Customer Reviews

The Golden Letters

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This is a fine translation of one of the most succinct and profound Dzogchen texts, by the early Tibetan master Garab Dorje, with commentary by the great 19th century master Patrul Rinpoche. John Reynolds has produced a scholarly yet highly readable translation of this important text and commentary, and has added a very helpful and insightful introduction and commentary of his own. For anyone seriously interested in practicing Dzogchen, one of the most profound Tibetan Buddhist methods for realizing the nature of the mind, this book will be a great treasure.

John Reynolds was recognized as the first western man (Inje) to take Ngakpa ordination in Tibetan Buddhism. He studied extensively under the late Dudjom Rinpoche who gave him his vows, as well as with Namkhai Norbu, and Lopon Tenzin Namdak. Reynolds was one of the first westerners to translate essential texts in the Buddhist tradition, particularly teachings on Dzogchen. His translations are technically accurate, and show a depth of insight into Tibetan thought and theory which few others have shown. This is essential reading for any Buddhist!

I highly recommend his other texts as well, including his Bonpo Dzogchen teachings which are to be found at the moment in booklet form. See his website: www.vajranatha.com

Samaya hoh!

This is another excellent translation of an essential work in the study of Dzogchen. Namkhi Norbu Rinpoche - well named - and John Reynold's cooperative efforts once again bear fruit forthe liberation of all beings from suffering. This is one of the best: well written, erudite, clear as crystal and elegant.

The essence of the Dzogchen teaching is found in Garab Dorje's "The Three Statements That Strike the Essential Point" (Garab Dorje was the first Dzogchen master). These "Three Statements" appeared in a text known as "The Last Testament of Garab Dorje" which was part of a larger work known as the "Golden Letters".

The nineteenth century Dzogchen master Patrul Rinpoche wrote an important commentary of "The Three Statements" entitled "The Special Teaching of the Wise and Glorious King", this is the main subject matter of the present book.

Patrul Rinpoche's commentary is a joy to read, it is to the point and written in simple clear language with a minimum of technical phrases. If this wasn't enough we are then treated to further clarification with John Myrdhin Reynolds generous commentary of "The Special Teaching".

Later in the book there are more treasures in the form of a translation of the actual "Last Testament" together with Reynold's superb interlinear commentary. By the end of the book the reader is left in little doubt (as far as words can take us) as to the meaning of "The Three Statements".

This book is of great benefit because it points us directly to our true nature and it gives a very wide range of explanations for those that may need a bit more.It is a great invitation to explore within oneself. This book also helps us understand in more depth what Padmasambhava left us as great gift: Self Liberation through Seing with Nacked Awareness.

This is a magical book, a work of many gifted hands. For one, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche is a great yogin, revealer of treasures, and scholar in Buddhist studies, and his fingerprints are visible throughout much of John Reynolds' presentation and his commentaries as well.

Reynolds (aka Vajranatha) translates here the Three Statements of Garab Dorje, which is a very early transmission of Dzogchen, or The Great Perfection (if you don't know, this is a very high Buddhist teaching), as well as a commentary by Patrul Rinpoche (see The Words of My Perfect Teacher) and a guru-yoga sadhana revealed by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche: all of which are extremely powerful and ably translated into clear English.

While I might quibble with certain of his ideas (the Jungian archetypal tango for one), I remain deeply impressed by Mr. Reynolds' commentaries and other supporting materials. What's not to love about a tantric adept in a tengallon hat? It's clear to me that Vajranatha is doing his own teachers proud, and I am thankful for his work. It will be a fine day when more of his translations and original writings are available in print.

May the Dharma flourish!

