Introduction to Dzogchen

Alexander Berzin September 1995, revised May 2002 and July 2006 [ !r ba"#$r!und, see% &ntr!du"t!ry '!mparis!n !( t)e ive *ibetan *raditi!ns !( Budd)ism and B!n+,

The Need for Dzogchen

-z!$")en .rdzogs-chen, t)e $reat "!mpleteness/ is an advan"ed system !( Ma)ayana pra"ti"e t)at brin$s enli$)tenment+ &t is (!und primarily in t)e 0yin$ma and B!n traditi!ns, but als! appears as a supplementary pra"ti"e in s!me !( t)e 1a$yu traditi!ns su") as -ru$pa, -ri$un$, and 1arma 1a$yu+ 2et us spea# )ere !( dz!$")en as (!rmulated in t)e 0yin$ma s")!!l+ [See% Brie( 3ist!ry !( -z!$")en+, *! rea") enli$)tenment, 4e need t! rem!ve (!rever t4! sets !( !bs"urati!ns%

em!ti!nal !bs"urati!ns .nyon-sgrib/ 5 t)!se t)at are disturbin$ em!ti!ns and attitudes and 4)i") prevent liberati!n, "!$nitive !bs"urati!ns .shes-sgrib/ 66 t)!se re$ardin$ all #n!4ables and 4)i") prevent !mnis"ien"e+

*)ese !bs"urati!ns brin$ us, respe"tively, t)e su((erin$ !( un"!ntr!llably re"urrin$ existen"e .samsara/ and t)e inability t! be !( best )elp t! !t)ers+ *)ey are (leetin$ .globur/, )!4ever, and merely !bs"ure t)e essential nature .ngo-bo/ !( t)e mind and limit its (un"ti!nin$+ &n essen"e, t)e mind .mental a"tivity/ is naturally pure !( all (leetin$ stains+ *)is is an imp!rtant aspe"t !( its Budd)a6nature+ [See% 7iddin$ 8nesel( !( t)e *4! Sets !( 8bs"urati!ns in Sutra and Anuttaray!$a *antra A""!rdin$ t! 0yin$ma and Sa#ya+, &n $eneral, t! rem!ve b!t) sets !( !bs"urati!n re9uires b!d)i")itta .byang-sems/ and n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n !( voidness .stong-nyid, S#t+ shunyata, emptiness/ 5 t)e mind:s natural absen"e !( (leetin$ stains and its absen"e !( imp!ssible 4ays !( existin$ .su") as in)erently tainted 4it) stains/+ Bodhichitta is a mind and )eart aimed at enli$)tenment, 4it) t)e intenti!n t! attain it and t)ereby t! bene(it all bein$s as mu") as is p!ssible+ 7em!vin$ !bs"urati!n als! re9uires a level !( mind .!r mental a"tivity/ m!st "!ndu"ive (!r brin$in$ ab!ut t)is rem!val+ -z!$")en pra"ti"e brin$s us t! t)at level+

Sem and Rigpa

Mental a"tivity !""urs !n t4! levels, 4it) limited a4areness .sems/ and pure a4areness .rig-pa/+ Sin"e many ;estern students are already (amiliar 4it) t)e *ibetan terms, let us use t)em (!r ease !( dis"ussi!n+ 1

Sem is mental a"tivity limited by (leetin$ stains+ Rigpa is mental a"tivity dev!id !( all (leetin$ stains !( !bs"urati!n+

Sem may be "!n"eptual !r n!n"!n"eptual and, in eit)er "ase, is al4ays stained+ 7i$pa, !n t)e !t)er )and, is ex"lusively n!n"!n"eptual, in a purer manner t)an is n!n"!n"eptual sem, and is never stained by eit)er !( t)e t4! sets !( !bs"urati!ns+ Sin"e mental a"tivity, 4)et)er limited !r pure, is naturally dev!id !( (leetin$ stains, ri$pa is t)e natural state !( sem+ *)us, ri$pa, 4it) its essential nature !( bein$ dev!id !( all stains, "an be re"!$nized as t)e basis !( ea") m!ment !( !ur "!$niti!n+ -z!$")en, t)en, is a met)!d !( pra"ti"e, $r!unded in b!d)i")itta and n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n !( v!idness, enablin$ us t! re"!$nize ri$pa and stay (!rever at its level !( mental a"tivity (ree (r!m all !bs"urati!n+ &n t)is 4ay, ri$pa:s <$reat "!mpleteness= .dz!$")en/ !( all enli$)tenin$ 9ualities (!r bene(itin$ !t)ers be"!mes (ully !perati!nal+

Equivalency in Non-Dzogchen Systems

*)e n!n6dz!$")en systems !( >elu$, Sa#ya, and 1a$yu analyze t)ree levels !( mind !r mental a"tivity% 1+ >r!ss mental a"tivity is sens!ry "!$niti!n, 4)i") is al4ays n!n"!n"eptual+ 2+ Subtle mental a"tivity in"ludes b!t) "!n"eptual and n!n"!n"eptual mental "!$niti!n+ ?+ *)e subtlest mental a"tivity underlyin$ t)em all is "lear li$)t . od-gsal/, 4)i") is ex"lusively n!n"!n"eptual, but subtler t)an $r!ss !r subtle n!n"!n"eptual mental a"tivity+ Sutra and t)e l!4er "lasses !( tantra empl!y subtle mental a"tivity (!r t)e "!$niti!n !( v!idness+ 8nly anuttaray!$a, t)e )i$)est "lass !( tantra, a""esses and uses "lear li$)t mental a"tivity (!r t)is purp!se+ @arallel t! t)is presentati!n, sutra and t)e l!4er "lasses !( tantra in t)e 0yin$ma system empl!y sem (!r t)e "!$niti!n !( v!idness+ 8nly dz!$")en a""esses and uses ri$pa (!r t)is purp!se+ *)e n!n6dz!$")en systems explain t)at subtlest "lear li$)t mind mani(ests at t)e m!ment !( deat)+ A (a"simile !( it mani(ests (!r an instant 4)en experien"in$ !r$asm, (allin$ asleep, (aintin$, sneezin$, and ya4nin$+ At su") times, t)e $r!sser ener$y64inds .rlung, S#t+ prana, <lun$=/ t)at supp!rt $r!ss and subtle mental a"tivity temp!rarily "ease .diss!lve/, t)us temp!rarily st!ppin$ t)ese t4! levels !( mental a"tivity and enablin$ t)e "lear li$)t level t! (un"ti!n+ *! $ain stable "!ntr!l !( "lear li$)t mental a"tivity, )!4ever, re9uires a""essin$ t)is level in meditati!n+ ;e a""!mplis) t)is 4it) anuttaray!$a "!mplete sta$e pra"ti"es .rdzogs-rim, "!mpleti!n sta$e/ !( 4!r#in$ 4it) t)e b!dy:s subtle ener$y system t! diss!lve t)e ener$y64inds+ As a "ause (!r su""ess !n t)e "!mplete sta$e, 4e ima$ine t)e

diss!luti!n pr!"ess !n t)e $enerati!n sta$e .bskyed-rim/, m!deled a(ter t)e sta$es !( deat), bard!, and rebirt)+ ;it) t)e dz!$")en met)!ds, 4e re"!$nize and a""ess t)e subtlest mental a"tivity 5 in t)is "ase, ri$pa 5 4it)!ut need t! diss!lve t)e ener$y64inds as t)e met)!d (!r $ainin$ a""ess+ But, )!4 t! re"!$nize ri$paA

Definition of Mind
Mind, in Budd)ism, re(ers t! mental a"tivity, n!t t! a <t)in$= t)at is t)e a$ent !( t)at a"tivity !r t! a <t!!l= t)at a <me= uses t! en$a$e in t)at a"tivity+ *)e de(initi!n !( mind des"ribes t)e a"tivity (r!m t4! p!ints !( vie4+ *)us, t)e t4! aspe"ts !( t)e des"ripti!n are simultane!us (un"ti!ns, n!t se9uential% 1+ t)e mental a"tivity !( pr!du"in$ !r $ivin$ rise .B char-ba/ t! "!$nitive appearan"es .snang-ba/, 2+ t)e mental a"tivity !( "!$nitively en$a$in$ .B jug-pa/ 4it) "!$nitive appearan"es+ *)e (!rmer is usually translated as clarity .gsal/ and t)e latter as awareness .rig/+ Cognitive appearances d! n!t re(er t! appearan"es !( t)in$s <!ut t)ere,= 4)i") 4e may !r may n!t n!ti"e and "!$nize+ *)ey re(er t! )!4 t)in$s appear <t! t)e mind= 4)en 4e "!$nize t)em+ &n a sense, t)ey are li#e mental )!l!$rams+ !r example, in n!n"!n"eptual sens!ry "!$niti!n su") as seein$, "!l!red s)apes appear, 4)i") are merely mental representati!ns .snang-ba, mental semblan"es/ !r mental derivatives .gzugs-brnyan, mental re(le"ti!ns/ !( !ne m!ment !( "!l!red s)apes+ &n "!n"eptual "!$niti!n, a mental representati!n appears !( t)e "!nventi!nal !bCe"t, su") as a )and, t)at t)e "!l!red s)apes in t)at m!ment are t)e visual sensibilia !(+ A se9uen"e !( mental representati!ns !( a )and ea") se"!nd !ne in") (urt)er t! t)e ri$)t appears as m!ti!n+ &n !t)er 4!rds, "!$nitive appearan"es exist !nly 4it)in t)e "!ntext !( mental a"tivity+ *)ey d! n!t need t! be "lear !r in (!"us+ M!re!ver, "!$nitive appearan"es d! n!t re(er merely t! t)e ima$es t)at appear <in t)e mind= 4)en "!$nizin$ visible !bCe"ts 4it) !ur eyes+ *)ey als! re(er t! t)e "!$nitive appearan"es !r arisin$s .shar-ba/ !( s!unds, smells, tastes, p)ysi"al sensati!ns, t)!u$)ts, em!ti!ns, and s! !n+ A(ter all, it is mental a"tivity t)at ma#es a se9uen"e !( "!ns!nant and v!4el s!unds arise as 4!rds and senten"es+ 0!te t)at t)e expressi!ns <t)in$s appear t! t)e mind= !r <in t)e mind= are merely manners !( spea#in$ parti"ular t! t)e Dn$lis) idi!m and re(le"t a dualisti" "!n"ept !( mind t!tally di((erent (r!m t)e Budd)ist m!del+ Cognitively engaging 4it) "!$nitive appearan"es may be in any manner, su") as seein$, )earin$, t)in#in$, !r (eelin$ t)em, and d!es n!t need t! be "!ns"i!us !r 4it) understandin$+ &t may in"lude i$n!rin$ s!met)in$ and bein$ "!n(used ab!ut it+ *)e de(initi!n als! adds t)e 4!rd mere .tsam/, 4)i") implies t)at mental a"tivity !""urs 4it)!ut a "!n"rete a$ent <me= ma#in$ it )appen+ &t als! implies t)at (leetin$ stains are n!t t)e de(inin$ ")ara"teristi" !( t)is a"tivity+ *)e super(i"ial .kun-rdzob, "!nventi!nal/ ?

nature !( mental a"tivity is merely pr!du"in$ and en$a$in$ 4it) "!$nitive appearan"esE its deepest .don-dam, ultimate/ nature is its v!idness+ urt)er, mental a"tivity is individual and subCe"tive+ My seein$ !( a pi"ture and my (eelin$ !( )appiness are n!t y!urs+ M!re!ver, Budd)ism d!es n!t assert a universal mind t)at 4e all are part !(, t)at 4e all "an a""ess, !r t)at !ur mental "!ntinuums .mind6streams/ mer$e 4it) 4)en 4e a")ieve liberati!n !r enli$)tenment+ Dven 4)en enli$)tened, ea") Budd)a:s mental "!ntinuum retains its individuality+

The Differences between Mahamudra and Dzogchen

;)et)er !n t)e $r!ss, subtle, !r subtlest "lear li$)t level, t)e nature !( mental a"tivity remains t)e same+ Mahamudra .phyag-chen, $reat seal/ pra"ti"e, (!und in t)e 1a$yu, Sa#ya, and >elu$F1a$yu traditi!ns, (!"uses !n t)is nature+ *)e 1a$yu and >elu$F1a$yu traditi!ns )ave b!t) sutra and anuttaray!$a tantra levels !( t)e pra"ti"e, 4)ile Sa#ya !nly an anuttaray!$a !ne+ &n !t)er 4!rds, Sa#ya ma)amudra (!"uses !nly !n t)e nature !( "lear li$)t mental a"tivity, 4)ile t)e !t)er t4! traditi!ns in"lude (!"us !n t)e nature !( t)e !t)er levels !( mental a"tivity as 4ell+ 7i$pa s)ares t)e same nature as t)e t)ree levels !( mental a"tivity analyzed by t)e n!n6 dz!$")en s")!!ls+ -z!$")en pra"ti"e, )!4ever, is ex"lusively d!ne !n t)e )i$)est level !( tantra and deals !nly 4it) t)e subtlest level !( mental a"tivity+ M!re!ver, dz!$")en d!es n!t (!"us merely !n t)e "!nventi!nal and deepest natures !( ri$pa, but als! !n its vari!us aspe"ts and (a"ets+

The Differences between ig!a and "lear #ight

urt)er, ri$pa is n!t an exa"t e9uivalent !( "lear li$)t+ 7at)er, it is a subdivisi!n !( it+

Different Degrees of $eing %nstained

*)e "lear li$)t level !( mind is naturally dev!id !( $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity, 4)i") are t)e levels at 4)i") "!n"eptual "!$niti!n and t)e (leetin$ stains !( disturbin$ em!ti!ns and attitudes !""ur+ Be(!re enli$)tenment, )!4ever, "lear li$)t mental a"tivity is n!t dev!id !( t)e )abits !( $raspin$ (!r true existen"e, 4)i") may be imputed !r labeled !n it+ 0evert)eless, 4)en "lear li$)t is mani(est, t)ese )abits d! n!t "ause "lear li$)t a"tivity t! ma#e dis"!rdant .dual/ appearan"es !( true existen"e .gnyis-snang/, n!r d! t)ey prevent it (r!m "!$nizin$ t)e t4! trut)s simultane!usly .appearan"es and v!idness/, 4)i") t)ey d! 4)en $r!sser levels !( mind are a"tive+ 7i$pa, !n t)e !t)er )and, is dev!id !( even t)e )abits !( $raspin$ (!r true existen"e+ &t is t)e t!tally unstained natural state !( t)e mind+

Difference in Terms of ecognizability

'lear li$)t mental a"tivity and ri$pa are similar in t)e sense t)at 4)en ea") is !peratin$, $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity are n!t (un"ti!nin$ simultane!usly+

*! a""ess and re"!$nize "lear li$)t mind re9uires a"tively st!ppin$ t)e $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity, t)r!u$) diss!lvin$ t)e ener$y64inds t)at supp!rt t)!se levels+ 7i$pa is re"!$nizable 4it)!ut a"tively st!ppin$ t)e $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity and !( ener$y64ind as t)e met)!d t! re"!$nize it+ ;)en re"!$nized and a""essed, )!4ever, t)e $r!sser levels aut!mati"ally st!p (un"ti!nin$+

Difference in Terms of efle&ive Dee! 'wareness

*)e n!n6dz!$")en systems, parti"ularly >elu$, di((erentiate !bCe"t "lear li$)t .yul/ (r!m "!$nitive .yul-can, subCe"t/ "lear li$)t+ 8bCe"t "lear li$)t is t)e a"tual v!id nature .chos-nyid/ !( "lear li$)t, 4)ile "!$nitive "lear li$)t is "lear li$)t mental a"tivity itsel(, a p)en!men!n t)at )as !bCe"t "lear li$)t as its nature .chos-can/+ 'lear li$)t mental a"tivity is n!t ne"essarily a4are !( its !4n v!id nature, (!r example t)e "lear li$)t mind experien"ed at t)e m!ment !( !rdinary deat)+ Dven 4)en t)e (i(teent)6"entury >elu$ master 1aydrub 0!rzan$6$yats! .m has-grub !or-bzang rgya-mtsho/ explains t)at "lear li$)t mental a"tivity naturally $ives rise t! a "!$nitive appearan"e resemblin$ t)at 4)i") arises in n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n !( v!idness, still it d!es n!t aut!mati"ally arise 4it) an understandin$ !( v!idness, als! as in !rdinary deat)+ M!re!ver, even 4)en re(lexive deep a4areness .rang-rig ye-shes/ !( its !4n v!id nature is presented as a natural 9uality !( "lear li$)t, as in t)e Sa#ya and 1a$yu systems, still it is n!t al4ays !perati!nal, als! as in !rdinary deat)+ *)ere(!re, anuttaray!$a pra"ti"e aims at a")ievin$, in meditati!n, "!$nitive "lear li$)t t)at is (ully a4are !( its !4n !bCe"t "lear li$)t nature+ 7i$pa, !n t)e !t)er )and, is innately a4are !( its !4n v!id nature+ ;)en 4e a""ess it, it aut!mati"ally is (ully a4are !( its !4n nature+ &n dz!$")en terms, it #n!4s its !4n (a"e .rang-ngo shes-pa/+

Effulgent and Essence ig!a

8n t)e pat), 4e try t! re"!$nize t4! types !( ri$pa% (irst, e((ul$ent ri$pa .rtsal-gyi rigpa/ and t)en, essen"e ri$pa .ngo-bo"i rig-pa/ underlyin$ it+ 1+ #$$ulgent rigpa is t)e aspe"t !( ri$pa a"tively $ivin$ rise t! "!$nitive appearan"es+ 2+ #ssence rigpa is t)e "!$nitive !pen spa"e .klong/ !r "!$nitive sp)ere .dbyings/ t)at underlies and all!4s (!r a"tively pr!du"in$ and a"tively "!$nizin$ "!$nitive appearan"es+ B!t) types !( ri$pa are still ri$pa, meanin$ t)at b!t) are mental a"tivities% t)e naturally pure, unstained a4areness !( s!met)in$+

The elation of "ognitive '!!earances and ig!a

5

'!$nitive appearan"es are t)e play .rol-pa, display/ !( essen"e ri$pa+ ;)en "!$nized 4it) sem, t)ey appear n!t t! exist in t)is manner, and t)us appearan"es are de"eptive+ 3ere, appearan"es as t)e play !( s!me type !( mental a"tivity d!es n!t mean%

t)at appearan"es arise due t! t)e #arma "!lle"ted by t)e mind, !r exist merely as 4)at "an be mentally labeled by t)e mind, as in t)e >elu$ usa$e !( t)e term play o$ the mind, t)at all p)en!mena exist !nly in t)e mind, as in t)e extreme p!siti!n !( s!lipsism, t)at t)e "!$nitive appearan"e !( a table and t)e visual "!ns"i!usness !( it "!me (r!m t)e same natal s!ur"e .rdzas/ 5 namely, t)e same #armi" le$a"y .sa-bon, seed, #armi" tenden"y/ 5 despite t)e (a"t t)at t)e table is still made !( at!ms and )as true unimputed existen"e .it is n!t merely an ima$ined table/, as in t)e ')ittamatra explanati!n+

