Akshara Bookstore offers a comprehensive range of Buddhist and comparative titles including books and magazines on subjects such as introduction to meditation, tantra, philosophy, psychology, history, art, culture, death and dying.
To cater for the needs of Buddhist practitioners, Akshara Bookshop also stocks a range of practice items including zafus, malas, statues, dorje and bell sets, prints, incense and thankas of deities
To make an order or for any other enquiries, contact or (03) 9387 0422.
New Release from Shogam Publications
The Circle Of The Sun, Heart Essence Of Dzogchen
by Traleg Kyabgon
Text by the 17th century Nyingma and Kagyu master Tsele Natsok Rangdrol.
Out Now!
“It is the best summary of Dzogchen teachings that I have ever seen.”
Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche IX
In The Circle of the Sun, Rinpoche asks: What is the starting point on the spiritual journey? It is possible that it is seeing oneself as inadequate. It is heartening that the Dzogchen and Mahamudra approach says that what one wants to attain is already present. There is no gap between what one is and what one wants to attain.
In Dzogchen, the starting point, which is also the end point of the spiritual journey is having an understanding of the nature of mind. Tsele Natsok Rangdrol’s exposition of the Dzogchen path elucidates that the path rests on the practices of trekchö, which means “cutting through,” and thögal, which means “leaping over.” Trekchö practice entails settling the mind in its own natural state without effort and without the rejection of thoughts and emotions. Thögal practice makes use of images and visions to realize the innate wakefulness.
Rinpoche explains there are many perspectives designed to help us uncover our authentic state, the ground-of-being, as it is often referred to in the Dzogchen tradition. A single perspective can never provide an all-encompassing view of the ground-of -being, because it is something that cannot be understood from any one perspective, in completeness.
Descriptions of aspects of the ground-of-being are divisible on the conceptual level. But in reality the many characteristics do not exist independently. Presenting the different aspects or perspectives of the ground-of-being points us to a place of authenticity that cannot be experienced or fully explained intellectually.
The ground-of-being is seen as primordially pure, free from any kinds of corruptions and embellishments. Rinpoche explains the samsaric process by which we disenfranchise from our authentic state, and describes uncovering this authenticity through accommodating all our complexities – aversions, bewilderments, attractions and so forth, equally. In our meditation practice, with a sense of sacred spaciousness, instead of elaborating upon our inner experiences, following or fuelling our habitual responsiveness and predetermined prejudices, we accommodate what arises in the mind allowing disturbances, embellishments and elaborations in the mind to self liberate.
Shogam Publications
How To Do Life
A Buddhist Perspective
by Traleg Kyabgon
Available Now
Foreward by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche:
During Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche’s life, he taught extensively, not only providing translation and commentary of Tibetan Buddhist texts, but also direct and spontaneous teachings that were very practical, and gave down-to-earth advice on how to do life better. Rinpoche gave advice on how we can review and manage our relationship with ourselves, others, and the world in such a way that can enhance our experience of life generally, and how we can more heroically face the many challenges life presents. How To Do Life is a collection of teachings given by the Traleg Rinpoche on topics such as love and relationships, understanding emotions, and working with depression and destructive emotions. Rinpoche provides a fresh approach to reviewing our experience, and explains the Buddhist perspective on building awareness and reducing suffering. It provides insights that can help us all Do Life better.
