if you’ve ever seen a magical
feat—walking on water, finding trea-
sures, and so forth.
JH: Actually, one of the feats is
knowing all treatises—which
means understanding a treatise as
soon as you read it. There was a
yogi in Dharamsala who was one
of the yogis studied by Dr. Herb
Benson’s team—I served as liaison
in that study on heat yoga. This
yogi was the most impressive of
that impressive group. He had little
education, but it was easy for him to
understand extremely complicated
material.
Q: Why is The Great Exposition of
Secret Mantra—of which Yoga Tantra
is a section—an important work?
JH: Just as there’s Dzong-ka-ba’s
Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path
for the practice of the path in the
Sutra systems in Geluk, for tantra
there is Dzong-ka-ba ’s presentation
of all four tantra sets in The Great
Exposition of Secret Mantra.
In Yoga Tantra, Dzong-ka-ba puts
a lot of emphasis on how to develop
In Calm Abiding meditation, as we
observe our thoughts, the number
of thoughts decreases until we can
naturally experience calm, abiding
peace and happiness.
When we examine the mind, we
notice that it has no color, shape
or size. As much as we look, the
“mind” or “I” cannot be found. The
conclusion is that the mind is empty
of a singular or plural nature.
Advanced Meditation Practices
We practice Buddhism through dif-
ferent levels of teachings including
Orders: 800-950-0313
FALL 2005
calm abiding and special insight
according to theYoga Tantra exposi-
tion. And also on the magical feats
that are used in the process of accu-
mulating merit in order to enhance
the path to enlightenment.
Q: Why would magical feats be an
important accomplishment on the path
to enlightenment?
JH: They’re important because they
can be used to the benefit of sen-
tient beings. For instance, pacifying
disease in an area, increasing your
own intelligence so that you can
understand difficult points of doc-
trine, making it easier to achieve
realization, finding treasures in the
ground, even deposits of gold or
oil—as His Holiness says—for the
sake of gaining wealth that can be of
assistance to others. As for walking
(Continued on page 5)
the Sutra and Tantra. The Sutric
teachings are known as the outer or
exoteric teachings, while the Tantric
teachings are referred to as the inner
or secret teachings. In the Sutra
(Mahayana) level of teachings, one
must practice The Six Perfections
including generosity, moral behav-
ior, patience, diligence, meditation,
and wisdom. In Tantra (Vajrayana),
the individual meditates on a par-
ticular deity.
Meditating on deities helps us
to alleviate our physical suffer-
ing. Our active minds cause us to
have mental discomfort. Impure
Impure vision and
pure vision are very
much connected to
our motivation.
visions occur when we have cling-
ing or grasping or attachment to the
activities of Samsara. This clinging
and grasping acts like a burden,
dragging us down, and it makes
our mind heavy. If we have a pure
(Continued on page 17)
SNOW LION 1

Remarkable for its definitive clarity, this exposition of the stages of Highest Yoga Tantra is the first of its kind
in the English language and a must for anyone interested in these highest tantras.
“This book is an extremely lucid overview of the generation and completion stages of Highest Yoga Tantra.”
—THE MIDDLE WAY
This book deserves to be a most popular book on Tantra. It captures both the essence and detail that bring
these esoteric topics to life.”—JEFFREY HOPKINS, University of Virginia
“...the best introduction to the subject, well written and authoritative.”—JOHN POWERS, Australian
National University
DANIEL COZORT is Professor of Religion at Dickinson College. He received his Ph.D. from the University of
Virginia, has studied with many Tibetan lamas, curated an exhibition of Tibetan tantric art, and is the co-author
of Buddhist Philosophy.
The following excerpt is from chapter 2
of Highest Yoga Tantra.
Paths Common to Sutra and
Tantra
As mentioned earlier, Highest Yoga
Tantra practice comprises two
stages, the stage of generation and
the stage of completion. The stage of
completion is necessarily preceeded
by the stage of generation, which
itself has three sets of prerequisites
(1) previous practice of the paths
common to sutra and tantra, (2)
initiation in a tantra of the Highest
Yoga Tantra set, and (3) assuming
special tantric pledges and vows.
Before beginning to describe the
stage of generation in detail, these
three sets of prerequisites will be
briefly explained.
Before practicing the stages of
Highest Yoga Tantra, it is necessary
to establish in one’s mind the correct
motivation and the correct view as
taught in the sutra presentations of
the paths to enlightenment. Indeed,
almost all of the features of sutra are
included in tantra; hence, the tantras
do not replace the sutras, but rather,
complement them. That being the
case, the three principal aspects of
the path, as delineated by the Indian
scholar Atisha and explained by
Dzong-ka-ba and many others, are
no less indispensible to tantric prac-
titioners than they are to others. The
three principal aspects of the path
are: (1) renunciation, the determina-
tion to leave cyclic existence, (2) the
altruistic aspiration to enlighten-
ment, the determination to become
a Buddha for the sake of all sentient
beings; and (3) the correct view, the
realization that all phenomena are
empty of inherent existence.
The Need for Renunciation
Those who aspire to enlightenment
must turn away from their attach-
ment to the appearances of this life
and their attachment to future lives,
meditating on the meaningfulness
of leisure and fortune and the diffi-
culty of finding it and the inevitabil-
ity of suffering and death. It is said
that without a strong intention to
renounce cyclic existence there is no
way to generate a strong aspiration
to attain Buddhahood. As Dzong-
ka-ba says in his Three Principal
Aspects of the Path (lam oil gtso bo
rnam pa gsum):
Without a complete thought defi-
nitely to leave
Cyclic existence there is no way
to stop
2 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER
NEWS
Highest Yoga Tantra
by Daniel Cozort
THIS EXTRAORDINARY BOOK CLEARLY OUTLINES AND
discusses the methods for transforming both body and mind through
the highest forms of tantric practice. Highest Yoga Tantra is the pin-
nacle of tantric systems found in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
• Part One discusses the practices common to sutra and tantra.
• Part Two presents the generation stage of Highest Yoga
Tantra.
• Part Three covers the entirety of the completion stage yogas
(i.e., physical isolation, verbal isolation, mental isolation, illusory
body, clear light, and union).
• Part Four compares the Kalachakra and Guhyasamaja stages
of completion.
one-pointedness that realizes empti- are above all addressed to men
ness—in far less time than the period in whom non-religious impulses,
of countless great aeons required especially those of a sexual nature,
for those who practice sutra paths are at their most powerful.
alone. Tantric yogis use deity yoga Also:
Seeking pleasurable effects in the as Shantideva’s Engaging in the Bod- to enhance meditation on empti-
The Anuttaratantras are reserved
ocean of existence. hisattva Deeds (spyod ‘jug, bodhicatya- ness; their use of deity yoga brings for the creatures who sin most,
Also, craving cyclic existence vatara, IX. 1) says: them more quickly to an initial direct who do not distinguish good from
thoroughly binds cognition of emptiness by enhancing evil, who lead impure lives.
The embodied; therefore, in the
The Subduer said that all these
their ability to combine meditative
Branches are for the sake of wisdom. Notions such as these are explic-
beginning, a thought stability with analysis. Also, in High-
Definitely to leave cyclic existence Considering the centrality of itly refuted by Ge-luk-ba scholars.
should be sought. meditation on emptiness to the Practitioners of tantra, they say,
Renunciation is a prerequisite for tantric path, it must be regarded Tantric yogis use deity should be acting on the purest of
the practice of any vehicle, be it sutra as misleading to contrast the Secret yoga to enhance medita- motives—the altruistic aspiration to
or tantra. For tantra, renunciation Mantra Vehicle to the Perfection highest enlightenment—and should
tion on emptiness; their have impeccable behavior. Highest
is particularly important because Vehicle as does S.B. Dasgupta:
use of deity yoga brings Yoga Tantra does indeed use desire,
sexual desire is used in the path; The different metaphysical systems
without renunciation, the practitio- them more quickly to an but only to destroy desire, just as
deal with the nature of reality and
ner can easily become attached to initial direct cognition of “wood-born” insects eat the wood
the philosophical method for its
that engenders them. Desire is used
the object of desire. realization; whereas the tantras lay emptiness by enhancing
stress on the esoteric methods for to generate a powerful bliss con-
their ability to combine sciousness which is then employed
The Need for Compassion realizing that reality.
meditative stability with in the destruction of the root of
Tantric trainees, like Perfection On the contrary, Jeffrey Hopkins desire, the conception of inherent
Vehicle trainees, should be Bodhi-
analysis.
argues the tantric yogi must engage existence, through realizing the
sattvas, persons who not only have in the same sort of reasonings as
emptiness of inherent existence.
renounced the world, but are fully other Buddhist practitioners: est Yoga Tantra, powerful, subtle Ge-luk-ba scholars also reject the
committed to attaining enlighten- consciousnesses that realize empti-
...non-dualistic wisdom is the life position that tantra is an easy path,
ment in order to serve the welfare ness are manifested, whereby the
of both the sutra and tantra paths, meant for persons incapable of more
of others. In fact, those who practice and in both paths initial reliance on obstructions to liberation and omni-
difficult practices, as Mircea Eliade
tantra should have an extraordinary reasoning to uncover the nature of science are quickly overcome. has suggested: “...the Vajrayana
degree of compassion; their moti- phenomena, hidden to our direct Even though tantric practitioners
represents a new revelation of Bud-
vation for practicing tantra should experience, is necessary. seem to be superior to others both in
dha’s doctrine adapted to the much
be that they cannot bear to spend Tantric yogis succeed in their terms of their cultivation of method diminished capacities of modern
unnecessary time attaining Bud- and their cultivation of wisdom,
cultivation of wisdom more quickly man.” On the contrary, the tantric
dhahood because they want to be than do practitioners of the Perfec- some commentators, both past and path is considered far more difficult
a supreme source of help and hap- present, have thought that they are
tion Vehicle because the tantric yogi, than the sutra path. Consequently,
piness to others as soon as possible. inferior. For instance, the great Italian
employing deity yoga, can achieve a it is said that there are many who
As Jang-gya (icang skya, 1717-86) Tibetologist, Guiseppe Tucci, says
mind that is a union of calm abiding wish to practice tantra but few who
says in his Presentation of Tenets and special insight—a mind of alert The tantras of the ‘superior class’ are qualified for it. ■
(grub mtha’i rnam bzhag):
It is said in the precious tantras
and in many commentaries that
even those trainees of the Mantra
Vehicle who have low faculties
must have far greater compassion,
sharper faculties, and a superior lot
than the trainees of sharpest facul-
ties in the Perfection Vehicle.
Jang-gya contradicts a view,
widely held in the West, that com-
passion belongs to an earlier phase
of Buddhism, tantra having replaced
compassion with passion.
The Need for Wisdom
Tantric practitioners should also
have made progress in meditation
on emptiness. Meditation on empti-
ness is the heart of the Buddhist path
in both sutra and tantra. Although
compassion is said to be the basis
of practice, it is basic in the sense of
being one’s motivation; meditation
on emptiness is the chief practice of
Buddhism because it actualizes one’s
compassionate intent by removing
all obstructions to Buddhahood. All
the practices of method, both in sutra
and tantra, are done specifically in
order to enhance the wisdom con-
sciousness that realizes emptiness,

