Foreword by Tulku Thondup viii
Preface xi
Acknowledgements xv
Introduction 1

PART ONE: Foundations of Vajrayana 7
1. The Indian Prelude 9
2. How the Vajrayana Came to Tibet: The Early Spreading of the Dharma 28
3. How the Vajrayana Came to Tibet: The Later Spreading and Beyond 40
4. The Vajrayana in the Context of the Three-Yana Journey 66
5. The View of Vajrayana 91

PART TWO: Entering the Vajra World 109
6. Some Initial Vajrayana Perspectives 111
7. The World Beyond Thought 126
8. The Vajra Master 153
9. Entering the Vajrayana Path 177
10. Tantric Practice: Meditation on the Yidam 209
11. Subtleties of Practice: The Inner Yogas 230

PART THREE: Meeting the Essence of Mind 259
12. Mahamudra: The Great Symbol 261
13. Dzogchen: The Great Perfection 294

PART FOUR: Tantric Applications 327
14. Lessons in Mortality: Death and Dying in Tantric Practice 329
15. Bodhisattvas in the World: Tulkus, Reincarnate Lamas 360
16. Themes of a Tulku's Life 385
17. The Practice of Retreat 426
18. The Passing of a Realized Master 462

Conclusion 481
Notes 489
Bibliography 503
Credits 509
Index 511