The Emanated Scripture of Manjushri

“The Emanated Scripture of Manjushri is quite unique in Tibetan literature, not only because of its being written in the form of questions and answers, alternating verse and
prose, but because it is a compendium of short teachings that presents a limpid, concise, and yet profound instruction on the entire graded path to enlightenment. It does so in a nonsectarian manner typical of Shabkar’s approach. This graded path takes us first through a thorough presentation of the “mind training” (Lojong) teachings, based on Je Tsongkhapa’s Great Graded Path (Lam rim chen mo), to pith instructions, essential teachings on the nature of mind according to the Mahamudra tradition of Milarepa, practical explanations on the songs of realization, or dohas, of Saraha, and culminates with the ultimate teachings of the Great Perfection, Dzogchen, the pinnacle of the Nine Vehicles.

Thus, in twenty-three pieces of advice, Shabkar elucidates the essentials of spiritual practice: the need to renounce the world, to rely on a spiritual master, and to unite meditation on emptiness with compassion. He explains how to meditate, how to apply in daily life the insights thus gained, and how to mingle one’s mind with the guru’s mind and liberate thoughts as they arise. Shabkar’s style is crisp and effective, as if he had intended to define each step of the contemplative life in the briefest yet most complete and inspiring way for practitioners.”—from the introduction by Matthieu Ricard

Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol (1781-1851) devoted himself to many years of meditation in solitary retreat after his early training in the province of Amdo under the guidance of several extraordinary Buddhist masters. With determination and courage, he mastered the highest and most esoteric practices of the Tibetan tradition of the Great Perfection. He then spent the rest of his life wandering around the Himalayan regions, practicing for long periods in contemplative retreat, teaching, and performing virtuous deeds on a vast scale.

Sean Price is the Director of Tibetan Publications for the Tsadra Foundation. A Buddhist monk, he has lived and studied in South Asia for almost thirty years. He resides primarily at Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery in Nepal, where, under the guidance of Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, he locates and publishes rare Tibetan books and translates practice materials.

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