Instructions on the Six Lamps is a profound and important work from the Bon Dzogchen tradition and is one of the root texts of the Zhangzhung Nyengyu (Oral Transmission of Zhangzhung) series of orally transmitted teachings. Considered to be the central work of the inner cycle of these teachings, it expertly details the principles of the natural state and its visionary marvels. The root text describes highly secret precepts of Dzogchen (Great Perfection) practice--the teachings of Trekcho and Thogel--as revealed by Tapihritsa to Gyerpung Nangzher Lopo. The teachings in this text represent oral instructions transmitted by a single master to a single disciple in the mode known as "single transmission." It is through such a practice that one can see the clear light of one's own mind before achieving complete buddhahood. In this respect, the text contains a complete teaching of Dzogchen, from beginning to end.

The Six Lamps: Secret Dzogchen Instructions of the Bon Tradition, Jean-Luc Achard, Wisdom Publications, Paperback, 225 pages, $17.95

Jean-Luc Achard is a tibetologist, researcher at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, France), as well as the editor and publisher of the Revue d'Etudes Tibetaines, a free online academic journal of Tibetan Studies. He has been studying Buddhism for 35 years and has specialized in the study and practice of the teachings of Dzogchen (Great Perfection). In particular, he has studied with Yongdzin Lopon Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche for several years and translated numerous Bonpo texts of Dzogchen for the retreats of Yongdzin Rinpoche. He is currently engaged in the translations and commentaries of several key works of Dzogchen belonging to the Bon and Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He lives in Courdimanche-sur-Essonne, a small village in France.

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	1
The Historical Setting	3
The Teachings of the Great Perfection	6
The Text of the Six Lamps	33
PART ONE. INSTRUCTIONS ON THE SIX LAMPS Extracted from the Oral Transmission of the Great Perfection in Zhangzhung
Preface	39
I. The Lamp of the Abiding Base	45
1. The Natural State of the Base	45
2. The Separation Between Samsara and Nirvana	51
II. The Lamp of the Flesh-Heart	63
III. The Lamp of the White and Smooth Channel	69
IV. The Water Lamp of the Far-Reaching Lasso	77
V. The Lamp of the Direct Introductions to the Pure Realms	81
1. The Direct Introduction to the Three Bodies	81
2. Gaining Decisive Certainty	84
VI. The Lamp of the Moment of the Bardo	95
Colophon	103
PART TWO. COMPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONS
VII. Parallels between the Six Lamps and Other Works of the Zhangzhung Nyengyu	113
1. Teachings Corresponding to the First Lamp	114
2. Teachings Corresponding to the Second Lamp	122
3. Teachings Corresponding to the Third Lamp	126
4. Teachings Corresponding to the Fourth Lamp	130
5. Teachings Corresponding to the Fifth Lamp	134
6. Teachings Corresponding to the Sixth Lamp	142
VIII The Complementary Works to the Six Lamps	149
1. The Root Text	149
2. The Commentaries	152
3. The Actual Complementary Works	155
4. Further Doxographical Works	162
5. The Practice Manual	167
Glossary	175
Bibliography	201
Index	209
About the Author	225