A Handful of Flowers: A Brief Biography of Buton Rinchen Drub

93 Pages·1996·2.429 MB·English

by  Dratshdpa Richen Namgyal

A Handful of Flowers
A brief biography of Buton Rinpoche
by
Dratshadpa Rinchen Namgyal
Translated by
Hans van den Bogaert
LJBRARY OF TIBETAN WORKS AND ARCHIVES
© Copyright 1996 Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
First edition 1996
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior
permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 81-86470-04-2
Published by the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Dharam
sala 176215, India, and printed at Indraprastha Press (CBT),
Nehru House, New Delhi-110002.
CONTENTS
Foreword
V
Publisher's Note
VI
Introduction
IX
Chapter One:
The birth of Buton Rinpoche in 1290
up to his retirement from Zhalu in 1356 1
Chapter Two:
The time of Bu ton Rinpoche leaving Zhalu
up to his death in 1364 52
Concluding prayer 68
Notes 74

FOREWORD
Tibet's rich and ancient culture has owed a great
debt to significant individuals down the centuries.
There is now a growing body of literature in
translation about these enlightened masters and
historical figures. This English translation of the
condensed biography of Buton Rinpoche is a
welcome addition.
Buton Rinpoche (1290-1364) became one of
Tibet's most renowned scholars and translators. His
life and work are notable for the effort he made to
honour all the orders and systems of tenets of
Tibetan Buddhism.
This account of Buton Rinpoche's life by
Dratshadpa Rinchen Namgyal recounts many of his
great compassionate activities. It is a source of
wisdom and inspiration for Buddhist practitioners
even today.
I congratulate the translator, Hans van den
Bogaert, and everyone who has contributed to
making the biography of this exemplary master
available to interested persons who do not read
Tibetan.
May 7, 1996
fllE DA.LAI LA~1A.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE
A Handful of Flowers is a condensed biography of the 14th-century
Buddhist scholar and master, Bu ton Rinchen Drub. In translation it
offers a valuable addition to the body of works, rendered into En
glish, of outstanding historical figures in the Buddhist world.
Born in the year 1290, Buton Rinpoche showed extraordinary
qualities from a young age, and grew up to become one of Tibet's
greatest and most prolific scholars and translators. Acting always
out of boundless compassion, and with inestimable wisdom, he
worked tirelessly for the liberation of all sentient beings. He be
came known as the Lord of Zhalu-amongst other eminent titles
Zhalu being the location of his principal monastery and retreat cen
tre.
This biography was composed as a hymn of praise to his mas
ter by the monk-disciple Dratshadpa Rinchen Namgyal. It has been
ably translated into English by Hans van den Bogaert, who is to be
commended for his devotion and the thoroughness of his endeav
ors. May the merit gained by publishing this inspirational life-story
be shared among all sentient beings, and bring them benefit.
Gyatsho Tshering
Director
June 1996