NEW BOOKS> Drukpa Kunley, the Guru Principle, Chogyam Trungpa

H-Buddhism NEW BOOKS> Drukpa Kunley, the Guru Principle, Chogyam Trungpa, and Kyogen Carlson

Discussion published by Nikko Odiseos on Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to share several new releases that may be of interest to those on this list.

1. Tales of a Mad Yogi: The Life and Wild Wisdom of Drukpa Kunley by Elizabeth Monson http://shmb.la/drukpa-kunley

The fifteenth-century Himalayan saint Drukpa Kunley is a beloved figure throughout Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal, known both for his profound mastery of Buddhist practice as well as his highly unconventional and often humorous behavior. Ever the proverbial trickster and “crazy wisdom” yogi, his outward appearance and conduct of carousing, philandering, and breaking social norms is understood to be a means to rouse ordinary people out of habitual ways of thinking that leads them toward spiritual awakening.

Elizabeth Monson has spent decades retracing Drukpa Kunley’s steps and translating works by and about him. In this creative telling, she has reimagined his life based on historical accounts, autobiographical sketches, folktales, and first-hand ethnographic research. The result, with flourishes of magical encounters and references to his superhuman capacities, is a poignant narrative of Kunley’s life.

"Tales of a Mad Yogi is a wonderfully successful experiment in nonfiction narrative. Rooted in translation, field research, and oral history, yet expressed through immersive storytelling and prose- poetry, the book does what few works of scholarship can achieve: transport the reader to vast places and intimate spaces where the magic of Drukpa Kunley becomes real. With art, craft, and devotion, Elizabeth Monson brings the tales and teachings of Bhutan’s great Buddhist saint to life." —Kurtis Schaeffer

PAGES: 256 ISBN: 9781611807059 http://shmb.la/drukpa-kunley

2. The Guru Principle: A Guide to the Teacher-Student Relationship in Buddhism by Shenpen Hookham http://shmb.la/guru-principle

Traditional texts often do not reflect how the student-teacher relationship really works in practice, which leaves many pressing questions in communities taking root in the West. With honesty and clarity, the author discusses the roles of the teacher, practices related to the guru, and commonly asked questions she receives as a teacher. This handbook is the first of its kind, breaking down in a pragmatic and relatable way everything one needs to know to enter a student-teacher relationship

Citation: Nikko Odiseos. NEW BOOKS> Drukpa Kunley, the Guru Principle, Chogyam Trungpa, and Kyogen Carlson. H-Buddhism. 08-17-2021. https://networks.h-net.org/node/6060/discussions/8089269/new-books-drukpa-kunley-guru-principle-chogyam-trungpa-and-kyogen Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. 1 H-Buddhism with open eyes and an open heart. While Tibetan-centric, this book also covers the role of the teacher in other Buddhist traditions, in particular Theravada.

PAGES: 208 ISBN: 9781611809268 http://shmb.la/guru-principle

3. Cynicism and Magic: Intelligence and Intuition on the Buddhist Path by Chögyam Trungpa http://shmb.la/cynicism

Based on a series of talks given by Chögyam Trungpa during the first session of what was to become Naropa University, Cynicism and Magic introduces key Tibetan Buddhist concepts, including karma, the structure of ego, the paramitas, and the bodhisattva.

PAGES: 192 ISBN: 9781611808094 http://shmb.la/cynicism

4. You Are Still Here: Zen Teachings of Kyogen Carlson by Kyogen Carlson http://shmb.la/you-are-still-here

Kyogen Carlson (1948–2014) was a Soto Zen priest whose writings, teachings, and commitment to interfaith dialogue supported and inspired countless Buddhist, Christian, and other spiritual practitioners. Set to the rhythm of the seasons, You Are Still Here is the first published collection of Carlson’s dharma talks. It illuminates key elements of contemporary Zen practice, such as the experience of zazen meditation, the pitfalls and intimacies of the teacher-student relationship and of sangha life, the role of community in personal practice, and the importance of interfaith dialogue reaching across political lines. Carlson’s teachings also underscore his commitment to lay Buddhist practice and women’s lineages, both significant contributions to American Buddhism.

PAGES: 320 ISBN: 9781611809329 http://shmb.la/you-are-still-here

There are many more recent releases on our website, http://shmb.la/buddhism, as well.

Desk and Exam copies can be requested from our worldwide distributor, Penguin Random House, at http://shmb.la/desk-exam.

Best Wishes, Nikko Odiseos, Shambhala Publications