Nowadays there are two principal philosophical traditions followed by Tibetan Lamas. The first is found among the Sarmapas, or Newer Schools, which employ the Prasangika Madhyamaka view of Chandrakirti, not only in explicating the real meaning of the Sutra system but also in their interpretation of the Tantras. The second is found among the two Older Schools, the Nyingmapa and the Bonpo, which emphasize the Dzogchen point of view in elucidating their understanding of the Higher Tantras. Among the Older Schools, Dzogchen, "the Great Perfection", which lies beyond the process of Tantric transformation, is regarded as the quintessential teaching of the Buddha, pointing directly to the Nature of Mind and its intrinsic awareness, known as Rigpa. However, according to Lopon Tenzin Namdak Yongdzin Rinpoche, the leading Dzogchen master among the Bonpo Lamas living today, "It is necessary for us as practitioners to know what Dzogchen is, how to practice it, and the result of this practice." Lopon Rinpoche undertakes this task in a series of nine teachings he gave some years ago to Western students interested in the view of Dzogchen and its practice in meditation. Here the Lopon compares the Dzogchen view with the views of Madhyamaka, Chittamatra, Tantra and Mahamudra, clearly indicating the similarities and the differences among them. Unlike the traditional educational system found in other Tibetan monasteries, at Tashi Menri Monastery and at Triten Norbutse Monastery, both now re-established in India and Nepal respectively, Dzogchen is not restricted to private meditation instruction only. Rather, it is brought out into the daylight of the marketplace of philosophical ideas and discussed in relation to the viewpoints of Sutra and Tantra. The Lopon's exceptionally clear exposition of these various views, which have consequences for one�s meditation practice, will be of interest to Western students and practitioners. Transcribed and edited by John Myrdhin Reynolds from the Lopon's original lectures, the teachings are provided here with a new introduction and annotations, as well as an appendix with a brief biography of the Lopon and a sketch of the educational system at his monastery of Triten Norbutse in Nepal.
Bonpo Dzogchen Teachings, Lopon Tenzin Namdak, Vajra Publications, Paperback, 268 pp, $24.95
John Myrdhin Reynolds was trained and ordained as a Tantric Yogin and has taught widely in the United States and Europe.
| Contents: Bonpo Dzogchen Teachings according to Lopon Tenzin Namdak, described and edited by John Myrdhin Reynolds |
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Preface to the First Edition
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ix |
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| Preface to the New Edition |
xiii |
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Introduction to Bon
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1 |
Bon and Buddhism in Tibet
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1 |
Tonpa Shenrab and Olmo Lung-ring
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3 |
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9 |
The Four Portals and the Treasury
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11 |
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12 |
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14 |
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15 |
Shenchen Luga and the Revival of Bon
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20 |
The Traditions of Bonpo Dzogchen
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22 |
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1. Introduction to the Practice of Dzogchen
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25 |
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| 2. The Attainng of Buddhahood according to Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen |
37 |
The Hinayana View
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37 |
The Mahayana View
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38 |
The Tantra View
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40 |
The Dzogchen View
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41 |
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| 3. Four Essential Points for Understanding Dzogchen |
49 |
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| 4. The View of Shunyata found in Madhyamaka, Chittamatra and Dzogchen |
57 |
The View of the Sutra System
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57 |
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58 |
Madhyamaka and Dzogchen on the Two Truths
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66 |
The Chittamatra
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73 |
Chittamatra and Dzogchen
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82 |
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| 5. The Views of Tantra, Mahamnudra and Dzogchen |
89 |
The View of Tantra
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89 |
Mahamudra and Dzogchen
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99 |
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| 6. The View of Dzogchen |
107 |
Dzogchen as the Highest Teaching
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107 |
The Base
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109 |
Commitment to the Dzogchen View
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111 |
The Dzogchen View
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112 |
First Contradiction - Chittamatra
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114 |
Second Contradiction - Madhyamaka
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115 |
Third Contradiction - the Lower Tantra
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117 |
Fourth Contradiction - the Higher Tantra
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119 |
Inseparability
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120 |
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| 7. The Practice of Dzogchen |
123 |
View
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123 |
Meditation
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135 |
Action
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149 |
Fruit
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153 |
Conclusion
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155 |
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| 8. Rushans: The Preliminary Practices of Dzogchen |
157 |
Rushan Exercises
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157 |
Impermanence of Life
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157 |
Karmic Causes and Consciousness
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158 |
Methods of Purification
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165 |
The Outer Rushans
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166 |
The Inner Rushans
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170 |
The Secret Rushans
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172 |
Recognizing the Nature of Mind
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173 |
Meditation
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177 |
Continuing in the View
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182 |
How to Practice Meditation
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183 |
Disturbances to Meditation
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185 |
Signs of Right Meditation
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187 |
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| 9. Introduction to Thekchod and Thodgal |
189 |
The Natural State
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189 |
The Three Series of Dzogchen Teachings
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190 |
Thekchod and Thodgal
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193 |
Thodgal Visions
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194 |
Development of Visions
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199 |
The Four Lamps
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201 |
The Rainbow Body
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203 |
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| Appendix |
209 |
The Biography of Lopon Tenzin Namdak
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209 |
The Curriculum of Studies at Triten Norbutse Monastery
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224 |
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| Notes |
231 |
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Selected Bibliography
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265 |
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