The Buddha from Dolpo, Revised and Expanded: A Study of the Life and Thought of the Tibetan Master Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen

by Cyrus Stearns

The Buddha from Dolpo is a revised and enlarged edition of the only book about the most controversial Buddhist master in the history of Tibet, Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (1292-1361). Dolpopa specialized in the Kalacakra, or Wheel of Time a vast system of tantric teachings said to be from the legendary land of Shambhala. He emphasized two contrasting definitions of the Buddhist theory of emptiness. The view of an emptiness of other, known in Tibetan as shentong, is Dolpopa's enduring legacy. The fate of his Jonang tradition, which was censored by the central Tibetan government in the seventeenth century but still survives, is also examined. This book contains the only English translations of three of his crucial works. They are preceded by a detailed discussion of Dolpopa's life and his revolutionary ideas. 8 color plates and 16 b&w illustrations.

Genres: Buddhism, History

496 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2010

Reviews

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book.I don't know much about the Kalacakra, which may be part of the reason I found this quite hard to fully grasp - it's one of those books that needs to be read again to deepen the readers meaning.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeness, but though this philosophy is liberating if you have read too much rangtong stuff, it is quite dangerous if taken out of context. It was actually banned in Tibet. But don't read it for that reason, make sure you have a pure motivation of "for the welfare of others, to wish for complete perfect enlightenment." Tho it talks about other-emptiness, this does not refer to a rejection of other, rather to realizing that that which appears as other is really only designated that way and not truly other.