Shortly after the Buddha passed into nirvana, a water fairy from the Lake of the Hidden Treasure witnesses the birth of an Indian hero, Padmasambhava, who is born in a giant lotus in the middle of her lake. He incarnates to help carry on the Buddhas teachings. Something happens that inspires her to follow him on all his adventures, and she is able to tell his story from her unique perspective. King Ja discovers Padmasambhava, known affectionately as Pema, and carries him back to his palace, believing that his prayers for a son have been finally answered. A twist of fate leads Pema to the terrifying Chilly Grove Cemetery, where he develops his meditation skills and transcends many physical challenges. When the water fairy convinces him to revisit his birthplace at the Lake of the Hidden Treasure, Pema returns to teach the fairies and gnomes the secret to true happiness. Pemas loving kindness magnetizes the nature spirits to serve him devotedly, and with their magic, they assist him in his quest to spread Buddhas message to the people of India and Tibet. The fairy shares Pemas adventures with Mandarava, Emperor Ashok, Vajrakilaya, Yeshe Tsogyal, Emperor Trisong Deutsen, and the nature spirits of Tibet. Pema is a Buddhist saint who befriends the nature spirits with his sincere reverence for the unseen work they do in balancing the earth, air, water, fire, and space within Mother Nature. He is aware that good-hearted humans must guide the spirits of nature by giving them loving attentionor else undivine forces can take them over and create chaos. The water fairy tells the significant events of Padmasambhavas life with the vivid detail of one who flew wherever he walked, and she shares his profound wisdom with charming simplicity.

In English translation for the first time, this is "the most authoritative scripture" regarding how the Dharma was planted in Tibet, according to His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Titles in the original Tibetan "The Sanglingma Life Story," it was recorded by the dakini Yeshe Tsogyal, concealed in the ninth century at Sanglingma (Copper Temple) in Samye, and revealed by Nyang Ral Nyima Oser in the twelfth century. In addition to narrating the legendary story of a unique spiritual personality, the book contains oral instructions and advice that he left for the benefit of future generations. Also included are "A Clarification of the Life of Padmasambhava" by Tsele Natsok Rangdrouml;l, an extensive glossary and index, and a bibliography of Tibetan and English sources.

The first Tibetan to attain complete enlightenment was in all probability the woman Yeshe Tsogyal, the closest disciple of Padmasambhava, the master who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century. This classical text is not only a biography but also an inspiring example of how the Buddha's teaching can be put into practice. Lady of the Lotus-Born interweaves profound Buddhist teachings with a colorful narrative that includes episodes of adventure, court intrigue, and personal searching. The book will appeal to students of Tibetan Buddhism and readers interested in the role of women in Buddhism and world religions.

Dakota Territory, 1880. When Hanna arrives in the town of LaForge, she sees possibiltiies. Her father coupld open a shop on the main street. She could go to school, if there is a school, and even realize her dream of becoming a dressmaker--provided she can convince Papa, that is. She and Papa could make a home here. But Hanna is half-Chinese, and she knows from experience that most white people don't want neighbors who aren't white themselves. The people of LaForge have never seen an Asian person before; most are unwelcoming and unfriendly--but they don't even know her! Hannah is determined to stay in LaForge and persuade them to see byond her surface. In a setting that will be recognized by fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, this compelling story of resolution and persistence, told with humor, insight, and charm, offers a fresh look at a long-established view of history. -- From dust jacket.

The Buddhist practice of mindfulness caught on in the west when we began to understand the everyday, personal benefits it brought us. Now, in this extraordinary book, the highly acclaimed thought leader and longtime English translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama shows us that compassion can bring us even more. Based on the landmark course in compassion training Jinpa helped create at Stanford Medical School, A Fearless Heart shows us that we actually fear compassion. We worry that if we are too compassionate with others we will be taken advantage of, and if we are too compassionate with ourselves we will turn into slackers. Using science, insights from both classical Buddhist and western psychology, and stories both from others and from his own extraordinary life, Jinpa shows us how to train our compassion muscle to relieve stress, fight depression, improve our health, achieve our goals, and change our world. Practical, spiritual, and immediately relevant, A Fearless Heart will speak to readers of The Art of Happiness and Wherever You Go, There You Are.

The Lotus-Born is the amazing story of the mystic, master scholar, and outrageous yogi Padmasambhava, who grew up an adopted prince, was banished, and burned at the stake in a neighboring kingdom, yet continued, miraculously unscathed, to live more than 500 years. His dramatic, illuminating story is available for the first time in English in this translation of Princess Yeshe Tsogyal's ninth-century biography of Padmasambhava. A master whose insights filigree this book, Padmasambhava is considered second in importance only to the Buddha in the Tibetan spiritual tradition.

