The Treasury of Knowledge – Book 8, Part 4 Tibetan Treasures

Part Four: Esoteric Instructions is the eighth volume from the Treasury of Knowledge. It deals with meditation – specifically tantric meditation – and is a collection of intimate records of teachings by masters that simplify tantric meditations by providing pertinent and very personal, helpful hints to disciples based on the master’s own experience. In Tibetan religious literature, Jamgon Kongtrul’s Treasury of Knowledge in ten volumes stands out as a unique encyclopedic masterpiece embodying the entire range of Buddhist teachings.

Tibetan Buddhist teachers expected their students to study Buddhist philosophical texts as well as practice reflection and meditation; present-day students have also realized that awakening has its source in study as well as in reflection and practice. This volume, Esoteric Instructions, deals with meditation – specifically tantric meditation. It is a collection of intimate records of personal teachings by masters that simplify tantric meditations by providing pertinent examples and very personal and helpful hints to disciples based on the master’s own experience. Although originally oral in nature, they have been codified and passed down through specific lineages from teacher to student.

Here Sarah Harding has produced a masterful translation of this pithy work, augmented it with historical overviews, and provided an introduction rich in insights and background material. This book – a treasury in itself – will undoubtedly be appreciated both by scholars of comparative studies of the different systems and by practitioners wishing to broaden their knowledge of meditation methods.

“Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Tayé (1813-1899) was one of the leading scholars of the nineteenth century. He broke through sectarian constraints and achieved a deep understanding of the the different philosophical approaches in Tibet. I have no doubt that by studying Kongtrul’s works readers will be inspired to emulate his great qualities of humility, dedication, patience, and nonsectarianism.” H.H. the Dalai Lama