Ocean of Nectar is first complete commentary in English to Chandrakirti`s classic Guide to the Middle Way, one of the most important scriptures in Mahayan Buddhism and regsrded to this day as the principal text on emptiness, the ultimate nature of reality. In this long-awaited major work Geshe kelsang provides an entirely new translation of Chandrakirti`s verse masterpiece and explains with outstanding clarity the philosophical reasoning establishing Budda`s most profound view of the middle way.

Classical verse work on the Advaita philosophy and meditation.

Tsong kha pa (14th-century) is arguably the most important and influential philosopher in Tibetan history. An Ocean of Reasoning is the most extensive and perhaps the deepest extant commentary on Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika (Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way), and it can be argued that it is impossible to discuss Nagarjuna's work in an informed way without consulting it. It discusses alternative readings of the text and prior commentaries and provides a detailed exegesis, constituting a systematic presentation of Madhyamaka Buddhist philosophy. Despite its central importance, however, of Tsong kha pa's three most important texts, only An Ocean of Reasoning remains untranslated, perhaps because it is both philosophically and linguistically challenging, demanding a rare combination of abilities on the part of a translator. Jay Garfield and Ngawang Samten bring the requisite skills to this difficult task, combining between them expertise in Western and Indian philosophy, and fluency in Tibetan, Sanskrit, and English. The resulting translation of this important text will not only be a landmark contribution to the scholarship of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, but will serve as a valuable companion volume to Jay Garfield's highly successful translation of The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way.

Great Treasury of Merit provides a full explanation of how to practise Offering to the Spiritual Guide (Lama Chöpa), one of the most important meditation practices of Kadampa Buddhism. A work of unparalleled profundity and clarity, this book contains a wealth of accessible and practical instructions on Lamrim, Lojong and Tantric Mahamudra, the very essence of Buddha’s teachings. An indispensable handbook for all those who wish to accomplish the swift path to enlightenment.

Like a spontaneous cascade of wisdom nectar, the open and natural words of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, uncomplicated by scholarly elaboration, flow here in the tradition of the direct transmissions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the past. Through commentary on the Preliminary Practices (Ngöndrö) prayer from the treasure text of the great master Tragtung Düdjom Lingpa, insights into many central practices emerge in order to deepen understanding of the foundations of Vajrayana Buddhism. Also included in the book is a commentary on Tsok Khang Dechen (Assembly Palace of Great Exaltation), the root text prayer of the second Kyabje Düdjom Rinpoche, Jigdrel Yeshe Dorje.

This book explores one of the most explicit and sophisticated theoretical formulations of tantric yoga. It explains Abhinavagupta's teaching about the nature of ultimate reality, about the methods for experiencing this ultimate reality, and about the nature of the state of realization, a condition of embodied enlightenment. The author uncovers the conceptual matrix surrounding the practices of the Kaula lineage of Kashmir Shaivism. The primary textual basis for the book is provided by Abhinavagupta's Parātrīśikā-laghuvṛtti, a short meditation manual that centers on the symbolism of the Heart-mantra, SAUḤ.

In this 2009 issue, and to greet the new year in the characteristic fashion of all those who wish to live a dharmic life dedicated to the manifestation of God on earth via the practice of purificatory disciplines, we include articles depicting the wisdom contained in the sacred traditions of Judaism, Jainism, Christianity, Sufism, Taoism, Yoga, Tibetan Buddhism, Zen buddhism, and Vedanta, all underscored by the crucial and foundational element of nondualism, or Advaita. We also invite all those who come in contact with Nectar of Nondual Truth to duly submit articles, writings, poems, or personal questions and experiences from any other faith or belief system so as to give an even more complete and fulfilling expression to this religiously and philosophically committed literary journal.

It remains somewhat of a mystery, even after all the advantages of contemporary times have been lavishly bestowed upon present day humanity, that the ills of pervasive suffering still persist on the world scene. Of course, we know from the Buddha’s declaration of His Four Noble Truths, that suffering here on Earth will never go away entirely. Still, unnecessary suffering, a type of misery that has viable solutions, also remains constant — despite the fact that humanity has had plenty of time to apply these readily available stopgaps. When looking at this perplexing situation, the conscious observer cannot but notice, often painfully so, that narrowness of mind lies at the root of both the problem of suffering itself, and its tardy removal. In view of all this, when one considers ultimate solutions, there is nothing that compares with that of Universality. Universal religious outlook, universal philosophical perspective, universal compassion, universal service of mankind, a more universal mindset — even a more universally-based business and politics — all would be welcome alternatives to the ponderous and ineffective arsenal of methodical weapons that nations and peoples are presently utilizing to try to stem the tide of pervasive human suffering. True, religion nowadays has become an obvious caricature of itself, and philosophy has turned into a job and a career instead of a means for the revelation of truth. Even altruistic service, after the many attempts it has made towards drying up the ocean of human misery, has shown us its limitations and its downside.

NOW AND BEYOND is a collection of poems, essays, photographs and paintings inspired by the beauty and love of Nature. NOW is what is experienced by an individual at the present moment. It is the multimodal field of fluid contents of a conscious mind. Now is a specified set of observations by a person of itself and its surroundings. That is why the experience of now is always personal, private and dualistic. It is usually dominated by visual, auditory, somatosensory and memory-based cognitive inputs. BEYOND is what is beyond the now-experience. It is the spontaneous process of being alive, awake, aware and attentive. It is the living consciousness itself. Consciousness is founded on multiple life-processes including conscious arousal, awareness, attention and cognitive self-control. Each process has multiple components including biophysical, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual. We cannot completely see the whole big picture. But we are capable of being integrally present with a wholistic feeling of being connected to the natural reality, since we are always immersed in it.