Following in Your Footsteps - The Lotus-Born Guru in Nepal, is the first of a three-part series of books dedicated to the sacred sites of Padmasambhava in India, Nepal, and Tibet. This series will trace the full arch of the journey of the Guru, who, beyond being a historical personage, is known as the very embodiment and personification of the tantric Buddhism. In this, the first of this three part series of books, we will present Guru Rinpoche's life and deeds in Nepal. The mountains and valleys of Nepal played a unique role in the life of Guru Rinpoche. It is here that Guru Rinpoche went on extensive retreat, gave countless teachings to disciples, hid terma treasures and blessed the hills and valleys. In these pages we will encounter the stories behind the sites, learning how these miraculous events unfolded, and how masters throughout the ages have drawn upon their inspiration. The first part of this book presents an introduction to sacred sites, an introduction to Guru Rinpoche, traditional literature surrounding Guru Rinpoche, and an overview of Guru Rinpoche's time in Nepal. The second part, the main body of the book, tells of Guru Rinpoche's life in Nepal through the places where he practiced and accomplished the path, taming hosts of humans and spirits all along the way. Finally, the third part presents an essential selection of prayers for invoking Guru Padmasambhava. Why focus this first book on Nepal? It is because generations ago, a certain devoted young man made the aspiration to be reborn as a realised master in the land of Nepal, before the great Jarung Kashor Stupa - this devoted son later became known as Padmasambhava. Aspirations hold power, and it is our aspiration that this guide serve as a catalyst for your own journey, to follow in the footsteps of the one renowned as the Lotus-Born.

"Freeing the Heart and Mind "perfect introduction to the basic teachings of Buddhism, wisdom, compassion, and liberation for all beings. Learning about Buddhism is a gradual process, a process that lasts a lifetime and is deeply rooted in tradition and personal experience. Sakya Trizin expertly presents the essential Buddhist teachings of the four noble truths, compassion, and the correct motivation for practice. This lovely book also includes a biography of the Indian saint and Sakya forefather Virupa as well as the classic Sakya teaching on "parting from the four attachments. His Holiness Sakya Trizin is the head of one of the four major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. "Freeing the Heart and Mind "is his first book. This beautiful cloth volume will be a treasure for students of Buddhism both new and old.

A stunning, powerful debut novel set against the backdrop of the Cambodian War, perfect for fans of Chris Cleave and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie For seven-year-old Raami, the shattering end of childhood begins with the footsteps of her father returning home in the early dawn hours bringing details of the civil war that has overwhelmed the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. Soon the family's world of carefully guarded royal privilege is swept up in the chaos of revolution and forced exodus. Over the next four years, as she endures the deaths of family members, starvation, and brutal forced labour, Raami clings to the only remaining vestige of childhood - the mythical legends and poems told to her by her father. In a climate of systematic violence where memory is sickness and justification for execution, Raami fights for her improbable survival. Displaying the author's extraordinary gift for language, In the Shadow of the Banyanis testament to the transcendent power of narrative and a brilliantly wrought tale of human resilience. 'In the Shadow of the Banyanis one of the most extraordinary and beautiful acts of storytelling I have ever encountered' Chris Cleave, author of The Other Hand 'Ratner is a fearless writer, and the novel explores important themes such as power, the relationship between love and guilt, and class. Most remarkably, it depicts the lives of characters forced to live in extreme circumstances, and investigates how that changes them. To read In the Shadow of the Banyan is to be left with a profound sense of being witness to a tragedy of history' Guardian 'This is an extraordinary debut … as beautiful as it is heartbreaking' Mail on Sunday

The secret to happiness is to acknowledge and transform suffering, not to run away from it. Here, Thich Nhat Hanh offers practices and inspiration transforming suffering and finding true joy. Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges that because suffering can feel so bad, we try to run away from it or cover it up by consuming. We find something to eat or turn on the television. But unless we’re able to face our suffering, we can’t be present and available to life, and happiness will continue to elude us. Nhat Hanh shares how the practices of stopping, mindful breathing, and deep concentration can generate the energy of mindfulness within our daily lives. With that energy, we can embrace pain and calm it down, instantly bringing a measure of freedom and a clearer mind. No Mud, No Lotus introduces ways to be in touch with suffering without being overwhelmed by it. "When we know how to suffer," Nhat Hanh says, "we suffer much, much less." With his signature clarity and sense of joy, Thich Nhat Hanh helps us recognize the wonders inside us and around us that we tend to take for granted and teaches us the art of happiness.