Essence of Ambrosia: A Guide to Buddhist Contemplations

Essence of Ambrosia is a guide to Buddhist meditation, composed by the prolific and eclectic Tibetan scholar and practitioner Taranatha (1575-1634). Following the lead of Atisha, Tarantha expounds a graduate approach (Known as lam rim) to cognitive and meditative development designed to address the needs of three types of person: the person of lesser, average and greater capacity. Taranatha’s innovative contribution to this genre is to instruct the student in “contemplation sessions”, that pacifically guide a beginning Buddhist practitioner through the traditional practices of meditation, beginning with devotional reflection up to the apex of Buddhist meditation, insight (vipassana) meditation. Te result is a remarkably accessible and concise insider’s guide to the Mahayana Buddhist path.