Pema Lodoe - 17 Dec

Published by:

Tibet House US

22 West 15th St

New York, NY 10011

www.tibethouse.us

Copyright 2019 by Robert Warren Clark

All rights reserved.

No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system or technologies now known or later developed, without written permission from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper.

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ISBN 978-194131-208-7 (pbk. : alk. paper)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Padma-blo-gros, Bsod-rgan, 1964 author. | Clark, Robert Warren, translator, editor Title: Dreams and truths from the ocean of mind / memoirs of Pema Lodoe, the Sixth Sogan Tulku of Tibet ; translated from the Tibetan by Robert Warren Clark Other titles: Rmi lam lta bui jig rten dir tsho tshul cu zad brjod pa dos byu sems kyi rlabs ris es bya ba. English Description: New York : Tibet House US, [2019] | Annotated translation (supplemented by questions and discussions) of Tibetan book: dngos byung sems kyi rlabs rig, published in Italy 2013. | Summary: This book contains a clear and candid autobiographical account of the events of the life of Sogan Tulku, know also as Pema Lodoe. He describes in detail the circumstances of his birth and upbringing in Tibet, and his development on the Buddhist path from when he learned to read and write, to his study of Buddhist philosophy, and finally to mastering what he learned in practices such as meditation retreats. He elaborates on the particular experiences he had during this time of his life, as well as later in India and in the West Provided by publisher Identifiers: LCCN 2019030102 (print) | LCCN 2019030103 (ebook) | ISBN 9781941312087 (paperback) | ISBN 9781941312094 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Padma-blo-gros, Bsod-rgan, 1964 | Rnying-ma-pa lamasTibet RegionBiography. | Tibet RegionBiography. Classification: LCC BQ978.A344 A3 2019 (print) | LCC BQ978.A344 (ebook) | DDC 294.3/923092 [B]dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019030102 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019030103

PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR: Thomas F. Yarnall
PUBLISHER: Robert A. F. Thurman
EDITOR AND TRANSLATOR: Robert W. Clark
MANUSCRIPT EDITOR: Leslie Kriesel
INTERIOR DESIGN: William Meyers
COVER DESIGN: Milenda Nan Ok Lee
COVER IMAGE: or Spulo

SOGAN TULKU PEMA LODOE

Sogan Tulku, known also as Pema Lodoe, is a man whose faith and sacred commitment are unshakeable. In response to the many requests of his followers, he has written here a clear and candid account of the events of his life. He describes in detail the circumstances of his birth and upbringing, and his development on the Buddhist path from when he learned to read and write, to his study of Buddhist philosophy, and finally to mastering what he learned in practices such as meditation retreats. He also elaborates on the particular experiences he had during this time of his life, as well as various events that took place in his native region in Tibet during these years such as the religious and political changes that were occurring. He provides here a vivid account of all these developments. This book is therefore a most valuable resource now and in the future for all who with to know of the events that took place both in the life of the author, and throughout the Glacier-mantled land of Tibet.

With my best wishes and prayes for all, in both this and future lives,

The Dalai Lama, a monk in the tradition of Shakyamuni, and a teacher of his sublime Dharma.

Inscribed on the 7th day of the 2nd month of the Water Snake year of the 17th Rabjung cycle, corresponding to the 18th of March 2013.

Thekchen Choeling, Mcleod Ganj 176219, Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Tel: 0091-1892-221343/221210 Fax: 0091-1892-221813 E-mail:

In recent years, I traveled widely throughout the Western world and encountered many people who wanted to learn about the situation in Tibet. Others were curious about the Buddhist path, and many had questions about my background and experiences. Friends and acquaintances urged me to write down my thoughts and experiences. Although I had managed to develop composition skills in the Tibetan language, I had not learned English or any other language. Fortunately, I was introduced to Dr. Robert W. Clark, a scholar who teaches the language, culture, and literature of Tibet at Stanford University. Dr. Clark kindly agreed to translate my memoirs into English.

For many years, throughout my wanderings, I kept notes detailing my daily thoughts and experiences. With these notes in hand and mind, I began to write my memoirs in a traditional style of literary Tibetan. This account is not a broad survey of the various philosophies and practices of Buddhism, nor does it provide a detailed study of the history, politics, and current status of Tibet. I do not limit myself to the strict conventions of Tibetan classical poetics. Instead, my goal is to offer a personal account of my experiences, both good and bad, together with some of the thoughts and feelings that attended them. I have tried to write in a manner that is easy to understand, and one which can be readily translated into other languages.

I make no claims to have reached some high pinnacle of philosophical realization or spiritual attainment, nor do I seek to present a detailed ethnographic study. I believe that every living being has an important story to tell. We all have significant experiences that may be interesting and educational if presented with minimal exaggeration and distortion. If such stories are made available, it is likely that now or in the future, some people, in accordance with their predispositions, will find them interesting, meaningful, and useful, while others may find only faults or nothing of particular interest.

Here, readers will encounter the story of a boy who was born in a remote district in the highlands of Tibet and grew up in an ordinary family of Tibetan nomads. The narrative will take them into the troubled times currently prevailing in the ancient country of Tibet. It will reveal the wise and loving efforts of kind parents who guide, nurture, and protect their children. It will recount my experiences as I was introduced to the subtle teachings of the Lord Buddha, entered a monastic community, was recognized as a reborn lama, met with a sublime master of the Buddhas teaching, entered extended meditation retreats in sacred and remote places, went into exile in foreign lands, and encountered spiritual treasures in the fabled land of India and beyond. I share my inner journey through the intense study, contemplation, and meditation on the profound secrets of the Dzogchen tradition of Buddhism. In this way, I trust my account will not disappoint the many friends and advisors who urged me to write this book.