7at)er, it means t)at t)e "!$nitive appearan"e !( t)e table is s!met)in$ t)at ri$pa $ives rise t! as its (un"ti!nal nature .rang-bzhin/+ &n !t)er 4!rds, 4)at ri$pa naturally d!es is t! sp!ntane!usly establis) .lhun-grub/ "!$nitive appearan"es and, in t)is sense, "!$nitive appearan"es are a play !( t)e mind+ Hnli#e t)e ')ittamatra (!rmulati!n, )!4ever, a""!rdin$ t! dz!$")en, t)e table itsel( )as its !4n natal s!ur"e 5 (!r example, t)e 4!!d and at!ms t)at "!mprise it+ M!re!ver, t)e table la"#s true unimputed existen"e .bden-par ma-grub-pa/+ &t exists as a table inasmu") as it "an be validly mentally labeled a table+ Hltimately, )!4ever, its m!de !( existen"e is bey!nd 4!rds and "!n"epts, as in t)e n!n6>elu$ Mad)yama#a explanati!n+ *)e dz!$")en (!rmulati!n !( appearan"es as t)e play !( t)e mind !(ten empl!ys ')ittamatra termin!l!$y, su") as alaya .kun-gzhi, basis (!r all/ and ei$)t types !( "!ns"i!usness+ 3!4ever, it d!es n!t explain t)em as existin$ in t)e same manner as t)e ')ittamatra system d!es+ *)e usa$e !( t)is termin!l!$y derives (r!m t)e (a"t t)at S)antara#s)ita and 1amalas)ila, t)e t4! earliest &ndian masters !( Budd)ist l!$i" t! tea") in *ibet, 4)! pr!vided t)e sutra p)il!s!p)i"al basis (!r 0yin$ma, tau$)t a (!rm !( Mad)yama#a t)at uses ')ittamatra terms+ *)e >elu$ traditi!n "alls t)is (!rm <t)e I!$a")ara6Svatantri#a6Mad)yama#a s")!!l+= [See% Brie( 3ist!ry !( -z!$")en+ See als!% &ntr!du"t!ry '!mparis!n !( t)e ive *ibetan *raditi!ns !( Budd)ism and B!n+,

(oidness Meditation
*)e v!id nature !( ri$pa is its essential nature .ngo-bo/ and is "alled its primal purity .ka-dag/+ Jari!us *ibetan traditi!ns !( dz!$")en, and masters 4it)in ea") traditi!n, )ave explained t)e primal purity !( ri$pa in terms !( sel(6v!idness .rang-stong/, !t)er6 v!idness .gzhan-stong/, !r b!t)+

2!n$")enpa . long-chen Rab-byams-pa %ri-med od-zer/, (!r example, made n! re(eren"e t! !t)er6v!idness+ *)ere are t4! interpretati!ns !( t)e p!siti!n !( Mipam .&u Mi-pham &amdbyangs rnam-rgyal rgya-mtsho/, made by t4! 4in$s !( )is dis"iples+ B!trul .Bod-sprul/ and 1enp! K)en$a .m han-po g'han-dga"/ present Mipam as assertin$ sel(6v!idness, 4)ile K)e")en >yeltsab .'he-chen r(yal-tshab )ad-ma rnam-rgyal/ and 1at!$ Situ . ah-thog Si-tu/ present )im as assertin$ !t)er6 v!idness+ *)e (irst $r!up is m!stly at -z!$")en M!nastery .r%zogs-chen d(onpa/, 4)ile t)e se"!nd is m!stly at K)e")en M!nastery .'he-chen d(on-pa/+ *)ere is n! pervasi!n, )!4ever, t)at all masters at ea") !( t)ese m!nasteries s)are t)is interpretati!n and assert t)e "!rresp!ndin$ vie4+

M!re!ver, t)ey )ave $iven varyin$ de(initi!ns !( sel( and !t)er6v!idness+ 2et us stay 4it) t)e m!st "!mm!nly a""epted de(initi!ns in 0yin$ma+ Sel$-voidness is t)e absen"e !( an imp!ssible 4ay !( existin$, su") as true unimputed existen"e and, bey!nd t)at, existen"e t)at "!rresp!nds t! 4)at 4!rds and "!n"epts imply+ *ther-voidness is t)e absen"e (r!m ri$pa !( all $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity and tainted stains+ [See% Ma#in$ Sense !( *antra% @art &&, ')apter L+, *)us, t)e presentati!n !( primal purity in terms !( sel(6v!idness is r!u$)ly e9uivalent t! t)e n!n6dz!$")en systems: presentati!n !( !bCe"t "lear li$)t+ *)e presentati!n in terms !( !t)er6v!idness is r!u$)ly e9uivalent t! t)at !( "!$nitive "lear li$)t+ 7e$ardless !( in 4)i") 4ay it is presented and 4)at termin!l!$y is used, primal purity is b!t) sel( and !t)er6v!id+ Meditati!n !n t)e primal purity !( ri$pa, 4)et)er !r n!t presented in terms !( !t)er6 v!idness, entails (!"us !n ri$pa as a "!$nitive state dev!id !( all $r!sser levels and !( all (leetin$ stains+ &t is innately a4are !( its !4n primal purity+ *)us, v!idness meditati!n in dz!$")en d!es n!t entail analyti"al meditati!n !n sel(6 v!idness+ 0eit)er d!es n!n6dz!$")en !bCe"t "lear li$)t meditati!n, (!r 4)i") 4e merely re"all !ur understandin$ !( sel(6v!idness previ!usly $ained t)r!u$) analyti"al meditati!n+ -z!$")en meditati!n, )!4ever, d!es n!t entail any type !( (!"us !n t)e sel(6v!idness !( ri$pa+ Alt)!u$) analysis !( sel(6v!idness "!mprises part !( t)e trainin$ re9uired be(!re attemptin$ t)e pra"ti"e !( dz!$")en, sel(6v!idness is !nly underst!!d at t)e time !( ri$pa meditati!n as part !( t)e primal purity t)at ri$pa is innately a4are !(+ urt)er, 4)en 4e (!"us !n "!$nitive appearan"es bein$ t)e natural play !( ri$pa, t)is implies t)at 4e )ave already underst!!d t)eir sel(6v!idness+ &( "!$nitive appearan"es are t)e natural play !( ri$pa, t)ey "ann!t exist in t)e manner t)at t)e 4!rds and "!n"epts (!r t)e appearan"es imply+ ;!rds and "!n"epts imply t)at t)in$s truly and independently exist in (ixed "!n"rete b!xes as <t)is=s and <t)at=s, but t)is is an imp!ssible m!de !( existen"e+ *)ere is n! su") t)in$+

ig!a Is "om!lete with 'll )ood *ualities

Basis ri$pa .gzhi"i rig-pa/ is t)e 4!r#in$ basis !( pure a4areness+ &t is un!bstru"ted and all6permeatin$ .zang-thal/ in t)e sense t)at it permeates all sem 4it)!ut !bstru"ti!n, li#e sesame !il permeates sesame seeds, despite t)e (a"t t)at 4e d! n!t re"!$nize it+ *)us, ri$pa is an aspe"t !( Budd)a6nature and, a""!rdin$ t! dz!$")en, it is "!mplete 4it) all $!!d 9ualities .yon-tan, Budd)a69ualities/, su") as !mnis"ien"e and all6 en"!mpassin$ "!mpassi!n+ 7i$pa is anal!$!us t! t)e sun, and Cust as t)e sun "ann!t exist separately (r!m t)e 9ualities !( t)e sun, su") as li$)t and 4armt), similarly ri$pa d!es n!t exist separately (r!m t)e Budd)a69ualities+ *)us, 4)en 4e a""ess essen"e ri$pa in meditati!n and it be"!mes !perati!nal, 4e d! n!t )ave t! add !n t!p !( it t)e Budd)a69ualities+ ;e d! n!t need t! a"tualize !n t!p !( it a mind !( !mnis"ient a4areness !r !( all6en"!mpassin$ "!mpassi!n+ &t is naturally and sp!ntane!usly .lhun-grub/ t)ere+

"om!arison with the )elug+ Sa,ya+ and Sam,hya -ositions

*)e >elu$ and Sa#ya explanati!ns !( Budd)a6nature assert t)at t)e Budd)a69ualities exist n!4 merely as p!tentials .nus-pa/ !( "lear li$)t mental a"tivity+ *)ey are li#e seeds, 4)i") are di((erent (r!m t)e s!il in 4)i") t)ey are (!und+ ;e need t! "ultivate t)em s! t)at t)ey $r!4+ Alt)!u$) t)e n!n6Budd)ist Sam#)ya s")!!l !( &ndian p)il!s!p)y d!es n!t assert Budd)a6nature !r Budd)a69ualities, a Sam#)ya6style presentati!n !( t)is p!int 4!uld be t)at !mnis"ien"e is ultimately (indable already (un"ti!nin$ in "lear li$)t mental a"tivity+ &t is merely n!t mani(est presently+ *)e dz!$")en p!siti!n is neit)er !( t)ese+ ;e "ann!t say t)at ri$pa in its present !bs"ured state is !peratin$ as an !mnis"ient a4areness+ @resently, ri$pa is !bs"ured by (leetin$ stains and (l!4in$ t!$et)er 4it) an aut!mati"ally arisin$ .lhan-skyes/ (a"t!r !( dumb(!undedness .rmongs-cha, stupidity, bedazzlement/+ Be"ause !( dumb(!undedness, ri$pa d!es n!t re"!$nize its !4n (a"e and, "!nse9uently, it is n!t !perati!nal+ &t (un"ti!ns instead as an alaya (!r )abits .bag-chags-kyi kun-gzhi/ 5 (!undati!nal a4areness (!r t)e )abits !( $raspin$ (!r true existen"e, (!r #arma, and (!r mem!ries+ *)ere(!re, dz!$")en emp)asizes t)e imp!rtan"e !( preliminary pra"ti"es .sngon-gro, <n$!ndr!=/ and !( stren$t)enin$ t)e t4! enli$)tenment6buildin$ net4!r#s !( p!sitive (!r"e and deep a4areness ."!lle"ti!ns !( merit and insi$)t/ as str!n$ly as t)e >elu$, Sa#ya, and n!n6dz!$")en 1a$yu traditi!ns emp)asize t)em+ *)e purp!se, )!4ever, is n!t (!r buildin$ up $!!d 9ualities !r (!r a"tualizin$ p!tentials (!r t)ese 9ualities, but (!r eliminatin$ !bs"urati!ns t)at prevent ri$pa (r!m re"!$nizin$ its !4n (a"e+ *)e <(a"e= !( ri$pa is ")ara"terized as Samantab)adra . un-tu bzang-po/% literally, all6ex"ellent+ Su") re"!$niti!n 4ill n!t )appen all by itsel(, 4it)!ut any "auses+

The Meaning of ig!a $eing -ermanent

M

;)en t)e dz!$")en texts assert t)at ri$pa is an una((e"ted .B dus-ma-byed, un"!nditi!ned, un"!lle"ted/ permanent .rtag-pa/ p)en!men!n, 4e must understand t)e meanin$ "are(ully+ +na$$ected, )ere, means t)at it is n!t "reated ane4 ea") m!ment and d!es n!t !r$ani"ally $r!4 (r!m s!met)in$, as a spr!ut d!es (r!m a seed+ *)us, it is un"!ntrived .bcos-med/ 5 n!t made up !r (abri"ated, under t)e in(luen"e !( "auses and "!nditi!ns, as s!met)in$ temp!rary and ne4+ M!re!ver, its )avin$ $!!d 9ualities d!es n!t depend !n "auses and "!nditi!ns+ &t is permanent, n!t in t)e sense !( bein$ stati" and n!t per(!rmin$ a (un"ti!n, but rat)er in t)e sense !( lastin$ (!rever, as d! its 9ualities+ &n ea") m!ment, )!4ever, ri$pa sp!ntane!usly $ives rise t! and is a4are !( di((erent !bCe"ts+ &n t)is sense, it is (res) and "lean .so-ma/+ Alt)!u$) its nature never ")an$es, t)ese aspe"ts ")an$e+ !"usin$ !n t)is (eature, >elu$ 4!uld assert t)at ri$pa is n!nstati" .mi-rtag-pa, impermanent/+ *)ere is n! "!ntradi"ti!n, )!4ever, be"ause dz!$")en and >elu$ are de(inin$ and usin$ t)e terms permanent and impermanent di((erently+ [See% Stati" and 0!nstati" @)en!mena+,

Those .ho -rogress in Stages and Those for .hom It /a!!ens 'll at 0nce
*)ere are t4! types !( dz!$")en pra"titi!ners% t)!se 4)! pr!$ress in sta$es .lam-rimpa/ and t)!se (!r 4)!m it )appens all at !n"e .cig-car-ba/+ *)is di((erentiati!n re$ards t)e manner !( pr!"eedin$ t! enli$)tenment (!r pra"titi!ners !n"e t)ey )ave realized essen"e ri$pa+ &n !t)er 4!rds, it re$ards t)!se 4)! )ave be"!me aryas .B phags-pa, )i$)ly realized bein$s/ 4it) t)e attainment !( a seein$ pat)4ay mind .mthong-lam, pat) !( seein$/ and t)e true st!ppin$ !( t)e em!ti!nal !bs"urati!ns+ ,hose who progress in stages pr!"eed t)r!u$) t)e arya b!d)isattva ten b)umi levels !( minds .sa, S#t+ bhumi/, !ne by !ne, $radually rem!vin$ t)e "!$nitive !bs"urati!ns+ ,hose $or whom it happens all at once a")ieve a true st!ppin$ !( b!t) sets !( !bs"urati!n all at !n"e 4it) t)e (irst realizati!n !( essen"e ri$pa+ *)us, t)ey be"!me aryas and Budd)as simultane!usly+ [See% 7iddin$ 8nesel( !( t)e *4! Sets !( 8bs"urati!ns in Sutra and Anuttaray!$a A""!rdin$ t! 0yin$ma and Sa#ya+, Alt)!u$) dz!$")en texts usually spea# m!re !( t)e se"!nd variety, !nly a tiny (ra"ti!n !( pra"titi!ners is !( t)is type+ *)eir eliminati!n !( b!t) sets !( !bs"urati!n 4it) t)e (irst realizati!n !( essen"e ri$pa is due t! t)e en!rm!us am!unt !( p!sitive (!r"e .merit/ t)ey )ave built up 4it) b!d)i")itta and dz!$")en pra"ti"e in previ!us lives+ *)at p!sitive (!r"e may als! enable t)em t! pr!"eed t)r!u$) t)e sta$es be(!re a")ievin$ a seein$ pat)4ay mind m!re 9ui"#ly t)an m!st+ 0evert)eless, n! !ne asserts t)e attainment !( enli$)tenment 4it)!ut t)e buildup !( vast net4!r#s !( p!sitive (!r"e and deep a4areness, (r!m intense pra"ti"e !( preliminaries, meditati!n, and b!d)isattva "!ndu"t 5 even i( t)e maC!rity !( t)is )as !""urred in previ!us li(etimes+

*)ere(!re, 4)en dz!$")en texts re(er t! t)e re"!$niti!n !( ri$pa as the one that cuts o$$ all $or complete liberation .chig-chod kun-grol, t)e pana"ea (!r "!mplete liberati!n/, 4e need t! understand t)is "!rre"tly+ !r t)!se (!r 4)!m it )appens all at !n"e, t)e (irst realizati!n !( essen"e ri$pa is su((i"ient (!r "uttin$ all !bs"urati!ns (!r t)e "!mplete attainment !( enli$)tenment+ *)is d!es n!t mean, )!4ever, t)at realizati!n !( ri$pa is su((i"ient by itsel( (!r attainin$ enli$)tenment, 4it)!ut need (!r any preliminaries, su") as b!d)i")itta !r stren$t)enin$ t)e t4! enli$)tenment6buildin$ net4!r#s, as t)e "auses (!r a")ievin$ t)at realizati!n+

"ontrast with )radual and Sudden Enlightenment as 'sserted in "hinese $uddhism

Several traditi!ns !( ')inese Budd)ism di((erentiate bet4een $radual and sudden enli$)tenment+ *)e t4! d! n!t "!rresp!nd t! t)e dz!$")en distin"ti!n bet4een t)e manner !( pra"ti"e (!r t)!se 4)! pr!$ress in sta$es and t)!se (!r 4)!m it )appens all at !n"e+

(radual enlightenment .tsen-min/ entails 4!r#in$, in $raded steps, 4it) samsari" mental a"tivity t! $ain liberati!n (r!m samsara+ Sudden enlightenment .ston-mun/ derives (r!m t)e vie4 t)at it is imp!ssible t! $ain liberati!n (r!m samsara by usin$ samsari" mental a"tivity+ ;e need t! ma#e a t!tal brea# (r!m t)at level and brea# !ut <all !( a sudden+=

Jari!us s")!!ls !( ')an in ')ina .Jap+ 'en/ assert sudden enli$)tenment+ *)e met)!ds (!r suddenly brea#in$ !ut !( samsari" mental a"tivity in"lude 4!r#in$ 4it) parad!x .Jap+ koan/ t! st!p all "!n"eptual t)!u$)t, Cust sittin$ .Jap+ zazen/, !r simply st!ppin$ all t)!u$)t+ -z!$")en d!es n!t empl!y any !( t)ese met)!ds+

Dzogchen E&!lains from the -oint of (iew of the esult

A""!rdin$ t! t)e early t4entiet)6"entury 7imey .n!nse"tarian/ master Jamyan$6 #yentzey64an$p! .B &am-dbyangs mkhyen-brtse dbang-po/, t)e (!ur traditi!ns !( *ibetan Budd)ism may be di((erentiated a""!rdin$ t! t)e p!int !( vie4 (r!m 4)i") t)ey explain% basis, pat), !r result+ 1+ *)e >elu$ traditi!n explains (r!m t)e p!int !( vie4 !( t)e basis 5 in !t)er 4!rds, (r!m t)e vie4p!int !( !rdinary pra"titi!ners+ !r example, su") pers!ns are "apable !( per"eivin$ appearan"es !r v!idness !nly separately, alt)!u$) t)e t4! are inseparable+ *)ere(!re, >elu$ explains appearan"es and v!idness as t)e t4! trut)s and t)us deepest trut) is sel(6v!idness al!ne+ '!nse9uently, >elu$ presents t)e svabhavakaya .ngo-bo-nyid sku, b!dy !( sel(6nature/ !( a Budd)a as t)e v!idness !( a Budd)a:s !mnis"ient a4areness+ 2+ *)e Sa#ya traditi!n explains (r!m t)e vie4p!int !( t)e pat)+ Alt)!u$) "lear li$)t mental a"tivity !n t)e basis level, (!r example at t)e m!ment !( deat), "ann!t be said t! be bliss(ulE nevert)eless, it is made bliss(ul !n t)e anuttaray!$a

10

tantra pat)+ Spea#in$ (r!m t)at p!int !( vie4, Sa#ya asserts "lear li$)t a4areness as naturally bliss(ul+ ?+ 0yin$ma and 1a$yu traditi!ns explain (r!m t)e resultant p!int !( vie4 !( a Budd)a+ !r example, Budd)as n!n"!n"eptually "!$nize appearan"es and v!idness simultane!usly+ *)ere(!re, 0yin$ma and 1a$yu 5 and t)us dz!$")en 5 explain deepest trut) as inseparable v!idness and appearan"e and, "!nse9uently, t)ey present svab)ava#aya as t)e inseparability !( t)e !t)er t)ree Budd)a6 b!dies+ *)us, 4)en dz!$")en texts spea# in terms !( t)e natural state bey!nd #arma, bey!nd t)e "ate$!ries !( "!nstru"tive and destru"tive, t)ey are spea#in$ (r!m t)e resultant vie4p!int !( a Budd)a+ *)is presentati!n d!es n!t $ive (ree li"ense t! pra"titi!ners !n earlier levels, 4)! are still under t)e in(luen"e !( disturbin$ em!ti!ns and attitudes, t! "!mmit destru"tive a"ts+ Su") pers!ns still build up #arma and still experien"e its su((erin$ results+

