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Title details for The Jewel Tree of Tibet by Robert A. F. Thurman - Available

The Jewel Tree of Tibet

The Enlightenment Engine of Tibetan Buddhism

by Robert A. F. Thurman
Robert Thurman
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available

Tibetans call their cherished tradition of Buddhism a wish-fulfilling jewel tree for its power to generate bliss and enlightenment within all who absorb its teachings. This path to enlightenment, it is taught, requires more than a sitting meditation practice alone. With The Jewel Tree of Tibet, honored scholar and teacher Robert Thurman brings these insights to you as they were meant to be transmitted through the spoken word.
As a young seeker almost 40 years ago, Thurman first journeyed to Dharamsala, where he became the first Westerner ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Now, Thurman guides you lucidly through the unifying principles of Tibetan Buddhism's many branches. You will discover Tibetan Buddhism's detailed map of the bliss state of enlightenment; the principles of tantra for opening the doors to infinite compassion and continuity; and how to overcome the dangers of the spiritual quest to discover states of consciousness that transcend even death.
Finally, here is Robert Thurman on audio, offering a rich and intellectually riveting retreat program complete with many specific meditations and spiritual practices to fully immerse you in the mysteries of The Jewel Tree of Tibet.
Learn More About:

  • Eleven steps to create the spirit of enlightenment, here and now
  • The truths of Padmasambhava, Naropa, Tsong Khapa, and other legendary sages
  • Guided meditations to experience the blessings of the wish-fulfilling gem tree
  • More than nine hours of compelling study with one of Tibetan Buddhism's greatest teachers

    • Creators

    • Publisher

    • Release date

      October 17, 2007

    • Formats

      • OverDrive Listen audiobook

        • ISBN: 9781604071627
        • File size: 270405 KB
        • Duration: 09:23:20

    • Languages

      • English

    • Reviews

      • Publisher's Weekly

        January 24, 2005
        Based on Thurman's six-lesson retreat on Tibetan Buddhism, this accessible book guides readers through the process of enlightenment. Throughout, Thurman (Inner Revolutions
        ) draws from the Fourth Panchen Lama's text Mentor Devotion
        to ground his teachings, a surprising choice given that it's an advanced dharma that he concedes is "semiesoteric." Thurman successfully spins the text's interpretation so that it becomes more transparent to a Western audience. He describes Buddhist karma, for example, as "Darwinian evolution with an individual twist," and also cautions readers not to adopt some blissed-out, mind-emptying idea of Buddhism just because they imagine that it's Eastern and therefore superior. "When we seek to enter the path of enlightenment, we have to engage with society." On the other hand, he notes, we also need to embrace ascetics like monks and nuns, and invest generously in their work toward liberation. The book has some truly beautiful moments, as when Thurman encourages readers to meditate on the loving-kindness of their mothers (even the bad mothers, he says, made sacrifices to keep their children alive and fed), or when he offers 11 steps to compassion, love and happiness. Although there are a few hiccups—moments when it becomes obvious that the "root text" of Mentor Devotion
        is a tricky one indeed—this is a fine tool on the road to enlightenment. (Feb. 10)

        Forecast:
        A nine-city author tour will help promote this title, which is a One Spirit Book Club alternate selection.

    Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

    subjects

    Languages

    • English

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