Treasury of Esoteric Instructions, by Lama Dampa Sonam Gyaltsen, Virupa

Restricted Title

It is the strict instruction of His Holiness Sakya Trizin that this translation of Lama Dampa Sönam Gyaltsen's Treasury of Esoteric Instructions be made available only to people who have received the complete teachings of the Path with the Result or Lamdré.

The complete transmission of the Lamdré requires at least one month of continuous daily attendance. During this time you must have received the great two-day causal initiation (or empowerment) of Hevajra, the path initiation (or empowerment) of Hevajra, the complete teachings of the three appearances (or three visions) and the complete teachings of the three continua (or three tantras). It is not sufficient to have received only one of these initiations or only some of these teachings. See below for complete instructions.

To order a copy of this book you must answer the following questions (in an email to [email protected]):

What is the name of the Tibetan master from whom you received the complete Lamdré teachings and initiations (as described above)?

When did you receive the complete Lamdré teachings and initiations?

Where did you receive the complete Lamdré teachings and initiations?

No telephone orders will be accepted. To order through our website, you must answer the three questions above in the comments section of the checkout form. Without precise answers to the three questions Shambhala Publications is not authorized to sell this book. Shambhala is also not authorized to negotiate these requirements with anyone. Please respect the wishes of His Holiness Sakya Trizin and do not attempt to purchase this book unless you have received the complete Lamdré teachings and initiations as described here.

The Lamdré, or the Path with the Result, is the most important system of tantric practice in the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The goddess Vajra Nairatmya first transmitted these teachings to the Indian adept Virupa (ca. seventh–eighth centuries) who then composed the Vajra Lines. Virupa’s words were transmitted orally until the Tibetan master Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092–1158) wrote eleven commentaries to explain them. Two hundred years later in 1342, Lama Dampa Sönam Gyaltsen (1312–75) composed the Treasury of Esoteric Instructions, the culminating commentary on Virupa’s work. According to His Holiness Sakya Trizin, there have been many treatises of commentary on the intention of the Vajra Lines. However this Treasury of Esoteric Instructions, the commentary composed by the sovereign of the doctrine Lama Dampa Sönam Gyaltsen Palsangpo of the Khön family, has many special qualities and is clearer and more easily understood than others, suitably elaborate and precise in drawing out the key points.

This book contains translations of Virupa’s Vajra Lines and Lama Dampa’s Treasury of Esoteric Instructions. Issued as a separate booklet is a translation of Pleasure Grove for the Intelligent, a structural commentary on the Vajra Lines written by Jamgön Ameshap Ngawang Kunga Sönam (1597–1659).