Women of wisdom - Softcover

Tsultrim Allione is one of the first American women to be ordained a nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. But blazing a trail for Buddhist women in the West required models of great women practitioners. In the first book of its kind, Allione brings together the biographies of six women mystics in this strong but little known Tibetan tradition. Make that seven women, as Allione expands her own spiritual autobiography into 80 pages in this new printing. The dakini principle, the principle of feminine transformation, pervades each of these stories. A woman is beaten by her husband and father-in-law and has her son taken from her but later comes face-to-face with the boddhisattva Tara and becomes a great teacher. A wife who has always dreamed of practicing the dharma splits from her husband and travels the land receiving teachings. A poor cow herder is given a long-hidden sacred text and becomes a dakini herself. A spiritual biography embodies a teaching, and these stories enchant while transmitting wisdom. --Brian Bruya

Women of Wisdom explores and celebrates the spiritual potential of all women, as exemplified by the lives of six Tibetan female mystics. These stories of great women who have achieved full illumination, overcoming cultural prejudices and a host of other problems which male practitioners do not encounter, offer a wealth of inspiration to everyone on the spiritual path.

In this revised and expanded edition, Tsultrim Allione's extensive autobiographical preface and introduction speak directly to the difficulties and triumphs of women in the West who pursue a spiritual life as she shares her own stories and experiences. Women of Wisdom offers valuable insights to all those interested in woman's spirituality regardless of background or tradition.

Tsultrim Allione is one of the most widely known contemporary Western women teachers of Buddhism. She received her master's degree from Antioch University in Buddhism/Women's Studies and was among the first Western women ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. She has been a practicing Buddhist for over thirty years and has taught throughout the world, making great efforts to create teaching methods which facilitate the Western understanding of Buddhism.

She is founder and director of Tara Mandala, a retreat center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, that has been described as one of the most dynamic new Buddhist centers in North America.

This new edition includes Tsultrim's expanded autobiography covering the last 15 years since the first edition appeared.

"One best books to bring out the riches of the feminine in Buddhism. Filled with inspired stories, Women of Wisdom is truly a classic."--Jack Kornfield

"For anyone interested in exploring new ground regarding either women and religion or Tantric Buddhist lore, this book is a treasure."--Anne C. Klein, Parabola

"Women of Wisdom is both fascinating and inspiring for Buddhists and non-Buddhist, female and male alike."--Victoria Scott, The San Francisco Chronicle

"These spiritual biographies embody teachings, enchant and transmit wisdom."--Brian Bruya, Amazon.com