The story of Guru Rinpoche’s visit to Tibet and significant influence on its Buddhist history during the eighth and ninth centuries, recounted by four prominent Tibetan scholars.

This book recounts Guru Rinpoche’s historic visit to Tibet and explains his continuing significance to Buddhists. Through a series of historical texts written by prominent Tibetan Buddhist masters, this book recounts the life and legacy of Padmasambhava, The Lotus-Born, better known as Guru Rinpoche. Credited with transmitting Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century CE during the last century of the Tibetan Empire, Guru Rinpoche fostered radical changes to Tibet, marking historic transformations in the country’s religious and political position. Having converted Tibet into a largely Buddhist society, Guru Rinpoche’s influence remains a central force in Tibetan identity and practice today.

Guru Rinpoche offers an account of his life through four distinct accounts, including:

• A biography by Jamgon Kongtrul
• A biography by Dorje Tso from a revelation by Sera Khandro
• An Indian version of his life by Tarnata
• The Bön version of his life by Jamyong Kyentse Wongpo

In addition, the book includes a selection of supplications and Buddhist poetry praising the Lotus-Born master, Guru Rinpoche.

Ngawang Zangpo's profile page

Ngawang Zangpo (Hugh Leslie Thompson) completed two three-year retreats under the direction of the late Kalu Rinpoche. He is presently working on a number of translation projects under the direction of Chadral Rinpoche and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche. He has also contributed to Kalu Rinpoche's translation group's books Myriad Worlds and Buddhist Ethics.

“The presence of Guru Rinpoché, a figure so important to Tibetan Buddhists he is called simply ‘The Precious Master,’ can be felt still in each of these liberating stories translated here. Read side-by-side, they reveal an even wider picture, deftly highlighted by Ngawang Zangpo’s introduction of how history and culture interact with the inner spirituality that is beyond time and place.”
—Sarah Harding, author of Creation and Completion
“With a thought-provoking introduction and stimulating cultural, religious, and literary insights, this new work will certainly be enjoyed by everyone interested in the vast spiritual legacy of the ‘Second Buddha’ in Tibet.”
—Cyrus Stearns, author of The Buddha from Dölpo