$rea,-Through and S,i!-'head

*)e dz!$")en literature in"ludes mu") dis"ussi!n !( t)e sta$es !( pra"ti"e "alled brea#6 t)r!u$) .khregs-chod, <te#")!=/ and s#ip6a)ead .thod-rgal, <t!$el=/+ *)ese are extremely advan"ed pra"ti"es, e9uivalent t! t)e (inal sta$es !( t)e "!mplete sta$e !( anuttaray!$a tantra+ 8n t)e break-through sta$e, !n"e 4e )ave been led t! re"!$nize ri$pa by !ur dz!$")en masters, 4e are able t! a""ess essen"e ri$pa and t)us st!p all sem, as t)e subtle ener$y6 4inds aut!mati"ally diss!lve+ &n !t)er 4!rds, 4e are able t! st!p all $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity 5 t)e levels at 4)i") t)e (leetin$ stains !( disturbin$ em!ti!ns and attitudes and "!n"eptual "!$niti!n !""ur+ ;it) t)is, 4e attain a seein$ pat)4ay mind and be"!me an arya+ Hnless 4e are pra"titi!ners (!r 4)!m it )appens all at !n"e, 4e are n!t yet able t! remain (!rever at t)e level !( essen"e ri$pa+ A(ter meditati!n, 4e revert t! sem+ 8n t)e skip-ahead stage, 4e $ain in"reasin$ (amiliarity 4it) essen"e ri$pa+ M!ments !( sem are t)e immediately pre"edin$ "!nditi!n .de-ma-thag rkyen/ (!r !ur experien"e bein$ "!mprised !( t)e (ive a$$re$ate (a"t!rs .phung-po, S#t+ skandha/+ *)e m!re (re9uently and t)e l!n$er 4e are able t! remain 4it) essen"e ri$pa, t)e m!re 4e 4ea#en t)e (!r"e !( an immediately pre"edin$ "!nditi!n (!r experien"in$ (ive a$$re$ates+ [See% *)e Basi" S")eme !( t)e ive A$$re$ate a"t!rs !( Dxperien"e+, ;it)!ut a str!n$ immediately pre"edin$ "!nditi!n, !ur (ive a$$re$ates (ade, in"ludin$ !ur !rdinary b!dies, and 4e arise in t)e (!rm !( a rainb!4 b!dy .B ja"-lus/+ *)is !""urs be"ause am!n$ t)e natural 9ualities !( ri$pa is t)at it sp!ntane!usly establis)es t)e appearan"e !( (ive6"!l!red rainb!4 li$)t+ *)e rainb!4 b!dy is t)e !btainin$ "ause .nyer-len rgyu/ 4)i") trans(!rms int! t)e rupakaya .gzugs-sku, (!rm b!dies/ !( a Budd)a+ *)e e9uivalent "ause (!r a rupa#aya in $eneral anuttaray!$a tantra .ex"ludin$ 1ala")a#ra/ is eit)er an illus!ry b!dy .sgyu-lus/ in (at)er tantra !r a li$)t b!dy .B od-lus/ in m!t)er tantra+ *)e e9uivalent in 1ala")a#ra 11

is a dev!id (!rm .stong-gzugs/+ Alt)!u$) dz!$")en s!metimes uses t)e terms light body and devoid $orm (!r rainb!4 b!dy, and $eneral anuttaray!$a s!metimes uses rainbow body (!r li$)t b!dy, t)e types !( b!dies a")ieved and t)e met)!ds (!r a")ievin$ t)em in $eneral anuttaray!$a, 1ala")a#ra, and dz!$")en remain distin"t+

The Necessity of Mahayoga and 'nuyoga -ractice before Dzogchen

&t is imp!ssible t! attain t)e brea#6t)r!u$) and s#ip6a)ead sta$es 4it)!ut pri!r pra"ti"e !( ma)ay!$a and anuy!$a 5 i( n!t in t)is li(etime, t)en in previ!us !nes+ !r t)is reas!n, atiyoga, a syn!nym (!r dz!$")en, usually appears in t)e (!rm !( maha-atiyoga, meanin$ a uni!n !( ma)ay!$a and dz!$")en+

Ma)ay!$a
Ma)ay!$a pra"ti"e emp)asizes t)e e9uivalent !( t)e anuttaray!$a $enerati!n sta$e, in 4)i") 4e 4!r# 4it) t)e ima$inati!n 5 in !t)er 4!rds, "!n"eptually+ Alt)!u$) ri$pa is bey!nd 4!rds and "!n"epts, nevert)eless 4e rely !n an idea !( ri$pa t)at 4e use as a (a"simile t! represent ri$pa in meditati!n be(!re 4e are a"tually able t! a""ess it+ ;e visualize !urselves as a Budd)a6(i$ure .yidam, deity/, su") as JaCrasattva+ *)is a"ts as a "ause (!r t)e (ive6"!l!red rainb!4 li$)t t)at is a natural 9uality !( ri$pa t! appear in t)e (!rm !( a rainb!4 b!dy JaCrasattva and, ultimately, as t)e net4!r# !( enli$)tenin$ (!rms !r rupa#aya !( a Budd)a+ Alt)!u$) t)e nature !( ri$pa is sp!ntane!usly t! establis) appearan"es 4it) (ive6"!l!red rainb!4 li$)tE nevert)eless, 4it)!ut a previ!us "ause as a m!del, it is n!t li#ely t! establis) t)e appearan"e !( a rupa#aya+ M!re!ver, 4e visualize !urselves as a "!uple in uni!n, experien"in$ simultane!usly arisin$ $reatly bliss(ul a4areness .lhan-skyes bde-ba chen-po/ 5 bliss(ul a4areness arisin$ simultane!usly 4it) ea") m!ment !( ri$pa+ *)is a"ts as a "ause (!r eliminatin$ t)e !bs"urati!ns t)at prevent t)e sp!ntane!us establis)ment !( ri$pa:s natural 9uality !( bliss+

Anuy!$a
Anuy!$a pra"ti"e emp)asizes t)e e9uivalent !( t)e sta$es !( $eneral anuttaray!$a tantra "!mplete sta$e pra"ti"e pri!r t! t)e attainment !( a"tual "lear li$)t a4areness and a seein$ pat)4ay mind+ *)us, it entails 4!r#in$ 4it) t)e subtle ener$y6system 4it) its ener$y64inds, ener$y6")annels, and ener$y6dr!ps .rtsa-rlung-thig-le/+ Su") pra"ti"e, in a sense, <$reases= t)e subtle ener$y6system s! t)at t)e ener$y64inds 4ill m!re easily diss!lve aut!mati"ally at t)e brea#6t)r!u$) sta$e+ [ !r m!re detail, see% *)e MaC!r a"ets !( -z!$")en+,

$asic -rocedure of Dzogchen Meditation

M!ments !( "!n"eptual t)in#in$ .rnam-rtog/, spe"i(i"ally m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$, simultane!usly arise, abide, and disappear, as d!es 4ritin$ !n 4ater+ 0! e((!rt is

12

re9uired t! diss!lve t)em, 4)i") is t)e meanin$ !( t)e term automatic liberation .ranggrol, sel(6liberati!n/+ *)!u$)ts aut!mati"ally (ree t)emselves, in t)e sense !( disappearin$ simultane!usly 4it) arisin$+ ;)en 4e abide in t)is state !( simultane!us arisin$, abidin$, and disappearin$, 4e abide in t)e <natural state !( t)e mind+= &t is s!metimes des"ribed as t)e spa"e in bet4een millise"!nds !( t)!u$)t !r as t)e !pen spa"e underlyin$ t)!u$)ts+ ;)en t)e texts des"ribe t)at t)is level !( mental a"tivity d!es n!t ma#e distin"ti!ns int! <t)is=s and <t)at=s, t)ey mean t)at it d!es n!t ma#e distin"ti!ns int! truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s+ *)ey d! n!t mean t)at t)is level !( mental a"tivity la"#s distin$uis)in$ .B du-shes, re"!$niti!n/ !( 4)at anyt)in$ is+ &t merely la"#s t)e "!n"eptual "!$niti!n t)at a"tively labels s!met)in$ 4it) a mental "!nstru"t, su") as <table+= &t "ann!t be t)at ri$pa #n!4s n!t)in$+ A(ter all, 4)en (ully !perati!nal, ri$pa is t)e !mnis"ient a4areness !( a Budd)a+ *)e dz!$")en presentati!n )ere d!es n!t "!ntradi"t t)e >elu$6@rasan$i#a asserti!n t)at t)in$s "!nventi!nally exist as <t)is=s !r <t)at=s merely inasmu") as t)ey "an be validly labeled as <t)is=s !r <t)at=s+ 0!t)in$ exists in)erently in s!met)in$, ma#in$ it a <t)is= !r a <t)at= by its !4n p!4er+ 0evert)eless, an !bCe"t "an be "!rre"tly labeled as <a table= by a valid "!$niti!n !( its super(i"ial ."!nventi!nal/ trut) and t)is !bCe"t )as t)e ability t! per(!rm t)e (un"ti!n .don-byed nus-pa/ !( a table+ [See% *)e Jalidity and A""ura"y !( '!$niti!n !( t)e *4! *rut)s in >elu$6@rasan$i#a+ See als!% undamentals !( -z!$")en Meditati!n, 1 7e"!$nizin$ -i((erent 2evels !( Mental A"tivity and Appearan"e6Ma#in$+,

Differences between the Dzogchen+ (i!assana+ and Mahamudra Meditation Methods concerning "once!tual Thought
Jipassana
Jipassana .lhag-mthong, S#t+ vipashyana/ meditati!n 4it)in t)e sp)ere !( *)eravada Budd)ism entails n!tin$ and 4at")in$ t)e arisin$ and (allin$ !( m!ments !( "!n"eptual t)in#in$, but n!t t)r!u$) t)e <eyes= !( an independently existin$ <me= as t)e !bserver+ *)r!u$) t)is pr!"edure, 4e realize t)e impermanen"e !r (leetin$ nature !( "!n"eptual t)!u$)t and !( mental a"tivity in $eneral+ ;e als! realize t)at mental a"tivity !""urs 4it)!ut an independent a$ent <me= eit)er !bservin$ it !r ma#in$ it )appen+ -z!$")en meditati!n, in "!ntrast, (!"uses !n t)e simultane!us arisin$, abidin$, and disappearin$ !( m!ments !( "!n"eptual t)in#in$ 5 n!t simply n!tin$ !r 4at")in$ it+ *)is all!4s us t! re"!$nize (irst e((ul$ent ri$pa 5 t)e aspe"t !( ri$pa t)at sp!ntane!usly establis)es t)e appearan"e !( simultane!usly arisin$, abidin$, and disappearin$ t)!u$)ts+ &t t)en all!4s us t! re"!$nize essen"e ri$pa 5 t)e aspe"t !( ri$pa t)at serves as t)e "!$nitive spa"e underlyin$ every m!ment !( mental a"tivity and all!4in$ (!r t)e sp!ntane!us establis)ment !( simultane!usly arisin$, abidin$, and disappearin$ t)!u$)ts+

1?

M!re!ver, vipassana deals !nly 4it) t)e $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity, 4)ereas dz!$")en a""esses t)e subtlest level, ri$pa+

Ma)amudra
8ne !( t)e main met)!ds !( ma)amudra meditati!n in t)e 1arma 1a$yu traditi!n is t! re$ard m!ments !( "!n"eptual t)in#in$ as d)arma#aya .chos-sku/ 5 t)e net4!r# !( !mnis"ient a4areness !( a Budd)a en"!mpassin$ everyt)in$+ &( d)arma#aya is li#ened t! t)e !"ean, t)en m!ments !( "!n"eptual t)in#in$ are li#e 4aves !n t)e !"ean+ ;)et)er t)e !"ean is "alm !r ")urnin$ 4it) 4aves, still t)e 4aves are 4ater+ *)us, 4it)!ut "!ns"i!usly see#in$ t! 9uiet t)e 4aves, 4e (!"us !n t)e !"ean, 4)i") is never disturbed in its dept)s, n! matter )!4 lar$e t)e 4aves !n t)e sur(a"e may be+ '!nse9uently, t)e "!n"eptual pr!"ess naturally 9uiets d!4n+ &n t)e >elu$F1a$yu traditi!n !( ma)amudra, 4e re$ard m!ments !( "!n"eptual t)in#in$ t! be li#e (leetin$ "l!uds t)at temp!rarily !bs"ure t)e s#y+ *)ey arise and disappear in t)e s#y, but are n!t in t)e nature !( t)e s#y+ B!t) ma)amudra and dz!$")en deal 4it) t)e subtlest level !( mental a"tivity, ma)amudra a""esses it by diss!lvin$ t)e ener$y64inds and t)e $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity, 4)ereas dz!$")en a""esses it by re"!$nizin$ it 4it)in t)e $r!sser levels, namely sem+

"ontrast between Dzogchen and "han 12en3

')an .Jap+ zen/ is ex"lusively a sutra pra"ti"e, 4)ereas dz!$")en is ex"lusively tantra and, spe"i(i"ally, t)e )i$)est "lass !( tantra+ *)us, dz!$")en 4!r#s 4it) t)e subtlest level !( mental a"tivity, 4)ereas ')an 4!r#s 4it) $r!sser levels+ Alt)!u$) ')an d!es n!t expli"itly tea") t)at all $!!d 9ualities are "!mplete in t)e mind, nevert)eless it impli"itly implies t)is p!int, parti"ularly "!n"ernin$ "!mpassi!n+ ')an )as !nly minimal emp)asis !n "ultivatin$ "!mpassi!n as a met)!d t! eliminate t)e !bs"urati!ns t)at prevent innate "!mpassi!n (r!m s)inin$ (!rt)+ ;)en 4e rea") t)e natural state, "!mpassi!n 4ill aut!mati"ally be part !( t)at state+ -z!$")en, !n t)e !t)er )and, n!t !nly expli"itly tea")es t)at all 9ualities, n!t !nly "!mpassi!n, are "!mplete in ri$pa, but entails extensive sutra and tantra meditati!n pra"ti"e (!r "ultivatin$ "!mpassi!n+ ')an pra"ti"e d!es n!t re9uire be(!re)and t)e "!mm!n and un"!mm!n preliminaries !( sutra study and meditati!n and !( a )undred t)!usand repetiti!ns !( vari!us pra"ti"es, 4)ereas dz!$")en pra"ti"e re9uires b!t) sets !( preliminaries+ ')an pra"ti"e d!es n!t re9uire re"eivin$ an emp!4erment .initiati!n/ be(!re)and, 4)ereas dz!$")en pra"ti"e d!es+ Alt)!u$) enli$)tenment re9uires t)e subtlest level !( mental a"tivity, ')an neit)er explains t)is level n!r presents expli"it met)!ds (!r rea")in$ it+ M!re!ver, it d!es n!t dis"uss t)e subtle ener$y6system+ 0evert)eless, (!"us !n

1G

t)e area bel!4 t)e navel .Jap+ hara/ in vari!us ')an pra"ti"es und!ubtedly "auses t)e ener$y64inds t! enter and diss!lve in t)e "entral ")annel, 4)i") brin$s a""ess t! t)is subtlest level+ -z!$")en a""esses ri$pa t)r!u$) bein$ led t! re"!$nize it by !ur spiritual masters, a(ter 4e )ave <$reased= t)e subtle ener$y6 system 4it) pri!r anuy!$a pra"ti"e+

*)e ')an met)!d, spe"i(i"ally in t)e 7inzai traditi!n, (!r st!ppin$ t)e "!n"eptual pr!"ess is <pr!(!und d!ubt= 5 d!ubtin$ all "!n"eptual statements 5 and koan pra"ti"e, !(ten entailin$ parad!x+ -z!$")en st!ps t)e "!n"eptual pr!"ess t)r!u$) (!"usin$ !n t)e simultane!us arisin$ and disappearin$ !( t)!u$)ts+ &n ')an, t)e "ause (!r a"tualizin$ a rupa#aya, espe"ially in t)e S!t! traditi!n, is sittin$ in t)e per(e"t p!sture !( a Budd)a+ &n dz!$")en, t)e "auses are ri$pa:s nature !( sp!ntane!usly establis)in$ appearan"es, ri$pa:s innate (eature !( s)inin$ 4it) (ive6"!l!red rainb!4 li$)t, and pri!r ma)ay!$a pra"ti"e !( visualizin$ !urselves as Budd)a6(i$ures+ ')an d!es n!t )ave any dis"ussi!n !r presentati!n !( Budd)a6(i$ures+

"oncluding emar,s
-z!$")en is an extremely advan"ed and di((i"ult pra"ti"e+ ;)en des"ribed as e((!rtless .B bad-med/, t)is d!es n!t mean t)at as be$inners, 4e d! n!t need t! d! anyt)in$ 5 Cust sit, relax, and everyt)in$ 4ill )appen all at !n"e+ #$$ortless re(ers t! t)e (a"t t)at t)!u$)ts aut!mati"ally disappear simultane!usly 4it) t)eir arisin$% 4e d! n!t need t! ma#e an e((!rt t! ma#e t)em disappear+ 0evert)eless, 4e need t! re"!$nize and realize t)is (a"t+ D((!rtless als! re(ers t! 4)en 4e realize essen"e ri$pa, t)en, based !n pri!r ma)ay!$a and anuy!$a pra"ti"e, t)e ener$y64inds e((!rtlessly diss!lve and an appearan"e !( !urselves as a rainb!4 b!dy in t)e aspe"t !( a Budd)a6(i$ure e((!rtlessly arises+ *)us, alt)!u$) t)e dz!$")en literature primarily spea#s (r!m t)e p!ints !( vie4 !( t)e resultant sta$e and !( t)!se (!r 4)!m it )appens all at !n"e, 4e need t! $at)er t)e "auses (!r su""ess be(!re 4e are able t! pra"ti"e dz!$")en su""ess(ully+ &n !t)er 4!rds, 4e "ann!t dispense 4it) pra"ti"in$ t)e "!mm!n and un"!mm!n preliminaries, re"eivin$ emp!4erment, #eepin$ t)e appr!priate v!4s, and pra"ti"in$ a "ertain am!unt !( ma)ay!$a and anuy!$a meditati!n+ 0!4, )!4ever, 4e may pra"ti"e a (a"simile !( dz!$")en meditati!n t! (amiliarize !urselves 4it) t)e met)!d+ !"usin$ !n t)e simultane!us arisin$, abidin$, and disappearin$ !( t)!u$)ts, !n 4)atever level 4e "an, is )elp(ul (!r !ver"!min$ anxiety, 4!rry, an$er, and s! !n+ 3!4ever, 4e need t! try t! av!id (!!lin$ !urselves int! t)in#in$ t)at t)is is t)e a"tual, deeper level !( dz!$")en meditati!n+ ;e need t! try t! av!id t)e mista#e !( t)in#in$ t)at everyt)in$ is already per(e"t and s! t)ere is n! need t! ")an$e destru"tive patterns in !ur attitudes !r be)avi!r+

Similar -ages4

*)e MaC!r a"ets !( -z!$")en

15

undamentals !( -z!$")en Meditati!n .multipart text/ Brie( 3ist!ry !( -z!$")en

The Ma5or 6acets of Dzogchen

Alexander Berzin 0!vember 2000, revised May 2002 and July 2006 [ !r ba"#$r!und, see% &ntr!du"ti!n t! -z!$")en+, *)e 0yin$ma traditi!n is a "!mplex !( many linea$es and tea")in$s, in"ludin$ dz!$")en+ 2et us examine s!me !( its maC!r (a"ets+

Nine (ehicles
*)e 0yin$ma .8ld *ranslati!n @eri!d/ traditi!n divides Budd)a:s tea")in$s int! nine ve)i"les .theg-pa dgu/% t)ree sutra and six tantra+ *)is "!ntrasts 4it) t)e Sarma .0e4 *ranslati!n @eri!d/ s")!!ls !( 1a$yu, Sa#ya, and >elu$, 4)i") divide t)e tea")in$s int! t)ree sutra and (!ur tantra ve)i"les+

*)e t)ree sutra ve)i"les are t)e s)rava#a, pratye#abudd)a, b!d)isattva ve)i"les+ *)e (irst t4! are in t)e "ate$!ry !( 3inayana, 4)ile t)e latter is Ma)ayana+ *)e t)ree !uter tantras are #riya, ")arya, and y!$a+ *)e t)ree inner tantras are ma)ay!$a, anuy!$a, and atiy!$a !r dz!$")en+

