Four Ordinary Foundations of Buddhist Practice

Book Details:

• Author: Thrangu Rinpoche

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 1994

• ISBN: 9788170304166

• Pages: 112

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 21.5 cm x 14 cm

• Weight: 270 gm

Book Description:

About the Book:

In this profound work, Thrangu Rinpoche provides insights into the core teachings of Buddhism, with a focus on the foundational practices that guide one toward enlightenment. During the fifth century BCE, a revolution in philosophical thought began, and the Buddha’s teachings emerged as a path toward true happiness—a happiness not dependent on material possessions or external factors, but rooted in an examination of one's own mind.

When Tibet became a Buddhist nation in the 8th century CE, great scholars and practitioners from India brought essential teachings to Tibet, including the Four Foundations of Practice. These four thoughts, also known as the four thoughts that turn the mind towards dharma, were introduced by Atisa and further elaborated by the great meditator Gampopa. These foundational thoughts form the essence of Buddhist practice, guiding practitioners toward understanding the nature of life and the purpose of dharma. These thoughts are central to all sects of Buddhism and provide a universal foundation for spiritual practice, in contrast to the more specific Vajrayana practices.

Through this book, Thrangu Rinpoche offers guidance on these foundational teachings and shows how they can be applied at any level of practice, helping individuals on their journey toward spiritual awakening.

About the Author:

Khenpo Thrangu Rinpoche was born in Kham in 1933 and was recognized at the age of five as the incarnation of the great Thrangu Tulku by the Sixteenth Karmapa and Situ Rinpoche. Thrangu Rinpoche began his Buddhist education at sixteen under Khenpo Lodro Rabsel, where he studied the three vehicles of Buddhism and undertook periods of retreat. After fleeing Tibet during the Chinese military takeover, he went to Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim and later became the abbot of both Rumtek and the Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies.

Rinpoche has since traveled widely, teaching and spreading Buddhism across Europe, North America, and the Far East. He is also the abbot of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, Canada, and Thrangu House in Oxford, England. A prolific writer, he has authored numerous books, including Tranquility and Insight, Buddha Nature, and The Song of Lodro Thaye, among others.

Rinpoche is a key figure in the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, and his teachings continue to inspire students worldwide.

Foreword:

This book begins by setting the historical and philosophical context of the Buddha’s teachings, which emerged during a time of profound philosophical change. While other great thinkers like Lao-tzu and Confucius were formulating systems of thought in China, and Socrates in Greece, the Buddha’s teachings brought a radical shift. He taught that happiness does not come from external pursuits like wealth, fame, or material possessions, but rather from examining one’s own mind.

In his first teaching, the Buddha outlined the Four Noble Truths, which highlight the root causes of suffering and the path to liberation. The Buddha observed that, although people desire happiness through external means—such as acquiring material wealth or relationships—these desires do not lead to lasting contentment. In fact, material wealth or external achievements often do not bring more happiness, as evidenced by simple, less materialistic societies that experience joy without such possessions. True and lasting happiness comes from following the Eightfold Path and meditating on the mind.

The Buddha’s teachings were later transmitted to Tibet, where they were preserved and translated into Tibetan. These texts provided the foundation for Tibetan Buddhism and continue to guide practitioners today. The author underscores how the Tibetan tradition has safeguarded the Buddha’s teachings, offering a complete Buddhist “bible”, much longer than those of other major religious traditions, ensuring that the teachings of the Buddha would continue to guide people toward enlightenment.