Highlights from the Dalai Lama’s September Tour of the USA
A ROW OF MONKS, WEARING
their traditional brightly colored
gold and maroon attire, were
among a few dozen people who sat
near the stage on blankets, pillows
or mats spread across the 10- and
20-yard lines on the football field.
The visit also attracted several for-
eign media outlets, including Asian
and Russian television stations, a
The Dalai Lama called
the concept of war
“outdated,” and said
peaceful reconciliation
requires determination,
and frank dialogue.
German press agency and publica-
tions focusing on Jewish and Catho-
lic issues and life.
The event also marked the largest
nonathletic event in Rutgers history,
topping visits by former President
Bill Clinton (before the stadium was
built), and former U.S. Attorney
General Janet Reno.
The Dalai Lama’s humility and
humor won over his audience, who
responded often with laughter and
applause. When Rutgers President
Richard McCormick presented him
with an honorary degree, he said it
was an honor to receive it without
having to work hard and study for it.
He started his “Peace, War and
Reconciliation” lecture by saying
that the topics were familiar to
everybody.
“I have nothing to offer, new
ideas or new views, nothing special.
So, you may disappoint after listen
to my...lecture. If you feel boring,
then I’m sorry. But at least today
Dalai Lama’s Idaho visit
draws wealthy soul-searchers
Associated Press, Sept 9, 2005
BOISE, Idaho
For the Dalai Lama’s trip
to Sun Valley starting today,
singer Willie Nelson is giving a
show to benefit the Tibetan spiritual
leader. Hootie and the Blowfish play
a $1,000-a-plate dinner.
The entire U.S. House of Rep-
resentatives is invited, Gov. Dirk
Kempthorne is in town, and 300
business people, fund managers
and celebrities are due at an invita-
tion-only luncheon hosted by the
trip’s sponsor.
Even by Sun Valley standards the
arrival of so many well-known and
wealthy at once has even famously
discrete locals wondering: Who’ll
show up?
The Dalai Lama’s visit to central
Idaho intentionally coincides with
the anniversary of Sept. 11 terror
attacks. His 2 p.m. speech Sunday,
to be televised live on CNN, has
also morphed into a message of
compassion for thousands of Hurr
cane Katrina victims, a Dalai Lama
spokeswoman said.
Some 10,000 people, including
many locals from Blaine County,
have tickets for Sunday’s event on
the Wood River High School foot-
Dalai Lama at Rutgers
His Holiness receives honorary degree
this weather—not hot, not cold,
quite pleasant, so just a few minutes
you spend here OK, not my prob-
lem,” he said.
The Dalai Lama also addressed
nuclear and weapons, calling them
dangerous and expensive—not
just in financial terms, but also to
humanity. He gave the example of
some African states that have an
abundance of weapons, but not
enough food for their people.
He said it should be society’s
dream that the whole world should
be free of nuclear and biological
weapons. The Dalai Lama called
the concept of war “outdated,” and
said peaceful reconciliation requires
determination, and frank dialogue.
“This whole planet is just us,”
he said. “Therefore, destruction of
another area essentially is destruc-
tion of yourself.”
The Dalai Lama said people
need to develop a deeper aware-
ness about their emotions—which
ones are beneficial and which are
The Dalai Lama teaching in Tucson with Thubten Jinpa translating.
(Photo by Kathryn Wilde.)
ball field in Hailey. There’s also an
address to thousands of Idaho chil-
dren Monday afternoon, as well as
Tuesday’s private, invitation-only
blessing of an 800-pound bronze
Tibetan prayer wheel flown in from
India, and a meeting Wednesday
morning with 100 religious leaders
from different faiths.
Kiril Sokoloff, a part time Sun
Valley resident and financial
adviser who in 2001 brought the
Dalai Lama’s sister to Sun Valley to
raise money for Tibetan school kids,
is spending about $1 million on the
event, including hiring security per-
sonnel who worked the 2002 Salt
Lake City Winter Olympics.
Focusing on just the wealthy and
celebrities who seem to orbit the Dalai
Lama is a mistake, Sokoloff said.
“Everybody keeps asking, ‘Who
are the famous figures? Who are
the politicians?’ But we have 10,000
people at the stadium, and maybe 20
are celebrities,” he said. “The Dalai
Lama is a man of the people.”
Thomas McKissick, a Los Ange-
les fund manager and Buddhist
who’s attending Monday’s lunch
with the Dalai Lama, expects him
to encourage business leaders to
give more of themselves — at a time
NEWS
destructive. When anger dominates,
he said it has a tendency to obscure
reality.
He also stressed that all humans
are fundamentally the same, men-
tally, emotionally and in their desire
for happiness. Anger and jealousy
also are normal experiences that
he feels too, for example, when his
translator on stage with him speaks
better English.
And he said the major religions,
although different in philosophy,
are the same in teaching forgive-
ness, discipline, love, tolerance and
compassion. The Dalai Lama also
noted that he is not all knowing,
and does not have an answer about
how to resolve the conflict between
Israel and Palestine when asked.
(excerpted from New York Newsday:
nynewsday.com) ■
Above photo of H.H. the Dalai Lama:
Associated Press
when companies across America are
already chipping in millions to Gulf
Coast hurricane relief.
There are also political overtones
to the trip.
U.S. Rep. C.L. “Butch” Otter, R-
Idaho, has invited Congress, saying
in a letter sent to 434 colleagues in
the House that the Dalai Lama is
known “for his tireless ecumenical
efforts to free his people from the
tyranny of Chinese communism.”
Last Friday, China celebrated the
40th anniversary of the founding of
Tibet’s regional government with a
military parade in front of the Potala
Palace, former home of the Dalai
Lama.
His first trip to America since 2003
can be seen in this larger context,
supporters say: His unabated popu-
larity — not to mention the live CNN
coverage — helps draw attention to
his campaign to end heavy-handed
Chinese rule in Tibet, where the
monk hasn’t set foot in 46 years.
“Tibet becomes a subtext, no
matter what,” said Tenzen Tethong,
the Dalai Lama’s former official
representative in America who now
works on Buddhist issues in San
Francisco. ■
New York Mayor
Bloomberg Honors
The Dalai Lama
Sept 25, 2005 NEW YORK
Mayor Michael Bloomberg pre-
sented the key to the city to the
Dalai Lama on Sunday and called
the Tibetan spiritual leader “a
moral beacon to millions around
the world, with a clear and constant
voice for human rights.”
The Dalai Lama pantomimed
opening a door with the oversize
key and said, “I think with this key
I can go everywhere. It can open
every door.”
The brief Manhattan ceremony
took place on the steps of the James
A. Farley post office, at Eighth
Dalai Lama Speaks up for
Prisoners and Non-Believers
by NICHOLAS COLLIAS
Sept 21, 2005
Listeners of the Dalai Lama’s
September 14 address, given at
the Ketchum home of Kirl Sokol-
off, heard a very different view of
the Tibetan leader than at his Sep-
tember 11 address in Hailey. While
very reserved about his personal
views at previous events, the Dalai
Lama expounded at this “Inter-
faith Summit” with Idaho’s reli-
gious leaders about topics ranging
from the death penalty to abortion,
homosexuality, inter-religious wars
and even the existence of a creator.
The last revelation generated the
loudest rumble from the largely
theistic audience, as His Holiness
conceded that despite the title of
the event, he and other Buddhists in
the Tibetan tradition are technically
nonbelievers.
“From the theistic viewpoint,
Buddhists are athiests,” he said.
But far from using this as a basis for
judgment, he cited it as an example
of the strength of dialogue.
Standing up for non-believers
was a consistent message through-
out the Dalai Lama’s address. At one
point, he derided the religious lead-
ers who maintain that “moral ethics
must have a basis of religious faith.”
Later, when asked for his views on
homosexuality and abortion, he told
“believers” to obey their tradition’s
teachings, but said it would be going
“a little bit too far” for them to dis-
criminate against nonbelievers. “It is
up to the individual,” he said. “That
is my view to nonbelievers.”
Likewise, the former Nobel
Peace Prize-winner spoke of work-
Dalai Lama Visits Alaska
The Associated Press, Sept 9, 2005
ANCHORAGE, Alaska
—The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual
leader, spent his first visit to Alaska
discussing wildlife conservation
and Native concerns Friday with
state leaders.
Gov. Frank Murkowski held a
small, private welcome for the Bud-
dhist leaderin which they “talked
about the history of Alaska, its wild-
life, economy, all the things that
The stories on this page are from World Tibet Network News: www.tibet.org/News/
Avenue and 33rd Street, which is
slated to be converted to the Daniel
Patrick Moynihan Train Station.
Maura Moynihan, daughter of
the late Sen. Moynihan, said her
father had known the Dalai Lama
since his stint as U.S. ambassador to
India in the early 1970s.
Bloomberg said, “When Moynihan
Station is completed, you’ll come
back and use that key to open the
door.”
After the ceremony at the post
office he crossed the street to Madi-
son Square Garden for an audience
with local Tibetans. ■
ing with Amnesty International to
end the death penalty. Such sys-
tems unfairly identify “action” with
“person,” he explained. “People
who have these ‘evil’ emotions,” he
said, “we cannot call ‘evil person.’”
Even the idea of evil, a main-
stay in recent U.S. politics seemed
to the long-suffering leader to be a
dated notion. “In ancient times, it
was different,” the Dalai Lama said.
“In modern times, everything is
interconnected. Not only nation to
nation, but continent to continent.
Sometimes I feel the very concepts
“In modern times, every-
thing is interconnected.
Not only nation to nation,
but continent to conti-
nent. Sometimes I feel
the very concepts of
‘we’ and ‘they’ no longer
exist. The whole world
is just ‘we.’”
of ‘we’ and ‘they’ no longer exist.
The whole world is just ‘we.’”
In light of that interconnected-
ness, he said, the common ground
between theistic and atheistic tradi-
tions should be of paramount impor-
tance. “[There are] 6 billion human
beings,” he told the audience. “We
need these variety of approaches. So
you develop a kind of admiration
for that basis of harmony. Not just,
‘Smile and say hello, [have] nice
meals’—from [the] heart. Appreci-
ate. Admire their great service to
humanity.” ■
make Alaska a great place to live,”
said Murkowski’s spokeswoman,
Becky Hultberg.
The Dalai Lama is particularly
interested in how Alaska melds
environmental conservation with
economic development, said his
spokesman, Tashi Wangdi.
Earlier this year, he asked his
followers to help combat the illegal
wildlife trade along Tibet’s border
with India and Nepal. ■
SNOW LION 3
 NEWS

