Introducing New Dharmic Activities at KTC
The Dharma Library Tree
KTC has assembled an extensive list
of recommended books – see the listings that follow the short biographies of His Holiness the XVII Gyalwa Karmapa and His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche for starters.
In an effort to help build the KTC Dharma Library and get this material into as many members’ hands as possible, we are introducing the new Dharma Library Tree Program.
Here is how the Dharma Library Tree works:
KTC will carry a selection of new books available for sale in the KTC store. If you purchase one of these books, you are then invited to become a leaf on the Dharma Library Tree by donating the book, after you have finished reading it, to the library (or you may donate first and read later and your leisure). Further, if you leaf 25 or more books on the Dharma Library Tree, you will then become a branch of the tree. It is the aspiration of KTC to build a significant library of appropriate Dharma materials this way – and your meritorious efforts in becoming a leaf on the Dharma Library Tree will help this project manifest for the benefit of our sangha.
New Books (prices include tax):
- The Eighth Situpa on the Third Karmapa's Mahamudra Prayer --Translated by Lama Sherab Dorje $17
- "Here, in one compact volume, are all of the stages of instruction on the path of mahamudra. Included are concise and complete formal instructions on the ground, path, and fruition of this penetrating practice. This vast and profound commentary originates with the Eighth Situpa, a remarkable scholar and practitioner who is considered the most accomplished of all the Situ emanations."
- Medicine Buddha Teachings --Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche $20
- "In this rare gem from Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, we learn more than just the details of this particular Medicine Buddha practice: Rinpoche has kindly included many basic principles of tantric theory and practice in general. Anyone engaged in any Vajrayana practice will find this teaching extremely useful."
- Maitreya's Distinguishing Phenomena and Pure Being --Khenpo Tsultrim Gyarntso Rinpoche $21
- "Distinguishing Phenomena and Pure Being was composed by Maitreya during the golden age of Indian Buddhism. Mipham's commentary cogently supports Maitreya's text in a detailed analysis of how ordinary confused consciousness can be transformed into wisdom. Precise and detailed instructions guide the reader through the incredibly profound meditation that gradually brings about this transformation. This important and comprehensive work belongs on the bookshelf of any serious Buddhist practitioner --and, indeed, of anyone interested in realizing their full potential as a human being."
- Wish - Fulfilling Wheel: The Practice of White Tara --Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche $21
- "Practiced by all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, White Tara has been the main deity practice of many well-known Buddhist scholars and siddhas in both India and Tibet, foremost among whom were Nagarjuna and Atisha. White Tara's special function is to promote long life, particularly preventing untimely death, both for the practitioner and for others. Ultimately, she is the very nature of the dharmakaya, and her practice is a means for attaining realization and accomplishing liberation. In this book Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche has given a complete and detailed guide to the practice of White Tara based on the commentary of the great nineteenth-century master, Jamgon Kongtrul the Great."
- Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism --H.E. Kalu Rinpoche $17
- "Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism presents the fundamental practices of this tradition in a clear and easily accessible manner. Beginning with an overview of the Buddhist path, Kalu Rinpoche goes on to explain the preliminary practices of taking refuge, prostrations, Dorje Sempa purification meditation, mandala practice, guru yoga and the guru-disciple relationship. He then discusses the vows of the lay person, the bodhisattva, and the trantric practitioner. The book closes with a wonderful explanation of meditation both with and without an object and the key points of mahamudra meditation."
- Turning Towards Liberation: The Four Reminders -- Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche Gregg Rutter has become a "leaf on the Dharma Library Tree" as he has kindly committed to donate this text. Thankyou.
- "This is a teaching on the four general preliminaries known as the Four Ordinary Foundations. The source of the material is "The Chariot for Traveling the Noble Path" by Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje."
- The Great Path of Awakening--Jamgon Kongtrul $13
- "At the core of spiritual development in Mahayana Buddhism is the arousal of bodhicitta, 'awakened heart.' Bodhicitta is the unconditional intention to help all sentient beings become free of suffering. It is the complete abandonment of any sort of personal territory, both in our relationship with others and in our understanding of the world as it is. It begins with the development of love and compassion for others and matures into the full resolution to help them as much as possible. This theme is the focus of The Seven Points of Mind Training as taught by Chekawa Yeshe Dorje, a twelfth-century master of the Kadampa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The Great Path of Awakening is a new translation of this basic teaching with the illuminating commentary of Jamgon Kongtrul, a great nineteenth-century scholar."
The Dharma Magazine Vine
In another effort to spread the Dharma, and reduce waste, we are introducing the Dharma Magazine Vine. Many of us read any number of Buddhist periodicals, including Bodhi, Tricycle, Mandala, Shambhala Sun, Buddhadharma, Thar Lam, Enlightenment and Shenpen Osel. You are invited to donate your magazines after you have finished reading them to the Dharma Magazine Vine so that others may read them as well. We will have a special Dharma Magazine Vine box located in the KTC Library for you to either drop off or pick up magazines. There is no need to check them out.
One request: Please only donate appropriate Buddhist material; if you have any questions you may ask Gregg Rutter.
The KTC Subscription Seed
KTC would like to have a subscription to several specific magazines for the KTC Library. You are invited to seed the subscription by making a designated donation for a one, two or more year’s subscription to one of the following magazines:
Bodhi Magazine One Year: $21 Two Year: $42
Three Year: $63 Four Year: $84
Shenpen Osel Three Issues: $15 Six Issues: $30
Nine Issues: $45 Twelve Issues: $60
May all be auspicious and may all beings benefit.
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