The latest offering from a renowned translator in the Buddhist world of one of the most important texts in the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. This translation was made at the request of the head of the Sakya tradition.

Ornament to Beautify the Three Appearances is the first book of a two-volume set of works written by Ngorchen Könchok Lhundrup (1497-1557) to explain the Lamdré teachings, the most important system of tantric theory and practice in the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Lamdré, or Path with the Result, is based on the Vajra Lines of the great Indian adept Virupa (ca. seventh-eighth centuries). The first topic is the fundamental meditative practices of Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism. In the Lamdré teachings, these preliminary instructions are known as the Three Appearances. The guiding instructions on impure appearance are for the purpose of developing renunciation. These focus on the defects of samsara; the rarity, benefit, and transience of human life; and the nature of positive and negative actions and results. The guiding instructions on the appearance of the experiences are for the purpose of producing the altruistic intent. These focus on developing love, compassion, and bodhicitta, and on cultivating joy now about the uncommon experiences that will arise later when practicing the Vajrayana teachings. The guiding instructions on pure appearance are for the purpose of producing enthusiasm for the ultimate result of complete awakening. These briefly describe the inconceivable nature of a buddha's enlightened body, speech, and mind.

Having absorbed these preliminary instructions, the practitioner may go on to the second volume of Ngorchen's works, a restricted text that explains the main tantric practices of the Three Continua, intended for students who have at least received the great initiation of Hevajra. Volume 2 is available in a restricted box set that includes this first volume and may be obtained only on the Wisdom Publications website.

Author: Ngorchen Könchok Lhundrup
Publisher: Wisdom Publications
Published: 04/19/2022
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 8.80h x 6.20w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781614297239

About the Author
Ngorchen Könchok Lhundrup (1497-1557) -- In 1429 the Sakya master Ngorchen Kunga Sangpo (1382-1456) founded the monastery of Ngor Ewam Chöden, which became a vibrant center for the ancient teachings of Sakya, especially the Lamdré and other tantric transmissions. In 1534, after many years of study and meditation, Ngorchen Könchok Lhundrup became the tenth abbot of Ngor Monastery. From then on, he bestowed the complete Lamdré teachings every year at Ngor, quickly becoming known as one of the greatest masters of the Sakya tradition, famous for the brilliance and clarity of his spoken teachings and the eloquence and authority of his written works. In 1543 he composed the Ornament to Beautify the Three Appearances, a masterful explication of the preliminary practices of the Lamdré, and in 1552 completed the Ornament to Beautify the Three Continua, a consummate work on the main practices of the Lamdré. Könchok Lhundrup's writings on a vast range of subjects remain indispensable for understanding Buddhist practice and theory in the Sakya tradition today, nearly five hundred years after they were written.

Cyrus Stearns first began to study Buddhism with Dezhung Rinpoche (1906-87) in 1973. Since that time he has studied with and translated for many Tibetan teachers, especially Dezhung Rinpoche and Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. Cyrus has a PhD in Buddhist studies from the University of Washington and lived for about eight years in Nepal, India, and Southeast Asia. Among his other publications are The Buddha from Dolpo, Hermit of Go Cliffs, and Luminous Lives. Cyrus has three daughters and lives on Whidbey Island, Washington.

Ornament to Beautify the Three Appearances: The Mahayana Preliminary Practices of the Sakya Lamdré Tradition