Five Buddha Families and Eight Consciousnesses (PDF)

Thrangu Rinpoche describes in a lucid manner the Tibetan view of mind by giving the function and the properties and importance of the eight Consciousnesses of mind. These consciousnesses interacting with each other and the outside world give us our view of the world and in their normal functioning send us deeper and deeper into Cyclic Existence or Samsara.

When eight consciousnesses are purified with Buddhist practice, they are automatically transformed into the five enlightened wisdoms. Each of the five Buddha Families represents a particular enlightened wisdom, have different characteristics, and purify a particular disturbing emotion.

Thrangu Rinpoche considers understanding the eight consciousnesses and the five wisdoms so important in understanding the path towards enlightenment that he has taught this in many of his books and teachings.

This PDF is an exact copy of the paperback book and can be viewed on almost any computer or tablet.

You can also purchase a paperback of this book on this website (under Books) for $ 4.50.