Guidance from Great Lamas

Back in the 1970s and ‘80s most of the great lamas to leave Tibet were still alive and teaching. Those of us who had the good fortune to be in India and Nepal at that time were able to benefit by sitting at their feet, drinking in the nectar of their holy speech.

Lamas teaching during that time included His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, Khunu Lama Rinpoche, Serkong Tsenshab Rinpoche, Song Rinpoche, Geshe Lhundub Sopa, Geshe Rabten, Gomchen Gampala, Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, Gelek Rinpoche, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.

Many teachings were given at Tushita Mahayana Meditation Center, in New Delhi. Two of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings were published in a souvenir booklet issued for Tushita’s Second Dharma Celebration, November 1982, the first at which His Holiness spoke. Many other teachings were transcribed and archived.

In 2005, Nick Ribush, Director of the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, collected many of these transcripts and published the free book Teachings From Tibet. All of the teachings within are listed below, and you can order a print copy or ebook version of the book from the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

Teachings in this Book

Commentary on the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation

A commentary given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the text written by Kadampa Geshe Langri Tangpa in Dharamsala, India, 1981.

The Twelve Links of Interdependent Origination

A teaching on how we experience our world.

Four Noble Truths

A teaching given on the Four Noble Truths in Dharamsala, India, October 7, 1981.

In Search of a Meaningful Life

This teaching was given at Tushita Mahayana Meditation Center, New Delhi, on July 4, 1979.

Creating Space for Dharma

Lama Thubten Yeshe clarifies dharma practice and the role of the mind, New Delhi, India, October 31, 1979.

Seeking an Inner Refuge

A short teaching given on the basics of Buddhism in New Delhi, India, 1960s.

Developing Single-pointed Concentration

A teaching given by Gelek Rinpoche on the development of single-pointed concentration (samadhi) in New Delhi, India, 1980.

In Search of the Self

Teachings on the nature of the self given by Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey in New Delhi, India, January 1980.

Advice on Guru Practice

A teaching by Gomchen Gampala to students in a lam-rim retreat and the monks and nuns of the International Mahayana Institute in Kopan Monastery, Nepal, 1975.

How to Start Practicing Dharma