"I think that it is of far greater importance than the experience of dramatic instantaneous pointing out that people be taught mahamudra as a full system of instruction that they can implement on their own gradually through diligent application using any one of the three texts by the Ninth Gyalwang Karmapa - An Ocean of the Ultimate Meaning, Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance, or Pointing Out the Dharmakaya - or one of the two texts by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal - Moonbeams of Mahamudra or Clarifyng the Natural State."

- Khyabje Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche


Mahamudra Meditation Center Program Framework

Study and Practice Areas
( Emphasized texts indicated by a * )
The Jewel Ornament of Liberation Series
  1. The Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Gampopa)
    • Translation and commentary by Khenchen Könchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche (Tibetan root text available) *
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche *
    • The Tibetan Vinaya: Guide to Buddhist Conduct by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
    • Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche *
  2. A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life (Shantideva)
    • Translation by V. A. Wallace, B. A. Wallace (Tibetan root text available)
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
    • The Sun of Brilliant Clarity, a meditation guide by Patrul Rinpoche *
    • The Seven Points of Mind Training by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche based on commentary by Jamgon Kongtrul *
  3. The Uttaratantra: A Treatise on Buddha-Essence (Maitreya)
    • Translation by K. & K. Holmes (includes Tibetan root text)
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
    • A Treatise on Buddha Nature (3rd Gyalwa Karmapa, Tibetan root text available) with commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
  4. The Heart Sutra
    • Hakuin Zenji's (Rinzai) and Reverand Obora's (Soto) Tiger's Cave * Zen commentaries
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (Shentong perspective)
    • Song of Meditation by Hakuin Zenji
Moonbeams of Mahamudra Series
  1. Mahamudra: The Quintessence of Mind and Meditation (Dakpo Tashi Namgyal)
    • Translation by Lama Lobsang Lhalungpa (Tibetan root text available) *
    • Essentials of Mahamudra: Looking Directly at the Mind, a commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche *
    • A Meditation Guide For Mahamudra by Lama Thapkhay (Peter Barth) *
  2. Clarifying the Natural State (Dakpo Tashi Namgyal)
    • Translation by E. P. Kunsang (includes Tibetan root text) *
    • Crystal Clear, a commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche *
    • Piercing the Autumn Sky, introduction to Mahamudra by Lama Thapkhay (Peter Barth)
  3. Introduction to Mahamudra the Co-Emergent Unification (Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon)
    • Translation by Khenpo Konchok Tamphel (includes Tibetan root text) *
    • Mahamudra Teachings, a commentary by Garchen Rinpoche *
    • The Practice of Mahamudra by Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche
  4. The Practice of the Co-Emergent Mahamudra (Padma Karpo Ngawang Norbu)
    • Translation by A. Hoshin Sensei
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
    • The Yogins of Ladakh by Tipun, includes instructions from Geagen Khyentse
  5. The Song of Lodro Thaye (Jamgon Kongtrul)
    • Translation by E. P. Kunsang
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (in King of Samadhi)
    • Lamp of Mahamudra by Tsele Natsok Rangdrol
Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance Series
  1. Pointing Out the Dharmakaya (9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje)
    • Tibetan root text and English translation of root text available separately *
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (trans. Lama Y. Gyamtso) *
  2. The Mahamudra: Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance (9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje)
    • Translation by A. Berzin (Tibetan root text available) *
    • Commentary by Beru Khyentse Rinpoche *
  3. An Ocean of the Ultimate Meaning (9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje)
    • Tibetan root text and English translation of root text available separately
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (trans. P. A. Roberts)
    • Opening the Door to Certainty by Bokar Rinpoche (includes Tibetan root text)
  4. Creation and Completion: Essential Points of Tantric Meditation (Jamgon Kongtrul)
    • Translation by S. Harding (includes Tibetan root text)
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
    • Chenrezig meditations
  5. Dudjom Tersar Ngondro (Dudjom Rinpoche)
    • Translation by Yeshe Nyingpo (Tibetan root text available) *
