Read Introduction to Tantra: The Transformation of Desire Online

Authors: Lama Thubten Yeshe,Philip Glass

Tags: #Tantra, #Sexuality, #Buddhism, #Mysticism, #Psychology, #Self-help

Introduction to Tantra: The Transformation of Desire (24 page)

Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s
Teachings from the Vajrasattva Retreat
is available for sale through Wisdom Publications. You will find these and many more teachings on our website, Lama
Yeshe.com.

The Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive,

PO Box 356, Weston MA 02493

Tel: (781) 899-9587

A bout Wisd om

WISDOM PUBLICATIONS, a not-for-profit publisher, is dedicated to making available authentic Buddhist works for the benefit of all. We publish translations of the sutras and tantras, commentaries and teachings of past and contemporary Buddhist masters, and original works by the world’s leading Buddhist scholars. We publish our titles with the appreciation of Buddhism as a living philosophy and with the special commitment to preserve and transmit important works from all the major Buddhist traditions.

Visit us online at
wisdompubs.org
to see our whole catalog of titles and read excerpts and reviews. Or, please contact us at: Wisdom Publications

199 Elm Street, Somerville, Massachusetts O2144 USA

Telephone: (617) 776-7416 • Fax: (617) 776-7841

Email: [email protected] •
www.wisdompubs.org

TH E WI SDOM TRUST

As a not-for-profit publisher, Wisdom Publications is dedicated to the publication of fine Dharma books for the benefit of all sentient beings and dependent upon the kindness and generosity of sponsors in order to do so. If you would like to make a donation to Wisdom, please do so through our Somerville office. If you would like to sponsor the publication of a book, please write or email us for more information. Thank you.

Wisdom Publications is a nonprofit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization and affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT).

A l so A va il a bl e f rom Wisd om Publ ic a tions

WISDOM ENERGY

Basic Buddhist Teachings

Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche

160 pages, 0-86171-170-X, $14.95

In this warm and compelling volume, two renowned teachers of Tibetan Buddhism present an entire meditation course. With humor and clarity, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa help us to uncover and renounce causes of unhappiness, grasp the purpose of meditation, and realize the advantages of acting with enlightened motives in the interests of all beings. These teachings are simple and straightforward, yet they open the door to true realization.

“Wonderful. Filled with profound wisdom and useful advice,
Wisdom
Energy
demonstrates the authors’ remarkable talent for illuminating sometimes complex ideas in a manner that is easily grasped by Westerners.

I highly recommend this exceptional book.”

—Howard C. Cutler, M.D., co-author of The Art of Happiness

THE BLISS OF INNER FIRE

Heart Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa
Lama Yeshe

224 pages, 0-86171-136-X, $16.95

In this collection of his last major teachings, Lama Yeshe illuminates the advanced practices for Highest Yoga Tantra, inspiring his students to discover for themselves their own capacity for inexhaustible bliss. Following Je

Tsongkhapa’s text,
Having the Three Convictions,
Lama Yeshe introduces the renowned Six Yogas of Naropa, focusing mainly on the first of these six, the practice of inner fire
(tummo).
Mastery of inner fire quickly brings the mind to its most refined and penetrating state—the experience of clear light, an extraordinarily powerful state of mind that is unequaled in its ability to directly realize ultimate reality.

“Wisdom Publications has put out a wonderful series on Tibetan Buddhism.

The Bliss of Inner Fire
is one of their best.”

—The Review of Arts, Literature, Philosophy, and the Humanities

BECOMING VAJRASATTVA

The Tantric Path of Purificatoin

Lama Yeshe

352 pages, 0-86171-389-3, $17.95

Purification of the mind is essential for anybody who wishes to advance along the spiritual path. In this wonderful book, Lama Yeshe explains one of the most powerful practices in the vast array of Buddhist meditations. Included is a complete review of retreat instructions—required reading for anyone undertaking a meditation retreat in the Tibetan tradition.

First published in 1987

Wisdom Publications

199 Elm Street

Somerville, MA 02144 USA

www.wisdompubs.org

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system or technologies now known or later developed, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thubten Yeshe, 1935–1984

Introduction to Tantra : the transformation of desire / by Lama Thubten Yeshe ; compiled and edited by Jonathan Landaw ; foreword by Philip Glass.—Rev. ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

eISBN : 978-0-861-71997-6

1. Tantric Buddhism—Doctrines. 2. Spiritual life—Tantric Buddhism.

I. Landaw, Jonathan. II. Title

BQ8918.3.T58 2001

294.3’444—dc21 2001035039

This book was produced with environmental mindfulness. We have elected to print this title on 30% PCW recycled paper. As a result, we have saved the following resources: 15 trees, 5 million BTUs of energy, 1,381 lbs. of greenhouse gases, 6,652 gallons of water, and 404 lbs. of solid waste. For more information, please visit our website,
www.wisdompubs.org.
This paper is also FSC certified.

For more information, please visit
www.fscus.org

Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1 - Basic Purity

SHAKYAMUNI, THE FOUNDER OF BUDDHISM

FUNDAMENTAL PURITY OF THE MIND

THE TANTRIC APPROACH

THE PRINCIPLE OF TRANSFORMATION

Chapter 2 - Desire and Happiness

DESIRE, FRUSTRATION, AND SELF-CONTROL