Five-Part Mahamudra by Padma Karpo

This is one of a series of three Kindle books on “Five-Part Mahamudra”,a specific way of practising Mahamudra that is used in the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. It was first taught by Gampopa to his disciples and since then has become one of the main ways that Mahamudra is practised in the Kagyu lineage. This Kindle book includes three important texts on the subject by key lineage holders of the Kagyu tradition. It also includes an extensive glossary, notes, and a very complete introduction.

The first text contains the exchange between Gampopa and Phagdru that resulted in the teaching called Five-Part Mahamudra. It is followed by a very early text on Five-Part Mahamudra written by one of Phagmo Drupa’s disciples, the translator from Throphu. The main text for this book is a text by Padma Karpo of the Drukpa Kagyu, one of Tibet's most famous authors.

Padma Karpo's text is interesting. Firstly, it is an excellent overall presentation of the practice of Mahamudra, It will be useful to anyone studying the Kagyu Mahamudra taching. Secondly, it shows the style of the Drukpa Kagyu, who have their own preferences and ways when expounding Mahamudra; there has been little Drukpa Kagyu literature translated till now, so this should be of great interest. Thirdly, Padma Karpo is one of the really great authors of Tibet, known to followers of all Tibetan lineages, and has a unique style of writing. He is well known for his erudite compositions which are marked by an extraordinary level of detail woven into a very short space, usually with layer upon layer of meaning in the words.