The Life of Jamgon Kongtrul the Great

(Hardback)

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The first-ever extensive biography of Tibet's most famous nonsectarian Buddhist lama. Known as the "king of renunciates," Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye (1813-1899) forever changed the face of Buddhism through collecting, arranging, and disseminating the various lineage traditions of Tibet across sectarian lines. His extensive treasury collections of profound Buddhist teachings continue to be taught and transmitted throughout the Himalayas by all major traditions and represent the breadth and profundity of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice. Jamgon Kongtrul was a polymath, dedicated retreatant, writer, and teacher from the eastern Tibetan kingdom of Derge. During the nineteenth century, this region experienced extreme sectarian and political divides, during which Jamgon Kongtrul, along with Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Chokgyur Lingpa, set about collecting, teaching, and transmitting the major practice traditions found in Tibet. They focused particularly on preserving declining lineages. This conservation project, which did not adhere to the traditional divides of the Tibetan "schools" and included both tantric lineages coming from India as well as Tibetan treasure (terma) lineages, came to be known as the Rime or "unbiased" tradition. Jamgon Kongtrul is perhaps the most famous among these Rime figures. This is the most accessible work available on Jamgon Kongtrul's life, writings, and influence, written as a truly engaging historical biography. Alexander Gardner, who is a specialist of Jamgon Kongtrul, provides an intimate glimpse into the life of one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist teachers to have ever lived.

Reviews

Jamgon Kongtruls life is a living example of a truly nonsectarian, or Rimay, master. He was dedicated to his own lineage and, at the same time, preserved and propagated all other lineages with the same degree of respect and care. His biography has been a source of inspiration and guidance throughout my life.Ringu Tulku, author of The Ri-me Philosophy of Jamgon Kongtrul the Great

A monumental biography of Tibetan Buddhisms towering figure. Alex Gardner has given us a meticulously researched and utterly engaging history of one of Tibets most important intellectuals, immersing us in this epic life of politics, tradition, and visionary innovation. If you want to understand the historical roots of contemporary Tibetan Buddhism in all its richness, begin here.Kurtis Schaeffer, Professor of Tibetan and Buddhist Studies, University of Virginia

Jamgon Kongtrul is one of the towering figures of recent Tibetan intellectual and religious history. In this groundbreaking biography, by turns funny, moving, and beautiful, Alex Gardner has opened up the life and work of an extraordinary individual and his fascinating time and place. Readers meeting Kongtrul for the first time will be gripped by this vividly written life story, while scholars of Asian studies, Buddhism, and Tibetan studies will find this book indispensable.Annabella Pitkin, Assistant Professor of Buddhism and East Asian Religions, Lehigh University

"...a reverent and human portrayal of Kongtrul. Readers interested in the formations of Tibetan Buddhism will take great interest in Gardners in-depth reconstruction of Kongtruls life."Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

ALEXANDER GARDNER is Director and Chief Editor of the Treasury of Lives. Alex completed his PhD in Buddhist Studies at the University of Michigan in 2007.