WIN a Guided Tour in TIBET in 2006

Tour leader: Glenn H. Mullin

For the ninth time Snow Lion Publications is offering a tour in

Tibet to a lucky customer. We have arranged to give one of our cus-
tomers the opportunity to travel with Glenn H. Mullin on a two-week
adventure in Tibet in 2006. Glenn lived in the Himalayas from 1972-
1982 where he studied Tibetan Buddhism, language, literature, and
yoga with many of the greatest teachers from Tibet. He is the author
of over a dozen books and has taught throughout the world. He also
organized and led several world tours for the monks from Drepung
Loseling Monastery.
Here’s how you can win: Every time that you order from us, we
will enter your name in our drawing. Just let us know when you
order by mail, phone, or fax that you would like to be considered for
the trip. We’ll have our drawing on December 31, 2005.
Please check the full-page ad in this newsletter to see what is and
is not included in the trip. The main item not included is airfare to the
starting point (the starting point used to be Kathmandu, but the pres-
ent political climate has changed this). Also, since Glenn is responsi-
ble for every aspect of the trip, please contact him for any information
that you need or to find out about this or other great trips. Glenn’s
website is: www. dharmatravel.com. ■

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4 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER

 NEWS
INTERVIEW WITH I took time off from teaching and
JEFFREY HOPKINS went to Dharamsala. In that public

Continued from page 1
on water, well, I don’t want to make
up reasons. But it surely would be
impressive if you could show it to
someone. If I saw someone walk on
water, I would be highly enthused.
Q: In various religious traditions, it
seems that the use of so-called miracle
is used to generate faith rather than
necessarily as a promise of attainment.
But this book is talking about attaining
these accomplishments for oneself.
JH: It is about attaining them for
oneself, but there would be oppor-
tunities to display them to others.
For instance, to show that such feats
are possible, to show that we’re not
bound in the way we think we are
by the material world. When they
are shown, it’s to indicate that that
person could also achieve them
Q: What drew you to work on this
project?
JH: A few decades ago His Holiness
the Dalai Lama suggested that I
translate The Great Exposition of Secret
Mantra. I was shocked at his sug-
gestion, because at that period we
were mostly kept away from tantra.
Frankly, I thought it was beyond me,
and I didn’t give him an answer. But
over the next several days I thought
about it and decided, well, if he wants
me to do it, then I’ll do it. He states in
Tantra in Tibet so clearly that although
tantra is secret, so many books con-
taining some misinformation have
been published that he wanted to
see a series published that would be
accurate—the meaning being that he
was moving back the line of secrecy.
And that’s how I began the project.
It’s taken me 23 years. Of course
...we’re not bound in the
way we think we are by
the material world.
in the meantime I published several
other books. The problem was that
there are many parts of the section
on Yoga Tantra that Dzong-ka-ba
does not explain in sufficient detail
to be translated. His Holiness him-
self stopped before the Yoga Tantra
section in his commentary that he
gave to me in his office.
Yoga Tantra
teaching he included his new com-
mentary on Yoga Tantra, which is the
foundation of this book.
Q: You also have another book just
newly published—Absorption in No
External World: 170 Issues in Mind- PATHS TO MAGICAL FEATS
Only Buddhism. What particularly
interested you about that material?
JH: It is the third volume of a tril-
ogy that I have written on Dzong-
ka-ba’s exposition of the mind-only
school presentation of emptiness.
by H.H. the Dalai Lama,
This exposition is the subject of a Dzong-ka-ba and
great deal of controversy among
Gelukba. Just fascinating material. Jeffrey Hopkins
I became so fascinated that I
read all of the major commentaries
and some of the minor ones. I could 176 pages • #YOTR
see the dynamic interplay among regular price $18.95, now $15.16
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I constructed the book The Dalai Lama opens the door to the topic of
around 170 topics of Yoga Tantra with an extraordinarily detailed teach-
ing on a classic text. Rarely in the Dalai Lama’s
controversy. Why am I lifetime has he given teachings of such a nature
so fascinated by these on this topic, about which so little is understood.
controversies? My There follows a translation of Dzong-ka-ba’s The
basic approach I would Great Exposition of Secret Mantra: Yoga Tantra,
one of his most important works and a monu-
call “liberation through ment of Tibetan Buddhist literature, and the
detail.” basis for the Dalai Lama’s teaching. This is an
invaluable book for anyone who is practicing or
these Tibetan scholars. I constructed interested in Buddhist tantra in general.
the book around 170 topics of con-
troversy. Why am I so fascinated
by these controversies? My basic
approach I would call “liberation
through detail.”
The more detail you pursue the
more open your perspective becomes,
because the more you see the contro-
versies, the more you see that no one
has an airtight system. And through
the cracks, crannies, and even huge
gaps you can see why someone could
do things in quite a different way. It
increases my interest and my ability
to practice, and opens me to all sorts
of perspectives outside the range of
Gelukba scholarship, as is evidenced
by the [forthcoming] publication of
The Mountain Doctrine.
Q: My impression is that Absorption
in No External World is wrapping up
or cleaning up issues in the mind-only
school.
JH: It’s taking issues from Indian
Buddhism and following them out
in more detail than one might have
thought was there. You see how the

His Holiness said he would need
to study it more. So within a year—
maximum two years—he had stud-
ied Yoga Tantra in detail, including
Absorption in No
system holds together. I hope others
will find it as fascinating as I do.
Interview by Christine Cox. ■

External World
the major Indian texts that were
translated into Tibetan. And he
undoubtedly consulted with schol-
ars from outside the order of Geluk Would you like to receive a
to gain understanding. His office quotation from the Dalai Lama or
then let me know that he was giving
a discourse on the whole of The
other remarkable teachers?
See “Join our mailing lists” at
170 Issues In Mind-Only Buddhism
Great Exposition of Secret Mantra and www.SnowLionPub.com

“A captivating documentary about the intricate by Jeffrey Hopkins

and fascinating medical procedures Tibetans
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“An invitation to
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to the human body
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- THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Information packed
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THE KNOWLEDGE OF HEALING
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This stand-alone book is the final volume of a tril-
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last twenty-two years. Here Hopkins presents opin-
ions on crucial issues from twenty-two commentaries
on Dzong-ka-ba’s The Essence of Eloquence, consid-
ered by his followers to be so challenging that it is
called his steel bow and steel arrow, hard to pull but
powerful when one succeeds. The careful and intense
analysis with which these scholar-yogis probe these
170 issues over time opens a door into patterns of
thought that constitute the environment of the text.
Hopkins’ lively style draws the reader into the drama,
stimulating the reader’s metaphysical imagination.
Honored by his peers and readers alike, JEF-
FREY HOPKINS is considered a seminal and influential
Western scholar of Tibetan Buddhism. A professor
emeritus at University of Virginia, he is the author of
numerous books, including Cultivating Compassion,
and translator of many books including How to Prac-
tice. He lives in Charlottesville, VA.

