The Practice of Dzogchen [Hardcover]

Longchen Rabjam (Author), Harold Talbott (Editor), Tulku Thondup (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2002

One of the most comprehensive works on the Nyingma to appear in English.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An ambitious work of contemporary Tibetan scholarship...indispensable to any serious study of Dzogchen philosophy. -- The Tibet Journal

Product Details

• Hardcover: 488 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lion Publications (September 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559391790
• ISBN-13: 978-1559391795
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #916,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Naturally Liberated Mind, the Great Perfection, July 5, 2004

By 

john warren (Alexandria, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Practice of Dzogchen (Hardcover)

The excerpt of this book provided on Amazon only has portions from the introductory material by Tulku Thondrup, none of the words of Longchempa are included. The following excerpts are all from chapter 7, the Sems-Nyid Rang-Grol, which is the heart of the volume. I have provided these for those who may be curious as to what this book is really about. My own views on this book are well known (q.v.).

"Phenomenal existences are unborn, of equal nature;
In which the originally liberated appearances and mind prevail evenly without apprehensions;
Concerning that marvelous sovereign, Naturally Liberated Mind,
Listen while I tell you what I have realized.

"All phenomena are primordially pure and enlightened, so it is unborn and unceasing, inconceivable and inexpressable.
In the ultimate sphere purity and impurity are naturally pure and
Phenomena are the great equal perfection, free from conception.

"There is no separate emptiness apart from apparent phenomena.
The notion of their distinctness is a division made by the mind.

"In the mind which has no essence, various things
Arise because of the objective conditions,
Like reflections appearing in a mirror or in the ocean.
The emptiness essence, unceasing nature, and
Variously appearing characteristic, the magical display, is
The dual projection of samsara and nirvana within a single Mind.

"The primordially empty Mind, which has no root,
Is not defiled by the phenomenal appearances of samsara and nirvana.

"The nature of samsara is the essence of the mind,
Which is primordially unborn and enlightened,
So by seeing the Mind, realization of the nature of existence is attained.

"For the Buddhahood which is totally and naturally pure,
Do not search anywhere but in your own mind.

"For people who want enlightenment, the meaning of the unmodified absolute
Is to let the mind be at ease without effort."

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advanced Dzogchen study, May 30, 2004

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practice of Dzogchen (Hardcover)

There are lots of introductory Dzogchen books (as there are for Mahamudra, Kabbalah, etc.). This is NOT one of them. There are also pure scholarly works with a small, fervent readership. This isn't one of those either, though scholars may certainly find it very valuable. The commentator/translator excerpts from many of Longchenpa's (Longchen Rabjam's) various texts which would be virtually impossible to access in English otherwise. Longchenpa is one of, if not THE, greatest Dzogchen masters of all time. Nevertheless, this is not an easy text to read. Furthermore, it is inconsistent in depth & style. However, this is a definitive Dzogchen text--quite advanced, not for the beginner, challenging, and enlightening. It grows with you and re-reading texts in an unfamiliar area can increase understanding and familiarity (the way Jung studied Alchemy). This is a GREAT book, not to be underrated, but not every book is for every one. There is also a new issue of the same text entitled "Buddha Mind." It might be better to read Longchenpa's "Kindly Bent to Ease Us" trilogy before attempting this one. It's a much easier read.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opening anthology of the writings, March 10, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Practice of Dzogchen (Hardcover)

The Practice Of Dzogchen is an eye-opening anthology of the writings on Dzogpa Chenpo, or Dzogchen, by Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363), a widely renowned adept of the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism. Meticulously translated into English by Tulku Thondup, this classic 466-page text cogently explains the nature of the three outer and three inner tantras, presents excerpts from the lives of Dzogpa Chenpo masters, offers paths to meditation, and a great deal more. Simply put, The Practice Of Dzogchen is a "must-have" addition for Tibetan Buddhist reference shelves and a strongly recommended entry for the supplemental reading lists of dedicated students of Tibetan Studies.