Mahasiddha Practice

In this volume of The Treasury of Precious Instructions, Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye compiles teachings and practices by and about the renowned Indian Buddhist masters known as mahasiddhas, recognized in all eight practice lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.The Treasury of Precious Instructions by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye, one of Tibet's greatest Buddhist masters, is a shining jewel of Tibetan literature, presenting essential teachings from the entire spectrum of practice lineages that existed in Tibet. In its eighteen volumes, Kongtrul brings together some of the most important texts on key topics of Buddhist thought and practice while also authoring significant new sections of his own. This volume presents a selection of teachings and practices centered on the mahasiddhas, Indian masters of tantric Buddhism, some of whom were of vital importance in transmitting the Vajrayana teachings to Tibet. The mahasiddha Mitrayogin, whose work forms the majority of this volume, visited Tibet in the late twelfth century. His ritual texts and instructions are translated from Tibetan, including sadhanas, empowerments, guru yogas, authorization rituals for protector deities, and detailed compositions on Mahamudra practice, or resting in the nature of mind.In addition to instructions given by mahasiddhas, this volume includes ritual practices to visualize them and transmit their blessings, including a devotional text composed by Jamgön Kongtrul himself. This translation, which may be engaged as a practice manual, preserves ancient teachings significant to the literature and history of world religions.