Description
In Tibetan Buddhism, Mahamudra represents a perfected level of meditative realization: it is the inseparable union of wisdom and compassion, of emptiness and skilful means. These eight-four masters, some historical, some archetypal, accomplished this practice in India where they lived between the eighth and twelfth centuries. Leading unconventional lives, the siddhas include some of the greatest Buddhist teachers; Tilopa, Naropa and Saraha among then. Through many years of study, Keith Dowman has collected their songs of realization and the legends about them. In consultation with contemporary teachers he gives a commentary on each of the great adepts and culls from available sources what we know of their history.
Dowman’s extensive Introduction traces the development of tantra and discusses the key concept of Mahamudra. In a lively and illuminating style, he unfolds the deeper understandings of mind that the text encodes. His treatment of the many parallels to contemporary psychology and experience makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of human nature.
