Meditative States in Tibetan Buddhism

Meditative States gives a vivid and detailed account of the meditative practices necessary to develop a calm alert mind that is capable of penetrating the depths of reality. In this precise and lucid work, two prominent modern Tibetan lamas - Lati Rinbochay and Denma Locho Rinbochay - present comprehensive explanations of the mental states attained through meditation. Discussing step-by-step the practice of meditation itself, they provide us with practical antidotes to the various obstacles that may arise in meditation. At the same time, they intersperse their presentations with captivating descriptions of the sometimes fantastic, sometimes astonishing cosmology that provides the background and context for Buddhist practice. Their erudite and experienced expositions are enlivened as well by their compassion and humor, so typical of the Tibetan scholastic and yogic traditions. Drawing on classic texts by Asanga, Maitreya, and Dzong-ka-ba on the topics of the mediative states known as the concentrations and the formless absorptions, the two lamas bring alive the learning experience of the Buddhist culture of Tibet. This new edition of Meditative States also contains a revised translation of the great Pan-chen So-nam drak-ba's "Explanation of the Concentrations and Formless Absorptions" from his wellknown treatise, the General Meaning of (Maitreya's) "Ornament for Clear Realization".