SNOW LION 5
 NEWS

Opening the Door to Bön

by NYIMA DAKPA RINPOCHE
(The following is an excerpt from and commit to one’s practice with seeking only fame and reputation, he
Opening the Door to Bön.) the goal of achieving enlighten- will be unable to guide his students
ment. We call this “embodying the on the pathway to enlightenment.
Pure Attitude of the attitude of enlightenment.” Without perfect knowledge of
Enlightened Ones The teacher needs to have a Bön in general, and of his special
Both teacher and student need to positive motivation for giving the topic of expertise in particular, the
have the pure attitude of the enlight- teachings. He should teach in order teacher may not be able to properly
ened ones. It is important to look to benefit his students and all sen- interpret the meaning of the teach-
within and consider whether one tient beings. The teachings will ings. If students do not receive the
wishes to receive the teachings in not be effective if the teacher does teachings with the correct attitude
order to achieve worldly fame and not have this attitude. A quotation and understanding that are essential
reputation, gain higher rebirth in the from Drime Zijid, one of the largest for developing their practice, then
god realms due to fear of suffering biographies of Tönpa Shenrab, says they will not achieve realization.
in the three lower realms, or liberate “Without compassion and the right
oneself only from this cyclic exis- attitude to giving the teachings in The Tantric Way of Purifying
tence of suffering. Wishing to liber- order to benefit the disciples and One’s Views
ate only oneself (thegmen gyi kunlong) all sentient beings, it is rather like a The second important attitude is
is considered to be the lowest level donkey wearing a tiger skin to look the Tantric way of purifying one’s
of these incorrect attitudes. like a tiger.” views, which means to transform
If you have any of these wrong The three essential qualities of one’s ordinary and dualistic views
or negative attitudes, you must a teacher include having trust and and conceptions into a higher spiri-
transform and correct them first by devotion toward his own teacher tual vision.
thinking, for instance, that “in the and past lineage masters, having For instance, you transform the
short period of this lifetime, it is place where teachings are received
not worth benefiting only myself. from an ordinary classroom into a
It is essential for me to overcome You transform your complete and perfected mandala of
the suffering of this cyclic world in companions and class- the deities. You view the teacher as
order to attain enlightenment for mates from ordinary a pure form of Shen Lha Ökar, the
the benefit all sentient beings.” Buddha of Compassion, by mentally 144 pages • paper • #OPDOBO • regular price $15.95, now $12.76
It is important to understand
beings into deities and transforming him from an ordinary Available December 2005
that from the very beginning of goddesses, and believe person into an enlightened one who
one’s past lives until today, all sen- that they all have love, has manifested in a human body to Bön, the ancient pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet, is still practiced
tient beings have somehow been compassion, and care guide all sentient beings. You trans- today, with a rapidly growing number of readers interested in the sha-
connected to you as your father or form your companions and class- manism and magic that are part of its complete path to liberation. Full of
mother. When they were your par- for all sentient beings. mates from ordinary beings into practical and explicit instructions, this handbook for Westerners details
ents, they took kind and loving care deities and goddesses, and believe the outer and inner fundamental Bön practices. This volume is part of a
of you—offering you the most deli- compassion for all sentient beings, that they all have love, compassion, first wave of Bön books that are finding an enthusiastic North American
cious food, covering you with the and having perfect knowledge of and care for all sentient beings. audience.
softest clothes — just as your present Bön. Without trust and devotion The purpose of transforming GESHE NYIMA DAKPA RINPOCHE is an experienced guide to this potent
parents likely do. Because you have to the lineage masters and his root your views into pure visions toward material. The founder of Bön centers throughout the West, with a main
been a child of all of these sentient teacher, he will not be blessed by his these objects is to realize the extraor- center in Los Angeles, he travels frequently in the USA to teach but is
beings, it is important to realize that teachers and past lamas. With these dinary nature of this experience. based in India.
you have a responsibility to lead qualities, he will have the bless- This gives you a special reason to
and liberate them from the suffering ing and power to help his students receive blessings and powers from
of this existing world. All sentient detach themselves from the suffer- the teacher (lama), the enlightened
beings dislike suffering, but each ing of samsara. ones (Sangye), the deities (yidam),
negative action of their body, mind, It is also important that the and the female manifestations of the
and speech cultivates more causes enlightened ones (khadro), in order
��������������
teacher have compassion and a
of suffering. Without realizing it, good attitude toward the teach- to develop your wisdom and stabil-
they follow the wrong path and ings. For example, the great hermit ity. This is the essence of the practice
thus experience endless suffering. Gongzod Ritöd Chenpo always did of purifying one’s view according to �����������������������������������������������������
They do not have the knowledge prayers and requested blessings the Tantric ways.
they need to practice the teachings,
��������������������������������������
by first repeating the name of his To achieve maximum benefit, the
so they cannot be liberated from this teacher, such as “Jetsun Trotsang practitioner must generate both the
condition without help. La” and “Jetsun Jangpa La.” Only motivation of the enlightened one
Therefore, it is essential to gen- then did he start the teachings. and the motivation of the secret
erate positive thoughts toward all If a teacher lacks compassion for Sang Ngag. Before receiving teach-
sentient beings by thinking that they sentient beings, he will not have ings, doing practices, and receiving
must be liberated and freed from all the ability to generate the good empowerment or oral transmission,
their negative karmas. To do this, will necessary to benefit students the student should start his practice
one needs to receive the teachings and others by his teachings. If he is each time with these motivations, so
that the benefits of the practice will
be multiplied.
Pure motivation provides the
“I strongly recommend this excellent guidebook for practi- student with good conditions for
tioners and for anyone else who would like a window into the teachings to take root and blos-
the view and practice of Bön. The practices of ngondro are som into enlightenment. If you lack
����������������������������������������������
pure motivation, then impure and
very important, because they provide the firm, stable founda- ������������������������������������������������������������������
deluded thoughts may destroy any
tion one needs for engaging in any of the higher practices of the good results of your practice. It is ��������������������������������
Bön Buddhist tradition, including dzogchen practice. Readers important to correct and purify any ������������������������������������������������
will benefit from the high level of clarity, depth and detail that improper attitudes and motives. ■ �����������������������������������
Geshe Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche offers regarding all aspects of �������������������������������������������
these wonderful and essential teachings.”
—TENZIN WANGYAL RINPOCHE
author of Healing with Form, Energy, and Light
An extraordinary recording of Tibetan bowls
performed by a master of this tradition
– Jonathan Goldman, author of Healing Sounds

Seven Metals features the beautiful harmonics

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A sound adventure for the spirit

– Don Campbell
author of The Mozart Effect

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6 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER

 NEWS

Accumulating Good Karma

¨
THE ORAL INSTRUCTION OF KUN-ZANG LA-MA
ON THE PRELIMINARY PRACTICES
OF DZOG-CH’EN LONG-CH’EN NYING-TIG
¨

KÜN-ZANG
THE ORAL INSTRUCTION OF KUN-ZANG LA-MA
ON THE PRELIMINARY PRACTICES
OF DZOG-CH’EN LONG-CH’EN NYING-TIG
PART ONE

LA-MAY
As transcribed by PART ONE
Pal-trul¨ O-gyen Jig-me Ch’o-kyi
¨ Wang-po Rin-po-ch’e

As transcribed by

BY GESHE GEDUN THARCHIN

¨ O-gyen Jig-me Ch’o-kyi
Pal-trul ¨ Wang-po Rin-po-ch’e

ZHAL-LUNG In the mind training or mind trans-

NGA-GYUR NYING-MAY SUNG-RAB
forming practices (lojong), it is
Translated & edited by
ENGLISH TRANSLATION SERIES

taught that there are two things that

VOLUME IV
NGA-GYUR NYING-MAY SUNG-RAB
Translated from the Tibetan and edited by ENGLISH TRANSLATION SERIES
Sonam T. Kazi VOLUME IV
Sonam T. Kazi should be done—develop appro-
priate motivation and dedicate the
Translated from the Tibetan and edited by
Sonam T. Kazi

merit from practices to the benefit of

The Oral Instruction of Kün-zang La-ma on the
Preliminary Practices of Dzog-ch'en Long-ch'en
Nying-tig by Jig-me Gyal-way Nyu-gu, as
transcribed by Dza Pal-trül Rin-po-ch'e
“It is a universal truth that it is extremely enjoyable to
live in this phenomenal world. Nobody wants to part with
worldly pleasure. It is also a universal truth that everything
that conditionally exists, sooner or later, must face
ultimate destruction....
Those of us who are aware of this, in time, search for a
solution to transcend death. Some of us come across the
Buddhist teaching called Dzog-ch'en, whose superlative
virtues excite us so much that we totally forget the proper
approach to it. Just as a towering building must have an
equally sound foundation, success in ultimate realization
through Dzog-ch'en teaching depends entirely on a thorough
understanding of the law of karma at the relative level.
KÜN-ZANG LA-MAY ZHAL-LUNG explains how to
attain the proper balance between the relative and absolute
aspects of the practice in very simple language.”
– S.T. Kazi
PART 1: 256 pp, 8 color plates, hardcover, $35
PART 2 & 3: 352 pp, 4 color plates, hardcover, $50
AVAILABLE FROM:
Diamond Lotus Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 439
Woodstock, NY 12498
(888) 812-8809
Z HYISIL
Add $5.50 S/H for first
book and $3.00 for each
additional book.
For expedited shipping,
please add $2.50 extra.
New From
C HOKYI G HATSAL P UBLICATIONS
all beings.
Motivation is a kind of alchemy
which transmutes actions into
something positive or negative.
Everything we do—having break-
fast, sleeping, whatever—can be
transmuted into dharma [pure, reli-
gious or spiritual] action. We may
be involved in an activity we do not
consider to be dharma, like cook-
ing for example, but cooking can
be transformed into dharma. How?
Through motivation. The right kind
of motivation can transform any
action into dharma.
In order to develop and maintain
such motivation we need mindful-
ness or awareness. Awareness, in
general, is a technique. The real
spirit of dharma is not simply mind-
fulness or awareness, it is positive
motivation, keeping going, main-
taining awakening. We can also call
that karma.
Usually, karma is referred to as a
kind of destiny, but it isn’t. Karma
is action. That is the literal transla-
tion. It simply means `work’. Moving
your cushion from here to there is
karma. It is not something done in
the past; it is present. We are doing it.
In Buddhism we hear `karma, karma,
karma’, but where does karma lie? In
the motivation.
Motivation has two levels—
causal and resultant. Causal moti-
vation is fundamental, and resultant
motivation is that which is present in
the moment of action. With what kind
of intention did we have breakfast this
morning? Sometimes it is easy to cal-
culate how much good or bad karma
is being accumulated. The fundamen-
tal intention that we have before each
activity will transform one hour, say,
or more into either dharma or nond-
harma. So, this is causal intention.
Then there is resultant or momen-
tary intention. We might have had
a good intention before a meeting,
Usually, karma is
referred to as a kind
of destiny, but it isn’t.
Karma is action.
but during it some disturbance
or wrong intention comes into
our minds. However, that doesn’t
matter so much. Between these two-
causal and resultant-causal is the
more important; it has the greater
power to transform. Positive karma
still accumulates from the power
of causal intention. So momentary
intentions are secondary.
The Bodhicharyavatara by Shan-
tideva points out that the root of
dharma practice lies in intention.
I would like to emphasise that it
doesn’t necessarily matter what you
are doing. And awareness is the key
to keeping positive intentions alive.
I feel this is a very important ele-
ment in Buddhist practice—a state
of mind and heart which covers not
only something in the beginning but
also during. The first motivation is
the one which determines what fol-
lows—whether it becomes positive,
negative or neutral; it determines
whether positive or negative karma
is created.
Sometimes we may think like
this, “Now I’m practicing. Now I’m
not practising, I’m reading.” But
this is dualistic. There is no differ-
ence between practising the dharma
and our everyday lives, whether
preparing breakfast, going to the
office, driving, or whatever—all
these things should be carried out
with dharmic motivation.
We may practice the dharma with
three different levels of motivation-
with the motive of attaining good
conditions in a future lifetime, with
the motive of realising nirvana, or
with the motive of dedicating one’s
life to the causes of Buddhahood, to
full enlightenment, to the awakened
state. Out of these three motivations
any action could become dharma
practice. On the other hand, being
able to sit like a Buddha statue is
not dharma practice, and dharma
practice is not for making oneself
relaxed or getting rid of headaches,
“Oh, I have a headache, I need to
meditate.” We don’t need to prac-
tice the dharma for this; there are
better methods for getting rid of
headaches. Using the dharma with
this kind of intention is very poor.
Feeling relaxed or being relieved of
a headache may, of course, be an out-
come of meditation.
Buddhism teaches that we can
overcome any physical problem with
mental strength. Physical problems,
small problems, are nothing for real
practitioners; they are conditions
for expanding the potential of their
practice. Do we practice the dharma
in order to resolve a small head-
ache? No! If serious practitioners
have headaches or some other kinds
of pain or difficulties, these things
become the conditions for expanding
their spiritual strength of dharma, for
realisation. This strength, this inner
quality, has the power to overcome
any external or physically-related
problem. That is one special char-
acteristic of dharma practice. To use
that quality we need to know exactly
how dharma works, what the pro-
cess is, what it is really meant for, and
how it affects us within.
Ven. Gedun Tharchin is a Lharampa
Geshe from Jangtse College of Ganden
Monastic University of Tibet in India.
He resides in Rome and teaches in Italy
and abroad. ■

GROUND, PATH & FRUITION

by His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche
320 pages. US$19.95 Medicine Buddha
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SNOW LION 7
 NEWS

Pema Chödrön and Jack Kornfield:

The Wondrous Path of Difficulties �� The Winter
issue of Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Quarterly features a
conversation with Pema Chödrön and Jack Kornfield on the
everyday difficulties that provoke us, reveal our habitual patterns,
and ultimately transform us. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: A discussion of the
student-teacher relationship with Norman Fischer, Sharon Salzberg, and Ponlop
Rinpoche. Marshall Glickman on the benefits of doing solo retreat. Reginald Ray on
the meaning of “lineage” and the question of authenticity.

