Spaciousness: The Radical Dzogchen of the Vajra-Heart

by Longchenpa, Keith Dowman (Translator)

This famous seminal text of radical Dzogchen provides a profound yet simple poetic statement of how it is to immerse oneself in the matrix of the now and recognize buddha. It is the personal statement of a peerless yogin-adept. Certainly the magic of his poetry impresses us that way and surely this Treasury of the Dharmadhatu, the Choyingdzo, reveals the consummation of Dzogchen.In it we are assured that over and above all the yogas and dhyanas of Hindustan, all the ritual and magic of Tibet and all the quasi-religious new-age therapies of the West there exists a simple,timeless manner of being, easy of access, requiring no onerous technique or renunciate lifestyle, that can give us some constant satisfaction in this vale of laughter and tears between birth and dying.(From the Introduction by Keith Dowman) With Longchenpa, Dzogchen Ati reaches its most complete revelation; the Choyingdzo is?Longchenpa's most lucid and revealing statement of the vajra-heart;and Keith Dowman has made a fine translation.The pathless path of Dzogchen comes alive in this poetic exposition of the apex of Tibetan mysticism.(Bhakha Tulku Pema Rigdzin) As one who has grappled with this challenging, inspiring, wonderful text, I am delighted to see another attempt at conveying the great Longchenpa's definitive exposition on the Dzogchen approach of original purity.(Richard Barron,Lotsawa) The form of language, the translation, the use of poetic invention creates an atmosphere of understanding, as if a mahasiddha were writing in Oxford English with a touch of American slang. This is radical Dzogchen?not only in the actual teaching itself, but also in the quality of the translation that strikes the flint of idiom to create sparks of wisdom that reveal the whole hologram.(John Tischer,Poet

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation

154 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

Same author as:
- Longchen Rabjam
- Kloṅ-chen-pa Dri-med-ʼod-zer

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radical Dzogchen. If I could only have one book this would be it!

Longchenpa is perhaps the best traditional exponent of the Tibetan teachings of dzogchen, and this is widely considered his best work on the subject. Dowman's translation is lucid and to the point (in a down to earth and practical way), he also provides invaluable commentary from his own experience. He presents this all in a way that frees it from the cultural limitations of Tibetan Buddhism, and so should appeal to a wide range of people interested in an experiential approach to such innermost teachings.

[Mark Scorelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Tibetan Buddhism is esoteric and obscure, Dzogchen is more obscure. It is my first experience reading Keith Dowman. I thought he was really good, he knew what they were talking about, which is rare in my opinion. I really like the book but I can't recommend it unless you happen to be familiar with this avenue to enlightenment and self-realization. Tibetan Buddhism is a latecomer to the wave of spiritual teachings and teachers in the West. We have been steeped in Zen and Advaita. I think Dzogchen is on par with high Zen and Advaita teachings.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Longchenpa's poem itself, I found inspirational and profound, and the translation of it superb. I, however, found much of the introduction to the cantos to provide little assistance or inspiration, including the intellectualization of the translator/commentator. That is, to me, Longchenpa presents a clear, direct, simple view, one that draws a reader to attraction of the all-pervading oneness, the view, while the editor reads as a scholastic, an intellectual. The treatment ends with a treatment of Dzogchen terminology and an accented clarification of certain key terms.

I highly recommend this, mostly for a reading of Longchenpa. For a more readable, practical introduction to Dzogchen, I would point one elsewhere. Likewise, reading the addenda on terminology and, then, only the cantos, would likely be adequate for most readers in the enjoyment and power of the cantos. However, even reading the cantos can be a powerful transmission of the spirit of the natural perfection, even to a person coming first-time to Dzogchen or any nondual transmission. To me, this is a superb poem of transmission, one which could be read over-and-over, as inspiration in the "hanging lose" posture of the innate natural posture of living in life as an expression of life.

[Dewi Rhys-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book. Both the introduction to each piece of poetry and each piece of poetry itself will be helpful, no matter if you are a complete beginner or a person with much experience of dzogchen. At whatever level you are at, enjoy what is helpful and leave the rest. Dzogchen is to be 'done', not to be talked about. As always, read different books by different people and watch videos.

[Gülnur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tough but rewarding read. While rooted in the Dzogchen tradition, without a strong grounding in madhyamaka philosophy and a clear understanding of the three kayas, it’s easy to misinterpret the teachings on sunyata as nihilistic rather than pointing to the openness of mind that Dzogchen emphasises.

[Everett Grandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cognition without senses

This pointing out is... to engender nonaction not physical to allow rise and fall of thought without fixation and entertain awareness of emptiness of self

[Mikal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keith Dowman, apart from producing a fine and lucid translation, provides a commentary clearly based in direct experience. Together, this text is the most sublime of the pointing out instructions.

[Felix Delong · Rating 1 out of 5]

Excellent.
Don't read it, though

[Juan Restrepo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poesía Dzogchen intempestiva, la generosa desnudez del rostro de lo que es Budda, una joya de la literatura sin tiempo, su frescura salvaje, su precisión adamantina, su vigencia cuántica! Lo mejor que he leído en mi vida entera!

[Ramo Boer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Translated the Introduction from Keith Dowman in Dutch and published it here http://issuu.com/ramodeboer/docs/ruim...