The Mishap Lineage by Chogyam Trungpa

Description

A guide to understanding the importance of lineage in Tibetan Buddhism, focusing on a particular tradition of reincarnated teachers. The key concept of lineage is demystified in this study of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche's own traditional line of reincarnated teachers. Chogyam Trungpa was the eleventh tulku in the lineage of Trungpa tulkus. Here, he presents the stories of the lives of the Trungpa Lamas as a point of departure for the discussion of the principles that guide a practitioner's journey on the path. The historical framework helps us to understand how we can relate to the idea of lineage and community in the modern context of a spiritual journey. Many other aspects of Tibetan Buddhism are connected to lineage - reincarnation, various religious practices, as well as the view of the path as a whole. These teachings are presented in an extraordinary intimate and personal manner such that the reader receives the stories and wisdom as heart advice. Trungpa referred to his lineage as the "Mishap Lineage" because of the ups and downs and colorful lives that were typical of his predecessors, and true of his own life as well. All of us experience obstacles as part of our journey, in life and on the spiritual path. In many cases, we think of them as purely something unpleasant to overcome, or as a mistake that needs correcting. Here, Chogyam Trungpa takes a radically different approach to such obstacles, teaching that unexpected chaos, confusion, and emotional upheavals can actually be used as fuel for the journey - an energy that can transform confusion into sanity and wisdom.