    • Commentaries by Dudjom Rinpoche, Khenchen Palden Sherab and Lama Tharchin *
Treasury of Basic Space Series
  1. Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro (Jigme Lingpa)
    • The Dzogchen: Innermost Essence Preliminary Practice, translation and commentary by Tulku Thondup Rinpoche *
    • Includes corrected Tibetan root text
    • The Words of My Perfect Teacher, Patrul Rinpoche *
    • A Guide to The Words of My Perfect Teacher, Khenpo Ngawang Pelzang
  2. Three Verses Striking the Crucial Point (Patrul Rinpoche)
    • Lion's Gaze: A Commentary on Tsig Sum Nedak, commentary by Khenchen Palden Sherab, Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal (trans. S. Harding) *
    • Includes Tibetan root texts
  3. Treasures of Longchen Rabjam (Longchen Rabjam)
    • The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena and A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission, root text and commentary by Longchen Rabjam (trans. R. Barron, under Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche) *
    • The Precious Treasury of the Way of Abiding, root text and commentary by Longchen Rabjam (trans. R. Barron, under Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche)
    • Includes Tibetan root texts
  4. A Spacious Path to Freedom (Karma Chagme)
    • Translation by B. Alan Wallace. The key root text is a section of what is more commonly known as The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen *
    • Commentary by Gyatrul Rinpoche (in text) and Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (separately) *
    • The Union of Mahamudra & Dzogchen, a commentary by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche on a separate section of the root text of Karma Chagme
Songs of the Mahasiddhas Series
  1. Mahamudra and Related Instructions: Core Teachings of the Kagyu Schools
    • Translation by Peter Alan Roberts
    • Eleven texts chosen by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche including A String of Pearls: A Collection of Dharma Lectures by Gampopa, The Ultimate Supreme Path of Mahamudra by Lama Shang, and Instructions for the Mahamudra Innate Union by Rangjung Dorje, as well as eight other texts from various Kagyu lineages.
  2. Saraha's Doha for the King
    • Translation by Lama Y. Gyamtso
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (on DVD), based on Karma Trinley
    • A Song for the King: Saraha on Mahamudra Meditation by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, trans. P. O'Hearn & M. Martin (includes Tibetan root text) *
  3. The Life of Tilopa & The Ganges Mahamudra
    • Translation by J. Morrell *
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche *
    • Tibetan root text available separately
  4. The Songs of Naropa
    • Translation by E. P. Kunsang *
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche *
  5. Drinking the Mountain Stream: Inspiring Songs of Tibet's Beloved Saint, Milarepa
    • Translation by Lama Kunga Rinpoche and B. Cutillo
    • The Life and Spiritual Songs of Milarepa by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
  6. Prayer Flags: The Spiritual Songs of Jigten Sumgön
    • Translation by Ani T. Chödron
    • The Garland of Mahamudra Practices by Kunga Rinchen (trans. Khenchen K. Gyaltsen and K. Rogers)
    • Five-Fold Path of Mahamudra meditation by Chetsang Rinpoche (intended for those unable to do 3-year retreat)
  7. Mahamudra Teachings of the Supreme Siddhas (3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje, 8th Situ Rinpoche)
    • Translation by Lama S. Dorje. The key root text is more commonly known as the Aspiration of Mahamudra (Tibetan root texts available) *
    • Commentaries on Aspiration of Mahamudra by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche *
  8. Transcending Ego: Distinguishing Consciousness from Wisdom (3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje)
    • Translation by P. Roberts (Tibetan root text available)
    • Commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
  9. The Bardo: Intermediate States of Mind
    • Translation by Lama Y. Gyamtso
    • Commentary on Tsele Natsok Rangdrol's classic text on the Bardo is given by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (DVD & text)
    • Mirror of Mindfulness:The Cycle of the Four Bardos by Tsele Natsok Rangdrol
    • Shitro meditation
  10. The Cycle of Day and Night (Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche)
    • Translation by J. Reynolds (includes Tibetan root text)
    • Commentary by Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche
  11. Time, Space and Knowledge
    • A vision of Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche
    • Also Kum Nye - Tibetan massage and yoga

"Have a good heart, act with kindness; nothing is more important than that." - Patrul Rinpoche




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