[See% *)e *erms -inayana and Mahayana+ See als!% Basi" eatures !( *antra+, *)e (irst six ve)i"les in 0yin$ma and Sarma are t)e same+ *)e t)ree 0yin$ma inner tantra ve)i"les are r!u$)ly e9uivalent t! t)e Sarma "ate$!ry !( anuttaray!$a tantra+ *)is is be"ause b!t) "ate$!ries deal 4it) a subtler level !( mental a"tivity .mind/ t)an t)e l!4er ve)i"les d! (!r a"tualizin$ t)e t)ird and (!urt) n!ble trut)s 5 true st!ppin$s !( t)e (irst and se"!nd n!ble trut)s .su((erin$ and its "auses/ and t)e true pat)4ays !( mind t)at brin$ ab!ut and )ave true st!ppin$s+ *rue "auses are "!n(usi!n ab!ut reality .una4areness, i$n!ran"e/ and t)e (leetin$ levels !( mental a"tivity at 4)i") t)ey !perate+ Be"ause t)ey are (leetin$ levels, t)ey "an be rem!ved+

Maha+ 'nu+ and 'tiyoga in "om!arison with 6ather+ Mother+ and Nondual 'nuttarayoga Tantra
Ma)ay!$a, anuy!$a, and atiy!$a all "!ntain t)e same basi" elements !( pra"ti"e !n t)e tantra pat) t! enli$)tenment+ *)ey di((er in terms !( emp)asis+ *)e same distin"ti!n is

16

true "!n"ernin$ t)e t)ree divisi!ns !( anuttaray!$a tantra% (at)er, m!t)er, and n!ndual tantra+ *)e t4! divisi!n s")emes, )!4ever, are n!t e9uivalent+ *)e pra"ti"e !( anuttaray!$a tantra entails t)e $enerati!n sta$e .bskyed-rim/ and t)e "!mplete sta$e .rdzogs-rim, "!mpleti!n sta$e/+ 8n t)e generation stage, 4e $enerate !urselves as Budd)a6(i$ures merely 4it) t)e p!4er !( !ur ima$inati!ns .visualizati!n/+ 8n t)e complete stage, everyt)in$ is "!mplete (!r a"tually $eneratin$ t)e immediate "auses (!r t)e b!dy and mind !( a Budd)a 5 n!t Cust in !ur ima$inati!ns+ 8n t)e "!mplete sta$e, 4e "ause t)e ener$y64inds .rlung, S#t+ prana/ t! enter, abide, and diss!lve in t)e "entral ")annel+ *)is enables us t! a""ess t)e subtlest level !( mental a"tivity ."lear li$)t, B od-gsal/ and use it (!r t)e n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n !( v!idness 5 t)e immediate "ause (!r t)e !mnis"ient mind !( a Budd)a+ ;e use t)e subtlest level !( ener$y64ind, 4)i") supp!rts "lear li$)t mental a"tivity, t! arise in t)e (!rm !( an illus!ry b!dy .sgyu-lus/ as t)e immediate "ause (!r t)e net4!r# !( (!rm b!dies .S#t+ rupakaya/ !( a Budd)a+ ;it)in t)is s")eme !( anuttaray!$a tantra%

(at)er tantra emp)asizes illus!ry b!dy pra"ti"e, m!t)er tantra emp)asizes "lear li$)t pra"ti"e, n!ndual tantra emp)asizes t)e uni(ied pair .zung-"jug/ !( illus!ry b!dy and "lear li$)t+

&( 4e use t)e same s")eme as in anuttaray!$a t! analyze t)e 0yin$ma presentati!n, and divide t)e "!mplete sta$e int! t4! p)ases 5 be(!re attainin$ a"tual "lear li$)t n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n !( v!idness, and a(ter, 4)en 4e attain t)e immediate "ause (!r a rupa#aya 5 t)en%

ma)ay!$a emp)asizes t)e $enerati!n sta$e, anuy!$a emp)asizes t)e (irst p)ase !( t)e "!mplete sta$e and 4!r#in$ 4it) t)e ener$y64inds, ")annels, and ")a#ras, atiy!$a .dz!$")en/ emp)asizes t)e se"!nd p)ase !( t)e "!mplete sta$e, at 4)i") 4e a"tualize t)e immediate "auses (!r t)e enli$)tenin$ mind and (!rm b!dies !( a Budd)a+

Three #ines of Transmission Divided 'ccording to Their Sources

*)ere are t)ree main lines !( transmissi!n !( t)e nine ve)i"les+ *)e (irst en"!mpasses all nine ve)i"les, 4)ile t)e latter t4! in"lude s!me ma)ay!$a and anuy!$a texts, but primarily dz!$")en+

Distant #ineage of the .ords of $uddha /imself

1L

*)e extensive distant lineage .ring-brgyud/ o$ the words o$ Buddha himsel$ .bka"-ma/ "!mprises t)e tea")in$s br!u$)t t! *ibet (r!m &ndia by &ndian and *ibetan masters and transmitted dire"tly t)r!u$) an unbr!#en line !( dis"iples+

The Near #ineage of Treasure Te&ts

*)e s)!rter near lineage .nye-brgyud/ o$ treasure te.ts .gter-ma, <terma=/ "!mprises texts planted eit)er in a p)ysi"al l!"ati!n .sa-gter/, su") as inside a pillar !( a temple, !r in t)e minds !( dis"iples .dgongs-gter/+ *)e early &ndian and *ibetan masters 4)! br!u$)t t)e tea")in$s (r!m &ndia )id t)em t)ere (!r sa(e#eepin$ durin$ times t)at 4ere n!t "!ndu"ive (!r t)eir pra"ti"e+ 'enturies later, revealers o$ treasure te.ts .gter-ston, <tert!n=/ re"!vered and t)en transmitted t)em t! unbr!#en lines !( dis"iples+ Buryin$ treasure texts is n!t uni9ue t! *ibet !r, 4it)in *ibet, t! t)e 0yin$ma traditi!n+ &n &ndia, Asan$a buried t)ree texts !( Maitreya, in"ludin$ ,he /urthest #verlasting Continuum .r(yud bla-ma, S#t+ +ttaratantra/ and t)e &ndian master Maitripa re"!vered t)em+ ;it)in t)e 1a$yu traditi!ns, Milarepa:s .Mi-la Ras-pa/ dis"iple 7e")un$pa .Raschung-pa/ buried ma)amudra texts and t)e -ru$pa 1a$yu (!under, *san$pa >yarey .g,sang-pa r(ya-ras/, re"!vered t)em+ A variant !( t)is manner !( transmissi!n is Budd)a entrustin$ ,he )rajnaparamita Sutras t! t)e na$as .klu, )al(6)uman, )al(6serpent $uardians !( treasure/, 4)! )id t)em under t)e sea+ *)e &ndian master 0a$arCuna 4ent t! t)e na$a6realm beneat) t)e sea and re"!vered t)em many "enturies later+

The -rofound #ineage of -ure (isions

*)e pro$ound lineage .zab-brgyud/ o$ pure visions .dag-snang, revelati!n/ "!mprises tea")in$s by Budd)a6(i$ures !r linea$e (!unders re"eived in visi!ns+ An &ndian pre"edent is a$ain 4it) Asan$a, 4)! 4as ta#en t! *us)ita pure land by Maitreya Budd)a and re"eived a pure visi!n t)ere !( Maitreya:s (ive texts+

Three Divisions of Treasure Te&ts

*)e treasure texts "!n"ernin$ dz!$")en (all int! t)ree divisi!ns%

*)e mind division .sems-sde/ emp)asizes pure a4areness .rig-pa/ as t)e basis (!r all .kun-gzhi, S#t+ alaya/+ *)e open space division .klong-sde/ emp)asizes t)e !pen spa"e aspe"t .klong/ !( pure a4areness as t)e basis (!r all+ *)e 0uintessence teachings division .man-ngag sde/ emp)asizes pure a4areness bein$ primally pure .ka-dag/+ An!t)er name (!r t)is divisi!n is t)e heart essence division .snying-thig/+ Jari!us texts bearin$ t)e term nyingtig in t)eir titles bel!n$ t! t)is divisi!n+

*)e (irst t4! divisi!ns derive (r!m treasure texts buried by Jair!")ana, !ne !( t)e (irst seven *ibetan Budd)ist m!n#s+ *)e mind divisi!n "!mes (r!m &ndian texts t)at

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Jair!")ana translatedE t)e !pen spa"e divisi!n (r!m )is !ral tea")in$s+ *)e 9uintessen"e tea")in$s divisi!n derives (r!m texts buried by eit)er >uru 7inp!")e .@admasamb)ava/ !r t)e &ndian master Jimalamitra+ 8nly t)e t)ird is 4idely pra"ti"ed in m!dern times+ [See% Brie( 3ist!ry !( -z!$")en+,

Three 7inds of -ure (isions

*)e t)ree )i$)er tantra "lass tea")in$s t)at derive (r!m pure visi!ns als! (all int! t)ree "ate$!ries%

t)!se t)at arise (r!m meditative experien"es, t)!se t)at arise in dreams, t)!se t)at arise dire"tly t! sens!ry "!ns"i!usness 5 a"tually seein$ and )earin$ a Budd)a6(i$ure 4)ile a4a#e, n!t 4)ile dreamin$ !r in meditati!n+

*)e t)ird #ind "!nstitutes t)e m!st pr!(!und linea$e+ An &ndian pre"edent is Asan$a, 4)! re"eived Maitreya:s (ive texts by a"tually seein$ t)em in *us)ita pure land+

Three #ines of Transmission Divided 'ccording to the Manner of eceiving Them

*)e 0yin$ma system presents an additi!nal divisi!n s")eme (!r t)e lines !( transmissi!n !( t)e t)ree inner tantra "lasses, divided a""!rdin$ t! t)e manner in 4)i") t)e masters 4)! (!unded a line !( transmissi!n re"eived t)e tea")in$s%

*)e transmission line o$ the ,riumphant Buddha"s intention .rgyal-ba dgongsbrgyud/ is re"eived by a master 4)en )e !r s)e a")ieves enli$)tenment and dire"tly realizes t)e (ull intenti!n !( Budd)a:s tea")in$s+ *)e transmission line o$ gestures $rom a beholder o$ pure awareness .rig-"dzin brda-brgyud/ is re"eived by a master in a pure visi!n !( an emanati!n !( a Budd)a, 4)en )e !r s)e $ains realizati!n t)r!u$) seein$ a $esture made by t)e emanati!n+ *)e transmission line o$ teachings heard $rom a person .gang-zag snyanbrgyud/ is re"eived !rally (r!m t)e tea")in$s !( a $reat master+ M!st derive (r!m t)e tea")in$s )eard dire"tly (r!m eit)er >uru 7inp!")e !r Jimalamitra+

ig!a
-z!$")en pra"ti"e emp)asizes a""essin$ rigpa .rig-pa, pure a4areness/, t)e subtlest level !( mental a"tivity+ 7i$pa is an una((e"ted p)en!men!n .B dus-ma-byed/, n!t in t)e sense !( bein$ stati", but in t)e sense !( n!t bein$ "!ntrived !r made up as s!met)in$ temp!rary and ne4+ &t is prim!rdially present, "!ntinu!us, and everlastin$+ &t is unstained by (leetin$ !rdinary mental a"tivity 5 in !t)er 4!rds, ri$pa is dev!id !( t)em+

19

7i$pa is "!mplete 4it) all t)e $!!d 9ualities .yon-tan/ !( a Budd)a, su") as understandin$ and "!mpassi!n+ *)ey are innate .lhan-skyes/ t! ri$pa, 4)i") means t)at t)ey arise simultane!usly 4it) ea") m!ment !( ri$pa, and prim!rdial .gnyugs-ma/, in t)e sense !( )avin$ n! be$innin$+ ;e d! n!t need t! "reate $!!d 9ualities ane4 (r!m n!t)in$ !r Cust (r!m p!tentials+ 2i#e t)e innate 9uality !( a mirr!r t! re(le"t, 4)i") is t)ere even 4)en dust t!tally !bs"ures t)e sur(a"e !( t)e mirr!r, 4e d! n!t need t! add anyt)in$ (!r ri$pa:s $!!d 9ualities t! (un"ti!n+ ;e need merely t! rem!ve t)e (leetin$ stains, t)e dust+ Be(!re enli$)tenment, )!4ever, even 4)en ri$pa is mani(est, its $!!d 9ualities are n!t all e9ually pr!minent simultane!usly+ Am!n$ t)e innate 9ualities !( ri$pa is sel(6arisin$ deep a4areness .rang-byung ye-shes/, als! #n!4n as re(lexive deep a4areness .rang-rig ye-shes/+ *)is is a4areness !( ri$pa:s !4n (a"e .rang-ngo shes-pa/ as t)e (a"e !( Samantab)adra . un-tu bzang-po, t)e *!tally Dx"ellent 8ne end!4ed 4it) all $!!d 9ualities/+ ;)en re(lexive deep a4areness is n!t mani(est, due t! t)e aut!mati"ally arisin$ (a"t!r !( dumb(!undedness .rmongscha, stupidity, bedazzlement/ t)at !bs"ures ri$pa:s #n!4in$ !( its !4n nature, mental a"tivity be"!mes sem .sems, limited a4areness/ and n! l!n$er ri$pa+ *)e (leetin$ (a"t!r !( dumb(!undedness is an!t)er name (!r aut!mati"ally arisin$ una4areness .lhan-skyes ma-rig-pa/ re$ardin$ p)en!mena+ &t is n!t an a"tual disturbin$ attitude, but !nly a n!minal !ne .nyon-mongs-kyi ming-btags-pa/, sin"e it (alls in t)e "ate$!ry !( !bs"urati!ns re$ardin$ all #n!4ables, and 4)i") prevent !mnis"ien"e .shes-sgrib/+ M!re!ver, una4areness .i$n!ran"e/, )ere,

is n!t in t)e sense !( inverted "!$niti!n and $raspin$ !( t)e "!$nitive appearan"e !( t)in$s .phyin-ci-log-par dzin-pa/ 5 per"eivin$ t)em t! exist in a manner t)at d!es n!t "!rresp!nd t! t)eir a"tuality and $raspin$ (!r t)em t! truly exist in t)at manner+ 0!r is it una4areness in t)e sense !( n!t #n!4in$ .mi-shes-pa/ t)at dualisti" appearan"es are (alse+ 7at)er, it is una4areness in t)e sense !( n!t #n!4in$ its !4n nature+ &t d!es n!t <re"!$nize its !4n (a"e+=

[See% 7iddin$ 8nesel( !( t)e *4! Sets !( 8bs"urati!ns in Sutra and Anuttaray!$a *antra A""!rdin$ t! 0yin$ma and Sa#ya+,

Three 's!ects of ig!a

7i$pa:s re(lexive deep a4areness is a4areness !( its t)ree(!ld nature .< its !4n (a"e=/+ *)is re(ers t! t)e t)ree aspe"ts !( ri$pa% its essential nature .ngo-bo, essen"e/, its in(luen"in$ nature .B phrin-las, a"tivity/, and its (un"ti!nal nature .rang-bzhin, sel(6 nature/+

20

*)e essential nature o$ rigpa re(ers t! t)e "ate$!ry !( p)en!men!n it is+ &n essen"e, ri$pa is primal purity .ka-dag/+ *)is means ri$pa is primally .4it)!ut a be$innin$/ pure !( all stains+ *)is is b!t) in t)e sense !( bein$ sel(6v!id .rangstong, dev!id !( imp!ssible 4ays !( existin$/ and !t)er6v!id .gzhan-stong, an a4areness )avin$ t)at v!id nature and 4)i") is dev!id !( (leetin$ $r!sser levels/+ *)us, primal purity derives (r!m a uni!n !( t)e tea")in$s !( t)e se"!nd and t)ird r!unds !( transmissi!n .turnin$s !( 4)eel !( -)arma/, !n sel(6 v!idness and Budd)a6nature, respe"tively+ *)e in$luencing nature o$ rigpa re(ers t! t)e manner in 4)i") ri$pa in(luen"es !t)ers+ *)is manner is 4it) its aspe"t !( responsiveness .thugs-rje, "!mpassi!n/+ &n !t)er 4!rds, t)e nature !( ri$pa:s in(luen"in$ !t)ers is t)at it resp!nds e((!rtlessly and sp!ntane!usly 4it) "!mpassi!nate "!mmuni"ati!n+ *)e $unctional nature o$ rigpa re(ers t! 4)at it spe"i(i"ally d!es+ 7i$pa e((!rtlessly and spontaneously establishes appearances .lhun-grub/+

The Two Truths in Nyingma

0yin$ma presents t)e t4! trut)s .bden-gnyis/ in several 4ays+ &n t)e br!adest sense%

7i$pa, 4it) its pure appearan"e6ma#in$, is deepest trut) .don-dam bden-pa, ultimate trut)/+ Sem, 4it) its impure appearan"e6ma#in$, is super(i"ial !r "!nventi!nal trut) .kun-rdzob-bden-pa, relative trut)/+

1mpure appearance-making .ma-dag-pa"i snang-ba/ $ives rise t! appearan"es !( t)in$s as )avin$ true existen"e, la"#in$ true existen"e, b!t), !r neit)er+ )ure appearancemaking .dag-pa"i snang-ba/ $ives rise t! appearan"es !( t)in$s as existin$ bey!nd t)ese (!ur extremes+ ;it)in t)e "!ntext !( ri$pa%

*)e aspe"t !( primal purity 5 as ri$pa:s v!id side .stong-cha/ and a4areness side .rig-cha/ 5 is ri$pa:s deepest trut)+ *)e aspe"t !( sp!ntane!usly establis)in$ appearan"es based !n t)e aspe"t !( resp!nsiveness 5 as ri$pa:s appearan"e side .snang-cha/ and appearan"e6ma#in$ side .gsal-cha/ 5 is its super(i"ial, relative trut)+

*)us, ri$pa:s t)ree aspe"ts, as its t4! trut)s, are al4ays inseparable .dbyer-med/ and simultane!usly arisin$ .lhan-skyes/+ [See% '!nventi!nal and -eepest B!d)i")itta and t)e *4! *rut)s in Anuttaray!$a *antra+ See als!% 7elati!ns)ips bet4een *4! 8bCe"ts in Anuttaray!$a *antra+,

The $asis and esultant -hases of the Three 's!ects of ig!a

21

*)e basis phase !( t)e t)ree aspe"ts !( ri$pa re(ers t! t)e t)ree as aspe"ts !( Budd)a6 nature in all limited bein$s .sems-can, sentient bein$s/+ *)e resultant phase !( t)e t)ree aspe"ts re(ers t! t)eir mani(estati!n in t)e (ully realized Budd)a6nature !( a Budd)a+ &n t)is p)ase%

7i$pa:s essential nature mani(ests as -)arma#aya .chos-sku, a "!rpus t)at en"!mpasses everyt)in$ 5 t)e !mnis"ient a4areness !( a Budd)a and t)e inseparability !( its t4! trut)s/+ 7i$pa:s in(luen"in$ nature mani(ests as Samb)!$a#aya .longs-sku, a "!rpus !( t)e subtle (!rms !( spee") and "!mmuni"ati!n t)at ma#e (ull use !( t)e Ma)ayana tea")in$s/+ 7i$pa:s (un"ti!nal nature mani(ests as 0irmana#aya .sprul-sku, a "!rpus !( emanati!ns !( Samb)!$a#aya in t)e appearan"e !( p)ysi"al b!dies/+

The -athway -hase of the Three 's!ects

*! rem!ve t)e (leetin$ stains (r!m t)e basis t)ree aspe"ts !( ri$pa s! t)at t)eir (ull (un"ti!nin$ as t)e resultant t)ree aspe"ts may !""ur unimpededly, 4e 4!r# 4it) t)e t)ree in t)eir pat)4ay p)ase+ ;e d! t)is in t)ree sta$es+ 2et us l!!# at t)em in reverse !rder (r!m t)e se9uen"e !( pra"ti"e+

