Penetrating Wisdom

by Dzogchen Ponlop

Penetrating Wisdom is a detailed commentary by the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche on The Aspiration of Samantabhadra. This is an aspiration prayer of the Dharmakaya Buddha Samantabhadra, which belongs to the Dzogchen tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. The aspiration is a prayer of the path to complete awakening with instructions to make our path more genuine and correct. It is a prayer that expresses the different manifestations of rigpa, or awareness, in ordinary life.

Genres: Buddhism, History

178 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Karma Sungrap Ngedon Tenpa Gyaltsen was enthroned as the Seventh Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche by Rangjung Yeshe Dorje, Gyalwang Karmapa XVI, in 1968. A former Tibetan Buddhist monk, he remains a lay teacher in the Karma Kagyu lineage as well as the Nyingma tradition.

A graduate of Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies (the monastic college at Rumtek) and Columbia University in New York, Rinpoche is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Reviews

[Ceci]

One of the very best books I've ever read about the Buddhist path. In plain English, this book gives you a deep and readable look at Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, by way of the relaxed erudition and generous dash of humor that has earned Dzogchen Ponlop a well-deserved international audience. Recently re-released with a cover featuring the author's photograph.

[Artchelle Arcillas]

This is truly enlightening and I would say a slap on my face-book.

I was able to take note and I aim to be more self-aware moving forward.

Soon, I'll reread this book and see how far I've come.

[A. R.]

Dzogchen Ponlop presents teachings clearly and with humor. This book in particular feels both challenging and refreshing.

[Nathan]

In clear and relevant terms drawn from both ancient history and the computer age, this book explains what sets Dzogchen / Vajrayana / Mahamudgra apart from other Buddhist philosophies -- a forgiving, accepting, and integrative approach to our inevitable experience of confusing human emotions that falls somewhat along the lines of Vipassana Yoga or Somatic Therapy:

"Instead of trying to stop it, let it come. Invite it more. Look at the nature of passion more nakedly. Look at the nature of aggression, look at the nature of ignorance, look at the nature of anything... That simple process of looking at it in every moment actually brings liberation on the spot."

[Mike]

Interesting... Not quite the commentary i was expecting, but then again... Well worth a read for those who don't know the text or are looking for a way in

[Johnny Lafky]

One is tempted to suggest that this is it!