The Second Karmapa Karma Pakshi

“Karma Pakshi, tantric adept and wonderworker, visionary and emissary to the Mongol Khans, has fascinated and inspired generations of Tibetan Buddhists down to the present day. He remains, however, an enigmatic figure, whose writings and history remain poorly known. Charles E. Manson deserves our gratitude for introducing us to the life and work of an important and unusual master in this attractive, accessible volume.”—Matthew T. Kapstein, author of The Tibetans and Numata Visiting Professor of Buddhist Studies, University of Chicago“Karma Pakshi is a towering figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The first widely recognized reincarnate lama, or tulku, who established the Karmapa lineage, he was a poet, a scholar, and an accomplished meditator. Karma Pakshi’s fascinating story, including his time in the Mongol empire established by Genghis (Chinggis) Khan, is told here with clarity, thoughtfulness, and generosity. Selections from his poetry, visions, and teachings are beautifully translated. This is truly essential reading for those interested in Tibetan Buddhist practice and history.”—Sam van Schaik, author of Buddhist Magic“Full of incredible accounts and textual references… . Highly recommended.”—International Institute for Asian Studies“A rare spiritual biography blending academic research skillfully with a free-flowing narrative… . A truly remarkable achievement and a must-read.”—The Mirror“Manson deploys intricate history and masterful storytelling to present a vivid picture of Karma Pakshi that is at once detailed and accessible.”—Buddhistdoor Global“Manson’s book dedicated to Karma Pakshi is the most detailed available to date. It is informed by a wealth of difficult textual sources and years of working with them. The author’s writing style is clear and readable, his translations of the texts comprehensible and faithful to the original meaning at the same time. I would like to congratulate the author for this achievement and highly recommend it to interested readers. It is a book of a very high standard and a great contribution to our knowledge of Karma Pakshi’s life and legacy.”—H-Net Reviews“Erudite, concise, and navigates the complexities of the Second Karmapa’s life and thought in a clear, thoughtful voice… . As the most complete introduction in English, and perhaps in other languages as well, to the Second Karmapa Pakshi’s life and thought, one could not ask for more.”—Auto/Biography Studies“I would like to recommend this book as a valuable source of both inspiration and information on what is known about the Second Karmapa’s life, offering insights into his teachings, practices, and enduring influence within the Kagyu lineage.”—Maria Turek, the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Studies at the University of Toronto

CHARLES MANSON was once a master woodcarver, who then spent several years as a Buddhist monk and meditation retreatant. He later studied at Harvard University where he received a Master of Theological Studies degree. He currently works as a librarian for the Tibetan Collections at the Bodleian Library (Oxford University) and at the British Library in London.

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