In-depth explanations of sadhana & yidam practice according to Maha and Ati. The Light of Wisdom is a famous set of teachings covering the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment, especially that of Vajrayana. Based on Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, a spontaneous song by the ninth-century Indian master Padmasambhava.

The Light of Wisdom Vol. II contains the root terma or hidden treasure text of Padmasambhava, The Gradual Path of the Wisdom Essence and its commentary The Light of Wisdom by Jamgon Kongtrul the Great. Annotations on the commentary Entering the Path of Wisdom spoken by Jamyang Drakpa and recorded by Jokyab Rinpoche are included as well as clarifcations from other masters.

Volume II presents in-depth explanations of the Vajrajana Buddhist perspective. It begins with the nature of empowerment and the tantric commitments followed by the two stages of the path, development and completion.

To purify one’s being prior to entering the path of the natural state, one combines the development stage to the preliminaries for the path. To practice the actual natural state after having purified one’s being, the completion stage is the main part of the path.

Jamgon Kongtrul the Great

The root text of Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, a terma revealed by the great treasure-finder Chokgyur Lingpa, and its commentary by Kongtrul Rinpoche, the great translator in person, form together a complete scripture that embodies all the tantras, statements and instructions of the Nyingma School of the early translations, which is most rare to find in the past, present, or future.

Kyabje Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche, February 24, 1991

Let me tell you about the extraordinary scripture the Light of Wisdom. This basic text by Padmasambhava reads like a poetic song. As a guidance manual for practice, it is strikingly clear all by itself. The Light of Wisdom is immense in its scope, including virtually every aspect of the Buddhist path to enlightenment. Old Khyentse described it in these words: “This single volume, the size of my forearm, is worth more than one hundred yak-loads of scriptures.”

Accompanying this root text is an extensive commentary by the great Kongtrul. This document is truly a mind treasure, a revelation in its own right, written in incredible depth and detail—studded with abbreviations that require copious cross-referencing to numerous other scriptures.

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

Teachers consulted for transmission and clarifications:

Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche

Tulku Pema Wangyal Rinpoche

Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche

Lama Putse Pema Tashi

Khenpo Pema Sherab

Khenpo Tashi Palden

Khenpo Konchok Monlam

Prepared by Rangjung Yeshe Translations

Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery

Kathmandu, Nepal

Translator: Erik Pema Kunsang

Associate translator and editor: Marcia Binder Schmidt

Assistant editors: Michael Tweed and Dell O’Conner.

Publication Data:

The root text, Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, by Padmasambhava, as recorded by Yeshe Tsogyal, and revealed and decoded by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Chokgyur Lingpa. The commentary, The Light of Wisdom, by Jamgon Kongtrul the First. The notes, Entering The Path of Wisdom, by Jamyang Drakpa, as recorded by Jokyab Rinpoche. Supplemented with clarifying remarks by Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse and Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Translated from the Tibetan according to the teachings of Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche by Erik Pema Kunsang. Edited by Marcia Binder Schmidt.

The Root Text: bla ma’i thugs sgrub rdo rje drag rtsal las zhal gdams lam rim ye shes snying po pad ma sam bha’i snying thig go. The Commentary: bla ma’i thugs sgrub rdo rje drag rtsal las, zhal gdams lam rim ye shes snying po’i ‘grel pa ye shes snang ba rab tu rgyas pa. The Notes: bla med nang rgyud sde gsum gyi rgyab chos pad-ma’i zhal gdams lam rim ye snying ‘grel pa ye shes snang ba’i zur rgyan brgyud ldan bla ma’i zhal rgyun rnams brjed byang gcig bsdus ye shes lam ‘jug.

isbn 962-7341-33-9 (pbk.)

1. THE LIGHT OF WISDOM, Vol. II. 2. Eastern philosophy — Buddhism. 3. Vajrayana — Tibet. I. Title.

Line drawings courtesy of © Shechen Achives, by artists Konchog Lhadripa, Wangdu, and Oleshey

Cover Art courtesy of Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche

Cover photo: Graham Sunstein