'tiyoga Stage
Atiy!$a )as t4! extremely advan"ed sta$es !( pra"ti"e 4it) ri$pa% brea#6t)r!u$) .khregs-chod/ and leap6a)ead .thod-rgal/+

Break-through pra"ti"e emp)asizes ri$pa:s essential nature !( primal purity+ At t)is sta$e, 4e a""ess ri$pa, 4it) its n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n !( v!idness, and attain a seein$ pat)4ay mind .mthong-lam, pat) !( seein$/, be"!min$ an arya .B phags-pa/+ *)is is e9uivalent t! attainin$ t)e a"tual "lear li$)t sta$e in anuttaray!$a tantra+ Alt)!u$) b!t) trut)s are inseparable and simultane!usly arise in ri$pa, !nly its deepest trut) 5 namely, its primal purity 5 is pr!minent at t)is sta$e+ 7i$pa:s super(i"ial trut) .its appearan"e6ma#in$/ and all its !t)er $!!d 9ualities are n!t (ully pr!minent+ !ll!4in$ brea#6t)r!u$), leap-ahead pra"ti"e emp)asizes ri$pa:s in(luen"in$ nature !( resp!nsiveness and its (un"ti!nal nature !( sp!ntane!usly establis)in$ appearan"es+ r!m repeatedly abidin$ in ri$pa, 4e "ut t)e "!ntinuity !( sem, 4)i") is t)e immediately pre"edin$ "!nditi!n .de-ma-thag rkyen/ (!r !ur experien"e bein$ "!mprised !( !ur !rdinary (ive a$$re$ate (a"t!rs .phung-po lnga/+ '!nse9uently, ri$pa sp!ntane!usly $ives rise t! an appearan"e !( itsel( as a rainb!4 b!dy .B ja"-lus/+ B!t) trut)s are still inseparable and simultane!usly arise, but )ere ri$pa:s super(i"ial trut) 5 its resp!nsiveness and sp!ntane!us establis)ment !( appearan"es 5 is m!re pr!minent+ *)is sta$e is e9uivalent t! t)e sta$e !( t)e uni(ied pair !( t)e puri(ied illus!ry b!dy and "lear li$)t, and an a""ust!min$ pat)4ay mind .sgom-lam, pat) !( meditati!n/+

22

*)ere are t4! types !( pra"titi!ners% those who progress in stages .lam-rim-pa/ and those $or whom it happens all at once .cig-car-ba/+ A(ter attainin$ brea#6t)r!u$), t)e (!rmer pr!$ress t)r!u$) t)e vari!us sta$es !( leap6a)ead, !ne by !ne, spannin$ t)e ten levels !( b)umi6mind .sa-bcu/ !( arya b!d)isattvas, until t)eir attainment !( enli$)tenment+ *)e latter attain brea#6t)r!u$), leap6a)ead, and enli$)tenment all at !n"e, due t! an en!rm!us am!unt !( enli$)tenment6buildin$ p!sitive (!r"e .merit/ (r!m previ!us intensive pra"ti"e, !(ten (r!m (!rmer lives+

Mahayoga Stage
As preparati!n (!r t)e atiy!$a sta$e !( dz!$")en pra"ti"e, 4e need t! pra"ti"e t)e e9uivalent !( t)e $enerati!n sta$e, as emp)asized in ma)ay!$a+ !r t)is reas!n, atiy!$a is !(ten "alled maha-atiyoga+ *)e m!st imp!rtant (eature !( ma)ay!$a $enerati!n sta$e pra"ti"e is t)e three samadhis .ting-nge-"dzin gsum, t)ree abs!rbed "!n"entrati!ns/, in 4)i") 4e 4!r# 4it) t)e t)ree aspe"ts !( ri$pa in !ur ima$inati!ns%

Basis samadhi on the authentic nature .gzhi de-bzhin-nyid-kyi ting-nge-"dzin, de-ting/+ &n !ur ima$inati!ns, 4e abs!rb !ur "!n"entrati!n in an appr!ximati!n !( ri$pa:s primal purity+ ;e d! t)is, (!r example, by remindin$ !urselves t)at primal purity d!es n!t "!me (r!m any4)ere, abide, !r $! any4)ere+ &t is a state !( a4areness t)at is (ree (r!m bein$ pat)eti" and 4ea# .lham-me lhen-ne/, bein$ Cittery and expl!sive 2ar-ma ur-ma/, leanin$ t!4ard !ne side !r an!t)er .zur/, and ma#in$ !r dr!ppin$ plans .rgya-chad/+ &n !t)er 4!rds, t)is is a state !( !pen re"eptiveness .klong/, 4)i") is t)e basis (!r bein$ able t! )elp !t)ers as a Budd)a+ )ath samadhi illuminating everywhere .lam kun-snang-ba"i ting-nge-"dzin, snang-ting/+ M!ved by "!mpassi!n t)at limited bein$s d! n!t #n!4 t)e primal purity !( t)eir ri$pa, "!mplete 4it) all 9ualities, 4e abs!rb !ur "!n"entrati!n in an appr!ximati!n !( ri$pa:s resp!nsiveness+ *)is is t)e subtle mental m!vement t! appear and resp!nd, 4)i") is t)e pat)4ay (!r )elpin$ t)em+ Resultant samadhi on the cause .B bras-bu-rgyu"i-ting-nge-"dzin, rgyu-ting/+ 3ere, 4e arise as a seed syllable, (!r example hum, 4)i") is t)e "ause (!r appearan"e as a Budd)a6(i$ure+ ;e abs!rb !ur "!n"entrati!n !n !ur visualizati!n !( t)is syllable, 4)i") represents 4it) an appr!ximati!n ri$pa:s (un"ti!nal nature !( sp!ntane!usly establis)in$ appearan"es+ &ma$inin$ t)at 4e appear in a visible (!rm t)at trans(!rms int! a Budd)a6(i$ure brin$s t)e result !( a"tually )elpin$ limited bein$s+

@ra"ti"e !( t)e t)ree samad)is !( ma)ay!$a puri(ies !ur experien"e !( !rdinary deat), bard!, and rebirt)+

-eat) is li#e primal purity, dev!id !( $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity and ener$y64ind+ Bard! is li#e resp!nsiveness, 4it) a sli$)t m!vement !( t)e subtle ener$y64inds+

2?

7ebirt) is li#e sp!ntane!usly establis)in$ appearan"es, 4it) t)e appearan"e !( a seed t)at 4ill trans(!rm int! a "!mplete b!dy+

&n t)e !t)er *ibetan traditi!ns, (!r example >elu$, t)e e9uivalent pra"ti"e !n t)e $enerati!n sta$e is "alled taking pathway minds $or attaining the three corpuses o$ Buddha .sku-gsum lam-khyer/%

ta#in$ deat) as a pat)4ay mind (!r .attainin$/ a -)arma#aya, ta#in$ bard! as a pat)4ay mind (!r .attainin$/ a Samb)!$a#aya, ta#in$ rebirt) as a pat)4ay mind (!r .attainin$/ a 0irmana#aya+

Em!owerment Stage
*! $ain t)e ability t! pra"ti"e ma)ay!$a and atiy!$a su""ess(ully, 4e need t! re"eive an emp!4erment .dbang, <4an$,= initiati!n/ and #eep t)e v!4s "!n(erred at t)at time+ [See% Basi" eatures !( *antra+, &n $eneral, a tantri" emp!4erment a"tivates !ur Budd)a6nature (a"t!rs t)r!u$) "!ns"i!usly experien"in$ a spe"i(i" state !( mind 4it) understandin$ durin$ t)e ritual and t)r!u$) bein$ upli(ted by t)e inspirati!n .byin-rlabs, blessin$s/ !( t)e tantri" master+ '!ns"i!usly experien"in$ s!met)in$ )ere d!es n!t mean )avin$ a mysti"al experien"e+ 7at)er, it means "!ns"i!usly $eneratin$ a state !( mind t)at is a""!mpanied by understandin$, eit)er 4it) !r 4it)!ut e((!rt+

&n >elu$, t)e "!ns"i!us experien"e is s!me level !( bliss(ul a4areness !( v!idness+ &n t)e n!n6>elu$ systems, it is (!"us !n Budd)a6nature in !ur tantri" masters and in us, 4it) s!me level !( understandin$ !( Budd)a6nature+ &n dz!$")en, it is (!"us spe"i(i"ally !n t)e basis t)ree aspe"ts !( ri$pa as Budd)a6nature (a"t!rs in !ur tantri" masters and in us+

*)ree "ir"umstantial (a"t!rs, "!rresp!ndin$ t! t)e t)ree aspe"ts !( ri$pa, "!ntribute t! !ur "!ns"i!us insi$)t int! Budd)a6nature%

t)e samad)i .abs!rbed "!n"entrati!n/ !( t)e tantri" master, "!rresp!ndin$ t! primal purity, t)e mantras t)e tantri" master repeats, "!rresp!ndin$ t! resp!nsiveness and "!mpassi!nate "!mmuni"ati!n, t)e ritual !bCe"ts t)e tantri" master uses durin$ t)e ritual, "!rresp!ndin$ t! sp!ntane!usly establis)in$ appearan"es+

*! $ain inspirati!n (r!m t)e tantri" master in its (ullest (!rm, 4e need t! (!"us 4it) "!n"entrati!n and understandin$ !n t)ese t)ree "ir"umstantial (a"t!rs+ ;e sustain t)e

2G

"!ns"i!us experien"e 4e $ain by re"eivin$ and #eepin$ t)e b!d)isattva and tantri" v!4s+

Inner -reliminaries
*! be su((i"iently re"eptive and ripe t! re"eive an emp!4erment 5 and n!t Cust attend !ne and experien"e n!t)in$ 5 4e need t! )ave pra"ti"ed be(!re)and t)e six inner preliminaries .nang-gi sngon-gro/+ As t)e nineteent)6"entury master -za @eltrul .r%za d)al-sprul *-rgyan jigs-med dbang-po/ !utlined t)em in (uideline 1nstructions $rom My ,otally #.cellent 2Samantabhadra3 Spiritual Mentor . un-bzang bla-ma"i zhallung, )er$ect 4ords o$ My #.cellent ,eacher/, t)ey are, in reverse !rder%

(uru-yoga, in 4)i") 4e re"!$nize and (!"us !n Budd)a6nature in !ur spiritual ment!rs and in us, and ma#e a y!#e !r b!nd bet4een t)e t4!+ ;e are able t! d! t)is su""ess(ully based !n )avin$ made be(!re)and kusali o$$erings o$ chod .chod/, in 4)i") 4e ima$ine "uttin$ up and $ivin$ a4ay !ur !rdinary b!dies, 4)i") "!me (r!m and are a""!mpanied by una4areness .i$n!ran"e/+ ;e are able t! d! t)is su""ess(ully based !n )avin$ made be(!re)and mandala o$$erings, in 4)i") 4e devel!p $ener!sity and stren$t)en !ur enli$)tenment6 buildin$ net4!r# !( p!sitive (!r"e ."!lle"ti!n !( merit/ by ima$inin$ $ivin$ a4ay t)e universe+ ;e are able t! d! t)is su""ess(ully based !n )avin$ pra"ti"ed be(!re)and 5ajrasattva recitation, (!r puri(i"ati!n !( t)e $r!ss !bsta"les t)at 4!uld prevent us (r!m buildin$ up an enli$)tenment6buildin$ net4!r# !( p!sitive (!r"e+ ;e are able t! d! t)is su""ess(ully based !n )avin$ "ultivated be(!re)and bodhichitta and the $ar-reaching attitudes .phar-byin, S#t+ paramita, per(e"ti!ns/, s! t)at 4e are aimin$ (!r enli$)tenment and dedi"atin$ !ur "!nstru"tive a"ti!ns (!r attainin$ it t! bene(it all !t)ers as mu") as is p!ssible+ ;e are able t! d! t)is su""ess(ully based !n )avin$ put be(!re)and the sa$e direction o$ re$uge in !ur lives, d!ne 4)ile ma#in$ pr!strati!n t! s)!4 respe"t t! t)!se 4)! )ave realized ri$pa and t! !ur Budd)a6natures t)at 4ill enable us t! d! t)e same+

0uter -reliminaries
;e are able t! pra"ti"e t)e six inner preliminaries su""ess(ully based !n )avin$ pra"ti"ed be(!re)and t)e six !uter preliminaries .phyi"i sngon-gro/+ A$ain, in reverse !rder%

Buildin$ and maintainin$ a healthy relation with spiritual teacher, as a livin$ example !( sa(e dire"ti!n+ ;e are able t! d! t)is su""ess(ully based !n )avin$ realized be(!re)and the bene$its o$ liberation, s! t)at 4e 4ill l!!# (!r an example !( it+ 25

;e !nly t)in# !( liberati!n 4)en 4e )ave underst!!d be(!re)and karmic cause and e$$ect and t)e (a"t t)at 4e "an (ree !urselves (r!m it+ ;e !nly t)in# !( #arma be"ause it is t)e "ause !( the $aults o$ samsara+ ;e !nly see t)is 4)en 4e )ave t)!u$)t be(!re)and ab!ut death and impermanence and t)e (a"t t)at pr!blems and su((erin$ "!ntinue (r!m li(etime t! li(etime+ ;e t)in# !( deat) !nly 4)en 4e )ave appre"iated be(!re)and !ur precious human rebirths+

The 6our Ty!es of ig!a

Basis rigpa .gzhi"i rig-pa/+ 8( basis, pat), and result, t)is is t)e basis+ ;e "an experien"e it !nly at t)e "lear li$)t !( deat), alt)!u$) n!rmally 4e never re"!$nize it+ *)e next t4! ri$pas "!rresp!nd t! t)e pat)+ #$$ulgent rigpa .rtsal-gyi rig-pa/, s!metimes als! "alled appearance-making basis rigpa .gzhi-snang-gi rig-pa/, is t)e sp!ntane!us establis)in$ aspe"t !( ri$pa, 4)i") 4e re"!$nize !n t)e pat) (irst+ #ssence rigpa .ngo-bo"i rig-pa/, s!metimes als! "alled nature rigpa .rangbzhin-gyi rig-pa/, is t)e primal purity .essential nature/ aspe"t !( ri$pa, as re"!$nized !n t)e pat) a(ter 4e re"!$nize e((ul$ent ri$pa+ S!metimes, 4e spea# !( a (!urt) type !( ri$pa% Rigpa o$ all-embracing spontaneous presence .lhun-grub sbubs-kyi rig-pa/ is t)e resultant ri$pa e9uivalent t! -)arma#aya+

$asis ig!a and the 'laya for /abits

A syn!nym (!r basis ri$pa is primordial deepest alaya .ye-don kun-gzhi, prim!rdial deepest all6en"!mpassin$ (!undati!n/, sin"e it is t)e s!ur"e !( all appearan"es !( samsara and nirvana+ ;it)!ut be$innin$, basis ri$pa )as been (l!4in$ 4it) a (leetin$ (a"t!r !( dumb(!undedness, 4)i") !bs"ures its re(lexive deep a4areness, preventin$ it (r!m #n!4in$ ri$pa:s !4n (a"e+ Be"ause !( t)e "!mbinati!n !( basis ri$pa and dumb(!undedness, basis ri$pa (un"ti!ns as an alaya $or habits .bag-chags-kyi kun-gzhi, all6en"!mpassin$ (!undati!n (!r )abits/, 4)i") is a type !( sem+ 3abits in"lude t)e )abits !( $raspin$ (!r true existen"e, #armi" )abits, and mem!ries .)abits (!r repeatedly rememberin$ s!met)in$/+ *)e alaya (!r )abits is t)e usual "lear li$)t !( deat) !( !rdinary bein$s, as 4ell as 4)at underlies and a""!mpanies every m!ment !( $r!sser levels !( "!$niti!n 4)ile alive+ &t is n!t t)at basis ri$pa is t)e "ause !( alaya (!r )abits 5 t)ey are essentially t)e same t)in$ .ngo-bo gcig, t)e same item des"ribed (r!m t4! p!ints !( vie4/+ 26

As is t)e "ase 4it) all !t)er types !( n!n"!n"eptual a4areness, t)e alaya (!r )abits is a4are !( t)in$s, but d!es n!t $ive labels .a "!n"eptual pr!"ess/ !r (!ll!4 t)in$s !ut 4it) a train !( t)!u$)t+ *)e alaya (!r )abits $ives rise t! six types !( primary "!ns"i!usness .rnam-shes/ and t)e "!$nitive appearan"es !( t)eir "!$nitive !bCe"ts+ *)e six types !( primary "!ns"i!usness are t)e (ive sens!ry !nes, 4)i") are al4ays n!n"!n"eptual, and mental "!ns"i!usness, 4)i") may be "!n"eptual !r n!n"!n"eptual .as in dreams in 4)i") "!$nitive appearan"es !( sens!ry !bCe"ts arise !r in DS@/+ *!$et)er, t)e primary "!ns"i!usness and t)e "!$nitive appearan"e simultane!usly arise, abide, and disappear ea") m!ment, and t)e m!ments !( t)em )ave an !rder !r se9uen"e a""!rdin$ t! #arma+ [See% Alaya and &mpure Appearan"e6Ma#in$+,

Disturbing 'wareness
-isturbin$ a4areness .nyon-yid, deluded a4areness, de(iled a4areness/ a""!mpanies t)e alaya (!r )abits, and b!t) it and t)e alaya (!r )abits are "!nsidered as types !( primary "!ns"i!usness+ *)us, in 0yin$ma, sem in"ludes ei$)t types !( primary "!ns"i!usness 5 (ive sens!ry, !ne mental, disturbin$, and t)e alaya (!r )abits+ %isturbing awareness "!n"eives !( t)e alaya (!r )abits as an una((e"ted, m!n!lit)i", independently existin$ <me= t)at l!rds !ver t)e a$$re$ate (a"t!rs !( experien"e, su") as t)e b!dy and mind+ *)is leads t! t)e disturbin$ attitude !( "!n"eivin$ !( <me= as <me, t)e experien"er, p!ssess!r, !r "!ntr!ller !( 4)at is "!$nized+= &n m!re detail, n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n by t)e six types !( "!ns"i!usness lasts !nly a millise"!nd+ -isturbin$ a4areness d!es n!t (un"ti!n t)en+ &mmediately (!ll!4in$ t)at millise"!nd, )!4ever, 4it) "!n"eptual "!$niti!n .mental/, disturbin$ a4areness $ives rise t! t)e appearan"e, per"epti!n, and $raspin$ .belie( in/ a seemin$ly independent b!ss <me+= 0ext, it $ives rise t! t)e dual appearan"e !( <me, t)e !ne 4)! experien"es s!met)in$, t)e p!ssess!r, t)e "!ntr!ller= and <t)e !bCe"t t)at & experien"e, p!ssess, "!ntr!l+= Based !n t)at, 4e experien"e disturbin$ em!ti!ns and attitudes, t)e impulses !( #arma, and su((erin$+

The Difference between the 'laya for /abits in Nyingma and the 'layavi5nana in "hittamatra
*ibetan Budd)ism "lassi(ies int! (!ur tenet systems .grub-mtha"/ t)e p)il!s!p)i"al vie4s !( t)e maC!r &ndian Budd)ist s")!!ls t)at 4ere studied in t)e &ndian m!nasti" universities 4)en t)e *ibetans be$an t! study Budd)ism t)ere in t)e ei$)t) "entury+ Da") !( t)e (!ur *ibetan traditi!ns, )!4ever, presents t)e asserti!ns !( t)e (!ur tenet systems di((erently+ Dven 4it)in !ne *ibetan traditi!n, vari!us masters explain t)e (!ur di((erently and s!me masters, su") as *s!n$#)apa, explained s!me !( t)e p!ints di((erently in texts t)at t)ey 4r!te at di((erent peri!ds in t)eir lives+ Am!n$ t)e (!ur tenet systems, t)e ')ittamatra .sems-tsam-pa, mind6!nly/ s")!!l asserts alayavijnana .kun-gzhi rnam-shes, all6en"!mpassin$ (!undati!n "!ns"i!usness, <st!re)!use "!ns"i!usness=/ + *)is is t)e level !( mental a"tivity t)at "!ntinues (r!m !ne li(etime t! t)e next, "arryin$ 4it) it all t)e samsari" )abits+ 2L

