Atisha
A biography of the renowned Buddhist sage
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Translated by Thubten Kelsang Rinpoche and Ngodrub
Paljor, with John Blofeld. First published by the Social
Science Association Press of Thailand, Bangkok, in 1974.
Reprinted by Mahayana Publications, Tushita Mahayana
Meditation Centre, New Delhi, 1983, 1984. ISBN 0 86171
015 0.
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Contents
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Forward
I wish to offer my congratulations
and express my appreciation and pleasure to the Tibetan Bhikshus,
Thubten Kalsang and Ngodrub Paljor, together with Mr. John
Blofeld of Great Britain,.all residents of Thailand, for preparing
and publishing this abridged translation into English of the
life and deeds of the incomparable Great Master Atisha.
The great being known as the
Venerable Master Atisha, Dipamkara Srijnana, was born in Bengal,
East India, in the second half of the tenth century. From
a very young age, he studied myriads of scriptural texts on
various subjects in harmony with his personal practice. He
became a great master-practitioner famous throughout India.
In coming to Tibet in the eleventh
century, Atisha eliminated all mistakes there from misunderstandings
and lack of understanding concerning the textual and oral
teachings of Hinayana and Mahayana as well as Tantrayana.
By illuminating the path of how to practice all the teachings
of the Buddha without any contradiction, he has been extremely
kind, especially to the Tibetans of the Land of the Snow.
Therefore, I offer my prayers and hopes that this publication
into English of the life and deeds of the Venerable Atisha
will be of vast benefit to many fortunate beings.
Gelong Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV
Dalai Lama
September 10, 1973
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