Buddhadharma
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only $19.95. Call toll-free
1-877-786-1950 or visit
www.thebuddhadharma.com.

Many Buddhists, one Buddhadharma

8 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER

 NEWS

THE TIBETAN TANJUR: Historic Translation Initiative

by THOMAS F. YARNALL, PH.D. It has been estimated that the
classical Sanskrit texts amassed
Renaissance Culture of India in the Indian university libraries
and Tibet numbered in the millions, over one
The early centuries of the common hundred times the classical Greek
era (CE) in Northern India wit- and Latin holdings of the Library
nessed the dawn of what would of Alexandria. While much of the
soon become an explosion of renais- explicitly Buddhist tradition was
sance culture that would profoundly later lost in India, essential trea-
affect global civilizations for mil- tises were systematically translated
lennia to come. Multiple Buddhist into Tibetan by teams of scholars
monasteries (viharas) which had during the 7th–12th centuries CE.
thrived independently for centuries The resulting collection, preserved
in the region of Nalanda were phys- as the Tibetan Tanjur (bstan ’gyur),
ically connected and formally affili- consists of translations of over 3,600
ated by the Gupta dynasty in the classical Sanskrit works by over
early sixth century. The result was 700 Indian authors. The texts of Studies, entrusted with the oversee-
Nalanda University (mahavihara), the Tibetan Tanjur thus provide the ing of the translation of the Tanjur.
the world’s first true university. This essential key to unlock the knowl- The AIBS principal and net-
unique institution both reflected edge not only of the classical Indian worked scholars and researchers
and significantly contributed to this the best scholars and students from By the late eighth century, when inner and outer arts and sciences but have been working slowly but
spectacular renaissance culture. across Asia to compete for entry the cultural transmission from India also of all the later Tibetan innova- surely on this historic project for
Truly universal in character, into its esteemed educational com- to Tibet was in full swing, the Pala tions which, rooted in this Indic tra- over 30 years, have trained a gener-
Nalanda University was comprised munity, which at its peak numbered dynasty was broadening the North- dition, were developed and refined ation of brilliant translator-research-
of a diverse educational commu- up to 10,000 students, faculty, and ern Indian renaissance with the for over a millennia in Tibet’s own ers, have developed drafts of over
nity of Buddhists and non-Bud- staff, supported by the revenues of building of other universities on the monastic curricula. a dozen key works, have made
dhists, ordained and lay, engaged in 200 regional villages. It also quickly successful model of Nalanda, net- significant progress in developing
advanced post-graduate courses and became famous for its vast library working them into an impressive, Scope of the Tanjur Translation computer resources to accelerate
pursuing degrees in all of India’s system, known to be the only stan- interlinked educational system. Initiative the translation process dramatically,
classical “outer” arts and sciences dard place where international This system came to include such In recent decades, Indo-Tibetan have established the two Treasury
(linguistics, medicine, astronomy, scholars could find authoritative famous universities as Odantapura, scholarship has progressed mark- series and published the first three
sociopolitical theory, ethics, art, and texts. The “Dharma Treasury” (Dhar- Vikramashila, Somapura, Jagad- edly and a new generation of highly books (with four more in press), and
so on) as well as all of her classical magañja) section of its campus con- dala, Vajrasana, and others. The skilled and dedicated scholars has have held the first of a proposed
“inner” arts and sciences (philoso- tained its three major libraries—“Sea human, literary, artistic, and scien- emerged. With improved critical series of international conferences
phy, psychology and mind science, of Jewels” (Ratnodhadi), “Ocean of tific output of this Northern Indian and technological tools, scholars to mobilize the community of con-
meditation, yoga, and so on). Jewels” (Ratnasagara), and “Jewel renaissance culture in turn ignited cerned scholars and researchers to
Nalanda rapidly earned a great Adorned” (Ratnarañjaka)—the larg- numerous renaissances across all of assure the humanistic and scientific
international reputation, attracting est of which was nine stories tall. Asia for centuries to come. AIBS is planning to relevance of these series.
Tibet held a special role in the organize a rotating team AIBS has calculated that it would
internationalizing of this renais- take one qualified scholar approxi-
of up to 30 scholars
sance culture, and can indeed prop- mately 580,000 hours (300 years of
erly be deemed to be the heir to this working part-time, with full-time work) to produce criti-
renaissance educational system. The a support staff of four cally translated and edited editions
������������������������������������ campus and curriculum of its own full-time editors and of all the 3,600+ texts of the Tanjur.
������������������������������������������ first monastic university, Samye Ten scholars dedicated full-time to
(est. 749 CE), was modeled on the
producers, to complete
������������������������������������������ this project could thus complete it
Indian university of Odantapura. the project in about the in about 30 years. Given the many
����������������������������������������� As the renaissance culture took same 30 years. other commitments that modern
������������������������������������������ root and spread across Tibet, Tibet- scholars have, AIBS is planning to
��������������������������������� ans rapidly established scores of organize a rotating team of up to 30
have been producing ever more
similar institutions and sponsored scholars working part-time, with a
translations, revising the pioneer-
hundreds of Tibetan scholar-adepts support staff of four full-time edi-
ing works of their predecessors
to travel to Indian universities for tors and producers, to complete the
and sharpening the critical edge of
advanced education. These Tibetans project in about the same 30 years.
Buddhological, textual, and com-
so impressed the Indian pandits that
parative methodologies. Moreover,
Vikramashila University established Leadership Opportunities
dedicated publishers such as Snow
a unique, dedicated “Tibet House” for AIBS is currently seeking sponsor-
Lion and Wisdom have emerged to
initiate translation series of classic ship for these initiatives. While indi-
Buddhist texts to ensure that these vidual books can be supported with
works receive wide distribution. an average $30–50,000 subvention
Nevertheless, it must be noted that per book, AIBS is seeking an initial
all these efforts have resulted in the $800,000 over three years to estab-
translation and distribution of only lish a firm foundation for this trans-
approximately 5% of the Tanjur lation enterprise and to publish an
texts. At this rate it can be assumed initial 24 books. Such a grant will
that a comprehensive translation of seed a quantum leap in its long-term
the entire Tanjur will take several $14 million initiative to complete in
more generations to complete. The three decades the whole series of
importance of this project and the scholastically critical, scientifically
urgency of our current global cir- contemporary translations of the
cumstances mandate that this time- entire Tanjur. The completed set will
table be accelerated. span approximately 500 volumes
The American Institute of Bud- averaging 400 pages each.
visiting Tibetan scholars. Historian dhist Studies (AIBS) believes that
S. Dutt has explained Tibet’s lead- the time is now ripe to address the For further information regard-
ing role as follows: “After the turn of translation of the Tanjur in a more ing supporting this initiative or
the eighth century...Tibet...took the comprehensive and systematic way. submitting translation proposals,
place of China in cultural intercourse Toward this end, in affiliation with visit our website at http://www.
with India. It had started already the Columbia University Center for aibs.columbia.edu, or contact our
������������������������������������ with Thonmi Sambhota’s residence Buddhist Studies and Tibet House Executive Editor, Thomas Yarnall,
���������������������������������������������� at Nalanda when Hsüan-tsang also US, AIBS has recently established at ty37@columbia.edu ■
was there. The comings and goings two new translation series, the Trea-
between Tibet and eastern India of sury of the Buddhist Sciences and
�� ����������������������������������� Tibetan lamas and Indian Panditas... Above photos of Nalanda University
the Treasury of the Indic Sciences.
never came to a stop till the last days site by Brian Kistler
������������������������������������������������ The AIBS Tanjur translation initiative
of the Palas [early 1200s].... At Vikra- represents an historical first attempt
���������������������������������������������������
mashila, Tibetan lamas seem to have to systematically assess, translate,
����������������������������������������������������� been held in great esteem. At least and present this Tanjur corpus as a Need More Snow
������������������������������������������������������ one Tibetan scholar is known to have whole, with the goal of producing a
���������������������������������������������������� been appointed a dvara-pala [gate- coherent, consistent, integrated set of
Lion Newsletters?
keeper] of Vikramashila.... Indian annotated translations. If your dharma group or
��������������������������������� monks of these Pala establishments In joining this broad-based organization would like to
seem thus, through contacts with the endeavor, AIBS brings its important
����������������������������
Desert Ashram, 3403 W. Sweetwater
lamas, to have become conversant affiliation with Columbia Univer-
receive a bundle of Snow Lion
Newsletters for free distribu-
Tucson AZ 85745
������������ with the Tibetan language.... Indian sity’s Center for Buddhist Studies. tion, please let us know. Just tell
monks... not only wrote original Columbia’s long-term commitment us how many you think you can
works in Tibetan, but also translated anchors AIBS institutionally with use of each quarterly issue and
a large number of Sanskrit works the financial endowment for the we will send them to you. ■
into that language....” (1962: 351) Je Tsong Khapa Chair of Buddhist

SNOW LION 9
 NEWS

Message from World leader of Bon

the Dalai Lama
to give A-Tri Dzogchen
teaching in USA
The Office of Tibet, New York
It is with great sorrow that I learn about the thousands of animals
left in the New Orleans area.
Compassion extends to all living beings, and I would like to
encourage immediate rescue efforts to save the animals. I am sup- May 2-7, 2006, Garrison Institute, Garrison, N Y
porting the rescue efforts and would encourage compassionate
people to do the same.
—THE DALAI LAMA

Join Our Email Lists!