This is a wonderful book, but (per Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung) it should be read with the understanding that there is a difference between objective/material/scientific reality on the one hand, and mythical reality (e.g. the Australian aborigine "dream time") on the other hand. Thus, many legends exist in virtually all religious traditions that are mythological. It is unrealistic to assume that your own religion has no such mythology and all others are merely mythology. In truth they are all a mixture of both types of reality. Neither should be denigrated, neither should be raised high above the other. Reynolds magnificently translates and comments upon this key Dzogchen text. But, he also makes numerous pithy, wise comments of a very general nature about religion/mythology in general. I think these make this work quite unique and particularly valuable in the study of comparative religion. I also find that comparing religious views tends to clarify my understanding. Amazingly enough, the doctrines of Kabbalah and those of Dzogchen and Mahamudra are VERY frequently supportive of each other - if not identical in essence (though differing in terminology, of course). Thus, I have added a number of quotes from this book into my collection:
p. 199: "It is only human nature to overlay the history or the biography of a charismatic figure-whether religious, military, or political-with myth, so that this figure comes to approximate a preexisting archetype. Thus, in later times, what we find in tradition, both written and oral, is not biography in the modern sense but hagiography...But this fact does not in itself disprove the real historical existence of these masters."
p. 202: "Modern scholars, conditioned by our literate civilization and our text-illuminated educational system, tend to overlook the importance of oral tradition...It would seem obvious that the appearance of a text at a particular time in history does not prove that the ideas the text contains first came into existence when these were written down in that text. Quite the contrary."
p. 203: "It is merely the bias of most modern scholars to think that something does not exist unless it is written down in some text."
p. 212: "Tradition itself is always pointing at a higher source and ultimate origin which lies beyond mere history."
p. 294: "It is necessary to be aware of the western intellectual tradition and cultural assumptions underlying our everyday use of language because otherwise we can be led into many misunderstandings."

This book begins with "The Three Statements That Strike the Essential Points" from the Last Testament of Garab Dorje the first human master of Dzogchen: "One is introduced directly to one's own nature", "One definitively decides upon this unique state" and "One continues directly with confidence in liberation." They seem straightforward enough - OK maybe a little terse. Dudjom Rinpoche's Short Commentary (1 page) is very nicely translated and to the point. Next is a short work by Patrul Rinpoche with his poetic commentary that develops things further. By its end we are up to Page 67. Then Mr. Reynolds commentary kicks in - wow. I read it but it's some pretty rough sledding. Far, far too many insertions of Tibetan terms break the flow of what is, after all, supposed to be a translation. Then there are nuances (in parens) within interpolations [in brackets]like this from Page 145:

"As for the the real meaning of this: [All of] the states [consisting of the nondual gnosis or knowledge (which is primordial awareness) present in the hearts]of all the Sugatas are encompassed within this (single unique state of immediate intrinsic Awareness found within every individual sentient being)."

Dzogchen just isn't this hard!

The latter part of the book is lengthy scholarly material intended to defend and support Dzogchen's ancient lineage problem and its radical differences from Tantric Mahayana Buddhism. Hey,it either works in your spiritual life or it doesn't. What difference does it make if the concepts and techniques arose in 2,500 BCE or 1100 CE? Read "The Mirror, Advice on Presence and Awareness" by Namkhai Norbu and you can start living it - today.

After reading this book, I was asking myself: but of what does this erudite book speaks of? Of the legendary history of dzogchen? of the scolastic erudition around it? But for the practice, nothing usefull.

The book is around only 3 sentences describing dzogchen by Garab Dorje (they are quoted in an other review of this book).
Then there is a comment of Patrul Rinpoche in 3 pages: The special teaching of the wise and glorious king.
Then a comment of this comment in 18 pages by Patrul Rinpoche. This is also presented in the book: Dzogchen, by Dalai lama, I have made a review on it: about the inadequacy of this method for the modern times, whereas there are much better methods in dzogchen presented in other books I have also reviewed.
Then a very erudit and scolastic comment by J.M.R in 62 pages.

Essentialy the remaining of the book, 300 pages, is a comment on this comment of a comment on a comment! Mainly oriented toward legendary history and parallels with western philosophy which are not convincing.

If you want to know the philosophical background of dzogchen, and enjoy erudition, it is a great book. But if you are like me interested into acurate information on the practice of dzogchen you will be disapointed.

If you're one of the few with the estimable karma to have truly seen through the futility of seeking as the means to 'finding,' you will only need a few lines or pages of this miraculous 'Vajra' (diamond/indestructible) teaching to 'arrive home.' If you're not, your ego's misappropriation of the stuff will probably send you on another ego trip of a few million reincarnations.

So... on one hand, this book is worth its weight in diamonds many times over; on the other, it's extremely dangerous, and useless -- it doesn't tell you anything your True Nature does not already know.

Have a deep and honest understanding of your state before you click on the order button.