The Kalachakra (literally, "Wheel of Time") tantra, a core practice of Tibetan Buddhism, is a method for transforming the universe by working with the body and mind. This first volume of the Library of Tibetan Classics series was hand-picked by the Dalai Lama—who recognized it as the finest explication of this practice—and overseen by Thupten Jinpa, whose work has been indispensable to Tibetan Buddhism, both in the West and on the whole. Gavin Kilty's fluid translation makes this volume a pleasure to read.

Like its classical Indian predecessor, Stainless Light or Vimalaprabha by Pundarika, Norsang Gyatso's commentary is divided into five sections: (1) the outer world, including the unique Kalachakra cosmology, (2) the inner world of the individual and the subtle nervous system, (3) the Kalachakra initiation rite, (4) the sadhana and generation-stage practices, and (5) the completion-stage practices, including pranayama. Ten appendixes plus a glossary, notes, and bibliography make this an indispensable reference volume on the Kalachakra tantra.

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Praise & Reviews "The first published work of the new Library of Tibetan Classics series, initiated and coordinated by renowned translator Geshe Thupten Jinpa, is Ornament of Stainless Light by Khedrup Norsang Gyatso (d. 1513), a commentary on the Kalachakra root text, the Vimalaprabha. His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself selected this text for inclusion in the Library of Tibetan Classics series. Gavin Kilty's translation is scholarly and practical, his lucid introduction demonstrating his excellent grasp of the subject matter. Whether you are a Kalachakra practitioner, a student of Tibetan Buddhism, or interested in science from a new angle, this book is worthy of study."—Mandala "An excellent introduction to the more advanced forms of Indian-Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism in general. Kilty's translation is accurate and faithful to the original. Being a translation rather than an interpretation, the book presupposes that the reader has a solid foundation in basic Buddhism and the Mahayana, and some acquaintance with the Vajrayana. This book is required reading for advanced students of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism; it belongs in any library seeking thorough coverage of the Buddhist tradition."—John Newman, New College of Florida "When the Dalai Lama performed the Kalachakra initation for a crowd of 20,000 at Madison Square Garden in 1991, a page was turned in the history of tantra. It was perhaps because of the popularity of this event and the success of others like it that when he was asked to select a text for the inaugural volume of an important new series, the Dalai Lama chose a commentary on the Kalachakra tantra. According to series editor Thupten Jinpa, the Library of Tibetan Classics will total thirty volumes and offer a representative sampling of Tibet's vast literary legacy, from Buddhist philosophy to medical and historical works. The inaugural volume, Ornament of Stainless Light, is an important resource for anyone who has attended or will attend one of the many public performances of the Kalachakra initiation around the world."—Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly "A radiant gem drawn from the vast ocean of Tibetan literature on the Kalacakra tantra. It provides a clear, comprehensive summary of the basic structure and essential features of this important system of mysticism. Also, Khedrup Norsang Gyatso's interpretations of controversial issues in the Kalacakra contribute to our understanding of the evolution of Tibetan theories of mysticism. Gavin Kilty's faithful translation makes this work easily accessible— it is a fitting inaugural volume for The Library of Tibetan Classics."—John Newman, MacArthur Professor of Asian Religions, New College of Florida "Spectacular."—E. Gene Smith, Founder, Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center

Khedrup Norsang Gyatso, Author Khedrup Norsang Gyatso (1423-1513) a well-known scholar and adept of the fifteenth century, was a student of the First Dalai Lama and a principal teacher of the Second Dalai Lama. Though belonging to the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism, Norsang Gyatso is recognized as a seminal figure in the promotion of a syncretic approach—between the Geluk and Kagyü schools—to the teachings and practices of mahamudra. Along with Phukpa Lhundrup Gyatso, Norsang Gyatso is credited also with the founding of the highly influential Phuk school of Tibetan astronomy and astrology. Because of his dedication to intensive meditative practice for more than four decades as a wandering hermit, Norsang Gyatso came to be revered by the Tibetan tradition as a great meditator and teacher, and he is included among the lineage masters of many important practice traditions, including the lineage of Kalachakra. Gavin Kilty, Translator Gavin Kilty learned the Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy over a fourteen year period of study with Tibetan teachers in India. He spent eight of those years at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, founded by H. H. the XIV Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, where he completed immersive Tibetan language-based study of the major portion of Tibetan monastic curriculum. Gavin now works full time as a translator of Tibetan texts into English, and as a teacher of Tibetan language in both India and Nepal. Included among his published translations are Ornament of Stainless Light and Mirror of Beryl, both in the Library of Tibetan Classics, as well as Splendor of an Autumn Moon.