BOOKS OF A LIFE: New ‘Collected Works’ website section

“Mikyo Dorje’s collected works were held together with wooden boards and leather straps. When the leather straps were undone, they fell apart into many pieces because they were so old. When we touched the cloth covering the text, dust clouds billowed up. Looking at it from the outside, you would have thought the text inside had decomposed. yet when the cloth was taken off, the paper illuminated bright light. Also, it was all completely written by hand. When we saw this, then all the people’s jaws dropped open and gasped saying: ‘Wow, what a great effort and work!’”

–17th Karmapa speaking about when he first saw a handwritten edition of the 8th Karmapa’s works in Tibet

Today, as the first of (hopefully) a series of posts for the sacred month of Saga Dawa, am happy to announce the launch of a section called ‘’Collected Works” – here.

This section is for research and translations on ‘collected works’ (Sungbum or Kabum) or records of transmissions (Thob-yig) of Tibetan Buddhist/Vajrayana masters. So far this includes Je Gampopa, 8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, 16th Karmapa, Rigpe Dorje and Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje.

The Buddha’s teachings (after he attained enlightenment) were first memorised and then later written down.  If we did not have the printed word, then most of these teachings would be extinct. The same is true of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings and texts. For that reason, preserving the Collected Works but also translating and studying them is an act of great merit and kindness that benefits infinite beings and protects the Buddha Dharma.

May this small effort in preserving and promoting these collected works in English be of benefit and may the Dharma flourish and prosper!

Music? ‘The Book of My Life’ by Sting and  ‘Every Day I Write the Book’ by Elvis Costello ….’I’m giving you a longing look, every day I write the book.’

Adele Tomlin, 1st June 2022.

Je Gampopa, Sonam Rinchen (1079-1153)

THE COLLECTED WORKS OF JE GAMPOPA: ‘RAW’ INSTRUCTIONS (MAR TRI)’, DHARMA GATHERINGS (TSHOG CHO), MAHAMHUDRA, VAJRAYOGINI, JEWEL ORNAMENTS AND PEARL GARLANDS. Compilation of extant editions and translated English outline of Gampopa’s Collected Works

8^th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje 

GOLDEN OFFERING FROM A WEALTHY NUN: THE 8TH KARMAPA’S COLLECTED WORKS: EDITIONS AND CONTENTS. Handwritten edition by 8th Karmapa, Outline edition by 5th Zhamarpa, 16th Century golden manuscript edition sponsored by wealthy nun, and contemporary editions

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Part II Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo Transmissions – The Collected Works and Texts: Origin and Editions

16^th Karmapa, Rigpe Dorje 

FIRST EDITION CATALOGUE OF 16TH GYALWANG KARMAPA’S COLLECTED WORKS, TEACHINGS, INTERVIEWS, SONGS, VIDEOS (in Tibetan, English and other languages)

NEW TRANSLATION: 16TH KARMAPA’S TRANSMISSION RECORD: Second Volume of ‘Collected Works’ and Kālacakra lineages

NEW TRANSLATION: THIRD VOLUME OF 16TH KARMAPA’S COLLECTED WORKS. Aspirations, Guru Yogas, Life-Stories, Songs, Supplications, Teachings and Letters.

 

Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdrel  Yeshe Dorje Rinpoche (1904-1987)

TROVES OF TREASURE:‘RECORD OF RECEIVED TRANSMISSIONS’ (THOB-YIG) OF DUDJOM RINPOCHE