Tilopa's Mahamudra Upadesha

The Gangama Instructions with Commentary

Sangyes Nyenpa Rinpoche, David Molk, David Molk

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English

Snow Lion Publications
02 December 2025

Religion & beliefs

An explanation of the Indian Mahasiddha Tilopa's renowned Gangama Mahamudra meditation instructions, given in a traditional Tibetan context by one of its lineage's most accomplished contemporary masters.

These ancient instructions, in the form of a ""song of realization,"" are the original source for all Mahamudra lineages of meditation.

All lineages of Mahamudra meditation have their source in a verse teaching-a ""song of realization""-sung by the Mahasiddha Tilopa to his disciple Naropa on the banks of the Ganges River more than a thousand years ago. Since that time, the meaning of Tilopa's instructions has been passed directly from master to disciple in a continuous stream that exists unbroken to this day. This book offers the reader a rare glimpse into the Mahamudra oral transmission, given in a traditional Tibetan context by one of the lineage's most learned and accomplished contemporary masters.

Mahamudra meditation, while highly advanced, is yet simple, practical, and accessible for anyone, because what is identified and meditated upon is the very nature of one's own mind. In Sangyes Nyenpa Rinpoche's words, ""The distinction between deception and liberation lies in whether we understand the ever-present nature of our own mind or not. Knowing our own face is liberation; not knowing our own face is samsara. This is not something far distant from us.""

The instructions are ideal for Westerners because the root text is manageable and Rinpoche has provided an outline of his own composition that makes it easily understandable. He explains terminology with frequent comparisons between Dzogchen and Mahamudra, quotes prolifically from scripture, gives clear examples, and generally cajoles, admonishes, and encourages his listeners to be true to their own spiritual path.

By: Sangyes Nyenpa Rinpoche
Translated by: David Molk, David Molk
Imprint: Snow Lion Publications
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
Weight: 369g
ISBN: 9781559394512
ISBN 10: 155939451X
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 02 December 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

The Tenth Sangyes Nyenpa Rinpoche was born into a family of practitioners at the temple of Paro Taktsang in Bhutan. Recognized by His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa and educated at Rumtek, Sikkim, Sangyes Nyenpa Rinpoche is one of the Kagyu lineage's most accomplished and respected tulkus. He is based in Kathmandu, Nepal, and teaches worldwide. David Molk studied Tibetan language at Venerable Geshe Rabten's Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Mont-P lerin, Switzerland. Since 1987 he has interpreted and translated for many Tibetan lamas. He lives in Big Sur, California.