Weekly Dalai Lama Quote and Dharma Quote
Every week you can receive a quote from His Holiness the Dalai Lama
and/or a quote from other teachers (we have two mail list options), selected
from resources here in our office. If you would like to be on the list, go to our
website: and click on “Join our mail lists” on the left hand click-bar. ■

H. H. Menri Trizin 33rd, Lungtok Tenpai Nyima

A five-day teaching by the spiritual leader of the Tibetan

Bon Religion provides a rare opportunity to receive the
direct transmission of a powerful, uniquely Bon meditation
system from the current lineage holder and Abbot of Menri
Monastery. A-Tri has been associated with Menri
Monastery since its founding in 1405.
For further information: www.bonfoundation.org.

10 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER

NEWS

Pilgrimage Tour
to DHARAMSALA
Namgyal Monastery Institute
of Buddhist Studies in Ithaca NY,
in conjunction with Namgyal Tan-
tric College in India, is pleased
to announce their second Tibetan
Buddhist pilgrimage tour to
Dharamsala, India from February
24 through March 17, 2006. Led
by experienced monks, teachers
and guides from Namgyal Monas-
tery, this exclusive tour will focus
on the Tibetan Buddhist sites in
and around Dharamsala, and will
include a 3-day side trip to holy
Tso Pema in Rewalsar, a sacred
site of the famous 7th-century Tan-
tric guru, Padmasambhava. We
will also attend the first two days
of HH Dalai Lama’s teachings in
Dharamsala before returning home.
The tour group will be kept small munity in vibrant North India while
(10-12 people) and will move at a experiencing the natural beauty of
slightly slower pace to facilitate the Himalaya region. Join us for this
a more insightful experience and wonderful spiritual adventure!
allow for more personal interaction Cost of the tour is $3645 (includes
between participants, teachers and international airfare).
guides. Get an intimate look at Nam- See the complete tour itinerary,
gyal Monastery; receive teachings plus other details and registra-
from high lamas and yogis; learn tion information posted under the
about Tibetan Buddhism, monastic “Current Events” or “Pilgrimages
life and the Tibetan refugee com- & Tours” links on the Namgyal
website www.namgyal.org. You can
also call 315-682-0702 to speak to the
Above: Monk entering the Library Namgyal tour leader, Babette Teich-
of Tibetan Works and Archives in Visco.
Dharamsala (Photo by Alison Wright Registration deadline is Novem-
from The Spirit of Tibet) ber 1st, 2005. ■

CORRESPONDENCE
COURSES
Correspondence Courses based on
Geshe Michael Roach’s teacher
training program are available for
those seeking a comprehensive
Buddhist education. These courses
parallel a monastic geshe degree.

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Death, The Realms of Existence,
Mahamudra, Tong Len, Lojong,
A Guide to The Bodhisattva’s
Way of Life, Proof of Future Lives,
Bodhisattva Vows,
and many more.

Available by mail, or free online

at www.acidharma.org

THE ASIAN CLASSICS INSTITUTE

For information: 212.475.7752 or
www.acidharma.org
e-mail: aci@ world-view.org

SNOW LION 11
 NEWS

W I S D O M P U B L I C AT I O N S FALL 2005
In the Buddha’s Words Tantric Ethics
An Anthology of Discourses An Explanation of the Precepts for
from the Pali Canon Buddhist Vajrayana Practice
Edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi Tsongkhapa • Translated by Gareth Sparham
Foreword by the Dalai Lama Foreword by Jeffrey Hopkins
512 pp, ISBN 0-86171-491-1, $18.95 224 pp, ISBN 0-86171-290-0, $16.95
“Any study or practice that helps us to deepen wisdom “A treasure. I highly recommend it for practitioner
and emerge from layers of delusion is precious. This and scholar alike.”—Jeffrey
alike.”— Hopkins, author
book could contribute to this enterprise more than of Cultivating Compassion
almost anything else in print.”—Buddhadharma:
print.”—
The Practitioner’s Quarterly

Mind Training Who Ordered This Truckload

The Great Collection of Dung?
Translated and edited by Thupten Jinpa Inspiring Stories for
768 pp, cloth, ISBN 0-86171-440-7, $49.95 Welcoming Life’s Difficulties
“For the first time, this early collection of the Ajahn Brahm
instructions of the great Kadampa masters has 288 pp, ISBN 0-86171-278-1, $15.95
been translated in its entirety. The clarity and “A splendid collection of 108 Buddhist tales.
raw power of these thousand-year-old teachings Especially resonant if slowly savored, it can
are astonishingly fresh.”—Buddhadharma:
fresh.”— The be enjoyed by a broad audience.”
Practitioner’s Quarterly —Publishers Weekly
—

An incredible Asian art collection—for just $26.95

Tibetan Art Calendar 2006
16.5" x 23.5" wall calendar with wire-o binding, ISBN 0-86171-421-0
Wisdom’s celebrated Tibetan Art Calendar contains thirteen full-color reproductions of some of the world’s finest
Indo-Tibetan scroll-paintings—many rarely seen. Each poster-sized picture is produced to the highest standards,
and suitable for framing. An ideal gift for art lovers, and a truly wonderful addition to a home, office, or meditation-
space. Each image is accompanied by a detailed iconographical description.

Essence of the Heart Sutra Bad Dog!

The Dalai Lama’s Heart of Wisdom Teachings A Memoir of Love, Beauty,
Translated and edited by Geshe Thupten Jinpa and Redemption in Dark Places
192 pp, ISBN 0-86171-284-6, $14.95 Lin Jensen
NOW IN PAPERBACK 288 pp, ISBN 0-86171-486-5, $15.95
His Holiness masterfully unpacks the Heart Sutra “An exquisite work of alarming lucidity.”
and offers his commentary and easy-to-follow —Stephen Batchelor, author of Living with the
—
overview of Buddhist philosophy. De
Devil

Saying Yes to Life Bhutan

(Even the Hard Parts) Land of the Thunder Dragon
Ezra Bayda with Josh Bartok John Berthold • Foreword by Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho,
Foreword by Thomas Moore Minister of the Royal Government of Bhutan
272 pp, ISBN 0-86171-274-9, $15.00 176 pp, cloth, ISBN 0-86171-282-X, $34.95
“In this astonishing collection, Bayda delivers Having gained access to locales normally off-
profound Buddhist wisdom laced with simplicity, limits to Western visitors, Berthold has produced
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More Daily Wisdom Tantric Buddhism in East Asia

365 Daily Inspirations Richard K. Payne
Edited by Josh Bartok 320 pp, ISBN 086171-487-3, $19.95
384 pp, ISBN 0-86171-296-X, $16.95 Payne brings together a critical mass of scholarship
Includes entries from the Dalai Lama, Lama Yeshe, to present the entire breadth of East Asian
Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, and many more. Buddhist tantra.

12 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER

 NEWS

����� ������
Panel Discusses
������� ������� Religion in Science,
�����
Action On
�������
Global Warming
����� By TANVEER ALI
Columbia Daily Spectator
September 27, 2005
affect Tibet and the water supply of
South Asia adversely.
“We need to show people that

����� Pluralism and science’s role

within religion were at the fore-
this is the reality. We need certain
precaution and certain effort to pro-
tect” Tibet and south Asia, the Dalai

������� front of a discussion between the

Dalai Lama and scholars from sev-
eral disciplines Monday morning,
Lama said.
He also said an objective study
of Tibetan culture and its history,
����� one of two appearances the reli-
gious leader made in Morningside
Heights yesterday.
which archaeological evidence sug-
gests is 10,000 to 12,000 years old, is
necessary.
����� Though organizers made
arrangements for additional people
to watch a simulcast of the event
“Fortunately, nowadays many
Chinese are interested in Tibetan
culture,” he said pointing out the
������� in Roone Arledge Auditorium,
many empty seats remained in
emergence of temples in a country
known to be averse to the culture.
���������� ����� ����� Low Library, where the Dalai Lama
�����
Hough, a participant, said that
spoke as a part of the World Leaders while Tibetan Buddhism does “not
�� ���� ����� ����� ����� ���� ����� ������ ������� �������� Forum. The panel, entitled “Tibetan pretend all [religions] are the same,”
������ ��������� ���������� ����� ���� ��������� ���� ������ ������ Studies in the Modern Research
�����
its tenet of non-exclusion is the most
������� ����� ���������� ������� �������� ���������� University,” brought theologians important contribution to global
������ ����� ���������� ��������� �������� ���������� and professors together to discuss thought. While American Christi-

������� ����� ���������� ������ �������� ������ ������ �������� Buddhism, science, and global anity engages in “triumphalism”
�������� ���������� ������ �������� ���������� ������� ���������� warming. and “political opportunism,” such
In his opening remarks at Colum- as in the case of banning evolution
����� �������� ������ ���� ����� �������� ����� ���������
����� � ������
���� ������ ���������� ��������
� � � � � ��������� ����� ���� ���������� ���� ����� ����� ����� ��� �����
bia, the Dalai Lama called for more
action toward combating global
warming, which could, he said,
from public schools in Georgia, he
said that Buddhism has adapted its
understanding to include theories
� � � � � ���������� ���������� ��� ����� ����� of evolution, relativity, and quan-
����� ������ � � � � � ������� ���� ������� tum mechanics.
������� ������� � � � � � ����� ����� ��������
� � � � � ���� ��������� ���������� ��� ���� ������� �����
“Buddha himself grew up in
an environment of pluralism of
��� ���� ��� � � � � � ��� ����� ����� Teachings from Tibet and religion,” said the Dalai Lama in
������� ��� ����� ���� ���� ���� ����� ���� �� ��������� ����� ��� ���� ����� ������ ���� ����� ������ Peaceful Stillness of the Sil- response, adding to his earlier state-
������������������ ���������� ��� ����� ��� ���� ��������� ��������� ��� ���� ������ ��� ���� ������ ����� dent Mind are available free ment that even within Tibetan Bud-
����������������� ���� ��� ���� ������� ������� ����� ��� ��� ������ ��������� ���� ��������� ������� with your order from Snow dhism there was room for various
���� ���� ����� ���������� Lion. See page C48. viewpoints. ■

