Dear Friends,
I am pleased to share two new releases that may be of interest to those on this list.
1. The Second Karmapa Karma Pakshi: Tibetan Mahasiddha
by Charles Manson (Bodleian Library at Oxford University and at the British Library in London)
https://www.shambhala.com/the-second-karmapa-karma-pakshi.html
Born in East Tibet in the thirteenth century, Karma Pakshi, a key figure in the development of the reincarnate lama tradition, himself was the first master to be named Karmapa, a lineage that continues to modern times and has millions of admirers worldwide. During his lifetime, Karma Pakshi was widely acknowledged as a mahāsiddha and was therefore invited to the Mongol court at the apogee of its influence in Asia. He gave spiritual advice and meditation instructions to the emperor Mongke Khan, whom he advised to engage in social policies, to release prisoners, and to adopt a vegetarian diet. After Mongke’s death, Karma Pakshi was imprisoned by the successive emperor Kubilai Khan, and much of Karma Pakshi’s writing was done while he was captive in northeast China. He was eventually released and returned to Tibet, where he commissioned one of the medieval world’s largest metal statues.
This first-ever comprehensive biography of Karma Pakshi in English reveals new information about a pivotal historical figure in the development of Tibetan Buddhism and his interactions with two Mongol emperors. Also included are translations of several newly available songs attributed to Karma Pakshi and translations of ten excerpts of his writings on reincarnation, meditation, dreams, visionary experiences, tantra, and consecration. Each of the chpters in Part Two come with sunstantial introductions by the author.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part One: Life and Legacy
Early Years
Meditation Development
Teaching, Traveling, and Building
Meeting Möngke Khan
Captured by Kubilai Khan
Return to Tsurpu
Legacies
Part Two: Writings
Preincarnations
Meditations
Verse Narrative: Imperial Death Warrant, Exile, and Reconciliation
Prose Narrative: Dreams of a Buddha Statue and a Horse
Conversations with Mañjuśrī
Reflections on Tantra
Musings on Consecration
Song for a Disciple
Deathbed Song
An Esoteric Great Treasury
PAGES: 304
ISBN: 9781559394673
https://www.shambhala.com/the-second-karmapa-karma-pakshi.html
For other volumes in the Lives of the Masters series, please see https://www.shambhala.com/lives-of-the-masters.html. We remain eager for additional volumes in this series, particularly those focused on women luminaries, so please let reach out if you have an idea for one.
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2. Red Tara: The Female Buddha of Power and Magnetism
by Rachael Stevens (Oxford)
https://www.shambhala.com/red-tara.html
This comprehensive overview focuses on the origins, forms, and practices of Tara, providing the reader with insightful information and inspirations relating to the goddess. Its second part focuses on Red Tara, a powerful and liberating form of Tara that is particularly important to connect with in a time of crisis. These chapters cover various forms of Red Tara found throughout the Tibetan Buddhist world, the particular qualities she represents, and how through prayers and meditation we can embody her principles and truly benefit beings.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Part One: The Goddess
The Origin of Tārā
Tārā in India and Tibet
Tārā: A Multitude of Forms
Becoming Tārā
Part Two: The Red Goddess
A Pantheon in Red
Kurukullā: Goddess of Love
Mapping the Body Maṇḍala: Pīṭheśvarī
The Hook of Subjugation: Red Tārā in the Sakyapa School
The Twenty-One Tārās
The Red Tārā Cycle: Apong Terton
The Continuation of the Red Tārā Lineage
Appendices
Notes
Bibliography
Index
PAGES: 264
ISBN: 9781611809695
https://www.shambhala.com/red-tara.html
There are many more recent releases on our website, http://shmb.la/buddhist-books as well.
Desk and Exam copies can be requested from our worldwide distributor, Penguin Random House, at http://shmb.la/desk-exam
Best Wishes,
Nikko Odiseos, Shambhala Publications
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