The Aspiration of Samantabhadra belongs to the Dzogchen tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. It comes from the primordial or dharmakaya Buddha Samantabhadra. This prayer presents the path to complete awakening according to the Dzogchen tradition as well as instructions that make our path more genuine and correct. It is a prayer that expresses the different manifestations of rigpa, which is our baste awareness, in ordinary life. Further, it is a prayer and aspiration for realization of rigpa, realization of the genuine path, and realization of the genuine teacher. In these talks, The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche presents profound teachings on this prayer based on his book, Penetrating Wisdom. In Rinpoche's words, "Whether we are talking about the nature of our mind or the nature of the universe, primordial purity exists in that nature. Both exist on that ground which is completely free from conceptual elaboration, primordially pure. That's why it is simple." These talks were presented at the second annual week-long Open Retreat. The Open Retreat presents a remarkable opportunity for any sincere student of Buddhism to experience Rinpoche's sharp intellect, humor and lucidity.


Aspiration of Samantabhadra, Ponlop Rinpoche, Vajra Echoes, 3 DVDs, 10 hrs., $72.00

The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is acknowledged as one of the foremost scholars of his generation in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Fluent in English and well-versed in Western culture, Rinpooche has worked to develop and adapt traditional Tibetan education curriculums for Western audiences. Nitartha Institute (www.nitharthainstitute.org), where Rinpoche is the main teacher, provides a focused Buddhist studies program. Rinpoche is a visiting professor of buddhist philosopy at Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado. In 1997, Rinpoche founded Nalanabodhi to preserve the genuine lineage of the Nyingma and Kagyu Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. There are Nalandabodhi centers in North America and Europe, and curriculum materials are available to people worldwide.