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The Golden Garuda:the Extraordinary Life Of Modern-Day Mahasiddha Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche
[Paperback - 2025]
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Available Around 07-Jan-2025
List Price: $21.95
Our Price: Rs.5245 Rs.4458
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Category: Religion
Sub-category: Buddhism
Publisher: Shambhala | ISBN: 9781645473190 | Pages: 224
Shipping Weight: .369 | Dimensions: 5.5 x x 8.5 inches

A moving biography of Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, one of the twentieth century’s most influential Tibetan Buddhist teachers, written by his devoted student Khenpo Sodargye.

30 black-and-white historical photographs illustrate this remarkable life story.


Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche (1933–2004) was one of the most influential Buddhist teachers of the twentieth century. In this moving biography, Khenpo Sodargye—a lead teacher at Larung Gar Five Sciences Buddhist Academy—brings his beloved root teacher’s remarkable story and accomplishments to life with wisdom and reverence. His personal anecdotes coupled with the prophecies of great masters and verse from Buddhist texts offer a portrait that is at once intimate and profound, revealing Jigme Phuntsok’s legacy as the mythical “golden garuda” who was instrumental in the flourishing of Buddhism. During a pivotal period in modern Tibetan history, he created the world’s largest Buddhist institution, attracted thousands of followers with his nonsectarian teachings, and taught some of today’s great Tibetan Buddhist teachers. 

The engaging narrative unfolds chronologically in dozens of short, impactful chapters. We’re introduced to Jigme Phuntsok’s previous incarnations and learn about his early years. We experience his teaching trips, including a journey to the holy mountain of Wutaishan in China together with ten thousand Tibetan disciples. We learn about his visionary experiences and revelations, including one that failed—a rare account in Tibetan literature of such an occurrence. With elements of biography, travelogue, and magical tale, this life story contains adventure, suffering, and human connection.  

This portrayal of the great Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s compassionate life dedicated to spiritual practice and teaching will inspire Buddhist practitioners and meditators and readers with an interest in modern Tibetan and Buddhist history.

KHENPO SODARGYE was born in 1962 into a nomadic family in a small valley of the Tibetan region of Kham. He was ordained in 1985 and went on to become a lineage holder of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) tradition, as well as a preeminent practitioner and scholar at Larung Gar Five Sciences Buddhist Academy in Sertar. Khenpo Sodargye was the great Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche’s chief Tibetan-Chinese translator. He has traveled extensively in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia to offer teachings at Dharma centers and universities.

THE WISDOM AND COMPASSION TRANSLATION GROUP, under the guidance of Khenpo Sodargye Rinpoche, is dedicated to translating authentic Buddhist teachings into languages that resonate with individuals from all walks of life. Comprised of Buddhist practitioners and scholars, the translation team is committed to bringing Dharma students teachings that empower them to engage in the systematic study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.

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