These life stories of eighty-four Tantric masters who achieved the highest results of the Vajrayana have inspired
generations of practitioners. By relying on a qualified teacher, devoted men and women of different backgrounds – cobblers,
princes, blacksmiths, and wood-gatherers – were able to take everyday experience as the path and reach enlightenment in a
single lifetime. Filled with subtle, concise teachings expressed in the poetic songs of realization of the siddhas.
Excellent introduction to the Vajrayana and a good resource for the study of Tibetan. Tibetan text, iconographical notes,
with 84 detailed line drawings. From the chapter "Camaripa,": The name Camaripa means 'the Shoemaker'. In the city of Visnynagara there were 18 different
artisan castes, and Camaripa's caste was that of the shoemakers. He practiced his trade on old and new shoes, and his time
was completely taken up in working. One day, a yogin happened by. Camaripa broke off immediately from his work, put his
hands to the feet of the monk, and spoke to him saying, "I am disgusted with samsara and would like to practice the Dharma.
But since I have not met with a spiritual friend, I have not even entered the door of the Dharma. I ask you to tell me the
Dharma for the benefit of both this life and the next." The yogin answered, "If you are able to practice the Dharma, I will
give it to you." The cobbler then asked the yogin if he would eat food in his low-caste home, and the yogin replied, "When I
return tonight, I will do so." After this the cobbler announced the arrival of the yogin to his wife and helpers. When the
yogin returned that night…he gave them these instructions: Let the mental distortions and conceptions be the leather. On
the board of friendliness and compassion, with the drill of the guru's instructions, sew properly with the cords of giving
up the 8 worldly concerns. Then a shoe, a miraculous result, will appear. This wondrous shoe of the Dharma-body will not be
understood if you hold to wrong views. "Give up the pleasant and the unpleasant by the thread of non-grasping. Let all marks
and conceptions become the leather. Meditate on making the marvelous shoe of the Dharma-body by sewing the leather with the
thread of your own experience and the guru's instructions."
