Tharpa Publications (Sanskrit for "liberation"; pronounced "Tar-pa") is the publishing arm of the New Kadampa Tradition, a Buddhist new religious movement. Since 1988, it has solely published the work of its founder, Kelsang Gyatso. Tharpa Publications is a non-profit corporation founded in 1985 at the Manjushri Institute, with bases in Ulverston, UK and New York City.About Ulverston – South Lakeland Cumbria UK, retrieved 2009-05-30.
The New Kadampa Tradition exclusively uses the texts authored by Geshe Gyatso and published by Tharpa. These include Buddhist meditation books such as The New Meditation Handbook, books on the Buddhist way of life such as Universal Compassion, books on Buddhist philosophy and psychology such as Heart of Wisdom, and books on Buddhist Tantra.Waterhouse, Helen (1997). Buddhism in Bath: Adaptation and Authority. University of Leeds, Department of Theology and Religious Studies. pp. 142–143. The press has affiliates in Brazil, the USA, Spain,Tharpa Espana Mexico,Tharpa Mexico France,Tharpa France Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and South Africa.
Kelsang Gyatso
To date, Tharpa has published 22 of his books, covering the entire range of Buddha Shakyamuni's Sutra and Tantra teachings in English. Kelsang Gyatso's books aim to make Buddhist texts accessible for Western audiences, and include titles such as How to Solve Our Human Problems, Universal Compassion and Mahamudra Tantra.Kelsang Gyatso by Biography Research Guide, retrieved 2009-03-22.How to Solve Our Human Problems: The Four Noble Truths, reviewed by Publishers Weekly, retrieved 2009-08-27.
Stephen Batchelor says that Kelsang Gyatso's books are written with "considerable clarity."Batchelor, Stephen (1994). The Awakening of the West: The Encounter of Buddhism and Western Culture. Berkeley, Calif: Parallax Press. p. 203. David Braizer says that Kelsang writes "excellent" books that are "an important contribution to Western understanding of Buddhism and its traditions".Brazier, David (2002). The New Buddhism. New York: Palgrave. p. 77.
D. Cozort says that Guide to Dakini Land and Essence of Vajrayana are "the most detailed and revealing commentary on specific tantric practices yet to be published in a Western language", but generally criticizes Gyatso's emphasis on "only one voice and one point of view" in New Kadampa Tradition training materials. In his book review of Guide to Dakini Land, Richard Guard praised the book's editing and conciseness, and said: "Geshe Kelsang has truly brought a blessing into our lives."Guard, Richard. "Book review Guide to Dakini Land: A Commentary to the Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Vajrayogini". Tibetan Journal (Autumn 1991), pp. 81, 83.
Australian scholar John Powers said Ocean of Nectar: Wisdom and Compassion in Mahàyàna Buddhism was "sectarian and uncritical work" at odds with Buddhist scholarship and Tibetology, but he noted that it was a comprehensive presentation of traditional Gelug commentaries on Chandrakirti. Writing in The Guardian, Vishpani Blomfield said, "These books offer succinct formulations of Buddhist doctrines that are enlivened by everyday examples but make few concessions to the perspectives of science or modern scholarship."
New Kadampa Tradition
Tharpa Publications is part of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union, a Buddhist new religious movement. It was established in 1985 by Kelsang Gyatso.Kay, D. N. (2004). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, development and adaptation. RoutledgeCurzon critical studies in Buddhism. London: RoutledgeCurzon. p. 75. Its headquarters are at Conishead Priory, Ulverston, UK.
The teachings in Tharpa's books are based on the Gelugpa lineage of Pabongkhapa Déchen Nyingpo and Trijang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso. For example, Joyful Path of Good Fortune is a modern equivalent of Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand, written by Je Phabongkhapa and edited by Trijang Rinpoche.Joyful Path of Good Fortune: The Complete Buddhist Path to Enlightenment, page xi, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995)
Tharpa Publications' classic textbooks are used as the basis of the New Kadampa Tradition's Foundation Program and Teacher Training Program, intended for dedicated students.Buddhism in the Modern World: Adaptations of an Ancient Tradition by Steven Heine page 232, Oxford University Press, USA (January 1, 2003)
Finances When it was first founded, Tharpa Publications lost money, until the late 1990s.Waterhouse, Helen (1997). Buddhism in Bath: Adaptation and Authority. University of Leeds, Department of Theology and Religious Studies. p. 173, n. 16. Kelsang Gyatso says that, since that time, he has donated all royalties from Tharpa's books to New Kadampa Tradition's non-profit organizations, including the Manjushri InstituteSmear: Geshe Kelsang has millions of pounds that have come from his disciples by New Kadampa Truth, retrieved 2009-03-22. and its International Temples' Fund.Smear: NKT students worship Geshe Kelsang by New Kadampa Truth, retrieved 2009-03-22.
Publications
The following titles were written by Kelsang Gyatso, and are presented in their original publication order:
Meaningful to Behold: The Bodhisattva's Way of Life, Tharpa Publications (5th. ed., 2008) Clear Light of Bliss: Tantric Meditation Manual, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1992) Heart of Wisdom: An Explanation of the Heart Sutra, Tharpa Publications (4th. ed., 2001) Universal Compassion: Inspiring Solutions for Difficult Times, Tharpa Publications (4th. ed., 2002) The New Meditation Handbook: Meditations to Make Our Life Happy and Meaningful, Tharpa Publications (2003) Joyful Path of Good Fortune: The Complete Buddhist Path to Enlightenment, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995) Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1996) The Bodhisattva Vow: A Practical Guide to Helping Others, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1995) Heart Jewel: The Essential Practices of Kadampa Buddhism, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1997) Great Treasury of Merit: How to Rely Upon a Spiritual Guide, Tharpa Publications (1992) Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 2001, US ed. 2008) Understanding the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind, Tharpa Publications (2nd. ed., 1997) Tantric Grounds and Paths: How to Enter, Progress on, and Complete the Vajrayana Path, Tharpa Publications (1994) Ocean of Nectar: The True Nature of All Things, Tharpa Publications (1995) Essence of Vajrayana: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Heruka Body Mandala, Tharpa Publications (1997) Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully: The Profound Practice of Transference of Consciousness, Tharpa Publications (1999) Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness, Tharpa Publications (2000) Transform Your Life: A Blissful Journey, Tharpa Publications (2001, US ed. 2007) How to Solve Our Human Problems: The Four Noble Truths, Tharpa Publications (2005, US ed., 2007) Mahamudra Tantra: The Supreme Heart Jewel Nectar, Tharpa Publications (2005) Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: How to Enjoy a Life of Great Meaning and Altruism, a translation of Shantideva's Bodhisattvacharyavatara with Neil Elliott, Tharpa Publications (2002)
Tharpa Publications was originally a general Buddhist publishing house,Waterhouse, Helen (1997). Buddhism in Bath: Adaptation and Authority. University of Leeds, Department of Theology and Religious Studies. p. 143. also releasing the following works by other authors:
The Eternal Legacy: An Introduction to the Canonical Literature of Buddhism, Tharpa Publications (1985) by Sangharakshita, .The Eternal Legacy at ISBNdb.com, retrieved 2009-03-31. A Survey of Buddhism: Its Doctrines and Methods through the Ages, Tharpa Publications (1987) by Sangharakshita, .A Survey of Buddhism at ISBNdb.com, retrieved 2009-03-31. Treasury of Dharma: A Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Course, Tharpa Publications (1988) by Geshe Rabten, .Treasury of Dharma at ISBNdb.com, retrieved 2009-03-31.
In addition to publishing books, Tharpa also supplies audio books,Buddhist audio books at Tharpa Publications, retrieved 2009-03-22. Buddhist art,Buddhist art at Tharpa Publications, retrieved 2009-03-22. and sadhanas for prayer and meditation.Prayer Booklets at Tharpa Publications, retrieved 2009-03-22.
The 'half-drop' repeat patterns used in some NKT-IKBU artwork as well as sadhana covers, such as the peony-style flower and emblem of Manjushri (a sword and book upon a lotus) were designed by Robert Beer.Beer, Robert. The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs. Boston: Shambala, 1999. p. 368.
References
Sources General
Buddhist Publisher Reaps Profits of Enlightenment by Alison Eadie (1993-04-18), The Independent, retrieved 2009-12-20.
Book reviews Guide to Dakini Land: A Commentary to the Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Vajrayogini, reviewed by Richard Guard. Tibetan Journal (Autumn 1991), pp. 80–83. How to Solve Our Human Problems: The Four Noble Truths, reviewed by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, retrieved 2009-08-27. How to Solve Our Human Problems: The Four Noble Truths, reviewed by Publishers Weekly, retrieved 2009-08-27. Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life, reviewed by Foreword Magazine's Pam Kingsbury, retrieved 2018-10-30. The New Meditation Handbook: Meditations to Make Our Life Happy and Meaningful, reviewed by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, retrieved 2009-08-27. The New Meditation Handbook: Meditations to Make Our Life Happy and Meaningful, reviewed by ''Foreword Magazine'''s Duncan Sprattmoran, retrieved 2018-10-30. Ocean of Nectar: Wisdom and Compassion in Mahayana Buddhism, reviewed by John Powers, retrieved 2009-05-22. Understanding the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind, reviewed by Scott Bishop, retrieved 2009-12-20.
External links Official site