DOC The Complete Nyingma Tradition from Sutra to Tantra; Books 1 to 10: Foundations of the Buddhist Path (Tsadra) by Choying Tobden Dorje in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Huge disappointment. Dry religious text with little no actionable process.By iffishI bought this - specifically in the Nyingma tradition - in the hope of sidestepping grinding religious indoctrination. After all; the Buddha himself said you shouldn't "believe" anything he said; you should practice the way he practiced and see for yourself.But if you spend your time reading religious tomes like this; how much time would you have left to actually sit? And if you spend your life writing tomes like this well....I'd call that a near complete waste of a precious human existence.The bulk of the book appears to be about following ritual so you don't burn in hell. It would fit right in with middle age Catholic dogma; I think: don't read the word of Jesus but follow the Pope instead.The translation; I must say; was obviously a monumental task - and appears very well done. As a scholarly work it is impressive and will give you a decent idea of how grinding life in Tibet must have been. But I'm not interested in wasting good meditation time reading page after page after page of religious dogma. I only wish the translation time could have been focused on something more pertinent to the modern world and personal practice in the West. It pains me to write this review; but unless you are specifically looking for a way to read historically anchored dogma; I suggest you pass on this purchase.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. UnenjoyableBy August LovegrenThe translator calls this Buddhist "comfort food." I am baffled. It is lists upon lists upon lists upon lists. It is cracked-earth dry.This book was supposedly by a lay practitioner of Buddhism; written for lay practitioners. I am once again baffled. I don't know who would be consulting this besides scholars and teachers.Unless you have an astronomically high boredom threshold; this book is not for you. If you don't believe me; please just try a sample before you buy it.1 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy richard vickA very good introduction to Nyngma ; but a bit complex for the ordinary reader.