Why read Enlightened Beings?

Book cover of Enlightened Beings: Life Stories from the Ganden Oral Tradition

Book description

Here, for the first time in any Western language, are the sacred biographies of six great tantric meditators from the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. These life stories - or namtar - are actually tales of liberation. Part of a distinct tradition in Tibetan Buddhism, they are meant not only…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Enlightened Beings as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Lorne Ladner

Author

This book does a remarkable job of exploring the nature of spiritual biography itself. It compares and contrasts Western hagiographical traditions with the unique ways that Tibetans (and other Central Asians) use outer, inner, and secret biographies not only to share the stories of great Buddhist masters but also to share history, inspiration, and implicit teachings to apply to one's own practice of the path. Willis explores these themes in complex ways and also provides translations of the life stories of 6 Tibetan lamas of the Ganden tradition who combined profound scholarly and deep yogic pursuits in unique ways.

From Lorne's list on The best biographies within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.