The Instructions of Gampopa

Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche delivers profound insights in direct and inspiring language. In this commentary on the Precious Garland, one of Gampopa's masterworks, he outlines what practitioners of varying levels need to know to perfect their spiritual practice. He instructs on the correct view, meditation, and conduct, and offers frank answers to common questions concerning obstacles to Dharma practice.

Gampopa (1070–1153) was the father of the Kagyu tradition and foremost student of Milarepa.Khenpo Karthar, born in 1922 in eastern Tibet, entered Thrangu Monastery at the age of twelve, where he underwent many years of training, long retreats, pilgrimages, and philosophical studies. After the Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1959, Rinpoche escaped to India, where he taught for some years at Buxa and later at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim. He served as abbot of Tashi Choling Monastery in Bhutan, and then at Tilokpur Nunnery in northern India. In 1978, the Sixteenth Karmapa sent Rinpoche to the United States to teach dharma and to serve as his chief representative in this country. Today Rinpoche is the abbot of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery in Woodstock, New York, and retreat master of the Karme Ling Three-Year Retreat Center.