Longchen Rabjam > Quotes

“Refutation of the Assertion That the (Phenomenal) Appearances Are Mind
Although forms appear to the mind, the (objective) appearances are not mind.... When the reflection of your face appears in a mirror, it appears as the face looks, because the clear surface of the mirror is capable of making the reflection appear and the face has the potential of appearing or of projecting the reflection. At that time, the reflection of the face is not the face, nor is there any other face than the face which imprinted it. Likewise, various kinds (of phenomena) are appearing in the deluded mind because of the interdependent origination of the causes and conditions of delusion. The various objective appearances, such as mountains, are not mind. Also there is nothing in the mind which truly exists, but (merely) appearances (created by the) delusory habituation of the mind. So they are the forms of delusory appearances. They are wrong appearances, just as the person who has "hairy vision" will see hair before his eyes....”
― Longchen Rabjam, The Practice of Dzogchen

“Although other (yānas) assert that liberation will be achieved by renouncing the objects, one will not be bound by the mere appearances or the mind and the objects (Yul Dang Ch'os-Su sNang-Ba), but will be bound if one attaches (Zhen-Pa) to them. So it is taught (in scriptures) that one should renounce apprehension and attachment. Tilopā said: 'Appearances do not bind, but attachments do. So, Nāropa, cut off the attachments....”
― Longchen Rabjam, The Practice of Dzogchen

“In Guhyagarbha (māyājāla tantra) it is said:

In any of the four times and ten directions
Enlightenment will not be found
Except in the Mind, which is the fully enlightened state.
Do not seek the Buddha in any other source.
(Otherwise) even if the Buddha (himself) searches, it will not be found.”
― Longchen Rabjam, The Practice of Dzogchen

“Naturally occurring timeless awareness—utterly lucid awakened mind—
is something marvelous and superb, primordially and spontaneously present.
It is the treasury from which comes the universe of appearances and possibilities, whether of samsara or nirvana.
Homage to the unwavering state, free of elaborations.”
― Longchen Rabjam

“All phenomena are embraced within a single self-knowing awareness.
Even though they arise as the totality of samsara and nirvana,
the phenomena of the world of appearances and possibilities—
limitless, boundless—arise from basic space.
Therefore, they are subsumed within basic space from which the first arise.”
― Longchen Rabjam

“Those who ignore or belittle karmic cause and result are followers of the nihilist heretics. Those who base their confidence only upon the view of emptiness will plunge lower and lower toward the extreme view of nihilism. Those who catapult into this negative direction will never find freedom from the lower states of existence and will be far removed from the higher realms. They say that doctrines emphasizing conventional meanings such as cause and result, compassion, and meritorious accumulations will not bring buddhahood, whereas the uncontrived definitive meaning that resembles the sky is what the great yogis must meditate upon. Among nihilistic views, that is the epitome; and among lower paths, that is the lowest of all. How amazing to claim that, by blocking the cause, a result can be accomplished.”
― Longchen Rabjam, Dudjom Lingpa's Chöd: An Ambrosia Ocean of Sublime Explanations

“Since everything is but an illusion,
Perfect in being what it is,
Having nothing to do with good or bad,
Acceptance or rejection,
One might as well burst out laughing!”
― Longchen Rabjam

“Beginners will first meditate upon equanimity. Once that is established, they will then meditate upon the remaining three [immeasurable qualities of love, compassion, and joy]....

First, toward all those who are relatives, attachment is to be abandoned as though they were neutral. Then abandon aversion for enemies as though they were neutral and remain without partiality. In order to be free from delusion even toward the neutral, have the intention to dispel the passions of beings all at once. Meditate like this without clinging.

—Resting the Mind in Repose (sems nyid ngal gso)”
― Longchen Rabjam, Dudjom Lingpa's Chöd: An Ambrosia Ocean of Sublime Explanations

“If you have no contentment, you are poor even though you may be wealthy.
for the mind of a miser is never satisfied.
Those who are content are truly the richest.
Even if they have little, their minds are filled with happiness.

—Stainless Light, the testament of Drimé Özer”
― Longchen Rabjam, The Life of Longchenpa: The Omniscient Dharma King of the Vast Expanse

“In the tantric context where the aspirant strives for “enlightenment” through the ten techniques (and also in the psychological context where the patient strives for release in therapy and so on), when the absence inherent in the form of his striving becomes evident an ultimate revelation of the nature of mind can occur (see also cantos 11 and 30). But seeking and striving preclude accomplishment”
― Longchen Rabjam, Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen

“Samsara merely a label, goal-oriented endeavor is undermined; and in the emptiness that cannot be improved or impaired, freedom is just another word, and there is no nirvana: striving in the ten techniques accomplishes nothing.”
― Longchen Rabjam, Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen

“If secret rigpa, the actual buddha-dynamic, eludes us, to attain release by any purposeful action is no option.”
― Longchen Rabjam, Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen

“He in whose heart the words of the master have entered,
Sees the truth like a treasure in his own palm.

– Saraha”
― Longchen Rabjam, The Practice of Dzogchen

“You may have collected many useful profound texts – philosophical scriptures,
Spoken advice, transcribed teachings,
Yet if you do not practice, at the time of death, books don’t help.
Observe your mind! This is my advice from the heart.”
― Longchen Rabjam, Longchenpa's Advice from the Heart

“Just as dream is a part of sleep, unreal gossamer in its arising, so all and everything is pure mind, never separated from it, and without substance or attribute.”
― Longchen Rabjam, Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen