The Dodrupchens are well-known as one of the main holders of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage. The first Dodrupchen, Jigmey Thrinley Ozer, was a direct disciple of Jigmey Lingpa. After spending many years with Jigmey Lingpa, he returned to East Tibet and established a monastery at Dodrupchen. The third Dodrupchen declared that he would write extensively as a way to provide support for transmission of the lineage. Later, he was known especially for his writings in support of the system.
The text here comes from the Collected Works of Tenpai Nyima. It is brief but covers many of the key points needed by a practitioner of Thorough Cut. Dodrupchen weaves an excellent story of the Thorough Cut teaching which has a beautiful flow to it. Some points will be impossible to understand without having a great deal of knowledge not only of Thorough Cut but also of many facets of Buddhadharma. Therefore, the author of the book has provided copious notes where they are needed so that anyone will be able to follow what the Dodrupchen is saying. For example, he weaves a very interesting story of self- and other-emptiness in relation to Thorough Cut which the author unravels forthe reader. The text complements the other text of Tenpai Nyima that we have translated, About The Three Lines That Strike Key Points . It also complements Patrul's Feature of the Expert, Glorious King and we would strongly recommend that the two be read in conjunction with each other.
The book contains the Dodrupchens text in English. It includes extensive notes from the author to clarify difficult points in the text, a complete glossary to help clarify the meaning of the unique terminology of the system, and the Tibetan text as well.
A Lamp's Illumination, Condensed Advice on Great Completion's Thorough Cut by Dodrupchen III, Tenpai Nyima, PKTC, 74 Pages
The author, well-known translator and teacher Tony Duff has practised extensively with Gelug, Kagyu, and Nyingma traditions. He has been translating, teaching, and practising in these schools for thirty-five years. He is well known for his teaching, contributions to the translation of Tibetan Buddhism, and major works in preserving and re-publishing Tibetan Buddhist texts.
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