"Creation and Completion contains both a clearly printed, very readable Tibetan text and a lucid, almost flawless English translation. An excellent book."
Creation and Completion
Essential Points of Tantric Meditation
Description
Creation and Completion represents some of the most profound teachings of Jamgon Kongtrul (1813-99), one of the true spiritual and literary giants of Tibetan history. Though brief, it offers a lifetime of advice for all who wish to engage in-and deepen-the practice of tantric Buddhist meditation.
The original text, beautifully translated and introduced by Sara Harding, is further brought to life by an in-depth commentary by the contemporary master Thrangu Rinpoche. Key Tibetan Buddhist fundamentals are quickly made clear, so that the reader may confidently enter into tantra's oft-misunderstood "creation" and "completion" stages.
In the creation stage, practitioners visualize themselves in the form of buddhas and other enlightened beings in order to break down their ordinary concepts of themselves and the world around them. This meditation practice prepares the mind for engaging in the completion stage, where one has a direct encounter with the ultimate nature of mind and reality.
Reviews
"Creation and completion meditation is the cornerstone of tantric Buddhist practice, and draws upon a rich array of techniques and presumptions relating to moral culitvation. This book will be of great interest to both scholars and practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism."
"An exceptionally important text. It will answer all questions and resolve all doubts about Vajrayana practice."
"Mahamudra meditation is a 'completion stage' practice--completion because, like zazen, it represents fruition on the spot as opposed to a gradual buildup. Tantric techniques that develop gradually to that completion are called 'creation stage' practices. Sarah Harding's translation of Jamgon Kongtrul's Creation and Completion covers both bases but is especially useful for its detailed treatment of the visualization practices in the creation stage. It is, in fact, a point-by-point guide to this contemplative world of imagined mandalas and deities. This edition comes with a new commentary by Thrangu Rinpoche and a long, thoughtful introduction on visualization practice. Even though advanced practitioners will want to study this book, it's also designed to help beginners."
