In Tibetan religious literature, Jamgon Kongtrul`s Treasury of Knowledge in ten volumes stands out as a unique encyclopedic masterpiece embodying the entire range of Buddhist teachings.
This volume, Buddhist Ethics, is the fifth book from the Treasury and is considered by many scholars to be its heart. Jamgon Kongtrul explains the complete code of personal liberation as it applies to both monastic and lay persons, the precepts for those aspiring to the life of a bodhisattva, and the exceptional pledges for practitioners on the tantric path of pure perception. The translators have been thorough and careful, graciously providing the commentary received in an annoted section ~ the notes themselves could almost be published as a separate work!
Beginning students are confused by the differences between Tantric practice and the well-known monastic tradition of Buddhism. This book puts it all together and explains in detail how both are practiced simultaneously. The bibliography to the book is a treasure map of resources, while the text provides careful and necessary explanations of the meaning of vows and wangs.
For very advanced students, Jamgon Kongtrul put no sect of Buddhism above another, and studied all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism thoroughly. Consequently this is an excellent guide for students of different schools to clearly understand philosophical commonalities and differences, breaking down biases and misunderstandings. This is especially valuable in his even-handed, thorough description of Highest Yoga Tantra, and Maha, Anu and Ati Yoga Tantra.
"Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Tayé was one of the leading scholars of the nineteenth century. He broke through sectarian constraints and achieved a deep understanding of the the different philosophical approaches in Tibet. I have no doubt that by studying Kongtrul's works readers will be inspired to emulate his great qualities of humility, dedication, patience, and nonsectarianism. H.H. the Dalai Lama
