The Practice of Kalachakra

By Glenn H. Mullin

The Kalachakra spiritual legacy is a vital and central part of Tibetan Buddhism. Presented here is a detailed and practical overview of this unique spiritual path. In Part One, the author discusses the tantric path to enlightenment by drawing on the writings of great scholar-practitioners of the past. He describes the sutrayana and vajrayana paths, outlines the four classes of tantras, compares the Kalachakra generation and completion stage yogas to those of the mainstream tantra, s and details the unique Kalachakra methods for attaining enlightenment in this lifetime. Part Two contains translations for seven texts for the pratice of Kalachakra, including a sadhana selected by the Dalai Lam for this book. Glenn Mullin's perceptive and very readable discussion of the theory and practice of this profound tantric system is an excellen addition to the literature on this subject.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B006N5AQ0U
• ISBN13: 9780937938959
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications
• Length: 348 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Very helpful resource for practitioners

For those who are preparing to take, or have taken, the Kalachakra initiation, this is a very valuable book and resource. Glenn Mullin, one of the world's leading Tibetologists, who specializes in the works of the Dalai Lamas, here provides an important contribution by translating very important texts on Kalachakra from the Tibetan tradition. We find here texts ranging from the history of Tibetan Buddhism: the First Panchen Lama, the Fifth Dalai Lama, the present XIV Dalai Lama, etc., all writing on Kalachakra. Thus what we have is a compilation of important works throughout Buddhist history on this tantra -- all for the benefit of practitioners -- rendered in good English.Mr. Mullin also provides an important introduction (the first half of the book), in which he explains the four classes of tantra, the Shambhala connection, the history of Kalachakra, etc. This section is very useful.I would suggest supplementing this book with others -- the book on Kalachakra by HH the Dalai Lama and Jeffrey Hopkins is excellent. Mr Mullin also recommends his own "The Six Yogas of Naropa" for those preparing for or recently having taken Highest Yoga Tantra initiations.

practitioner's delight

This excellent collection of practices and commentaries on the Kalachakra tantra is, even more than 10 years after publication, still unique. Many of these texts had already appeared in various other of Mullin's works, but now collected in this excellent selection. The translations are preceded by a thorough introduction to the Kalachakra tantra and the Tibetan tradition it was preserved in. The translation style of Mullin is exceptionally clear and straightforward for these complicated texts. This collection is of great value to practitioners.

The Practice of Kalachakra

This is the best-written book on Kalachakra Tantra. It contains translations of extensive and short sadhanas, commentaries and other texts related to practice. There is exlelent explanation of origins, lineages and what is the most important - methods and methodology of Kalachakra Tantra. If you have initiation into this Tantra and you are going to practice -that is exactly what you need!