Jamgon Mipam

Jamgön Mipam (1846—1912) was one of the most extraordinary figures in the history of Tibet. He shaped the trajectory of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition that traces its history back to the early transmission of Buddhism from India in the eighth century. Herein we have an introduction to the life and works of this extraordinary teacher.

The book is organized into three main sections:

The first section provides some general background, and gives the reader context for understanding Mipam’s life and works. It touches upon some important features of Buddhist traditions in India and Tibet, providing a background for the tapestry of Mipam’s texts and allowing us to better appreciate his contribution.

The second section presents an overview of some of the main themes in his works and his interpretation of Buddhism. By looking at major themes in his work, we discover how he presents Buddhist theory and practice. In particular, this section looks more deeply into Mipam’s interpretation of emptiness, a central issue in Buddhist philosophy, and contrasts his interpretation with the positions of some other prominent figures in Tibet.

The last section offers translations excerpted from his Buddhist writings. Each of the excerpts includes a short introduction to frame the context and help the reader appreciate significant elements of the passage. The selections draw from a wide range of Mipam’s writings to illustrate the eloquent way in which he articulates the key issues that are addressed in the preceding sections.

Mipam’s life example and philosophical works are deeply rooted in an experiential orientation, and can be read as quintessential instructions for Buddhist practice.