This much-awaited first English translation of Jamgön Kongtrul's autobiography is refreshingly real. In addition to its inspirational value, Kongtrul's story is a rich source of information on the religion, culture, and political climate of Tibet during his times. Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thayé (1813-1900) was one of the most influential figures and prolific writers in the Tibetan Buddhist world. He was a founder and the single most important proponent of the nonsectarian movement that flourished in eastern Tibet and remains popular today. Also included with the autobiography are two additional texts: one, authored by Kongtrul himself, discusses the past masters of whom he was considered to be an emanation; the second was written by one of Kongtrul's close personal students and recounts Kongtrul's final days, his funeral, and the commemorative rites following his death. Taken together, these three texts place Kongtrul firmly within a historical context as one of the most important figures in the history of Tibetan Buddhism.
