LTWA Books

A new and precise verse rendition of one of Mahayana Buddhism's finest poetic treatise concerning the bodhisattva's practice and training. The translation by Stephen Batchelor is based upon a commentary by the 14th century Tibetan saint Thogme Zangpo.

The Confession Sutra and Vajrasattva Practice 
The Confession of Downfalls contains translations along with extensive commentaries to the two main sutra and tantra practices of mental purification in Tibetan Buddhism, the Sutra of Three Heaps and the visualization and mantra recitation of Vajrasattva.- The commentaries include excerpts from a sastra by the Indian master Nagarjuna to the Sutra of Three Heaps and both practices are supplemented by verbally transmitted commentaries from The Tibetan lamas Geshe…

From the collected works of the II, V, VII and XII Dalai Lamas

This work was written by the th Dali Lama. The prayer is a supplication to Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava written in 24 quatrain verses including a colophon. The verses use a mixture of Budhhist terminology combined with Tibetan historical references to create what is a petition for the welfare of the Tibetan nation during the 17th century.

Paths and Aspirations of the Enlightened Ones is a book of Buddhist teachings drawn from the Kanjur and Tanjur, the two major Tibetan Buddhist canons containing the collection of Buddha’s teachings and their commentaries by Indian masters respectively. Containing prayers exclusively of the Sutrayana Tradition, this book serves as a recitation manual for all pilgrims to the holy places. It can be read at important Buddhist religious ceremonies and also as a daily reading practice for interested individuals.

The important small volume, Advice from Buddha Sakyamuni, on the discipline to be observed by monks following the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, is based on the Intermediary Verses of the Vinaya Sutra. His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet has composed this work for the benefit of all beings, and gives a concise but thorough commentary on the monastic vows and how to uphold them in a pure manner.
However, it should be noted that His focus on the necessity and…

The origin of Tara tantra, though dependent on legends and largely anecdoctal, has nevertheless about it a strong feeling of historic time and provides an important and accurate account of the lineages of the Siddhas who worshiped Tara and passed on her Upadesas, revelations and Tantra.

A verbally transmitted teaching elucidating the ordinary as well as the extraordinary practices which are prerequistie for anyone embarking on higher meditations. The explanation is based on a text by the Duk-pa Kagyud Lama, Padma Karpo.

A Hundred Customs and Traditions of Tibetan People puts together everyday beliefs, practices, observances, and mannerisms of living life enriched by thousands of years of spiritual consciousness. Though it is hard to condense the rich customs and traditions of Tibet into it. From ceremonial rites, auspicious days and symbols to everyday beliefs, Tibetan opera and various kinds of dance forms to the five schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The tradition of naming a newborn to…

The Essence of this book is twenty four letters stored for decades on the shelves of the National Museums of Buriatia reproduced here for the first time both as facsimile copies and in english traslation. the letters cover a pivotal period of modern Tibets history.1911-1925 When the great game entered its last dramatic stage. The Britist Raj and Russian emperor, Bolsheviks and academic Explorers, Chinese President and French Travelers-all these personages are discussed in the letters penned by the most…

How can we reduce the violent going on around us and lead happier more meaningful lives? What can we do to change a fearful or anxious state of mind into one that is relaxed, happy and compassionate in order to benefit ourselves and others?
In this book, the authors provide impressive answers and practical solution to these questions. By bringing forward the combined 20-year work of Western Scientists and Tibetan Meditatiors (including the Mind &…

 this compilation of articles of Geshe Palden Drakpa published under the title ‘Freeing Yourself from the Cycle’. Geshe Palden Drakpa can be counted as one of the greatest Buddhist scholars living today in exile. The compilation here can be categorized into two parts. The first is dealing more with the philosophical aspects like the concept of ‘creator’ and protector’, and the nature of existence. The second part deals more with the practical features, such as generation of love…

Human consciousness looks out into the cosmos and tries to make sense of the Universe we inhabit. Our theories about the physics of the Universe were created by our brains and minds. And it is incredible that single individuals, through thinking, can invent a theory that describes the whole Universe. Yet, as we explore the outer limits of the Universe, can our thinking also lead us to examine our own capacity to understand? Are there some profound connections…

Bodhichary?vat?ra, composed in the 8th century A.D. by the Indian scholar ??ntideva, is one of the most celebrated texts of Mah?y?na Buddhism. Its Tibetan translation is included in the Tengyur. ?ch?rya ??ntideva himself was a bodhisattva and a realized tantric adept and his writings have a universal, timeless appeal. Many ancient scholars wrote Sanskrit commentaries on Bodhichary?vat?ra, prominent among them being Vibhutichandra, Krishnap?da, Kamal?ila, Vairochan and Prajn?karamati. Besides its Tibetan translation by such masters as Sarvajnadeva, Dharmas?ibhadra and…

The figure of Tilopa is familiar in tibetan buddhism. What is less popular is that his words and teachings, before reaching the tibetan plateau, were uttered in India and had to pass through Nepal: A fact which would deserve more attention than Before. This book is a sort of portrait of that bengali siddha of the tenth century. In the first chapter, a geographical and historical background is painted. a landscape of waters kings polities and cities, based on epigraphical…

This textbook will thus not only help you to acquire language skills in colloquial Tibetan, it will simultaneously introduce you to a whole new manner of thinking and viewing yourself and the world.

Unlike all other spoken Tibetan Language textbooks that I’m aware of, this one (almost) does not make use of grammatical terms and categories commonly used in European Languages. Instead, you will become familiar with the notions, logic and categorizations that are used by Tibetans themselves:…