Bringing Mind Training to Life

An engaging and lively exploration by Shamar Rinpoche of the frequently studied Buddhist subject called lojong, or mind training. Shamar Rinpoche bases his discussion on a classic text by the eminent sixteenth-century Buddhist teacher, the Fifth Shamarpa. As elucidated by Shamar Rinpoche, the material is made especially applicable for our modern-day lives. Topics included in the book such as “Transforming adverse circumstances into the path of awakening” are exceptionally relevant for us to explore today. Shamar Rinpoche gave these teachings at a program less than two weeks before his passing. The presentation reflects the richness of the author’s life as a Buddhist master of his stature—a rare offering from which we can all benefit.

Shamar Rinpoche, Mipham Chökyi Lodrö (1952–2014), was the Fourteenth Shamarpa. Born in Derge, Tibet, Shamar Rinpoche was recognized by the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa in 1957 and by the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. Shamar Rinpoche was an accomplished Buddhist master and teacher, respected and cherished by many students of Buddhism the world over. In 1996, he began organizing Bodhi Path Buddhist Centers, a network of centers covering many continents, in which a non-sectarian approach to meditation is practiced. In addition, over the years, Shamar Rinpoche founded several non-profit organizations worldwide engaged in charitable activities, including projects to provide schooling for children born into poverty, and an organization committed to promoting animal rights.