*)e dz!$")en tea")in$s, )!4ever, are presented 4it)in t)e "!ntext !( t)e Mad)yama#a .dbu-ma/ s")!!l+ Alt)!u$) t)e 0yin$ma traditi!n !( Mad)yama#a a""epts in its des"ripti!n !( super(i"ial trut) .dealin$ 4it) sem/ many !( t)e "ate$!ries !( p)en!mena used in ')ittamatra 5 su") as alaya, disturbin$ a4areness, and re(lexive a4areness .rang-rig/ 5 0yin$ma asserts t)eir manner !( existen"e and "ertain ")ara"teristi"s !( t)em di((erently+ '!n"ernin$ t)e alaya (!r )abits in 0yin$ma and t)e alayaviCnana in ')ittamatra as presented in 0yin$ma%

*)e manner !( existen"e !( t)e alaya (!r )abits is bey!nd 4!rds and "!n"epts 5 bey!nd t)e (!ur extremes !( )avin$ true unimputed existen"e, la"#in$ true unimputed existen"e, b!t), and neit)er+ ')ittamatra asserts alayaviCnana as )avin$ true unimputed existen"e+ *)e alaya (!r )abits is essentially t)e same t)in$ as basis ri$pa+ *)e alayaviCnana is n!t t)e same t)in$ as t)e pure sp)ere !( t)e mind .chos-kyi dbyings/+ *)e t4! are mixed t!$et)er, li#e mil# and 4ater+ ;it) t)e attainment !( liberati!n, t)e alayaviCnana separates !ut (r!m t)e pure sp)ere !( t)e mind, li#e mil# "urdlin$, and its "!ntinuity ends+

[ !r m!re detail !n t)e ')ittamatra s")!!l, see% Basi" eatures !( t)e >elu$6 ')ittamatra System, 2 Spe"i(i" @!ints '!n"ernin$ t)e *)ree *ypes !( @)en!mena+,

Similar -ages4

&ntr!du"ti!n t! -z!$")en undamentals !( -z!$")en Meditati!n .multipart text/ Alaya and &mpure Appearan"e6Ma#in$ &nspirati!n .<Blessin$s=/ and &ts 7elati!n t! Mantras and 8ral *ransmissi!n

2M

$rief /istory of Dzogchen

Alexander Berzin 0!vember 10612, 2000

Introduction
%zogchen .rdzogs-chen/, t)e $reat "!mpleteness, is a Ma)ayana system !( pra"ti"e leadin$ t! enli$)tenment and inv!lves a vie4 !( reality, 4ay !( meditatin$, and 4ay !( be)avin$ .lta-sgom-spyod gsum/+ &t is (!und earliest in t)e 0yin$ma and B!n .pre6 Budd)ist/ traditi!ns+ B!n, a""!rdin$ t! its !4n des"ripti!n, 4as (!unded in *azi$ .s,ag-gzig/, an &ranian "ultural area !( 'entral Asia, by S)enrab Mi4! .gShen-rab mi-bo/ and 4as br!u$)t t! K)an$6z)un$ .;estern *ibet/ in t)e elevent) "entury B'D *)ere is n! 4ay t! validate t)is s"ienti(i"ally+ Budd)a lived in t)e sixt) "entury B'D in &ndia+

The Introduction of -re-Nyingma $uddhism and 2hang-zhung ites to "entral Tibet

K)an$6z)un$ 4as "!n9uered by Iarlun$ .'entral *ibet/ in 6G5 'D+ *)e Iarlun$ Dmper!r S!n$tsen6$amp! .Srong-btsan sgam-po/ )ad 4ives n!t !nly (r!m t)e ')inese and 0epali r!yal (amilies .b!t) !( 4)!m br!u$)t a (e4 Budd)ist texts and statues/, but als! (r!m t)e r!yal (amily !( K)an$6z)un$+ *)e "!urt ad!pted K)an$6z)un$ .B!n/ 29

burial rituals and animal sa"ri(i"e, alt)!u$) B!n says t)at animal sa"ri(i"e 4as native t! *ibet, n!t a B!n "ust!m+ *)e Dmper!r built t)irteen Budd)ist temples ar!und *ibet and B)utan, but did n!t (!und any m!nasteries+ *)is pre60yin$ma p)ase !( Budd)ism in 'entral *ibet did n!t )ave dz!$")en tea")in$s+ &n (a"t, it is di((i"ult t! as"ertain 4)at level !( Budd)ist tea")in$s and pra"ti"e 4ere intr!du"ed+ &t 4as und!ubtedly very limited, as 4!uld )ave been t)e "ase 4it) t)e K)an$6z)un$ rites+

)uru in!oche and the Introduction of Nyingma Dzogchen

*)e next maC!r (i$ure, Dmper!r *ri S!n$detsen . hri Srong sde-btsan/, 4as "auti!us !( t)e ')inese and paran!id !( K)an$6z)un$, m!st li#ely be"ause )is pr!6')inese (at)er )ad been assassinated by t)e xen!p)!bi", "!nservative K)an$6z)un$ p!liti"al (a"ti!n in t)e imperial "!urt+ &n L61, )e invited t)e &ndian Budd)ist abb!t S)antara#s)ita t! *ibet+ *)ere 4as a smallp!x epidemi"+ *)e K)an$6z)un$ (a"ti!n in "!urt blamed S)antara#s)ita and dep!rted )im (r!m t)e land+ 8n t)e abb!tNs advi"e, t)e Dmper!r t)en invited >uru 7inp!")e .@admasamb)ava/ (r!m S4at .n!rt)4estern @a#istan/, 4)! dr!ve !ut t)e dem!ns 4)! )ad "aused t)e smallp!x+ *)e Dmper!r t)en reinvited S)antara#s)ita+ >uru 7inp!")e le(t in LLG, 4it)!ut )avin$ "!mpleted t)e (ull transmissi!n !( dz!$")en+ Seein$ t)at t)e times 4ere n!t ripe, )e buried s!me texts as buried treasure texts .gterma, OtermaO/+ *)ey 4ere ex"lusively texts !n dz!$")en+

Samyay Monastery and the $on!o E&ile

Samyay M!nastery .bSam-yas/ .t)e (irst m!nastery in *ibet 4it) t)e (irst seven *ibetan m!n#s/ 4as "!mpleted s)!rtly a(ter4ards+ ')inese (r!m t)e ')an .Jap+ 'en/ traditi!n, &ndian, and K)an$6z)un$ translat!rs 4!r#ed t!$et)er t)ere+ Budd)ism be"ame t)e state reli$i!n in LL9, pr!bably be"ause Dmper!r *ri S!n$detsen needed an alternative "ulture t! K)an$6z)un$ (!r uni(yin$ t)e "!untry+ *)e Dmper!r app!inted t)ree (amilies t! supp!rt ea") m!n#+ *ibet "!n9uered -un)uan$ .*un)uan$, a Budd)ist !asis !n t)e Sil# 7!ute n!rt)4est !( *ibet/ (r!m ')ina in LM1+ Iet, t)e ')inese emper!r sent t4! ')inese m!n#s t! Samyay every !t)er year (r!m LM1, t! maintain )is in(luen"e+ S)antara#s)ita died in LM?, 4arnin$ !( tr!uble (r!m t)e ')inese, and advised invitin$ )is dis"iple 1amalas)ila t! debate t)em, 4)i") t)e *ibetans did+ *)e next year, in LMG, a $rand perse"uti!n and exile !( t)e B!np!s .(!ll!4ers !( B!n/ t!!# pla"e+ M!st 4ent t! >il$it .n!rt)ern @a#istan/ !r Iunnan .s!ut)4estern ')ina/+ A""!rdin$ t! t)e traditi!nal B!n a""!unt, K)an$6z)un$ -renpa6nam#a .%ran-pa nammkha6/ buried t)e B!n texts .all "ate$!ries, n!t Cust dz!$")en/ at t)is time (!r sa(e#eepin$+

?0

3ist!ri"al and p!liti"al analysis reveals t)at t)e reas!n (!r t)e exile 4as suspi"i!n t)at t)e xen!p)!bi" "!nservative K)an$6z)un$ p!liti"al (a"ti!n mi$)t assassinate t)e Dmper!r (!r bein$ pr!6&ndian, as t)ey )ad d!ne t! )is (at)er+ M!re!ver, t)e state #ept t)e B!n burial rituals and sa"ri(i"es+ *)ere(!re, it is reas!nable t! "!n"lude t)at it 4as a perse"uti!n !( t)e K)an$6z)un$ p!liti"al (a"ti!n, n!t a perse"uti!n !( t)e B!n reli$i!n+ !r t)is reas!n, several ;estern s")!lars assert t)at t)e term Bonpo .(!ll!4ers !( B!n/ in t)is peri!d )ad primarily a p!liti"al rat)er t)an reli$i!us re(eren"e+ &t 4as used (!r t)e K)an$6z)un$ p!liti"al (a"ti!n at t)e "!urt and t)eir (!ll!4ers, rat)er t)an (!r t)e spiritual leaders 4)! per(!rmed t)e K)an$6z)un$ reli$i!us rites at t)e "!urt and t)eir (!ll!4ers+

(airochana+ (imalamitra+ and the Samyay Debate

Dmper!r *ri S!n$detsen sent Jair!")ana, !ne !( t)e seven !ri$inal *ibetan m!n#s (r!m Samyay, t! &ndia (!r m!re texts+ 3e br!u$)t ba"# b!t) dz!$")en and Budd)ist medi"ine tantras, and invited t)e &ndian dz!$")en master Jimalamitra, 4)! br!u$)t m!re texts+ *)e Samyay debate 4as in L926L9G, bet4een &ndian and ')inese Budd)ism+ *)e &ndian side, led by 1amalas)ila, 4!nE t)e ')inese, led by 3!s)an$ Ma)ayana .')inese (!r OMa)ayana m!n#O/, 4ere expelled (r!m *ibet+ *)e *ibetans !((i"ially ad!pted &ndian Budd)ism and &ndian Budd)ist medi"ine, alt)!u$) t)ey #ept s!me ')inese medi"ine in(luen"es "!mbined 4it) it+ S)!rtly a(ter4ards, t)e *ibetan Jair!")ana 4as exiled a(ter &ndian abb!ts slandered )im (!r revealin$ t!! mu"), s! )e buried m!re dz!$")en texts, as did t)e &ndian Jimalamitra+

The Three Divisions of Nyingma Treasure Te&ts

r!m t)e treasure texts buried by Jair!")ana and Jimalamitra and t)!se buried earlier by >uru 7inp!")e, t)e dz!$")en tea")in$s 4ere later divided int! t)ree divisi!ns+ 1+ semdey .sems-sde, mind divisi!n/, emp)asizin$ pure a4areness .rig-pa/ as t)e basis (!r all .kun-gzhi, S#t+ alaya/, 2+ longdey .klong-sde, !pen spa"e divisi!n/, emp)asizin$ t)e "!$nitive !pen spa"e aspe"t .klong/ !( pure a4areness as t)e basis (!r all, ?+ menngag-dey .man-ngag sde, 9uintessen"e tea")in$s divisi!n/, als! "alled nyingtig .snying-thig, )eart essen"e divisi!n/, emp)asizin$ pure a4areness bein$ primally pure .ka-dag/+ *)e (irst t4! derive (r!m t)e treasure texts buried by t)e *ibetan m!n# Jair!")ana and are n!t pra"ti"ed mu") t!day+ *)e mind divisi!n "!mes (r!m &ndian texts t)at Jair!")ana translatedE t)e !pen spa"e divisi!n (r!m )is !ral tea")in$s+ *)e 9uintessen"e tea")in$s divisi!n )as t4! se"ti!ns (r!m t)e t4! &ndian tea")ers, !ne (r!m >uru 7inp!")e% adro !yingtig .m ha6-6gro snying-thig, %akini -eart #ssence ,eachings/ and !ne (r!m Jimalamitra% 5ima !yingtig .Bi-ma snying-thig, 5imalamitra6s -eart #ssence ,eachings/+

?1

The -ersecution of $uddhism

Dmper!r 7elpa")en .Ral-pa-can/ .a Budd)ist (anati"/, in M21, a(ter si$nin$ a pea"e treaty 4it) ')ina ."!mplete 4it) animal sa"ri(i"e/ made t)e Samyay abb!t t)e )ead !( t)e State '!un"il+ 3e de"reed t)at ea") m!n# in *ibet be supp!rted by seven (amilies+ 3e als! (!rmed a "!un"il t! aut)!rize terms t! be in"luded in a lar$e Sans#rit6*ibetan "!mpendium !( translati!n terms )e "!mmissi!ned, Mahavyutpatti .Bye-brag-tu rtogspa chen-po, (rand 78e.icon9 $or +nderstanding Speci$ic 7,erms+,/ 0! tantra terms 4ere in"luded+ *)e Dmper!r and )is "!un"il de"ided 4)at 4as translated and all!4ed pra"ti"e !( !nly t)e (irst t4! "lasses !( tantra+ M!st li#ely due t! t)e ex"esses !( Dmper!r 7elpa")en, )is su""ess!r Dmper!r 2an$darma .g8ang-dar-ma/ "l!sed m!nasteries and perse"uted m!n#s (r!m M?66MG2+ *)e Budd)ist libraries and t)e ngagpa .sngags-pa, tantri"/ lay traditi!n, )!4ever, 4ere preserved+ *)e (irst buried B!n treasure texts 4ere re"!vered by a""ident at Samyay in 91?+

The New Transmission Schools

Atis)a 4as sent (!r (r!m &ndia in late tent) "entury, t! "lear up misunderstandin$s !( Budd)ism, espe"ially ab!ut tantra, "!n"ernin$ sex and sa"ri(i"es+ 0e4 translati!ns 4ere made (r!m Sans#rit, startin$ 4it) t)e 4!r# !( 7in")en6zan$p! .Rin-chen bzang-po/+ -urin$ t)e early elevent) "entury, t)e 1adam .later be"ame >elu$/, Sa#ya, and 1a$yu traditi!ns devel!ped as t)e Sarma .gSar-ma, 0e4 *ransmissi!n, 0e4 *antra/ S")!!ls+ &n "!ntrast, 0yin$ma is t)e 8ld *ransmissi!n !r 8ld *antra S")!!l+ B!n als! revived at t)is time, but n!4 its "!ntents are very Budd)ist+ B!n texts 4ere "!di(ied in 101L 6 m!stly n!n6dz!$")en texts in t)e main "ate$!ries !( t)e Budd)ist literature+ 2ater in t)e elevent) "entury, 0yin$ma and m!re B!n dz!$")en texts 4ere (!und, !(ten by t)e same pers!n+

The Southern and Northern Treasure Te&t #ineages

&n (irst )al( !( (!urteent) "entury, t)e Sa#ya master But!n .Bu-ston Rin-chen grub/ "!mpiled t)e 'halu Manuscript, 4)i") 4as t)e (!rerunner !( t)e angyur .b a6-6gyur, t)e 4!rds !( t)e Budd)a/+ 3e did n!t in"lude any dz!$")en materials in it, !r any !( t)e 8ld *ranslati!n @eri!d translati!ns !( t)e tantras+ But!nNs "!ntemp!rary, 2!n$")enpa . long-chen Rab-6byams-pa %ri-med 6od-zer/+ put t!$et)er adro and 5ima !yingtig int! 'abmo !yingtig .'ab-mo snying-thig, ,he )ro$ound -eart #ssence ,eachings/, and "!lle"ted and !r$anized t)e dz!$")en texts available at )is time+ r!m )im derives t)e 0yin$ma S!ut)ern *reasure *ext 2inea$e .lho-gter/+ B!n "!di(ied its e9uivalent !( t)e angyur in t)e se"!nd )al( !( (!urteent) "entury, 4)i") in"ludes dz!$")en+

?2

*)e 0yin$ma 0!rt)ern *reasure *ext 2inea$e .byang-gter/ 4as started in t)e late (!urteent) "entury by 7i$dzin >!dem Jey .Rig-dzin r(od-ldem r&e d!gos-grub rgyalmtshan/, a des"endent !( t)e early *ibetan #in$s+ *)e )ead !( t)is linea$e is "alled Rigdzin chenpo .rig-6dzin chen-po/+

"om!ilation of the Nyingma "anon and Ma5or Te&ts

&n t)e early (i(teent) "entury, 7atna 2in$pa .Ratna gling-pa/ "!mpiled t)e !yingma (yubum .r!ying-ma rgyud-6bum, 8akhs o$ !yingma ,antras/, t)e "!lle"ti!n !( all dz!$")en texts and all t)e 8ld *ransmissi!n translati!ns !( tantras, expandin$ !n 2!n$")enpaNs 4!r#+ Ji$mey 2in$pa .N &igs-med gling-pa m hyen-brtse 6od-zer/, in t)e late ei$)teent) "entury, revised 2!n$")enpaNs 'abmo !yingtig and made it int! 8ongchen !yingtig . long-chen snying-thig, 8ongchenpa6s -eart #ssence ,eachings/, t)e main 0yin$ma dz!$")en system pra"ti"ed t!day+ 3is dis"iple, t)e irst -!drub")en .r%o-grub chen 6&igs-med 6phrin-las 6od-zer/, 4r!te a ritual text !( preliminary pra"ti"es (!r it, 8ongchen ngondro . long-chen sngon-6gro/+

The imey Nonsectarian Movement

&n t)e next $enerati!n, !( t)e t)ree main (!unders !( t)e 7imey .n!nse"tarian m!vement/% 1!n$trul . ong-sprul :on-tan rgya-mtso/, Jamyan$6#yentsey64an$p! .N &am-dbyangs mkhyen-brtse dbang-po/, and Mipam .N &u Mi-pham rgya-mtsho/, t)e latter 4r!te t)e main 0yin$ma "!mmentaries t! t)e maC!r texts+ &n t)e next $enerati!n !( dis"iples, @eltrul .r%za d)al-sprul 6*-rgyan 6jigs-med dbangpo/ 4r!te (uideline 1nstructions $rom My ,otally #.cellent 2Samantabhadra3 Spiritual Mentor . un-bzang bla-ma6i zhal-lung, )er$ect 4ords o$ My #.cellent ,eacher; unzang 8amey 'hellung/+ *)is is t)e m!st elab!rate 0yin$ma text !n t)e e9uivalent !( lam-rim .$raded sta$es !( t)e pat)/ and !n t)e preliminaries (!r t)e 8ongchen !yingtig+ @eltrul and Jamyan$ #yentsey64an$p!Ns dis"iple, t)e *)ird -!drub")en .r%o-grubchen 6&igs-pa6i bstan-pa6i nyi-ma/, 4r!te t)e "learest "!mmentaries !n dz!$")en 6%zogchen Cycles .r%zogs-chen skor/ and Miscellaneous 4ritings on %zogchen .r%zogs-chen thor-bu/ 6 puttin$ dz!$")en in t)e "!ntext !( t)e !t)er traditi!ns !( *ibetan Budd)ism+ *)ese are t)e "!mmentaries t)at 3is 3!liness t)e !urteent) -alai 2ama str!n$ly relies !n as a s!ur"e (!r )is explanati!ns !( a uni(ied t)e!ry !( all (!ur *ibetan traditi!ns+

