Reflections on a Mountain Lake: Teachings on Practical Buddhism

by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

Overview

“Tenzin Palmo is one of the most genuine and accomplished of western practitioners. Her voice is simple and pure, wise and true.” —Jack Kornfield, author of Path with a Heart

This sparkling collection of Dharma teachings by Tenzin Palmo addresses issues of common concern to Buddhist practitioners from all traditions. Personable, witty, and insightful, Tenzin Palmo presents an inspiring and no-nonsense view of Buddhist practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781645471424
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	07/04/2023
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	1,109,185
Product dimensions:	6.03(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.84(d)

About the Author

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo was raised in London and became a Buddhist while still in her teens. At the age of twenty she traveled to India, becoming one of the first Westerners to be ordained as a Buddhist nun. The international bestseller Cave in the Snow chronicles her twelve years of seclusion in a remote cave. Deeply concerned with the plight of Buddhist nuns, she established Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in India. In 2008 His Holiness the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa, head of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage, gave her the rare title of Jetsunma (Venerable Master).

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Tenzin Palmo is one of the most genuine and accomplished of western practitioners. Her voice is simple and pure, wise and true."—Jack Kornfield, author of Path with a Heart

"Venerable Tenzin Palmo generously shares with us a life of practice. This book is clear, well-written, and a joy to read. The sincerity and motivation of Tenzin Palmo are a great example for all of us."—Martine Batchelor, author of Meditation for Life

"One of the true yoginis of our time, a woman who has dedicated her life to Buddhism, Tenzin Palmo brings her years of experience in a cave to offer us a down-to-earth, inspiring approach to the spiritual path. Tenzin Palmo is a voice we need to hear a woman who has fully experienced what she speaks about with absolute honesty, delightful humor, and real insight."—Tsultrim Allione, author of Women of Wisdom

"In this book, Ani Tenzin Palmo presents the most timely, profound, and lucid advice for all Buddhist practitioners. She has torn away the thousand veils that shroud our self-deceptions. She speaks with the humility of experience rather than charisma, her words resonating with the naked simplicity of clarity and wisdom. Her voice constantly reminds me of everything I have ever loved and perceived as truthful in this life."—Robert Beer, author of The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs

Editorial Reviews

Excellent writing and a solid grasp of their subjects mark the efforts of these two authors. While both treat aspects of Buddhist thought, Boorstein's perspective derives from the Mahayana school, while Palmo's tradition is Tibetan. Boorstein (That's Funny, You Don't Look Buddhist) focuses on the ten paramitas (perfections of the heart), which include generosity, morality, renunciation, wisdom, energy, patience, truthfulness, determination, lovingkindness, and equanimity, and she devotes a chapter to each. (Of course, concepts like wisdom and equanimity are also a part of Tibetan Buddhism, but they operate differently in that tradition.) In each chapter, Boorstein follows the same format, first offering an explanation of what the particular paramita means within Buddhism, then instructing us on how to use the concept effectively in meditation, and finally illustrating the paramita with stories that grow out of her own experience and usefully show how that quality can be applied in life. By contrast, Palmo, a Buddhist nun, begins with a brief account of her life and training in Tibetan Buddhism. She then considers many of the major concepts of this school, including the six realms (e.g., hell, which she describes as a mind filled with anger; shamatha, or calm abiding; and vajrayana, or meditation that makes use of visualization). In addition, Palmo provides some wonderfully informative and useful chapters such as "Women and the Path" and "Difficult Points for Westerners." The latter includes an insightful discussion of karma and rebirth. Boorstein treats a more limited subject matter, while Palmo offers both greater breadth and depth. Both books are recommended, not only because they treat material from different schools of Buddhist thought but because both offer thorough explanations of their chosen subjects. Furthermore, the stories used to illustrate and clarify the various topics are effective and interesting, offering clear illustrations of how the teachings can be applied to life. David Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernardino Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

One of the true yoginis of our time, a woman who has dedicated her life to Buddhism, Tenzin Palmo brings her years of experience in a cave to offer us a down-to-earth, inspiring approach to the spiritual path. . . . Palmo’s is a voice we need to hear, a woman who has fully experienced what she speaks about with an absolute honesty, delightful humor, and real insight.”—Tsultrim Allione, author of Feeding Your Demons and Women of Wisdom

“Tenzin Palmo is one of the most genuine and accomplished of Western practitioners. Her voice is simple and pure, wise and true.”—Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

“In her direct and compassionate style, Bhikshuni Tenzin Palmo gives us a lucid explanation of the Buddha’s teachings. This book is a delight to read.”—Thubten Chodron, author of Buddhism for Beginners

From the Publisher