Masters of Mahamudra : songs and histories of the eighty-four Buddhist siddhas / Keith Dowman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dowman, Keith, author.

Series:

SUNY series in Buddhist studies.

SUNY series in Buddhist studies

Standardized Title:

Caturaśitisiddhipravr̥tti. English

Language:

English

Undetermined

Subjects (All):

Siddhas--Biography--Early works to 1800.

Siddhas.

Tantric Buddhism--India--Early works to 1800.

Tantric Buddhism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource ; illustations

Place of Publication:

Albany, New York : State University of New York Press, [1985]

Summary:

In Tibetan Buddhism, Mahamudra represents a perfected level of meditative realization: it is the inseparable union of wisdom and compassion, of emptiness and skillful means. These eighty-four masters, some historical, some archetypal, accomplished this practice in India where they lived between the eighth and twelfth centuries. Leading unconventional lives, the siddhas include some of the greatest Buddhist teachers; Tilopa, Naropa, and Marpa among them. Through many years of study, Keith Dowman has collected and translated their songs of realization and the legends about them. In consultation with contemporary teachers, he gives a commentary on each of the Great Adepts and culls from available resources what we can know of their history. Dowman's extensive Introduction traces the development of tantra and discusses the key concepts of the Mahamudra. In a lively and illuminating style, he unfolds the deeper understandings of mind that the texts encode. His treatment of the many parallels to contemporary psychology and experience makes a valualbe contribution to our understanding of human nature.

Notes:

Includes indexes.

Bibliography: pages [431]-433.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-4384-0148-5