Is Dzogchen $uddhist or $on8

&s B!n Budd)ist !r n!n6Budd)istA B!t) lead t! enli$)tenment, and use t)e term Budd)a)!!d+ *)e sevent)6"entury &ndian master -)arma#irti said t)at i( a 4!r# a""!rds 4it) t)e main t)emes !( Budd)a, it is Budd)aNs tea")in$+ *)us, b!t) 0yin$ma and B!n dz!$")en are "learly Ma)ayana Budd)ist tea")in$s be"ause b!t) )ave s)ared (eatures 4it) t)e Ma)ayana sutras+ Da"), !( "!urse, als! )as its uni9ue un"!mm!n (eatures+ urt)erm!re, 4)et)er 4e say dz!$")en is a divisi!n !( tantra !r bey!nd t)e divisi!ns !(

??

sutra and tantra, 0yin$ma and B!n dz!$")en als! s)are (eatures in "!mm!n 4it) t)e vari!us tantra "lasses+ Sin"e 0yin$ma and B!n b!t) "laim t)e !ri$in !( dz!$")en and t)at t)e !t)er "!pied it (r!m t)em, t)ere are t)ree p!ssibilities% 1+ -z!$")en devel!ped very early in Budd)ism and B!n re"eived it t)r!u$) t)e early spread !( Budd)ism in &ran and 'entral Asia, t)r!u$) K)an$6z)un$+ *)us, B!n dz!$")en )ad a Budd)ist !ri$in, but n!t dire"tly an &ndian Budd)ist !ne+ 2+ B!n learned !( dz!$")en (r!m >uru 7inp!")e at Samyay and buried it 4)en t)e K)an$6z)un$ B!n (a"ti!n 4ent int! exile in LMG, m!stly t! >il$it .n!rt)ern @a#istan/+ ?+ ;)en t)e K)an$6z)un$ B!np!s 4ent int! exile t! >il$it, t)ey learned !( it t)ere, separate (r!m >uru 7inp!")e+ &t is n!t p!ssible t! "!me t! a de"isive "!n"lusi!n ab!ut 4)i") p!ssibility is "!rre"t+

Dzogchen in the 7agyu Traditions

-z!$")en is als! (!und in -ru$pa 1a$yu, "!min$ (r!m its late t4el(t)6"entury (!under, *san$pa >yaray .g,sang-pa r(ya-ras/+ *)e *)ird 1armapa . ar-ma Rang-byung rdo-rje/ intr!du"ed dz!$")en int! 1arma 1a$yu in t)e early (!urteent) "entury and 4r!te t)e arma !yingtig . ar-ma snyingthig, armapa6s -eart #ssence ,eachings/+ 3e studied dz!$")en 4it) 1umararaCa, t)e same dz!$")en tea")er as 2!n$")enpa )ad+ *)us, >uru 7inp!")e is visualized in t)e Se"!nd 1armapa 1arma @a#s)iNs )eart in t)e 1arma @a#s)i pra"ti"e+ *)ere is als! a 1arma 1a$yu pra"ti"e !( >uru 7inp!")e+ -z!$")en entered t)e -ri$un$ 1a$yu traditi!n via t)e treasure texts dis"!vered by t)e sixteent) "entury masters -ri$un$ 7atna .r(yal-dbang Rin-chen phun-tshogs Bri-gung Ratna/ and t)e !urt) -ri$un$ 2)! Jedrun$ .Bri-gung 8ho r&e-drung *-rgyan nusldan rdo-rje/+

Dzogchen and the Dalai #amas

&n t)e mid6seventeent) "entury, t)e i(t) -alai 2ama )ad pure visi!ns !( dz!$")en+ 3e "!mpiled t)em int! Bearing the Seal o$ Secrecy .gSang-ba rgya-can/ and intr!du"ed t)ese dz!$")en pra"ti"es t! )is 0am$yal M!nastery, 4)i") !t)er4ise m!stly pra"ti"es >elu$+ >uru 7inp!")e pr!p)esied t)at i( t)e line (r!m t)e early *ibetan #in$s 6 4)!se des"endants, t)e line !( 7i$dzin6")enp!s, 4ere t)e )eads !( t)e 0!rt)ern *reasure *ext 2inea$e 6 dis"!ntinued, it 4!uld be detrimental t! *ibet+ *)us, t)e i(t) -alai 2ama transmitted )is dz!$")en linea$es als! t! t)e 7i$dzin6")enp! !( )is times+ '!nse9uently, t)e 0!rt)ern *reasure *ext 2inea$e als! pra"ti"es t)e i(t) -alai 2amaNs dz!$")en tea")in$s+

?G

*)e next 7i$dzin6")enp! transmitted t)e i(t) -alai 2amaNs dz!$")en tea")in$s t! 0e")un$ M!nastery, t)e m!nastery !( t)e state !ra"le, 0e")un$ .g!as-chung/+ *)e 0e")un$ !ra"le 4as app!inted at Samyay by >uru 7inp!")e t! pr!te"t *ibet+ *)ere )as been a pers!nal "!nne"ti!n bet4een t)e -alai 2amas and t)e 0e")un$ !ra"le sin"e t)e time !( t)e Se"!nd -alai 2ama, 4)en )e m!ved (r!m *as)il)unp! M!nastery t! -repun$ M!nastery+ *)e i(t) -alai 2ama als! app!inted t)e t)r!ne)!lder !( t)e 0yin$ma Mindr!lin$ m!nastery .sMin-gling khri-can, OMinlin$ *ri")enO/ t)e )ead !( t)e S!ut)ern *reasure *ext 2inea$e+ *)us, t)e i(t) -alai 2ama supp!rted b!t) maC!r 0yin$ma linea$es+ *)ere )as been a "l!se "!nne"ti!n bet4een t)e line !( -alai 2amas and t)e 0yin$ma traditi!n ever sin"e+ [ !r a s")emati" presentati!n !( t)e maC!r p!ints, see% Brie( 3ist!ry !( -z!$")en in ')art !rm+,

Similar -ages4

&ntr!du"ti!n t! -z!$")en B!n and *ibetan Budd)ism &ntr!du"t!ry 3ist!ry !( t)e ive *ibetan *raditi!ns !( Budd)ism and B!n *)e !ur *raditi!ns !( *ibetan Budd)ism% @ers!nal Dxperien"e, 3ist!ry, and '!mparis!ns 5 Sessi!n 8ne% @ers!nal Dxperien"e and 3ist!ry

$rief /istory of Dzogchen in "hart 6orm

Alexander Berzin 0!vember 2000 *)is pa$e "!ntains a $rap)i"al dia$ram, 4)i") is sadly n!t a""essible+ *)e same and m!re in(!rmati!n "an be (!und in textual (!rm in t)e arti"le% Brie( 3ist!ry !( -z!$")en+ [ !r t)e details, see% Brie( 3ist!ry !( -z!$")en+, #ate 9th ": Dmper!r *ri S!n$6 detsen S)antara#s)ita 6 1amalas)ila Jimalamitra >uru 7inp!")e @admasamb)ava .5ima . adro !yingtig/ !yingtig/

*ibetan 6 Jair!"ana

quintessence teachings division 1heart essence3

mind division

o!en s!ace division

?5

Early ;<th ":

2!n$")enpa .'abmo !yingtig/ Southern Treasure #ineage

#ate ;<th ":

7i$dzin >!dem Jey Northern Treasure #ineage

7atna 2in$pa .!yingma (yubum/ Early ;=th ":

#ate ;>th ":

-alai 2ama J .Mindr! *ri")en as )ead !( 0!rt)ern 2inea$e/

0am$yal P 0e")un$

Ji$mey 2in$pa .8ongchen !yingtig/ #ate ;9th ": -!drub")en & .8ongchen !gondro/

Early ;?th ":

1!n$trul Jamyan$6#yentsey64an$p! Mipam .Rimey/

#ate ;?th ":

@eltrul . unzang 8amey 'hellung/ -!drub")en &&&

?6

#ate @Ath ":

3is 3!liness t)e !urteent) -alai 2ama

Similar -ages4

Brie( 3ist!ry !( -z!$")en *)e MaC!r a"ets !( -z!$")en A Brie( 3ist!ry !( -!rCey6dra$ M!nastery

A Precious Garland for the Four Themes (of Gampopa)

by 2!n$")enpa . long-chen Rab-6byams-pa %ri-med 6od-zer/ translated by Alexander Berzin and Matt)e4 1apstein, 19LG revised by Alexander Berzin, ebruary 200L

-rologue
&n Sans#rit, .t)is text/ is "alled %harma-chatur-ratna-mala+ &n *ibetan, it is "alled Chos-bzhi rin-po-che"i phreng-ba+ [&n Dn$lis), it is "alled < )recious (arland $or the /our ,hemes 2o$ (ampopa3+, & pr!strate t! all t)e Budd)as and b!d)isattvas+ .1/ ;it) a "r!4n !( a )undred6(!ld belie( in 4)at:s (a"t, & ma#e !((erin$s t! y!u, 8 sun.li#e Budd)as/ >!ne t! Bliss+ &n t)e sp)ere !( t)e spa"e !( y!ur naturally .abidin$/ -)arma#aya .a '!rpus Dn"!mpassin$ Dveryt)in$/, t)e mandala6dis" !( y!ur '!rpus !( !rms )avin$ (ive "ertainties spreads (!rt) and "auses t)e l!tus .minds/ !( dis"iples t! bl!ss!m t)r!u$) t)e rays !( y!ur enli$)tenin$ deeds+ ?L

.2/ *)e "!!l s)ade !( t)e pre"i!us 4is)6$rantin$ tree !( t)e 4ays !( t)e *riump)ant 8ne:s -)arma !((ers pr!te"ti!n (r!m all t)e t!rments !( "!mpulsive .samsari"/ existen"e and "!mpla"ent .nirvana+ *)ere(!re,/ as a 4ay (!r all bein$s 4it) belie( in 4)at:s (a"t t! enter .int! its s)ade/, step by step, & s)all explain t)e massive tree !( $!!d 9ualities !( t)e (!ur aspe"ts .!( t)e -)arma/+ 2isten 4ell+

; /aving the Mind )o toward the Dharma

-recious /uman ebirth
.?/ ;)at any!ne 4)! 4is)es t! "r!ss t)e b!undless !"ean !( re"urrin$ samsari" existen"e (irst must t)in# is t! ma#e (ull e((!rt, ri$)t n!4 in t)is li(etime, t! a")ieve t)e stillin$ and t)e bliss(ul a4areness t)at are t)e p)en!men!n !( liberati!n+ .G/ At .t)is/ time 4)en y!u )ave !btained t)e s)ip !( a .)uman/ b!dy, 4it) respites and enri")ments, di((i"ult t! (ind and easily l!st, i( y!u d! n!t exert y!ursel(, y!u 4ill never liberate y!ursel( (r!m t)e !"ean !( "!mpulsive existen"e !r brea# t)e "!ntinuity !( )avin$ many and varied .#inds !(/ su((erin$s+ .5/ I!u 4ill be t!ssed ab!ut in t)is unbearable, (ears!me $reat !"ean .!( samsara/, 4)ere an end t! t)e "urrent !( birt) and deat) is n!t evident, 4)ere strea#s !( (!am !( si"#ness and !ld a$e t)i"#en every4)ere, and 4)ere t)e tides !( disturbin$ em!ti!ns spread every4)ere, up t! t)e (ar rea")es !( t)e )i$)est realm !( "!mpulsive existen"e+ .6/ .But/ 4)!ever )ears .t)e -)arma tea")in$s/ 4ill be able t! brea# t)e "!ntinuum !( birt) and deat) and 4ill never be parted (r!m a supremely $reat bliss(ul a4areness+ .*)ere(!re,/ 4it) t)e ex"ellent and pre"i!us s)ip .!( a (ully end!4ed )uman b!dy/, ma#e e((!rts in t)e supreme -)arma, .4)i") brin$s/ a stillin$, in !rder t! "r!ss t)e rep!sit!ry !( 4aters !( t)e disturbin$ em!ti!ns !( t)e t)ree planes !( existen"e+ .L/ &( t)is time ar!und y!u )ave n!t pra"tised t!4ard a"tualizin$ a puri(ied state 4it) a pat)4ay !( mind .t)at leads/ t! liberati!n, in t)e (uture y!u 4ill never even )ear t)e name $ortunate rebirth, and, t)r!u$) endless un(!rtunate rebirt)s, !ne a(ter t)e next, y!u 4ill la"# any met)!ds (!r liberatin$ y!ursel( (r!m eternally remainin$ in un"!ntr!llably re"urrin$ samsari" existen"e+ .M/ *)ere(!re, pe!ple 4it) sense, )avin$ n!4 attained a )uman b!dy !( respites and enri")ments, pra"tise t! a")ieve .a state !(/ bene(it and bliss, 4it) $reat e((!rt (r!m y!ur )earts, and by means !( t)is, "!me t! (ul(il t)e aims !( b!t) y!ursel( and !t)ers+

Death and Im!ermanence

.9/ Dven i( y!u )ave attained t)e respites and enri")ments, t)ere is never any mental se"urity+ As all t)in$s are unstable, ever6")an$in$, 4it)!ut any essen"e, m!mentary, n!nstati", disinte$ratin$ p)en!mena, t)in# (r!m y!ur )earts, <S!!n & s)all die, all !( a sudden+=

?M

.10/ &t is t)e same as 4ell 4it) t)e entire peris)able 4!rld !( y!ur envir!nment+ At t)e times !( its disinte$rati!n t)r!u$) seven (ires, !ne (l!!d, !r 4ind, everyt)in$ 4ill be"!me v!id, 4it)!ut even a remnant !( a tip !( a )air le(t% t)ere 4ill be !nly spa"e+ .11/ &ts in)abitants, n!nstati" 4anderin$ bein$s, ever are m!vin$+ 0! matter )!4 many limited bein$s t)ere may be 5 divine .$!dly/ bein$s, t)e 4!uld6be divine, )umans, animals, "lut")in$ $)!sts, !r C!yless realm bein$s 5 4)en t)eir time is up, t)ey must plun$e int! t)e 4aters !( deat), trans(eren"e, and rebirt)+ .12/ Iears, m!nt)s, days, seas!ns, and m!ments are impermanent, disinte$rate, and mar") !n+ As y!u )ave sadness 4it) t)e ")an$in$ !( t)e (!ur seas!ns, t)in# ab!ut )!4 y!ur !4n time, t!!, 4ill be impermanent+ .1?/ *)ere is n! mental se"urity% very s!!n y!ur b!dy and li(e6(!r"e 4ill part .(r!m ea") !t)er+ *)ere(!re,/ (r!m t!day !n, t)in# 4it) "ertitude, <&t is un"ertain 4)i") 4ill !""ur (irst, t!m!rr!4 !r t)e time 4)en my li(e s)all be spent+=

The Shortcomings of Samsara

.1G/ *)e su((erin$s !( rebirt) are m!re (ri$)tenin$ t)an t)!se !( deat)+ *)ere is never any )appiness n! matter 4)ere y!u are reb!rn, (!r t)e (un"ti!nal nature !( re"urrin$ samsara is li#e t)at !( a pit !( (ire+ .*)ere(!re,/ see# a met)!d t! liberate y!ursel( (r!m it ri$)t n!4+ .15/ J!yless realm bein$s su((er (r!m )eat and "!ld, "lut")in$ $)!sts (r!m )un$er and t)irst, and animals by dev!urin$ ea") !t)er, stupidity, and bein$ muddle)eaded+ 3umans are t!rmented by t)e t)ree and t)e ei$)t (aults, t)e 4!uld6be divine by (i$)tin$ and 9uarrellin$, and divine bein$s by deat), trans(eren"e, and (allin$ .t! l!4er rebirt)s/+ .16/ *)e )appiness .!( t)e divine bein$s/ may ")an$e int! $rie( and t)eir a((e"tive su((erin$ ab!unds+ A(ter t)eir lives trans(er (r!m t)e pleasures ass!"iated 4it) t)e divine realms, t)ey may !n"e a$ain enter t)e (ires !( a C!yless realm+ 3avin$ t)!u$)t li#e t)is, 4!r# t! pass bey!nd "!mpulsive existen"e+ .1L/ *)e appearan"es !( t)is li(e are li#e a dream Cust as y!u are ab!ut t! 4a#e up+ *)ey are ")an$in$ and impermanent+ Be"ause y!u must $! !n, a(ter )avin$ le(t t)em be)ind, 4)at "an retinue, 4ealt) and su") d! (!r y!uA Ma#e e((!rt in t)e -)arma ri$)t n!4Q

Develo!ing a Stilled and Settled State of Shamatha

.1M/ -esire is li#e p!is!n, 4eap!ns, !r (ire+ *!rmented .by it/, t)ere is never a ")an"e (!r )appiness+ *)ere is su((erin$ t)r!u$) a""umulatin$, pr!te"tin$, and in"reasin$ .4)at y!u desire, and "!nse9uently/ y!u are al4ays b!und by arr!$an"e, $reed, and stin$iness+ 3avin$ 9uarrels 4it) every!ne, t)e taints !( y!ur disturbin$ em!ti!ns in"rease+ I!u )ave mental 4anderin$ 4it) busy64!r# and it t)reatens y!ur b!dy and li(e+ .19/ 3avin$ y!ur aims and a"tivities be t!! numer!us and "!ntradi"t!ry t! t)e -)arma is al4ays s"!rned by t)e )i$)ly realized aryas+ .But/ (!r t)!se 4)!se desires are (e4, "!nstru"tive .a"tivities and 9ualities/ aut!mati"ally in"rease+ *)ere(!re, t)!se .!( y!u/ ?9

4)! 4!uld enter int! a pat)4ay !( mind .t)at leads/ t! liberati!n, 4)i") is a stilled state, ma#e y!ur desires be (e4 and )ave "!ntentment+ .20/ &t is said t)at i( y!u ex)aust y!ur desires, y!u are a real aryaE and i( y!ur desires are (e4, y!u are !( t)e arya type+ Just as su((erin$ and disturbin$ em!ti!ns in"rease (!r t)!se 4it) desire, 4)at is "!nstru"tive naturally in"reases (!r t)!se 4)!se desires are (e4+ *)ere(!re, by (!ll!4in$ in t)e (!!tsteps !( t)e )all!4ed bein$s !( t)e past, be al4ays "!ntent and ma#e y!ur p!ssessi!ns be (e4+ .21/ *)e (aults !( ass!"iatin$ 4it) pe!ple are indeed 4it)!ut limit+ *)ere is (ar t!! mu") useless distra"ti!n and a"tivities+ An$er, ar$uments, and (i$)tin$ in"rease, and attra"ti!n and repulsi!n arise+ I!u al4ays be"!me in(e"ted 4it) su((erin$ and t)at:s p!intless+ .22/ 0! matter 4)at y!u )ave d!ne, t)ere is never a time 4)en y!u "an please .!t)ers/+ 0! matter )!4 y!u try t! tea") t)em .t)e -)arma/, t)e ")an"es t! bene(it .t)em/ are slim+ 2i#e4ise, even 4)en y!u listen .t! t)em/, it:s never t)e ex"ellent -)arma+ Dven i( y!u are "l!se .t! t)em/ as (riends, in t)e end y!u 4ill )ave t! part+ .2?/ *)ere(!re, rid y!ursel( "!mpletely !( "l!se relati!ns)ips !( dependen"y !n (!ll!4ers, (riends, !r relatives, and ma#e a de(inite e((!rt, (r!m t!day !n, t! pra"tise t)e )all!4ed -)arma, al!ne in is!lati!n+ .2G/ Supreme )all!4ed bein$s !( t)e past )ave said t)at (r!m livin$ in is!lati!n, t)ey (!und t)e ne"tar .!( -)arma experien"e/+ *)ere(!re, .res!lve t)at/ & t!! s)all live al!ne in is!lati!n in a (!rest in !rder t! a"tualize a state !( bein$ stilled+ .25/ 2ivin$ in is!lati!n )as been praised by t)e *riump)ant .Budd)as/+ ;it) n! !ne unruly .ar!und y!u/, y!u in"rease y!ur abs!rbed "!n"entrati!n !n 4)at is pr!(!und+ I!u naturally pra"tise t)e -)arma and devel!p s!mbre t)!u$)ts !( impermanen"e+ I!u put material p!ssessi!ns aside and )ave n! busy64!r# !r distra"ti!ns+ .26/ I!ur b!unti(ul st!res !( belie( in 4)at:s (a"t, renun"iati!n, and $!!d 9ualities enlar$e and, n!t )avin$ "l!se relati!ns)ips, aut!mati"ally y!ur a"tivities de"rease+ *)ere(!re, 4it)!ut ."!n"ern (!r/ t)e ei$)t transit!ry t)in$s in li(e, !r (!r #eepin$ t)e minds !( !t)ers .)appy/ !r savin$ (a"e, pass y!ur days and ni$)ts 4it) t)e -)arma in t)e bliss ass!"iated 4it) bein$ under y!ur !4n "!ntr!l+ .2L/ Ma#in$ y!ur respites and enri")ments )ave meanin$ and ta#in$ t)e essen"e !( y!ur attainment .!( t)em/ 5 as 4!rds "ann!t en"!mpass t)!se and m!re bene(its, pra"tise abs!rbed "!n"entrati!n !n t)e pr!(!und .-)arma/ (!r y!ur entire li(e, al!ne, in t)e middle !( a t!tally is!lated (!rest+ .2M/ May t)e "!!lin$ rain !( t)e -)arma, 4ell sp!#en li#e t)at, a(ter stillin$ .all/ disturbin$ em!ti!ns and t!rmentin$ "!n"eptual t)!u$)ts, (ill t)e p!nd !( l!tuses, 4)i") are "!nstru"tive masses !( abs!rbed "!n"entrati!ns, and .t)us/ spread an end!4ment !( a stilled state+ *)is ."!n"ludes/ t)e (irst ")apter !( < )recious (arland $or the /our ,hemes 2o$ (ampopa3, <3avin$ t)e Mind >! t!4ard t)e -)arma+=

