SHAMAR RINPOCHE, the 14th Shamarpa Red Hat Lama, has worked to spread the Buddhadharma throughout the world for over 30 years. For many years he taught mainly in Karma Kagyu centers established by H.H. the 16th Karmapa, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and Kalu Rinpoche. Since 2001 he has been founding his own rime (non-sectarian) centers. His Bodhi Path Buddhist Centers can now be found across Asia, Europe, and North America, and lojong is taught as the principal practice.Shamar Rinpoche is in the second line of reincarnate lamas in Tibetan Buddhism, dating back to the 13th Century. Fluent in English, Shamar Rinpoche drew over 200 people to an event at the Rudin Museum of Art in NYC last year.

Shamar Rinpoche is the author of three self-published books: Creating a Transparent Democracy; A Golden Swan in Turbulent Waters: Life and Times of the 10th Karmapa Choying Dorje; and Boundless Awakening: The Heart of Buddhist Meditation. The Path to Awakening is his first trade book with a publisher who will support and publicize it.Translator LARA BRAITSTEIN is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism at McGill University.