����� ����� ��

SNOW LION 13

��������������������������������
   
 
         
         
  
         
     
         
      
         
       
     
       
          
 
       
 


          
          
   
         
           
           
       
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  
   
   

14 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER
NEWS
TIBETAN LANGUAGE STUDY MATERIALS
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COURSES IN CLASSICAL TIBETAN
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UPCOMING LANGUAGE SEMINARS
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NEWS

UN Asks to see
Panchen Lama
Amsterdam, September 30—The
40th session of the UN Committee
on the Rights of the Child (CRC) this
morning called upon the Chinese
authorities to allow an independent
body to verify the fate of Gedhun
Choekyi Nyima, the 16-year-old
Panchen Lama of Tibet. This year
marks the 10th anniversary of the
disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi
Nyima and his parents following
their abduction on 17 May 1995.
The CRC asked that the Chinese
authorities to “allow an indepen-
dent expert to visit and confirm
the well-being of Gedhun Choekyi
Nyima while respecting his right to
privacy, and that of his parents.”
“This case involves the abduction
of a child and this independent and
responsible human rights body of
the United Nations has today deliv-
ered one of the strongest ever signals
of concern to China that the case of
Panchen Lama must be resolved. It
is a crystal clear message to China
that as a signatory to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child, action is
needed now,” said Ms Tsering Jampa,
Executive Director of International
Campaign for Tibet-Europe.
The CRC’s comments come less
than a month after UN human
rights chief Louise Arbour visited
China and included the young Pan-
chen Lama in a list to the Chinese
authorities of 10 prisoners of con-
cern to the UN.
“The UN has now raised the
Panchen Lama’s case at the highest
level in China and the importance of
this young boy to the international
community cannot have escaped
Beijing. It is now more crucial than
ever that the UN ensures China’s
implementation of its international
obligations and obtains access to
this child,” said Ms Jampa.
In addition to its comments on the
Panchen Lama, the CRC also raised
concerns about the restrictions
placed on the freedom of religion in
Tibet saying that children have had
restrictions placed on their ability
to study and practice their religion.
The CRC asked the Chinese authori-
ties to “repeal any ban instituted by
local authorities on children of any
age from participating in Tibetan
religious festival or receiving reli-
gious education.”
A report by TibetInfoNet using
statistics recently available from
inside the Tibet Autonomous
Region (TAR) reveals that the pro-
portion of the local population that
cannot read or write increased by
“This case involves the
abduction of a child....”
more than 10 percent, to 54.9 per-
cent, between 2002 and 2003. The
Chinese government claims that it is
conducting large-scale development
in Tibet, but projects are generally
controlled from Beijing and aimed
at consolidating China’s grip on
Tibet. The International Campaign
for Tibet has repeatedly called on
China to do more to enable local-led
initiatives to invest in ”soft” infra-
structure like hospitals and schools,
which would deliver much needed
benefits for Tibetans. ■

“Turning Wheel has brought a thoughtful and

personal perspective to peace activism for 23 years.”
—Utne Reader

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ear after year, Buddhists
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Subscription to Turning Wheel includes membership in B PF
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www.bpf.org • Also available at select bookstores

SNOW LION 15
 NEWS

Titles TUSHITA
VAJRAYANA TITLES
from
New Title: Six Yogas of Naropa
Great Treasure of the Six
Yogas of Naropa
Great Treasure of the Six Yogas of
Naropa explains with great clarity the
extraordinary meditation techniques of
the Six Yogas of Naropa as an aid to
practice. These yogas are renowned as
being most dear to the hearts of yogis
for providing the essential practices of
Father and Mother tantra. The six yogas
are presented as three main methods of
yoga of inner fire, illusory body yoga
and clear light yoga, and three branch
yogas of consciousness transference,
bardo yoga, and the yoga of forcible
projection.
These methods are presented in the context of a comprehensive overview
of Tantric methods. An explanation of the common (sutra) and uncommon
(vajrayana) preliminaries are provided including an explanation of guru
yoga practices of the perfection vehicle, of Sadaprarudita and Vajrayana.
Hardcover, 588 pages, 4 color photos, 27 line illustrations
US $105.00 Australia $150.00
Other books in Tushita Publications’ Vajrayana Series
Path to the Union of Clear Light
and Illusory Body
Path to the Union of Clear Light & Illusory Body
explains the eleven generation stages and special
completion stage techniques of Vajrayogini with
great clarity. In particular, Vajrayogini's unique
and most subtle body mandala is set out in
extensive detail. These practices are set in the
context of a comprehensive overview of the
various tantric methods. The book contains new
translations of the short and long Vajrayogini
sadhanas, as well as a compilation of quotes from
a number of tantras and authoritative commentaries. The techniques of
Vajrayogini transference of consciousness are also presented.
Hardback, 615 pages, 4 color photos, 27 line illustrations
US $98.00 Australia $140.00
Ocean of Indivisible Method
and Wisdom
Ocean of Indivisible Method and Wisdom provides
a comprehensive explanation of Yamantaka
generation and completion stages. Part One
contains a general overview of tantra and highest
yoga tantra in particular. Part Two takes the
practitioner through the sadhana and explains in
detail the visualisations and methods of
generation stage. Part Three details the Yamantaka
completion stage practices and then explains them
in relation to the various Guhyasamaja systems of
completion stage yogas.
Hardcover, 441 pages, 4 color photos, 25 line illustrations
US $84.00 Australia $120.00
These books are only made available to those with highest yoga tantra
empowerments and must be ordered directly from Tushita Publications.
PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT SERIES
Path to Enlightenment in
Tibetan Buddhism
Path to Enlightenment provides an extensive
explanation of the Mahayana Buddhist practice. It
presents detailed explanations of the Tibetan lam
rim, from elementary topics through to the most
subtle teachings and draws on ten different lam
rim texts, Jetsün Tsong Khapa’s lam rim chen mo
in particular. Included are numerous quotations
from relevant sutras and great Indian classics as
well as a complete translation of the bodhichitta
vows and lo jong mind training root text.
Hardcover, 1,097 pages, 4 color photos, 26 line illustrations
US $89.00 Australia $130.00
Meditations on the Path to
Enlightenment
Meditations on the Path to Enlightenment has a
special emphasis on the theory and practice of
meditation. It presents the full range of path to
enlightenment subjects with detailed instructions
in each chapter for meditation on the stages of the
path. This is an essential manual for those wishing
to build a regular meditation practice.
Hardcover, 601 pages, 4 color photos, 20 line
illustration
US $53.00 Australia $75.00
Essence of the Path to
Enlightenment
Essence of the Path to Enlightenment provides a
clear and concise introduction to the path to
enlightenment teachings. It explains in a series of
practical steps the methods that can be used by
anyone, whatever their situation, to follow the
path to enlightenment. It explains in detail the 32
major signs and 80 minor marks of a Buddha. This
is an excellent introductory book.
Hardcover, 344 pages, 4 color photos, 16 line
illustrations
US $34.00 Australia $50.00
BUDDHA POTENTIAL
The Fundamental Potential for
Enlightenment
The Buddhist teaching that all beings have the
potential for enlightenment is a central and
inspiring tenet of Mahayana Buddhism. This title
presents this topic drawing from three of the five
great Indian classic texts by Maitreya. Natural and
developed potential are defined and are presented
from the perspective of the two main schools of
Mahayana thought. Included is an extensive
explanation of the 32 major signs and 80 minor
marks of a fully enlightened being, the twelve
deeds of Buddha and definitions of the four kayas.
310 pages, 4 color photos, 11 line illustrations
US $34.00 Australia $49.00
These books are also available from Snow Lion Publications.

Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden About Tushita Publications

Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden
is spiritual leader of the Tibetan
Buddhist Society in Australia
where he has been teaching
Western students since 1976.
Born in 1924, Geshe-la became a
monk at age seven. Completing his
study of all divisions of Buddhist
philosophy, he was awarded the
highest possible degree, that of Geshe Lharampa.
Among the candidates examined he was graded first
among the first. He also completed an Acharya
(Master’s) degree at the Varanasi Sanskrit University in
India and then gained a Master’s qualification in
vajrayana Buddhism after six years at the Gyumed
Tantric College.
Tushita Publications was established to preserve the Buddhist teachings as passed through the
great lineage masters to Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden. Geshe-la places great emphasis on
ensuring his books provide reliable translations and accurate interpretations of the original
Indian and Tibetan texts. The books are presented from a perspective, and in a style, that are
clear and accessible to Western readers. Each book includes many translations of original
verses as well as specially commissioned line drawings of lineage holders.
For book orders please contact:
Tushita Publications
1425 Mickleham Road, Yuroke
Victoria 3063, Australia
Telephone 61 3 9333 1770
Facsimile 61 3 9333 3181
Email contact@tushita.org
TIBETAN BUDDHIST SOCIETY,
www.tushita.org PEACEFUL LAND OF JOY, AUSTRALIA

T U S H I T A P U B L I C A T I O N S A U S T R A L I A

16 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER


PRACTICAL MINDFULNESS
TECHNIQUES
Continued from page 1
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vision, we are free of these attach-
ments and our consciousness, our
spirit, rises.
N EW YO R K C IT Y W E E K E N D
Sogyal Rinpoche
WITH
The Open Heart
How to discover fundamental goodness and well-being,
connect with the limitless wealth of unconditional
love that we have within, develop wholeness,
and heal the wounded heart.
November 19 – 20, 2005
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NEWS
Motivation plays a very impor-
tant role in our practice and has
a connection to pure and impure
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visions. Impure vision and pure
vision are very much connected to
our motivation. If we have a pure
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motivation for doing the practice,
then we will naturally have a pure
vision or pure attitude. With a pure
motivation, we do not have cling-
ing or attachment providing a solid
foundation for our practice. Like-
wise, if our motivation is wrapped
up with our worldly concerns,
which are naturally connected
with our attachments (clinging and
grasping), our practice will be char-
acterized by an impure vision.
It is very important to practice
mindfulness techniques. For those
spiritual practitioners who are inter-
ested in detailed instructions on
some of the mindfulness techniques
covered in this article, I refer you
to The Three Visions by Ngorchen
Konchog Lhundrub and also to The
Three Levels of Spiritual Perception by
Deshung Rinpoche.
H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya is
a Head Lama of the Sakya sect and
Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
(www.sakya.org) in Seattle. Dagchen
Rinpoche was raised and trained as a
religious leader in old Tibet. The Sakya
leaders hold a position third only to
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in rank.
Dagchen Rinpoche is also one of the
few elder non-sectarian (ri-me) lineage
holders living today. Jessica Bard tran-
scribed and edited Dagchen Rinpoche’s
teachings used in this article. ■
The result of a survey of
Buddhists published by
Professor Charles Prebish
of Pennsylvania State Uni-
versity ranked Snow Lion
Publications first among
commercial publishers of
books on Buddhism.
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SNOW LION 17

