Part of my exploration of Tibetan Buddhism is historical research. I like tracing lineages of teachers and the people that they have learned from. Each of us has a unique path that is all our own but sometimes the paths meet in surprising ways.
Za Choje Rinpoche's focus for 2012 has been 'The Courage of The Bodhisattva'. The text that he is giving commentary on is the 8th Chapter of Shantideva's classic 'The Way of the Bodhisattva'. I attended a teaching by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tucson on this very chapter. HHDL is a the root guru of Za Rinpoche. So, to receive instruction on this text by the teacher and the teacher's teacher is most fortunate and I'm very, very grateful for the opportunity.
HHDL received teachings on 'The Way of the Bodhisattva' from Khunu Rinpoche, who also wrote a wonderful poetic masterpiece, "Vast as the Heavens, Deep as the Sea: Verses in Praise of Bodhicitta." In order to strengthen my connection to this year's focus, I looked into the line of transmission a little further and found this incredible text by Khunu Rinpoche.
I received the book the other day and immediately started to read it. I ripped open the parcel and sat down to read. Not only did I read the book but I read the 200+ poetic verses out loud. The only other text that I've ever done that with was a book called 'The White Lotus', which is a commentary by Mipham Rinpoche on the Vajra Guru mantra of Padmasambhava.
Highly recommended!
--GK Sandoval
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