Karma Chakme’s Mountain Dharma is a complete text for those who want to practice Tibetan Buddhism, translated and published by KTD Publications in four volumes (the restricted chapters, not included in these volumes, are available at Karme Ling Retreat Center with the permission of one’s teacher).

His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa (Rangjung Rikpe Dorje, 1923-1981) indicated that it was his wish that Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche present Karma Chakme’s Mountain Dharma to Western students. In accordance with this wish, Khenpo Rinpoche began teaching this text in the Year of the Earth Rabbit, February 1999, at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, the North American seat of His Holiness, located in Woodstock, New York. The teachings took place on weekends over the subsequent four years concluding in the Year of the Water Sheep, April 2003. The original text by Karma Chakme Rinpoche was written in the Year of the Horse, 1659.

Volume Two examines the complete path of Mahamudra from initial experience to full realization. There is emphasis on how to conduct a proper retreat, including the use of geomancy in determining the appropriate site, the longevity practices of White Tara and Tseringma, chod practice, and how to use compassion as protection from fear and danger. This volume introduces the tantras, and gives anuttara yoga tantra instructions for Vairochana purification practices both for oneself and for the deceased.

As Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche explains in the book:

“Consider that you cannot possibly be with your guru for your entire lifetime. You will be away from your teacher sometimes doing retreat or practicing alone. What will you do if you always have to rely upon the physical presence of your guru? Karma Chakme Rinpoche answers that if you become familiar with all fifty-four chapters of these oral instructions for mountain retreat, it is like having a guru right there with you. “Just carry this textbook,” he says. “The moment you are not clear, read that chapter. It is like having a guru there ready to explain everything. You do not have to obtain fifty or sixty different volumes of textbooks. If you become well acquainted with this text, you have everything necessary to achieve enlightenment. You have all you need to successfully undertake any practice, from the most basic to the complete Tantrayana.”