Presented here is just a very short list of books available in English that have often been recommended by Chagdud Rinpoche or Jigme Rinpoche, or which their students have found to be helpful. To browse an extensive collection, with books ranging from introductions to meditation to the highest dzogchen treasure texts, please feel free to make use of the lending library housed at PPI-Ati Ling.
All these titles are easy to obtain through websites such as Snowlion Publications, Amazon.com or Tibetan Treasures, as well as at the Lotus Light Gift Store at Ati Ling.
Gates to Buddhist Practice — Chagdud Rinpoche (wonderful overview of what Buddhadharma is and how we integrate the teachings into our daily life)
The Four Immeasurables: Practices to Open the Heart — Alan Wallace (the four immeasurables of joy, equanimity, love and compassion structured within a practice format of shamatha — calm-abiding meditation)
Start Where You Are — Pema Chodron (implementing honest and kind self-acceptance, and self-awareness, as a basis for genuine spiritual development)
The Way of the Bodhisattva — Shantideva (classic text which H.H. Dalai Lama urges practitioners to read. The translation by the Padmakara Translation Committee is highly recommended)
Training the Mind and Developing Loving-Kindness — Chogyam Trungpa (brilliant, transformative outline and explanation of the lojong mind-training teachings)
Concise Ngondro Commentary — Jane Tromge (“ngondro” refers to the so-called preliminary practices, –basically 100,000 accumulations each of refuge, bodhicitta, prostrations, confession, mandala offering, guru yoga — which when properly understood and practiced can in fact bring one to complete enlightenment)
Words of My Perfect Teacher — Patrul Rinpoche (classic, comprehensive teachings on ngondro and much more)
A Torch Lighting the Way to Freedom: Complete Instructions on the Preliminary Practices — H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche (Padmakara Translation Committee’s translation of this essential guide to the Dudjom Tersar Ngondro)
Healing Anger: The Power of Patience from a Buddhist Perspective — H.H. Dalai Lama (clear and thorough analysis of how anger is created and how to overcome or not even give rise to it)
Guru Yoga (or any title by His Holiness) — H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (pith instructions from this greatest of masters, known for his wonderful warmth and kindness as well as extraordinary accomplishment)
Advice from the Lotus-Born — Padmasambhava (crystal-clear instructions on every aspect of practice and understanding, from the master Guru Rinpoche who established Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet)
Lady of the Lotus-Born: The Life and Enlightenment of Yeshe Tsogyal — Gyalwa Jangchub & Namkhai Nyingpo (biography of the extraordinary Tibetan woman who overcame personal and spiritual hardship to become a great master herself, and key to the transmission and propagation of dharma for generations of practitioners)
Masters of Meditation and Miracles — Tulku Thondup (compilation of inspiring, lively biographies of 35 Nyingma masters from 9th century onwards, demonstrating the vast potential of practice and devotion)
Creation and Completion — Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (deity yoga instructions by this nineteenth century non-sectarian master)
Generating the Deity — Gyatrul Rinpoche (modern deity yoga commentary based on the above text)
Born in Tibet — Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche (autobiography of one of the most outstanding modern masters, from his childhood in Tibet to his groundbreaking activity in the West)