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The Dzogchen Primer: An Anthology of Writings by Masters of the Great Perfection
The Tibetan Buddhist meditation practice known as Dzogchen (pronounced ZOG-chen) is a practical method for accessing the pristine, clear awareness that lies beneath the chatter and confusion of our daily thoughts. The Dzogchen Primer provides the keys for understanding Dzogchen and putting it into practice.
Marcia Schmidt, a long-time Buddhist practitioner, has gathered here the most accessible, down-to-earth writings published on this subject and has organized them into a study guide for the serious beginner on the Buddhist path. The collection includes writings from such well-known and venerable masters as Milarepa, Padmasambhava, Shantideva, Chögyam Trungpa, and Tulku Urgyen.
The concept of Dzogchen is said to lie beyond the confines of our beliefs, our intellectual constructs, our ordinary understanding. A Dzogchen master writes, "We need to dismantle our fixation on the permanence of what we experience. A normal person clings to his experiences as being 'real,' concrete, and permanent. But if we look closely at what happens, experience is simply experience, and it is not made out of anything. It has no form, no sound, no color, no taste, no texture; it is simply empty cognizance."
The Dzogchen Primer includes an informative editor's preface as well as two forewords by prominent Tibetan masters that provide fundamental background information that will be helpful to readers new to this subject. The book also includes short, descriptive guiding notes intended to assist both independent students and teachers leading workshops.
Marcia Schmidt, a long-time Buddhist practitioner, has gathered here the most accessible, down-to-earth writings published on this subject and has organized them into a study guide for the serious beginner on the Buddhist path. The collection includes writings from such well-known and venerable masters as Milarepa, Padmasambhava, Shantideva, Chögyam Trungpa, and Tulku Urgyen.
The concept of Dzogchen is said to lie beyond the confines of our beliefs, our intellectual constructs, our ordinary understanding. A Dzogchen master writes, "We need to dismantle our fixation on the permanence of what we experience. A normal person clings to his experiences as being 'real,' concrete, and permanent. But if we look closely at what happens, experience is simply experience, and it is not made out of anything. It has no form, no sound, no color, no taste, no texture; it is simply empty cognizance."
The Dzogchen Primer includes an informative editor's preface as well as two forewords by prominent Tibetan masters that provide fundamental background information that will be helpful to readers new to this subject. The book also includes short, descriptive guiding notes intended to assist both independent students and teachers leading workshops.
- GenresBuddhismSpirituality
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 9, 2024
A varied collection of writings, from several sources, about dzogchen. A very good read. We always need to keep in mind that Dzogchen is something we do.
March 10, 2012
beautiful and helpful support for vajrayana practice--a book to keep coming back to, i am sure i will refer to it again. it is a compilation...kind of a greatest hits in dzogchen covering the ground and motivation for dharma practice, preliminary practices in depth--what it means to renounce, take refuge, and take the bodhisattva vow. i have read some selections before in other contexts but it is nice to have kind of a pithy succinct selection that gets to the heart of it here. a couple by Chogyam Trungpa, Shantideva (Way of the Bodhisattva), dzongsar khyentse, lots from Patrul Rinpoche (Words of My Perfect Teacher) and tulku urgyen rinpoche (As It Is)
The best scholar is one who has realized the meaning of the absence of any true existence.
The best monk is one who has tamed her own mind.
The best qulaity is a great desire to benefit others.
The best instruction is always to watch the mind.
The best remedy is to know that nothing has any inherent reality.
The best way of life is one that does not fit with worldly ways.
The best accomplishment is a steady lessening of negative emotions.
The best sign of practice is a steady decrease of desires.
The best generosity is nonattachment.
The best discipline is to pacify the mind.
The best patience is to keep a humble position.
The best diligence is to give up activities.
The best concentration is not to alter the mind.
The best wisdom is not to take anything at all as truly existing.
"Of all teachings, the ultimate is emptiness of which compassion is the very essence."
(Patrul Rinpoche)
The best scholar is one who has realized the meaning of the absence of any true existence.
The best monk is one who has tamed her own mind.
The best qulaity is a great desire to benefit others.
The best instruction is always to watch the mind.
The best remedy is to know that nothing has any inherent reality.
The best way of life is one that does not fit with worldly ways.
The best accomplishment is a steady lessening of negative emotions.
The best sign of practice is a steady decrease of desires.
The best generosity is nonattachment.
The best discipline is to pacify the mind.
The best patience is to keep a humble position.
The best diligence is to give up activities.
The best concentration is not to alter the mind.
The best wisdom is not to take anything at all as truly existing.
"Of all teachings, the ultimate is emptiness of which compassion is the very essence."
(Patrul Rinpoche)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews