Recently, one of the most honored Gelugpa lineage masters, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, presented 500 copies of ‘The Oral Instructions of Mahamudra’ to the monks of Shar Ganden Monastery. Authored by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, this book, written in Tibetan, is based on the root text of Mahamudra called ‘The Main Path to Attainment of the Conqueror Buddha’.

In Sanskrit ‘Mudra’ means ‘absolute necessity’ and ‘Maha’ means ‘great understanding’.

The root text, also known as ‘The Great Seal of Voidness’ was composed by the 4th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen (1570-1662), who was the tutor of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama as well as Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen.

The world of Tibetan Buddhism must indeed pay the greatest tribute and honor to this great teacher and master. Why? Just like his incomparable root guru, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has reached out and touched the lives of millions of people worldwide. Thousands of monks, nuns and lay practitioners have gained success in the spiritual path through his teachings and guidance.

Born in 1931 in Yangcho, Eastern Tibet, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso escaped Tibet with only two scriptural texts in 1959. Today, his achievements are near unbelievable. Apart from founding the largest international Tibetan Buddhist organization in the world with over 700 ordained monks and nuns, he has authored over 20 Dharma books in the English language for Buddhists of all levels, from beginners to tantric practitioners.

His greatest works include Joyful Path of Good Fortune (a commentary on the Lamrim), The New Guide to Dakini Land (a commentary on Vajrayogini’s practice) and Heart Jewel (a commentary on Dorje Shugden’s practice), along with various other commentaries on Indian texts such as Shantideva’s ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’.

This great Lama’s incredible success can only be attributed to his unwavering faith and confidence in his lineage and protector, Dorje Shugden, which can be traced back to the teachings he received from Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang and Kyabje Pabongka Dorje Chang. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s greatest mission now is to preserve the precious tradition of Lama Tsongkapa and by extension, the practice of Dorje Shugden who is the special protector of Tsongkapa’s lineage.

The world rejoices in the achievements of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and his wisdom in writing and publishing such an important book which will escalate the pure lineage of Lama Tsongkapa to further unprecedented heights. We await his next book with great anticipation and offer prayers for his continued good health, long life and the growth of his works.

500 Mahamudra books offered to Shar Gaden

Shar Ganden administrator, Geshe Lobsang Gelek (left) offers the Mahamudra books to the monks on behalf of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso