john newman - the outer wheel of time - vajrayana buddhist cosmology in the kalacakra tantra

Chapter One of the Viamalprabha was translated back in the eighties by John Newman, a student of Geshe Sopa from Madison, Wisconsin. The translation was ground-breaking in its time, and was the first section of the Vimalaprabha to appear in English. Scholars and practitioners find this opening chapter very helpful as it lays down the basis for the whole Kalackara tradition and then goes on to focus on the outer Kalacakra, including the astrology (most of which is not included in the translation here), and many historical and geographical reference points for the tradition. Most importantly, the opening sections of the chapter summarise all five chapters, giving a complete overview of the Kalacakra. The translation is accessible, and has an air of authority, no doubt reflecting Newman's personal connection to the tradition, through his teacher Geshe Sopa. As most people know, the first western initiation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama took place at Madison in 1981, and the following year, Serkong Rinpoche taught on Kalacakra there. One can sense the benefits of these connections in Newman's work, which is more than an academic treatise.