The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Awakening Wisdom
Pema Wangyal
Shambhala Publications, Inc.
300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4544
www.shambhala.com
9781645471639, $21.95, PB, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Wisdom-Fundamental-Practices-Vajrayana/dp/= 1645471632

Synopsis: For those new to Tibetan Buddhism, "Awakening Wisdom: Heart Advic=
e on the Fundamental Practices of Vajrayana Buddhism" by Pema Wangyal is a = short work will help them to get started with their practice. For those who=
are well steeped in these teachings, "Awakening Wisdom) will remind them o=
f the essentials points. Framed as a commentary on the Tersar Ngondro by Du= djom Rinpoche.

"Awakening Wisdom" is geared toward connecting people with practice.

Part I covers motivation, posture and breathing, mantra practice, and the f= our reflections that turn the mind toward Buddhist practice.

Part II covers mantras and tonglen, the compassion practice that helps us c= onnect to the suffering of others.

Part III provides guidance about the preliminary practices themselves: the = practice of the threefold refuge; generating the altruistic mind, or bodhic= hitta; purification practice; mandala offering; and Guru Yoga, explaining h=
ow each practice is the antidote to a particular cause of suffering, or "po= ison". It also includes precious guidance about the Vajra Guru mantra and t=
he transference of consciousness at the moment of death.

While these may seem like technical subjects (and this is indeed a traditio= nal presentation) Pema Wangyal's writing is suffused with warmth and tender= ness, making "Awakening Wisdom" quite accessible and inviting -- especially=
to beginners.

Critique: Impressively well written, organized and thoroughly 'reader frien= dly in presentation, "Awakening Wisdom: Heart Advice on the Fundamental Pra= ctices of Vajrayana Buddhism" is exceptionally informative and highly recom= mended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Buddhism=
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted = for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest=
in Buddhism that "Awakening Wisdom" is also readily available in a digital=
book format (Kindle, $16.99).

Editorial Note: Pema Wangyal (b. 1945), the first son of Kangyur Rinpoche, =
is the main resident master of the three-year Nyingmapa retreats in Dordogn=
e, France, director of the Association du Centre d'Etudes de Chanteloube, a=
nd founder of the Padmakara Translation Group. Under the guidance of Kyabje=
Kangyur Rinpoche, Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, = and other great masters of Tibetan Buddhism, Pema Wangyal Rinpoche has stud= ied extensively, his learning confirmed by years of intensive practice. At = the request of Dharma groups and institutions around the world, Rinpoche ha=
s been active as a teacher since 1975, giving public talks, leading seminar=
s, and providing individual guidance. Since 1980, Rinpoche has personally s= upervised the traditional three-year retreat of intensive study and practic=
e in Dordogne, France. In 1999, he inaugurated a series of retreats in para= llel with the three-year retreat, thus enabling Buddhist practitioners with=
family responsibilities to engage in serious and sustained practice. (http= s://buddhanature.tsadra.org/index.php/People/Wangyal,_Pema)

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