Ko-brag-pa

Hermit of Go Cliffs: Timeless Instructions from a Tibetan Mystic Ko-brag-pa

Jacket Description/Back: Gyalwa Godrakpa (1170-1249) was a great Tibetan meditation master who practiced and taught a nonsectarian approach to realization. Hermit of Go Cliffs is the first English translation of The Collected Songs of Godrakpa. These forty-four songs are presented here with the original Tibetan text, and Prof. Stearns' comprehensive introduction to the life, legacy, and poetry of Godrakpa. Godrakpa's songs of realization are uniquely beautiful and accessible, and reminiscent of the poetry of his great predecessor Milarepa. His style is direct and simple: sometimes stern and sharp in tone, and sometimes lyrical and filled with allusions to the surrounding landscape and wildlife. Godrakpa expresses in his songs what he emphasized in his life -- a no-nonsense approach to the practice of meditation. He speaks repeatedly of impermanence, imminent death, and the danger of wasting time. He points to the meaningful goal of recognizing true reality within each person. Hermit of Go Cliffs will inspire students of Buddhism and meditation, and anyone interested in the poetic expression of experience. Review Quotes: "An inspiring collection... These pared-down verses reflect the refreshing, unmannered honesty and direct style characteristic of early Buddhist masters in Tibet... An exceptional resource..."--Janet Gyatso, Harvard UniversityMarc Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 199-204) and index. Review Quotes: ""Hermit of Go Cliffs" is a valuable new addition to the still small body of scholarship and translation clarifying the formation of Tibetan Buddhist thought and practice during the crucial period from the eleventh through thirteenth centuries."--Matthew Kapstein, University of ChicagoReview Quotes: "Poetry that encourages us to find the kind of solitude in the midst of life that these great yogis found in the wilderness."--Stuart Smithers, Professor of South Asian religion, University of Puget SoundBiographical Note: Cyrus Stearns first began to study Buddhism with Dezhung Rinpoche (1906-87) in 1973. Since that time he has studied with and translated for many Tibetan teachers, especially Dezhung Rinpoche and Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. Cyrus has a PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of Washington and lived for about eight years in Nepal, India, and Southeast Asia. Among his other publications are "The Buddha from Dolpo," "Hermit of Go Cliffs," and "Luminous Lives." Cyrus has three daughters and lives on Whidbey Island, Washington. Review Quotes: "In these times when the practice of Dharma often becomes yet another type of mundane activity, the total dedication to spiritual practice, renunciation, inner joy and depth that emanates from the life and songs of Godrakpa is like a fresh mountain breeze in the midst of the debilitating heat of apathy and worldly concerns."--Mathieu Ricard, co-author of The Monk and the PhilosopherReview Quotes: "These tantric songs have a spare elegance and power that is beautifully rendered into English by Cyrus Stearns... The simplicity and deep contemplative insights are rendered into simple yet evocative English poetry that very much resonates with the style, vigor and power of the original Tibetan songs."--David Germano, University of VirginiaPublisher Marketing: The great Tibetan meditation master Gyalwa Godrakpa (1170-1249) practiced and taught a nonsectarian approach to realization. "Hermit of Go Cliffs" is the first English translation of "The Collected Songs of Godrakpa," presented here with the original Tibetan text and with Cyrus Stearns' comprehensive introduction to Godrakpa's life, legacy, and poetry. Like the songs of Tibet's great saint Milarepa, Godrakpa's songs are uniquely beautiful and accessible: sometimes stern and sharp, sometimes lyrical and filled with allusions to the natural world. These songs express what Godrakpa emphasized in his life - a no-nonsense approach to the practice of meditation.

Contributor Bio:  Stearns, Cyrus Cyrus Stearns first began to study Buddhism with Dezhung Rinpoche (1906-87) in 1973. Since that time he has studied with and translated for many Tibetan teachers, especially Dezhung Rinpoche and Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. Cyrus has a PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of Washington and lived for about eight years in Nepal, India, and Southeast Asia. Among his other publications are "The Buddha from Dolpo", "Hermit of Go Cliffs", and "Luminous Lives". Cyrus has three daughters and lives on Whidbey Island, Washington.