Approaching the Great Perfection: Simultaneous and Gradual Methods of Dzogchen Practice in the Longchen Nyingtig

by Sam Van Schaik

Dzogchen, the Great Perfection, is the highest meditative practice of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. Approaching the Great Perfection looks at a seminal figure of this lineage, Jigme Lingpa, an eighteenth-century scholar and meditation master whose cycle of teachings, the Longchen Nyingtig, has been handed down through generations as a complete path to enlightenment. Ten of Jigme Lingpa's texts are presented here, along with extensive analysis by van Schaik of a core tension within Does enlightenment develop gradually, or does it come all at once? Though these two positions are often portrayed by modern scholars as entrenched polemical views, van Schaik explains that both tendencies are present within each of the Tibetan Buddhist schools. He demonstrates how Jigme Lingpa is a great illustration of this balancing act, using the rhetoric of both sides to propel his students along the path of the Great Perfection.

Genres: Buddhism

416 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 2003

Reviews

[Uli Von Hornbol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really good for both understanding terms such as "the ground" and other terms used in Tibetan Buddhism. Moreover, and as indicated by the title, this book is helpful for understanding the tensions in Buddhism between instantaneous enlightenment and enlightenment as a result of a process of spiritual pursuit. It is a much more sophisticated treatment of New Age ideas of enlightenment not needing any effort.

[Eugene Pustoshkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fascinating translations show an important part of the truly vast expanse and complexity of Dzogchen. The translator's commentary is useful, although a bit dry and academic, but the translations themselves are great and transmit heightened clarity upon reading. 5 stars for the translations and their contents.

[Daniel Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The analysis fills in a lot of context, but the real gems are in the texts themselves.