The Great Kagyu Masters: The Golden Lineage Treasury

By: Dorje Dze Od

Book Overview

This text of the Kagyu tradition profiles its forefathers: Vajradhara, the Buddha, Tilopa, Naropa, the Four Great Dharma Kings of Tibet, Marpa, Milarepa, Atisha, Gampopa, Phagmodrupa, Jigten Sumg n, and others.

This work was compiled by Dorje Dze d, a great master of the Drikung lineage active in the Mount Kailash region of Western Tibet.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559392444
• ISBN13: 9781559392440
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating

As I have been considering joining Mahamudra lineage of the Karma Kagyu, I wanted to get a feel for the fore-fathers of the lineage. This is a very interesting book, some of which, with my limited progression so far on the path, was not completely understood. Nevertheless I found it vital to get a feel for those yogis who formed the Kagyu lineage. I recommend you read it many times as your meditation progresses to get the most out of this book.

For Vajrayana practitioners

This book is immensely rich with wisdom and compassion. It is a translation of an old text in which stories are being told of the founding fathers of the Kagyu lineage. Not to be left out are Vajradara and Buddha. Marpa's story is like Naropa's in that there are layers of depth that require a Vajrayana practitioner for understanding. This is not your typical life of Saints book. The content is very sacred in nature. Another reviewer, Magalini Sabina "sabina", mentioned a book near the end of his review titled "The Life of Milarepa". There are few known translations of this text, and thank you "sabina" for bringing it to light.

A collection of the wisdom of the early sages of the Kagyu sages of Tibet

Translated by Tibetan Rinpoche Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen, Tibet The Great Kagyu Masters: The Golden Lineage Treasury is a collection of the wisdom of the early sages of the Kagyu sages of Tibet, many of whom are virtually unknown to non-Tibetans. Presenting the life stories of several enlightened masters including Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa, and others, The Great Kagyu Masters is part biography, part religious history, and part insight into principles and teachings of this dynamic path of Tibetan Buddhism. Many of the biographical sketches alternate between standard prose and verse form. An enthusiastically welcome addition to public library, Buddhist history and Buddhism study shelves.

Interesting background study of the lineage

The book offers an interesting and entertaining look into the stories of the famous names in buddhist study. For those who want a further information as to why buddhists follow and honor these figures, it gives often lengthy accounts of their biographies, training, and accomplishments. Highly readable and informative.

Great Intro to Tibetan Kagyu lineage

I liked this introduction to the post-Padmasambhava (Kagyu red hat) Masters of the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist Tradition.Nice line drawings and plenty of great dharma. I especially appreciated the exchanges between the Great Gurus Tilopa and his then disciple Naropa. That is a thanka of Tilopa on the cover.