The Collected Works of Chouml;gyam Trungpabrings together in eight volumes the writings of the first and most influential and inspirational Tibetan teachers to present Buddhism in the West. Organized by theme, the collection includes full-length books as well as articles, seminar transcripts, poems, plays, and interviews, many of which have never before been available in book form. From memoirs of his escape from Chinese-occupied Tibet to insightful discussions of psychology, mind, and meditation; from original verse and calligraphy to the esoteric lore of tantric Buddhism-the impressive range of Trungpa's vision, talents, and teachings is showcased in this landmark series. Volume One contains Trungpa's early writings in Great Britain, includingBorn in Tibet(1966), the memoir of his youth and training;Meditation in Action(1969), a classic on the practice of meditation; andMudra(1972), a collection of verse. Among the selected articles from the 1960s and '70s are early teachings on compassion and the bodhisattva path. Other articles contain unique information on the history of Buddhism in Tibet; an exposition of teachings of dzogchen with the earliest meditation instruction by Trungpa Rinpoche ever to appear in print; and an intriguing discussion of society and politics, which may be the first recorded germ of the Shambhala teachings.

Master of meditation, social visionary, author, artist, poet—Ch÷gyam Trungpa (1939–1987) founded Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, the first Buddhist university in North America; the Shambhala Training program; and Vajradhatu, an international association of meditation centers (now known under the name Shambhala International).