The Practice of Dzogchen: Longchen Rabjam's Writings on the Great Perfection

(Hardback)

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A classic collection of writings on the meditation practice and theory of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection, by the celebrated fourteenth-century scholar and adept Longchen Rabjam (Longchenpa). Dzogpa Chenpo (Dzogchen) is the pinnacle of Vajrayana Buddhist practice in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It employs a meditative technique that effortlessly uncovers the emotional and intellectual layers of the mind and instantly awakens its essential nature, buddhahood itself. In addition to presenting selections from the writings of Longchenpa, this book draws on the works of later masters of the tradition to clarify the view and practice of the Great Perfection.

Reviews

A treasure trove for all who aspire to have a deeper understanding of the unsurpassable tantra teachings. Now with the revised and expanded edition of this timeless classica must-read for all students of Buddhadharma who wish to study, understand, and practice the precious Great Completionthese invaluable teachings are further enriched. The peerless teachings of the Omniscient Longchenpa, who was Manjushri in person, and the masterful and insightful translation of Tulku Thondup give us fortunate students a masterpiece that illumines the quintessential, profound teachings of Dzogpa Chenpo.
Mindrolling Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche, author of This Precious Life

Tulku Thondup Rinpoche has performed a service of inestimable value for all serious students of Buddhist thought. One of Tibets greatest philosopher-sages, Longchen Rabjampa, is here made accessible to the specialist and interested nonspecialist in a manner that is authoritative, comprehensive, and clear. This book fills a major gap. Matthew Kapstein, author of The Tibetan Assimilation of Buddhism

Attainment of buddhahood is not about getting somewhere else or transforming ourselves into something else. Rather, it is about realizing and perfecting the fully awakened nature of our own mind. This nature cannot be attained by holding on to something tightly or seeking something externally but only by awakening the openness nature, the intrinsic awareness, of our own mind itself, as it is.Tulku Thondup, from the Preface to the Revised Edition

Author Bio

LONGCHEN RABJAM (1308-1363) is the most celebrated scholar and adept of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. A prolific writer, his works on the Great Perfection are still considered to be the most authoritative and comprehensive writings on the subject. TULKU THONDUP was born in East Tibet and was educated at Dodrupchen Monastery from the age of six. In 1980 he came to the United States as a visiting scholar at Harvard University. For the past three decades he has lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he writes, translates, and teaches under the auspices of the Buddhayana Foundation. HAROLD TALBOTT is the cofounder of the Buddhayana Foundation, an organization in Marion, Massachusetts, dedicated to preserving and promoting the wisdom and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.