Uncommon Happiness - by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Dzigar Kongtrul guides us through intelligent reasoning to identify our deluded perception of a truly existing self and shows us the key to awakening from this fundamental confusion. Rinpoche's brilliant commentary on the classical Indian Buddhist text, The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva is a testament to this inspiring teacher's compassionate and compelling style. Uncommon Happiness is saturated with advice from an adept practitioner of the Buddhist Path. By expounding the essential meaning of the engaged Buddhism and introducing skillful methods to utilize along the way, he reveals our innate wisdom mind and challenges us to meet and employ our intrinsic enlightened capacity.
In this extraordinary book, we have the unique opportunity to connect with a realized teacher, renown for his compassion and kindness, who skillfully teaches us how to reach that same level of conviction and certainty in our self. This clarification overflows with the genuine delight and humanity Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche embodies. These qualities transcend time, race, and place and are universal principles for all people to live by.
Here is a combination of primordial notions expounded in the 8th century and practiced throughout the world till the present time and a modern interpretation pertinent to contemporary audiences. These values include loving kindness, compassion, joy and impartiality as well as generosity, patience, discipline, morality, diligence, peaceful abiding and intelligence. Instructions to engage in these trainings are presented with clear and precise language, easy to comprehend and apply.

Review Quotes

"The thirteen short and well-edited chapters are centered on traditional topics such as rejoicing and the six paramitas, but they address a decidedly contemporary audience and are largely free of technical vocabulary."
--"Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly"

About the Author

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche is a former teacher at the prestigious Naropa Institute and founder of the spiritual group Mangala Shri Bhuti. He established the mountain retreat center Longchen Jigme Samten Ling in southern Colorado. When not living at his retreat, he travels worldwide teaching and furthering his own education.