Chinese Nuclearisation
of Tibet Endangering
Ecosystem, Says New Book
Rediff.com Sept 30, 2005
China has deployed nearly a
quarter of its nuclear missile force
in Tibet threatening the ecosystem
of the entire region, a new book by
a former Research & Analysis Wing
official has claimed.
The book “Asian Strategic and
Military Perspective” by RSN Singh
said China had deployed at least
two dozen ballistic missiles, includ-
ing nuclear-capable Intercontinen-
tal Ballistic Missiles, in Tibet, posing
a strategic threat to India.
“A nuclear missile launch site is
also located at Terlingkha, 217 km
south-east of Tsaidam,” the book,
released by Indian Air Force Mar-
shal Arjan Singh on Thursday, said.
China had taken up “massive”
development of military infra-
How Do You
Define
SM
Family...
Little Lotus Hearts
18 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER
structure in Tibet and reportedly
constructed 14 airbases and an oil
pipeline from Gormo to Lhasa, it
said.
As Tibet was the primary source
of water for south and southeast
Asia, as most rivers running through
the region originate there, the nucle-
arisation of Tibet and the resultant
impact of headwater pollution by
nuclear pollutants could be devas-
tating for countries like India, Paki-
stan and Bangladesh, Singh said in
the book.
Gen (Retd) V P Malik, president
of the Institute of Security Studies,
who was present at the release of
the book at the Observer Research
Foundation in New Delhi, said it
would “improve public awareness
about India’s strategic thinking.” ■
Little Lotus Hearts was founded by animal lovers who wanted to do more for their animal companions, not only throughout their lives,
but also during their greatest times of need. After coming home to a soft purr or a gently wagging tail wanting nothing more than to get your
attention, it’s natural to feel lost and even helpless when you open that door to discover your best friend is ill, or is no longer there to greet you.
TM
“Little Lotus Hearts” and “How Do You Define Family” are trademarks and service marks of the Yeshe Dorje Foundation, copyright 2005. All photos by Grey Skies Photography.
NEWS
dzogchen
the natural
great perfection
DZOGCHEN RETREATS WITH LAMA SURYA DAS
Dzogchen is the consummate practice of Tibetan Buddhism.
LAMA SURYA DAS is
Considered by many to be "the teaching of our time," Dzogchen the author of the recently
is direct, immediate, essentialized, adaptable, and profound: released Natural Radience:
a pure awareness practice applicable to any circumstance Awakening to Your Great
Perfection (Sounds True)
and readily i n t e grated into modern life. Dzogchen, often
and Letting Go of the
translated as the Natural Great Perfection, directly introduces
us to our inner Buddha, the inherent freedom, purity and
perfection of being that is our true nature.
Person You Used to Be
(Broadway Books). He is
also the noted author of
Dzogchen Center Meditation Retreats are held across the country,
the Awakening Trilogy:
Awakening the Buddha
Within, Awakening to the
throughout the year as shown below:
D Z O G C H E N M E D I TAT I O N R E T R E AT S
Sacred, and Awakening
the Buddhist Heart.
Lama Surya Das is a
Lineage Holder of the
Garrison, NY Winter December 30, 2005–January 8, 2006 Dzogchen Lineage of
Tibetan Buddhism in the
Joshua Tree, CA Spring March 25– April 2, 2006 Rimé (non-sectarian)
Garrison, NY Summer July 15– 30, 2006 tradition. For over thirty
years, including more than
Additional teachers at the Dzogchen Center Retreats eight years in secluded
include Charles Genoud in Garrison; and Lama Palmo retreat, he has studied
with the great masters of
(Willa Baker) and Lama John Makransky in Garrison Tibetan Buddhism.With
and Joshua Tree. his open and lively style,
he is particularly effective
M U LT I P L E T E AC H I N G S DA I LY • N O B L E S I L E N C E • B E A U T I F U L S U R RO U N D I N G S
in the transmission of
V E G E TA R I A N M E A L S • P R I VAT E , S E M I - P R I VAT E , A N D D O R M RO O M S AVA I L A B L E
Buddhism by presenting
Buddhist ethics and
insight, as well as methods
of practice, in a manner
DZOGCHEN CENTER accessible to all.
BUDDHISM FOR THE WEST
For complete information and secure on-line registration for all of these scheduled events,
go to www.dzogchen.org/retreats, e-mail retreat@dzogchen.org, or call 617-628 -1702.
You wonder if you gave as much happiness as
you received....
Little Lotus Hearts offers services to people with healthy, ailing or
deceased animal companions. While Little Lotus Hearts was organized
by Buddhists, who believe that all sentient beings are equal
and deserving of happiness and the avoidance of suffering, anyone...
anywhere...is invited to partake of our services.
We offer prayer and chanting services, the spreading of ashes,
sponsorships of birdhouses and many other ways and options to
honor and pay tribute to all your animal companion meant
and continues to mean to you. You even have the option of
creating an online scrapbook to be shared with all who visit
us as a lasting tribute to your animal companion.
For more details, please visit us at
www.littlelotushearts.com
or contact Genevieve at
(800) 713-0569
 NEWS

Visit Dharma the Cat and friends at www.DharmatheCat.com, dharma Toons

winner of the 10-Best on the Web Award.
You could have your cartoons printed in the Snow Lion newslet-
ter. Mail your work to: Editorial and Production, Snow Lion Publica-
tions, P.O. Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851; or email to: editors@SnowLion
Pub.com. ■

Asset-Based Community Development

projects in Kham, Tibet including:

•Primary Education for nomad children.

•Vocational training, alternative income.
•Family & community health projects.

Help us build a stronger Tibet!

Visit our website at:
www.opportunitykham.org Dharma the Cat says: Your suffering won’t heal anyone. The cure for sadness is giving.
When you’re feeling down, find a way to help someone else.

Buy Direct from SNOW LION

—and Save!!
SNOW LION is pleased to offer you a 20% discount
off the retail price of all our own titles
—plus free magazines or postcards. (See pgs. 33 & 48.)

We hope that these great dharma books plus the many

information services we offer—both on our website and in this
free newsletter—are of value to you. Your purchases from the
Snow Lion newsletter and catalog make possible the contin-
ued publication of new books on Tibetan Buddhism.
So, thank you for buying direct from Snow Lion!

 
  
       
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       

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 

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     

    
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     

T A N T R I C Cookbook of Nini Tantrini     

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SNOW LION 19
 NEWS

20 SNOW LION FALL ’05 NEWSLETTER

 NEWS

Dharma in Community
We frequently hear comments from folks telling us that they cannot afford WIN a
Guided Tour
all of the books they would be interested in reading. Together we can make
dharma teachings more accessible to the public, utilizing the community
library system. Contact us and request a current copy of our trade catalog. You
can use it as a resource to make ordering recommendations to your librarian or
we can send it directly to your local library at your request. May the Buddha’s
light of wisdom shine across the nation through dharma teachings. ■ in TIBET in 2006
Tour leader:
GLENN H. MULLIN

Rebecca Radner For the ninth time Snow Lion Publications is offering a tour in Tibet to a lucky customer. We have arranged
to give one of our customers the opportunity to travel with Glenn H. Mullin on a two-week adventure in
Tibet in 2006. Glenn lived in the Himalayas from 1972-1982 where he studied Tibetan Buddhism, language,
Buddhist Psychic literature, and yoga with many of the greatest teachers from Tibet. He is the author of over a dozen books
and has taught throughout the world. He also organized and led several world tours for the monks from
Drepung Loseling Monastery.
Telephone consultations by appointment Here’s how you can win: Every time that you order from us, we will enter your name in our drawing.
Rebecca@differentpsychic.com Just let us know when you order that you would like to be considered for the trip. We’ll have our drawing
on December 31, 2005.
www.differentpsychic.com Please check the full-page ad in this newsletter to see what is and is not included in the trip. The main
(415) 563-8746 item not included is airfare to the starting point. Also, since Glenn is responsible for every aspect of the trip,
please contact him for any information that you need or to find out about this or other great trips. Glenn’s
website is: www.vajrayana.com ■

The
Mental Medicine Collection
A Guided Meditation for Stress Reduction
A Mindfulness-based Stress Management CD series with gentle and healing music.

Quiet Thoughts Sacred Moment

A Guided Meditation to Finding your present
slow down the “busy” mind moment awareness

Sleep Ease Non-Thinking

A Guided Meditation to Experiencing the freedom
help put you to sleep of non-thinking

Give yourself or someone you love the gift of well-being.

Each CD $13.95 • Set of four CDS $49.95
Go to www.purelandproductions.com or call (510) 658-1840.
© 2005 Pureland Productions. All rights reserved.

Gyuto
Hospital
Small clinic is the only
basic health care for rural
Tibetan community

Gutso Hospital is a small clinic

providing the most basic health care
for nomads and villagers in the poor-
est and least developed district of
Tibet. Gutso is a small village in the
Surtso valley, in the shadow of the
Himalayan Mountains, not far from
Katmandu. When a group of Tibetan
refugee families in Katmandu found
out that the villagers in the valley
had no basic health care they came
forward to build a hospital.
A recent visitor to the hospital
observed an urgent need for repair
to the building, and the ongo-
ing need for medicine and medi-
cal equipment. Since that time the
repairs have been done, but there is
still a need for financial support to
keep the clinic in operation.
The founders are originally from
the Surtso valley, and are careful to
see that 100% of the money donated
goes to medicine and other necessi-
ties for the hospital.
To make a donation, make checks
payable to Wisdom’s Golden-
rod (noting Gutso Hospital in the
memo), Rte. 414, Hector, NY 14841.
Wisdom’s Goldenrod is a not-for-
profit philosophical organization. ■

SNOW LION 21