A "must read" by all dedicated students of Buddhism

books:


	• Dzogchen: The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection Dalai Lama Snow Lion Publications, 2004 - 272 pages average customer review:based on 7 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Precious and clear

I thought people would be interested to see all the reviews given to this precious, clear, beautifully written book, so am posting them here. Susie.

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama brings to his explanation of Dzogchen a perspective and breadth which are unique. To receive such teachings from His Holiness is, I feel, something quite extraordinary."--Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

"For our time, His Holiness the Dalai Lama embodies the completely pure essence of the Buddha's wisdom and limitless compassion for all beings. His knowledge of the teachings of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism in general, and the Dzogchen teachings in particular, is impeccable. His deep understanding and generosity of spirit make him an unerring and reliable guide through the subtleties of the profound vehicle of Tibetan Buddhist practice known as Dzogchen. Students are fortunate to have access to this collection of rare teachings-the most direct teachings available on mind's true nature-and, through them, to meet such an extraordinary teacher."--The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

"In this beautifully translated and edited volume, His Holiness, foremost proponent of the Ri-me movement in contemporary Buddhism, displays his enormous erudition, profound insight and inexhaustible good humor in illuminating the profound theory and practice of Dzogchen. This work is a genuine treasure for scholars and contemplatives alike."--B. Alan Wallace

"For unsurpassed, highest perfect scholarship, Dzogchen comes as near as language permits us to discussing the ineffable."--Bloomsbury Review

"H.H. the Dalai Lama, Buddhist leader and world peacemaker, sets forth herein perfectly clear instructions for the attainment of buddha mind and the heart essence of dzogchen. Studying, contemplating, and meditating on these teachings will reveal the true meaning of precious human life. This book is a beacon for the new millennium!"--Khenpo Palden Sherab Rinpoche & Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche.

"What greater treasure than this volume hosting four separate teachings on Dzogchen given by the Dalai Lama to Western students?"--Sangha Journal

"He offers here not only luminous insight into the heart of spiritual practice, but also practical advice on how to bring such teachings into daily life. His humor adds a warm grace note throughout. Clear, easy to understand--Dzogchen: The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection is a perfect book for our times."--Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

"...The Dalai Lama's expertise in the area of Dzogchen, combined with his clear manner of presentation, make the text an accessible resource for practitioners and students interested in Dzogchen meditaion."-- Religious Studies Review

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Compares Dzogchen to other systems & philosophies

This is the most technical of the 9 Dalai Lama books I've read so far. This is appropriate, however, for such a deep subject as Dzogchen-claimed by the Nyingmapa School to be the ultimate teaching. The Dalai Lama does NOT dispute this but dedicates a significant portion of his book (actually a collection of oral presentations given mostly in California in the late `80's) to "the correspondence between Highest Yoga Tantra and Dzogchen" (p. 120) per Dodrupchen Jikme Tenpe Nyima (1865-1926). Highest Yoga Tantra is the highest teaching of his own Gelugpa School. He points out both similarities and differences, compares it to Mahamudra (the highest teaching of the Kagyu School), the highest teaching of the Sakya School, and the Madhyamaka Prasangika philosophy as well. However, as he states on p. 176: "I am explaining Dzogchen, but in order to explain it, at this point I shall employ the vocabulary of the new schools of tantra." At least for me, he cleared up considerable ambiguity/confusion regarding the differences between this philosophy (now dominant in Tibet) and the Cittamatra.

Thus, this is NOT an introductory text. In fact, it's quite uneven-but then it wasn't written, it was a series of lectures. It includes some extremely basic Buddhist material (including his referring to the Southern Buddhism Schools as the "Fundamental Vehicle" on p. 98). This, as well as the final lecture, reflects his great compassion for all-emulating Avalokiteshvara & Tara. Indeed, he discusses some very erudite subjects with great sensitivity: emptiness (the 4 empties), free will, & (especially) context. He states:
p. 143: "there are many different presentations of emptiness."
p. 144: "it is very important to examine what the reference of any particular term may be."
p. 160: "even though the context may appear to be similar, we cannot assume that a particular term will retain the same meaning whenever it occurs."

Most of this book is a comparison of Dzogchen with other systems rather than an exposition of its methods-perhaps its sub-title might be amended. However, one lecture is a wonderful commentary on Patrul Rinpoche's "The Special Teaching of the Wise and Glorious King" which demonstrates the Dalai Lama's great erudition, knowledge of Dzogchen, and his rare ability to translate complex concepts into simple language. He chose this text because it is (p. 91) "quite short but of great substance." He also makes a very enlightening (for me) statement about a particular Dzogchen technique:
p. 56: sky gazing: "direct your gaze toward the space between you and external phenomena."

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A "must read" by all dedicated students of Buddhism

Dzogchen: Heart Essence Of The Great Perfection By The Dalai Lama should be considered as compulsory reading for anyone studying the tenets, teachings, and philosophy of Buddhism. Here recorded are teachings on Dzogchen, which is at the core of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism as related by the ultimate authority -- his Holiness, The Dalai Lama. The text is completely accessible to seasoned students, as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in Buddhism. Ably translated by Geshe Thupeten Jinpa and Richard Barron, and expertly edited by Patrick Gaffney, Dzogchen: Heart Essence Of The Great Perfection is a welcome and much appreciated contribution to the growing canon of Buddhist literature for the western reader. Indeed, anything written and published by The Dali Lama should be considered a "must read" by all dedicated students of Buddhism throughout the world.

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Enlightenment In This Life Time

Tashi Delek and Greetings!
While relying on this book and seriously contemplating these teachings one can transform this world into a pure land- Dewachen. All things are perfect naturally- hence the Great Perfection.
I highly recommend "Enlightened Journey" by Tulku Thundup as a foundation before reading this text.
May you be happy and understand the ways to attain true happiness.
S.Chukdong.

Dzogchen-The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection

I am not qualified to give a comprehensive review for this precious book, Dzogchen-The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection. Kyabje Sogyal Rinpoche has written an amazing preface which sets the stage and highlights the unique and precious nature of His Holiness Dzogchen teachings.

I wholeheartedlyrecommend this book to anyone interested in Dzogchen.

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reviews: page 1, 2

These teachings on Dzogchen, the heart essence of the ancient Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism were given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Western students in Europe and North America. He offers the reader an unprecedented glimpse into one of Buddhism's most profound systems of meditation.

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