Mahamudra Teachings of the Supreme Siddhas

By Si-Tu

An accurate and highly readable translation of this masterwork that is to be read with profit--it deserves to be studied.--Matthey Kapstein, author This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559390255
• ISBN13: 9781559390255
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Snow Lion Pubns
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Agreement with 4/99 review

Prior review is right on the money. The root text is beautiful and, if one has had prior Mahamudra teachings, very concise and to the point. The commentary is generally vague and the supporting quotations less than enlightening--frequently more of an apologetic than a commentary. It does, occasionally, elucidate a valuable and interesting point--usually not covered in the root text. Somewhat disappointing overall. Unfortunately, I read the review after having read the book.

Difficult wading through glorious water.

This book is probably not as good as I think it is, but I have been swayed by my love of the beautiful root text on which it is based, the prayer "Aspirations for Mahamudra", from the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The commentary on that root text, which forms the main body of this book, is at times overly contorted in its writing, and overly filled with supportive scriptures, such that the thread of meaning and the development of knowledge towards which one is tending is almost lost. With a greater deal of effort than is probably required, one can follow the flow of ideas, but it could be much better done, more "user friendly", and I think that those unfamiliar with Mahayana Buddhist teachings about the ultimate nature of reality might especially have a hard time wading through this book. However, having said that, the underlying beauty of the subject matter is so sublime, so profound, that this criticism seems almost silly, and the effort was well worth it for me.