An Ocean of the Ultimate Meaning: Teachings on Mahamudra

by Khenchen Thrangu

Book Overview

In this new book, Khenchen Thrangu provides an exhaustive commentary on the longest and most comprehensive of the three classic treatises on Mahamudra composed by the sixteenth-century scholar... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590300556
• ISBN13: 9781590300558
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Very Insightful Read

This can be just another book on Mahamudra for a good intellectual read. Combined with actual practice and understanding, this is a very insightful book that will invoke deeper understanding of the nature of your own mind. The content on Shamatha meditation provides very good foundational guidance on meditation techniques that seemed to be similar to other traditions. The Vipashyana topics are the ones, where I feel, that jumps into the specifics on analyzing and understanding the nature of your mind, specifically in the Mahamudra context. I personally gained much benefits from the Vipashyana content. Depending on the preliminary readiness of the reader, a varying degree of benefit will be reaped from reading this book. I personally gained tremendous insight from this book and it also clarified some of my doubts I had before. Again, no two readers will have exactly the same experience on reading this book. But I'm sure with time and practice, there will be deeper experience every time you return to this book.

Commentary on 9th Karmapa's longest Mahamudra Classic

This is another commentary on the 16th century text by the 9th Karmapa (head of the Karma Kagyu lineage). The original is one of 3 written by the Wangchuk Dorje (9th Karmapa). The other two are "Pointing out the Dharmakaya" (also available in commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche) and "Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance" (a translation by Alex Berzin with commentary by Beru Khyentze Rinpoche is also available). Interestingly, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche previously published a commentary on the very same original text under the title: "The Ninth Karmapa's Ocean of Definitive Meaning." It is also a high quality textbook on Mahamudra, but I no longer own it (gave it away to someone) so I can't do a point-by-point comparison. This version is said to follow the original's ordering and to be a complete commentary. It is fairly detailed but is written in an easy to read flowing style. I would guess the translation to be more aimed at the essence rather than to be literal. Of course, with the original written in the 16th century it is based upon standard, medieval Tibetan cosmology, medicine, metaphysics, mythology, etc. It also covers the basic territory of several other Mahamudra books presently available in English. I don't see much new here though it is well organized and well written. As Thrangu Rinpoche writes, there are 3 types of practitioners--the one who gets it immediately, the one who kind of jumps around, and the gradual, methodic one. This book is directly stated to address the last type though it is very useful to the middle type as well. I find it useful to read many different texts on the same deep subject--I get variety while the knowledge seeps in. Also, sometimes different hints on how to practice better. As a scientist (despite the medieval assumptions which are only of historical interest to me), I find the experiential focus of Mahamudra to be highly beneficial and appropriate. They appreciate the theory, but the real thrust is in the practice and what you get from the experience. I'll second that.