Customer Reviews

The Practice of Dzogchen (Buddhayana Series, Vol. 3)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

10-Point Rating: (10.0)
I came to this book with a heavy background in western philosophy, specifically the analytic tradition. Never having studied eastern traditions directly, I had always bought into the marginalizations of eastern thought prevalent in our culture. This book literally slapped me awake. There is not a thinker in the entire history of western philosophy (and that includes all the greats) that can hold a candle to Longchen Rabjam and the tradition he represents. I am not going to lie to you, this book is not easy reading - the system/viewpoint expressed is completely alien to our western outlook. It thus carries with it a set of technical terms (just as our philosophers do - e.g. substance, person, free will) which must be understood prior to a serious reading. For this reason it is best not to breeze through the introductory material which, as in most books on dzogchen, makes up at least half the volume. Another difficulty is that the author (Longchenpa) is assuming familiarity with certain ideas (such as the twelvefold chain of interdependent causation) and so he only treats them in a cursory fashion - bear with it, re-read it, study it, it will eventually come to you.

I recently compiled a list of the ten most influential books in shaping my particular worldview, and this book had no serious competitors for the top spot. Longchenpa (c. 1350) is quite simply one of the finest pure philosophers ever to draw breath. This collection of his writings (quite capably translated and introduced by Tulku Thondrup) is a must for any serious student of either religion or philosophy (whether Buddhist or not). Of notable interest would have to be Section 7: Naturally Liberated Mind, the cornerstone of the entire volume. Herein, the reader will be treated to one of the most lucid and forceful, yet subtle and elegant presentations of the Dzogchen view in print anywhere. This one section is worth the cost of the entire volume, and though difficult at points, it bears re-reading until understood. The technical Tibetan and Sanskrit terms might seem overwhelming to readers not versed in the religious traditions of the East, but the effort to transcend this difficulty will be repayed a hundredfold. Simply put: this book belongs in your library!!

The first attempt to write this review had to be aborted due to lack of space! I love this book. I love Tulku Thondup. I love Longchenpa, in large part due to the efforts of Tulku Thondup himself. This book, previously published as "Buddha Mind," has so much good stuff in it, i can't tell it all! Start with a thorough outline of the views within the nyingma school, culminating in dzogchen, throw in some stories from past masters' lives, and you have the first part of the book. The second part is a careful selection from some of Longchenpa's important writings. This includes a section each for the "view, meditation and result" of dzogchen. Within the "meditation" section is the full translation of both an instructional text and its practice explanation. This alone is worth a lot of gold, if you know what i mean. If you are a practitioner within a dzogchen lineage, you probably already have this book. If you are knew to this amazing tradition, pick up a copy tommorrow and dive in.

This is the most comprehensive general introduction to Dzogchen philosophy and practice, by one of the greatest living scholars and translators of this tradition. An unjustly neglected book that belongs on the shelf of every Dzogchen practitioner or scholar of Tibetan Buddhist religious traditions.

The book is very interesting but it is an advanced book for researchers. Nevertheless Dzogchen is not easily to be understood. The author gives very wide information about Nyingma Dzogchen tradition. I thank the author for helping me on my way to choose my buddhist path. More important is the practice and not the reading. Maybe I will understand this book better after practicing intensively. This book will give motivation for the practice...

i recently ordered this book based upon reviews and was disappointed. i wasn't able to wade through the technical language and writing style of this book. i don't doubt the amount of information that is here, but if i can't access it, it is of little use to me. perhaps i'll find something else more useful to me.