The Treasury of Knowledge: Book One: Myriad Worlds

Description

In Tibetan religious literature, Jamg n Kongtr l's Treasury of Knowledge in ten books stands out as a unique, encyclopedic masterpiece embodying the entire range of Buddhist teachings as they were preserved in Tibet. In his monumental Treasury of Knowledge, Jamg n Kongtr l presents a complete account of the major lines of thought and practice that comprise Tibetan Buddhism. This first book of The Treasury which serves as a prelude to Kongtrul's survey describes four major cosmological systems found in the Tibetan tradition-those associated with the Hinayana, Mahayana, Kalachakra, and Dzogchen teachings. Each of these cosmologies shows how the world arises from mind, whether through the accumulated results of past actions or from the constant striving of awareness to know itself.

Jamg n Kongtr l (1813_x0096_1899) was a versatile and prolific scholar. He has been characterized as a "Tibetan Leonardo" because of his significant contributions to religion, education, medicine, and politics.

"The Treasury of Knowledge excellently presents the entire corpus of the sutra and mantra traditions from the paths of the common sciences all the way up to the uncommon Great Perfection or Atiyoga, which is the culmination of the nine vehicles."-H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche "Jamgoen Kongtrul Lodroe Taye was one of the leading scholars of the nineteenth century. He broke through sectarian constraints and achieved a deep understanding of the the different philosophical approaches in Tibet. I have no doubt that by studying Kongtrul's works readers will be inspired to emulate his great qualities of humility, dedication, patience, and nonsectarianism."-H.H. the Dalai Lama "In his monumental Treasury of Knowledge, [Jamgoen Kongtrul] presents a complete account of the major lines of thought and practice that comprise Tibetan Buddhism. . . . By studying Kongtrul's works, readers will be inspired to emulate his great qualities of humility, dedication, patience, and nonsectarianism."-The Indian International Journal of Buddhist Studies "This work provides key insights into the construction of mandalas and Buddhist ideas about the phenomenal universe(s), and the introduction offers a wealth of historical background. As such, no one with a serious interest in Tibetan Buddhism or South Asian cosmologies can afford to be without it."-Altar Magazine "Upon seeing the Treasury of Knowledge, the first Khyentse Rinpoche (a contemporary of Lodroe Thaye) said that it was so inclusive of all knowledge that it did not seem to be composed by a human being but must have been written through the blessing of the dakinis."-Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche