This translation of The Rain of Wisdom has been prepared under the direct supervision of Vajrācārya the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche. In accordance with the Buddhist tradition of translation, our work has been a collaborative effort. Over the last several years all members of the Nālandā Translation Committee participated in the many drafts and revisions of the text. The final draft was prepared under the supervision of a central committee consisting of Robin Kornman, John Rockwell, Jr., and Scott Wellenbach in collaboration with Lama Ugyen Shenpen, Loppön Lodrö Dorje Holm, and Larry Mermelstein. Each stage of the translation benefited from the overall guidance and meticulous attention of Trungpa Rinpoche. We are deeply indebted to him for his tireless patience and wisdom.
Particular appreciation is due His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa, who generously provided original woodblock copies of the Rumtek edition of the text; Professor R. A. Stein, who kindly made available the Palpung edition; the Venerable Dilgo Khyentse, Rinpoche and the Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche, who lent their vast learning to help us resolve questions about technical points of doctrine; Dr. Reginald Ray and Dr. Mark Tatz, both of Nāropa Institute, with whom we consulted in our preparation of the Afterword; Carolyn Rose and Olive Colón, who read through the entire typescript, adding valuable editorial assistance; and lastly to the secretarial staffs of Vajradhatu, Karma Dzong, and Nalanda Foundation, who labored over the seemingly endless preparation and revision of the typescript with devotion, enthusiasm, and humor.
With heartfelt devotion we offer this publication in celebration of the tenth anniversary of Trungpa Rinpoche’s teaching in North America: 1970–1980.