three lower realms

The Tibetan Treasure Literature: Revelation, Tradition, and Accomplishment in Visionary Buddhism

The Tibetan Treasure Literature presents a study of a unique tradition within the Ancient School of Tibetan Buddhism that embraces revelation as the primary path to spiritual awakening. Over the course of Tibetan history such revelations, also known as Treasures, would emerge in an uninterrupted flow from the great minds of the Ancient School creating a profound and lasting effect on Tibetan religious society and culture.

In this book, central themes in the history and practice of Treasure revelation are discussed and seminal texts of the tradition are presented in translation. Of particular significance is the discussion by the renowned master Ju Mipham (1846-1912) of the criteria by which to evaluate the authenticity of those who claim to have discovered such Buddhist scripture.

The Tibetan Treasure Literature also presents the first thorough survey of the Treasure revelations of the great visionary master Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (1829-1870). Chokgyur Lingpa was a prominent member of the famed ecumenical tradition, and his revelations are widely practiced today in many schools and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Particular emphasis is placed on his revelations pertaining to the wrathful deity Vajrakilaya. Selections of these texts are presented in translation together with a detailed commentary on their practice composed by Khenpo Rinchen Namgyal – one of Chokgyur Lingpa’s foremost students.

Andreas Doctor is Director of Studies at Kathmandu University – Centre for Buddhist Studies. He has lived in Nepal for over a decade working also as a translator and instructor at the Rangjung Yeshe Institute under the direction of the Ven. Tulku Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche. He holds an MA in Tibetan Studies from the University of Copenhagen and a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from the University of Calgary.