The Ri-me Philosophy of Jamgon Kongtrul the Great - by Ringu Tulku (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This compelling study of the Ri-me movement and of the major Buddhist lineages of Tibet is comprehensive and accessible. It includes an introduction to the history and philosophy of the Ri-me movement; a biography of the movement's leader, the meditation master and philosopher known as Jamgön Kongtrul the Great; helpful summaries of the eight lineages' practice-and-study systems, which point out the different emphases of the schools; an explanation of the most hotly disputed concepts; and an overview of the old and new tantras.

Jamgön Kongtrul the Great (1813-1899) is a giant in Tibetan history, renowned for his scholarly and meditative achievements, but also for his energetic yet evenhanded work to unify and strengthen the different lineages of Buddhism. The Ri-me movement, led by Kongtrul and several other leading scholars of the time, was a unifying effort to cut through interscholastic divisions and disputes that were occurring between the different lineages. These leaders sought appreciation of the differences and acknowledgment of the importance of variety in benefiting practitioners with different needs. The Ri-me teachers also took great care that the teachings and practices of the different schools and lineages, and their unique styles, did not become confused with one another. This lucid survey of the Ri-me movement will be of interest to serious scholars and practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.

Review Quotes

"In this new text, Naropa University professor Ringu Tulku presents an in-depth look at the Ri-me movement and its leader. Tulku's lucid history includes a biography of Jamgön Kongtrul the Great, summaries of the movement's philosophies, and the practices and views of the major Tibetan lineages."--Tricycle

"For those interested in the history of Buddhism as it was transmitted in Tibet, this history of the Ri-me movement, biography of Jamgön Kontrul Lodro Thaye, and history of the lineages is invaluable."--Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

"This is a marvelous survey of Tibetan Buddhism and the development of the Ri-me approach in the nineteenth century. Ringu Tulku writes with the authority of an insider. This is a must-read for all scholars and students, both Tibetan and Western."--E. Gene Smith, Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center at the Rubin Art Museum

"A seminal work from one of the great masters of Tibetan scholarship. With clarity, sophistication, and historical depth, Ringu Tulku outlines Ri-me, the most important Tibetan philosophy of the past two centuries, the guiding force throughout the practice traditions of Tibetan Buddhism."--Reginald A. Ray, author of Indestructible Truth and Secret of the Vajra World

About the Author

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche was born in Kham Lingtsang, in eastern Tibet, and was recognized by His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa as the incarnation of one of the tulkus of Ringu monastery, a Kagyüpa monastery in his home province. He studied with some of the most distinguished khenpos of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions and received teachings from many outstanding masters, including Thrangu Rinpoche, Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and the Gyalwang Karmapa. He is also the author of Path to Buddhahood and The Ri-me Philosophy of Jamgon Kongtrul.