Nagarjuna, Rangjung Dorje, and Jamgon Kongtrul on Buddha Nature and More

H-Buddhism New Books: Nagarjuna, Rangjung Dorje, and Jamgon Kongtrul on Buddha Nature and More

Discussion published by Nikko Odiseos on Thursday, June 3, 2021

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to share two new paperback releases.

1. In Praise of Dharmadhatu: Nagarjuna and Rangjung Dorje on Buddha Nature by Karl Brunnhölzl

In this work, Karl Brunnhözl presents a side of Nagarjuna that is less discussed than his writings related to Madhyamaka. While still in agreement with his views on emptiness, this work is aimed at bringing the reader to "the actual experience of the dharmadhatu’s vivid wakefulness free from anything to hold on to or to pinpoint."

This book begins with an overview of Nagarjuna and his scriptural legacy. This concise presentation is extremely useful in understanding the importance of Nagarjuna and his works. The next section, A Brief History of Luminous Mind, provides the lexicon—a map, really—that the reader will use to understand the translation itself, which follows. And finally the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje presents a commentary on the text where he brings forth his characteristic insight into buddha nature which has shaped so much of its understanding in Tibet and beyond.

The book also contains useful appendices including an outline of Rangjung Dorje’s commentary; a guide to other "Praises" of Nagarjuna available in translation; translations of six other "praises;" and both English–Sanskrit–Tibetan and Tibetan–Sanskrit–English glossaries.

Table of Contents: Nāgārjuna and His Works Who Was Nāgārjuna? What Did Nāgārjuna Write or Not Write? Various Views on Nāgājuna’s Scriptural Legacy and Its Scope Who or What Is Praised in Nāgārjuna’s Praises? A Brief “History ” of Luminous Mind A Terminological Map for the Dharmadhātustava and Its Commentaries The Eight Consciousnesses The World Is Imagination Mind Has Three Natures A Fundamental Change of State The Expanse of the Basic Element of Being Self-Awareness and Personal Experience Having the Heart of a Tathāgata

Citation: Nikko Odiseos. New Books: Nagarjuna, Rangjung Dorje, and Jamgon Kongtrul on Buddha Nature and More. H-Buddhism. 06-03-2021. https://networks.h-net.org/node/6060/discussions/7802528/new-books-nagarjuna-rangjung-dorje-and-jamgon-kongtrul-buddha Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. 1 H-Buddhism

Luminous Mind

Luminous Mind and Tathāgatagarbha The Eighth Karmapa on the Dharmadhātu as “Disposition” and Tathāgata Heart Is Buddha Nature an Eternal Soul or Sheer Emptiness?

The Dharmadhātustava An Overview of the Basic Themes of the Dharmadhātustava Translation: In Praise of Dharmadhātu The Significance of the Dharmadhātustava in the Indo-Tibetan Tradition

The Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, and His Commentary on the Dharmadhātustava A Short Biography Some Preliminary Remarks on Rangjung Dorje’s View On Rangjung Dorje’s Commentary on the Dharmadhātustava Other Tibetan Commentaries on the Dharmadhātustava Translation of Rangjung Dorje’s Commentary

Appendix I: Outline of Rangjung Dorje’s Commentary Appendix II: Existing Translations of the Praises Attributed to Nāgārjuna in the Tengyur Appendix III: Translations of the Remaining Praises Glossary: English–Sanskrit–Tibetan Glossary: Tibetan–Sanskrit–English

PAGES: 432 ISBN: 9781611809688 http://shmb.la/praise-dharmadhatu

2. Luminous Heart: Essential Writings of Rangjung Dorje, the Third Karmapa with Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thayé by Karl Brunnhölzl

This extraordinary collection of writings on buddha nature by the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284–1339) focuses on the transition from ordinary deluded consciousness to enlightened wisdom, the characteristics of buddhahood, and a buddha’s enlightened activity. The Third Karmapa’s unique and balanced view synthesizes Yogacara Madhyamaka and the classical teachings on buddha nature. Included are commentaries by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé that supplement the view of the Third Karmapa on two fundamental treatises on buddha nature, emphasizing the luminous empty mind of buddha nature as presented by the great Indian masters Maitreya and Asaṅga. For those practicing the sutrayāna and the vajrayāna in the Kagyü tradition, what these texts describe can be transformed into living experience.

Table of Contents: Introduction

The Indian Yogācāra Background The Tibetan Tradition on the Five Maitreya Texts The Third Karmapa’s View Translations The Autocommentary on The Profound Inner Reality The Ornament That Explains the Dharmadharmatāvibhāga Four Poems by the Third Karmapa Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé’s Commentary on The Treatise on Pointing Out the Tathāgata Heart Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé’s Commentary on The Treatise on the Distinction between Consciousness and Wisdom Karma Trinlépa’s Explanation of the Sugata Heart

Appendix I: Pawo Tsugla Trengwa’s Presentation of Kāyas, Wisdoms, and Enlightened Activity Appendix II: The Treatise on Pointing Out the Tathāgata Heart Appendix III: The Treatise on the Distinction between Consciousness and Wisdom Appendix IV: Outline of NTC Appendix V: Outline of NYC Appendix VI: The Change of State of the Eight Consciousnesses into the Four (Five) Wisdoms and the Three (Four) Kāyas

Glossary: English–Sanskrit–Tibetan Glossary: Tibetan–Sanskrit–English Selected Bibliography Endnotes

PAGES: 504 ISBN: 9781559395007 http://shmb.la/luminous-heart

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