Foreword by the Dalai Lama
We Tibetans have been custodians of the full range of the Buddha’s teachings for well over a thousand years. These have been analyzed, refined, and most important of all put into practice, becoming the mainstay of Tibetan culture. Indeed, the principles of compassion and nonviolence are among the distinguishing marks of the Tibetan way of life even today.
Until 1959, many conditions contributed to the flourishing of Buddhism in Tibet. However, what gave it vigor was that down the centuries individuals continued not only to read, memorize, study, and debate, but also to retire to caves and other remote locations to meditate, just as great luminaries of the past, like Milarepa, had done. In the upheavals that followed 1959 the freedom to do this in Tibethas been severely constrained.
Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche is one of a steadily dwindling number of those who undertook their study and training in Tibet in the traditional way before everything changed in 1959. In his youth in Tibet he engaged in rigorous practice; in his middle years as a refugee in India he extended his studies to traditions other than his own Karma Kagyu; and later he has traveled and taught widely.
This book, Stars of Wisdom, contains Khenpo Rinpoche’s teachings on a variety of topics, including the path of reasoning, meditation on emptiness, the songs of Milarepa, and Mahayana aspiration prayers. It follows earlier commentaries on Nagarjuna’s and Chandrakirti’s classic works. I have no doubt readers wishing to cultivate the Buddhist conduct and view will find much to inspire them here.
Tenzin Gyatso
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama
May 27, 2009
Foreword by the Karmapa
When we consider the remarkable achievements of Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and his contribution to the Dharma, he is, without doubt, one of the great guides of our time.
From a very young age he dedicated himself to the Dharma, and he has spent many years practicing diligently, following the example of other great masters of the Kagyu practice lineage.
I have always admired Rinpoche’s way of training his students. His approach is direct, sincere, and uncontrived, and he is not afraid to use unorthodox methods when necessary. I find this unique and commendable. Not only has he fostered a sangha of students, he has also produced many trained translators and hence made possible the dissemination of the teachings of the Kagyu lineage in many different languages.
We are living through turbulent times, and it is extremely difficult to find such an experienced practitioner and teacher. We are fortunate to have this great opportunity to listen to and read his teachings and commentaries and benefit from his wealth of experience.
The most important of a lama’s activities is his speech, his teaching. Thus, it gives me great pleasure that efforts have been made to ensure that Rinpoche’s speech activity will be preserved for future generations by the publication of this collection of his teachings.
I pray that the wisdom and experience contained in this book will benefit all who read it.
Ogyen Trinley Dorje
The Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa
February 24, 2009