G0

@ /aving the Dharma 6unction as a -athway of Mind

The Necessity for /aving the Dharma 6unction as a -athway of Mind
.29/ *)!se !( y!u 4)! 4is) (!r a pat)4ay !( mind .t)at leads/ t! liberati!n, )avin$, t)r!u$) belie( in 4)at:s (a"t, en$a$ed y!urselves 4it) t)e supreme, lustr!us, )all!4ed -)arma li#e t)at 5 ")eris) ma#in$ t)e -)arma $! .4it)in y!u/ as a pat)4ay !( mind, in !rder t)at y!ur very mind be"!mes (ully tamed+ .?0/ *)ere are t)!se 4)! )ave en$a$ed t)emselves 4it) t)e tea")in$s !( t)e *riump)ant .Budd)as/ li#e t)is and )ave even embar#ed !n )earin$, t)in#in$, and meditatin$ .!n t)em/+ Iet s!me )ave n!t stilled .t)eir disturbin$ em!ti!ns/% t)eir mental "!ntinuums are 4!rse+ S!me en$a$e t)emselves 4it) dist!rted pat)4ays !( mind, !r in(eri!r !nes, !r pat)4ays !( mind t)at lead astray+ .?1/ .S!me )ave/ $reat desires and "ravin$, and .s!me are/ distra"ted 4it) ."!n"erns (!r/ t)is li(e and t)e li#e+ All t)!se (aults, "!ntradi"t!ry t! t)e -)arma, )ave "!me (r!m t)eir n!t )avin$ made t)at -)arma $! .4it)in t)em/ as a pat)4ay !( mind+ *)e (aults .t)at "!me/ (r!m t)at in t)is and (uture .lives/ are b!undless+ .?2/ ;)!ever is (!!led by .su")/ de"epti!n 4ill be .(illed 4it)/ re$ret at t)e time !( deat), 4ill )ave terr!r and anxiety in t)e bard! in6bet4een peri!d, 4ill $! t! 4!rse rebirt) states in t)e (uture, and n!t )ave t)e !pp!rtunity t! liberate t)emselves (!rever (r!m "!mpulsive existen"e+ *)ere(!re, ma#e t)e -)arma $! .4it)in y!u/ as a pat)4ay !( mind+ .??/ Just as y!u may impr!perly even ta#e )y$ieni" medi"ine as an antid!te (!r a si"#ness, yet sin"e it 4as in (a"t impr!perly .ta#en/, it 4!uld ma#e y!u even m!re t!rmented t)an y!u 4ere t!rmented .be(!re/E li#e4ise, 4)at use is t)e -)arma i( y!u )ave n!t made it $! as an antid!teA *)ere(!re, as t)ere are b!undless (aults li#e t)atE 8 pe!ple )avin$ belie( in 4)at:s (a"t, understand t)is 4ell+

Entrusting Bourself to S!iritual Mentors

.?G/ '!n"ernin$ t)at, sin"e ma#in$ t)at -)arma $! .4it)in y!u/ as a pat)4ay !( mind depends, (irst !( all, !n spiritual ment!rs, ")eris) entrustin$ y!ursel( t! 9uali(ied )all!4ed $urus+ All ex"ellent b!unte!us $!!d 9ualities "!me (r!m t)at+ .?5/ As (!r t)at, entrust y!ursel( (ully and 4it) $reat .respe"t and/ appre"iati!n t! t)!se 4)! are s#illed in met)!ds, )ave a "!mpassi!nate nature, are stilled, are tamed and )ave patien"eE 4)! )ave a splendid manner !( be)avi!r .in a""!rd/ 4it) t)eir v!4s and "l!se b!nds, )ave )eard many .tea")in$s/, and )ave .a")ieved/ a $reat .level/ !( )avin$ trained .in t)em/ 4ellE .?6/ .*)!se 4)!/ )ave a b!undless enli$)tenin$ in(luen"e t)at aut!mati"ally trans(!rms t)e appearan"es !( !t)ersE 4)! are n!t "!rrupted 4it) .t)!u$)ts !(/ t)is li(eE 4)! are puri(ied, li#e t)e s#y, !( "!n"erns ab!ut t)e ei$)t .transit!ry/ t)in$s in li(eE 4)! )ave ma#in$ .li(e/ meanin$(ul as t)e $au$e (!r ass!"iati!n .4it) t)em/, and 4)! set !ut .(!r

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!t)ers/ t)e pat)4ay !( mind .t)at leads/ t! liberati!n+ .Su") spiritual ment!rs as/ t)is are emanati!ns !( t)e *riump)ant .Budd)as/ at .t)is/ time !( t)e deteri!rati!ns+ .?L/ *)e bene(its (r!m t)at are b!undless and inex)austible% I!u be"!me dis$usted 4it) "!mpulsive existen"e and ren!un"e it+ .*)us,/ y!ur 4!rldly plannin$ be"!mes lessE y!ur "!n"erns (!r t)is li(etime be"!me lameE and y!ur $raspin$ (!r an imp!ssible <s!ul= .based !n/ de"eptive appearan"es (alls apartE .?M/ I!u naturally be"!me tamedE y!u "!me t! p!ssess .t)e p!4ers !(/ listenin$, t)in#in$, and meditatin$ .!n t)e tea")in$s/E y!u "!me t! p!ssess t)e $!!d 9ualities !( )avin$ extensively trained, su") as belie( in 4)at:s (a"tE y!ur present li(e be"!mes meanin$(ulE and y!ur (uture !nes 4ill reap t)e results+ *)ere(!re, entrust y!ursel( t! )all!4ed .spiritual ment!rs/+ .?9/ M!re!ver, by bein$ unde"eivin$ 4it) y!ur t)ree $ate4ays .(!r a"ti!n/, al4ays please .y!ur spiritual ment!rs/ by s)!4in$ respe"t (r!m y!ur appre"iati!n .!( t)eir #indness/, li#e a patient t! a d!"t!r, a sea mer")ant t! a navi$at!r, a passen$er t! a (erryman, and a visit!r t! an es"!rt+ .G0/ &t )as been said t)at i( y!u devel!p t)!u$)ts !( disbelie( .in y!ur spiritual ment!rs: a"tual $!!d 9ualities/ !r a dist!rted vie4 .!( t)em/, y!u enter a 4!rse rebirt) state (!r .as many e!ns as/ t)e number !( m!ments .y!u devel!p it/+ *)ere(!re, ma#e e((!rt t! pr!te"t, as y!u 4!uld y!ur eyes, #eepin$ y!ur "l!se b!nds .4it) y!ur tea")ers/ pure, by bein$ extremely sin"ere in !penly admittin$ .i( y!u ever vi!late t)em/, restrainin$ y!ursel( .(r!m brea#in$ t)em/, and (eelin$ re$ret .s)!uld y!u ever trans$ress t)em/+

Develo!ing enunciation
.G1/ 3avin$ (ully entrusted y!ursel( li#e t)at t! )all!4ed spiritual ment!rs, and t)en )avin$ trained y!ur !4n mental "!ntinuum by listenin$, t)in#in$, and meditatin$ !n .t)eir tea")in$s/, trans(!rm 4)atever y!u d! int! s!met)in$ intent !n a "!nstru"tive .$!al/, 4it) t)e t)!u$)t !( desirin$ !nly liberati!n+ *)is is t)e 9uintessen"e tea")in$ (!r ma#in$ t)at -)arma $! .4it)in y!u/ as a pat)4ay !( mind+ .G2/ ;)enever y!u are listenin$ t!, t)in#in$ ab!ut, !r re"itin$ .t)e tea")in$s/, underta#e t)at (!r t)e intenti!n !( liberatin$ y!ur !4n mental "!ntinuum+ ;)enever y!u are 4ritin$, readin$, mem!rizin$, !r tea")in$ .t)e -)arma/, underta#e it 4it) t)e desire !nly (!r liberati!n+ .G?/ ;)enever y!u are meditatin$, .studyin$ t)e "!rre"t/ vie4, !r "!ndu"tin$ y!ursel( .4it) it/, str!n$ly ma#e e((!rt t! .(eel/ renun"iati!n and dis$ust .4it) samsara/ by never partin$ y!ur t)!u$)ts (r!m bein$ .set/ !nly !n liberati!n+ *)ere is n!t)in$ )i$)er t)en t)is )eart6essen"e 9uintessen"e tea")in$+ .GG/ Datin$, sleepin$, 4al#in$, sittin$, tal#in$, spea#in$, t)in#in$, and s! !n 6 in s)!rt, 4)atever a"tivities y!u d!, en)an"e y!ur dis$ust .4it) samsara/ by never partin$ (r!m an attitude !( 4is)in$ liberati!n and .t)us/ tame y!ur mental "!ntinuum+ *)is is t)e essential p!int (!r ma#in$ t)e -)arma $! .4it)in y!u/ as a pat)4ay !( mind+

Develo!ing a $odhichitta 'im

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.G5/ . urt)erm!re,/ (!r ma#in$ .t)e -)arma/ $! .4it)in y!u/ as a Ma)ayana pat)4ay !( mind in parti"ular, dire"t t!4ard t)e bene(it !( !t)ers 4)atever "!nstru"tive t)in$s y!u d!+ .&n !t)er 4!rds,/ devel!p, 4it) "!mpassi!n, a b!d)i")itta aimE )ave (irm "!nvi"ti!n .in t)e $!!d 9ualities !( enli$)tenment/E dedi"ate .y!ur p!sitive (!r"e t!4ard a")ievin$ t)is $!al/E and reC!i"e .in y!ur !4n and !t)ers: e((!rts t!4ard t)is/, and .t)us/ pra"ti"e in (ull in !rder t! .brin$ ab!ut/ t)e bene(it !( .all/ limited bein$s+ .G6/ .@ra"ti"in$/ li#e t)is, all 4anderin$ bein$s, .)avin$ previ!usly been/ y!ur (at)ers, m!t)ers, relatives, and dear (riends, are .appr!priate/ (ields (!r .re"eivin$/ y!ur )elp+ And .s!/, by devel!pin$ a b!d)i")itta aim (!r .(ul(illin$/ t)e aims !( !t)ers as 4ell as y!ur !4n, pra"ti"e 4)atever is "!nstru"tive (!r t)e sa#e !( 4anderin$ bein$s+ .GL/ <By my "!nstru"tive .(!r"e/, may .all/ R4anderin$ bein$s be"!me )appy and may t)e su((erin$s !( all !( t)em ripen !n me+ May my "!nstru"tive .(!r"e/ ripen !n .all/ 4anderin$ bein$s and .t)us/ may all emb!died bein$s attain enli$)tenment+= *)in#in$ t)at, train y!ursel( t! devel!p a b!d)i")itta aim !( immeasurable "!mpassi!n+ .GM/ ;)atever "!nstru"tive .a"ti!ns y!u d!/, as preparati!n devel!p a b!d)i")itta aim, as t)e a"tual pr!"edure d! n!t be aimed .at imp!ssible 4ays !( existin$/, and as t)e "!n"lusi!n dedi"ate .t! y!ur !4n and !t)ers: enli$)tenment t)e p!sitive (!r"e/+ M!re!ver, "!mpletely puri(y .y!ursel( !( mis"!n"epti!ns ab!ut t)e nature !(/ t)e t)ree "ir"les 5 t)e !bCe"t t! be trained in, t)e a"t !( trainin$, and t)e !ne 4)! is trainin$+ 2i#e illusi!ns, t)ey are mere appearan"es .based/ !n n!t)in$ real, li#e ma$i"al emanati!ns+ .*)ere(!re,/ puri(yin$ .y!ursel( "!n"ernin$/ t)e natures .!( t)ese t)ree/, dedi"ate .t)e p!sitive (!r"e/ in !rder t! bene(it !t)ers+ .G9/ < irm "!nvi"ti!n= is )avin$ supreme belie( in .t)e $!!d 9ualities !(/ t)e *riump)ant .Budd)as/, t)e *riump)ant 8nes: -)arma tea")in$s, t)e )all!4ed .b!d)isattva/ spiritual !((sprin$ !( t)e *riump)ant, and t)e (ields (!r .$r!4in$/ p!sitive (!r"e 5 .in t)e $!!d 9ualities !(/ all !( t)ese, 4it)!ut ex"epti!n+ r!m )avin$ (irm "!nvi"ti!n in .t)e $!!d 9ualities !( 4)at (ul(ils/ y!ur !4n aims, t)e aims !( !t)ers, and t)e aims !( b!t), y!u 4ill re"eive praise, s)!4s !( respe"t, and esteem bey!nd all examples+ .50/ <7eC!i"in$= is )abituatin$ y!ursel( .in meditati!n/ t! (eelin$ )appy ab!ut all t)e "!nstru"tive a"ts !( t)e *riump)ant 8nes, t)eir spiritual !((sprin$, and all 4anderin$ bein$s+ *)is is a supreme met)!d (!r trans(!rmin$ (at)!mless masses !( p!sitive (!r"e int! s!met)in$ immeasurably $reat+ .51/ Ma#e <aspirati!n prayers= !( t)e puri(yin$ .type/, (!r t)e sa#e !( bene(itin$ 4anderin$ bein$s+ .&n t)is "!nne"ti!n,/ meditate in a""!rd 4it) t)e 9uintessen"e tea")in$s "!n"ernin$ puri(yin$ t)e !bCe"ts !( y!ur a"ti!ns+ .52/ ;it)!ut bein$ distra"ted (!r even a m!ment t! t)e side !( !rdinary a((airs, ta#e as y!ur )eart6essen"e .pra"ti"e/ )avin$ t)e "!nstru"tive .a"ti!ns/ !( y!ur t)ree $ate4ays .(!r a"ti!n/ be (!r t)e bene(it !( !t)ers+ 3avin$ tamed y!ur !4n mental "!ntinuum, t)en "!min$ t! )ave t)e devel!pment !( an ex"epti!nal res!lve is said t! be .t)e 4ay t!/ ma#e any -)arma .pra"ti"e/ $! .4it)in y!u/ as a pat)4ay !( mind+

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.5?/ &n t)is 4ay, may t)e mel!di!us beat !( t)e s!und !( t)e 4!ndr!us drum !( t)e pr!(!und meanin$, t)e ren!4ned r!ar 4)i") is vast and pr!(!und, 4a#e all 4anderin$ bein$s (r!m t)e int!xi"atin$ sleep !( t)eir una4areness+ May t)ey be)!ld, !n a 4ide6 spread s"ale, a C!y!us ban9uet !( bein$ stilled+ *)is ."!n"ludes/ t)e se"!nd ")apter !( < )recious (arland $or the /our ,hemes 2o$ (ampopa3, <3avin$ t)e -)arma un"ti!n as a @at)4ay !( Mind+=

C /aving the -athway Minds Eliminate "onfusion

The Shared Mahayana -athway of Mind
.5G/ urt)erm!re, !ut !( t)e s)ared, spe"ial, and unsurpassable met)!ds (!r )avin$ t)e pat)4ay minds eliminate "!n(usi!n, t)e (irst is t)e $reat Ma)ayana pat)4ay !( mind t)at is s)ared in "!mm!n .by sutra, all "lasses !( tantra, and dz!$")en/+ ;it) its identity6nature !( t)e (!ur immeasurable attitudes, t)e devel!pment !( a b!d)i")itta aim, aspirati!n prayer, and "!mpassi!n, and t)r!u$) $reat 4aves !( b!d)isattva be)avi!r, y!u eliminate "!n(usi!n+ .55/ ;)en y!u )ave .b!d)i")itta/ 4it) a )eart6essen"e !( v!idness and "!mpassi!n, and are pra"ti"in$ (ully (!r b!t) y!ur !4n and !t)ers: aims, t)en in !rder t! "leanse a4ay (leetin$ stains (r!m t)e sp)ere !( all t)in$s, 4)i") is "!nstru"tive and una((e"ted, meditate !n t)e t)irty6seven (a"ets leadin$ in t)e dire"ti!n !( a puri(ied state, 4)i") are ."ultivated/ !n t)e (!ur pat)4ays !( mind !( buildin$ up, applyin$, seein$, and a""ust!min$+ Als!, (ully per(e"t t)e six (ar6rea")in$ attitudes 4it) t)e pure vie4 !( t)e sixteen v!idnesses and (aultless b!d)isattva be)avi!r+ .56/ .*)us,/ understandin$ t)e la"# !( t)e imp!ssible <s!uls= !( b!t) pers!ns and .all/ p)en!mena and t)en trainin$ 4it) met)!ds t)at are antid!tes (!r t)e disturbin$ em!ti!ns and attitudes is t)e ex"ellent pat)4ay !( mind !( t)e b!d)isattvas+ .5L/ &n !t)er 4!rds, (r!m .understandin$ t)at everyt)in$ "!nventi!nally exists/ merely in t)e manner !( mira$es, dreams, and de"eptive appearan"es, y!u aband!n and ad!pt .appr!priate pra"ti"es/, 4!r# (!r t)e aims .!( !t)ers/, ad!pt 4)at is "!nstru"tive and reCe"t 4)at brin$s ne$ative (!r"e+ I!u "leanse a4ay t)e disturbin$ em!ti!ns !( l!n$in$ desire, )!stility, and naivety 4it) t)e 4aters !( .t)eir antid!tes, namely meditati!n !n/ u$liness, l!ve, and dependent arisin$E .5M/ ;)ile, !n t)e level !( deepest (a"t, .y!u understand t)at/ be"ause .t)is level/ is unb!rn and pure, t)ere are n! dualisti" .distin"ti!ns/ !( samsara and nirvana% it is parted (r!m .su")/ mental (abri"ati!n+ *)e pat)4ay mind .t)at understands t)ese/ t4! trut)s .in terms !(/ dependent arisin$ is t)e "ausal $reat Ma)ayana ve)i"le !( mind, t)at !( diale"ti"s+

The S!ecial Mahayana -athway of Mind

.59/ *)e spe"ial $reat Ma)ayana pat)4ay !( mind, t)at !( se"ret mantra, )as !uter and inner ."lasses/+ &t )as t)e (at)!mlessly supreme met)!d !( t)e $enerati!n and "!mplete sta$es as a uni(ied pair, by 4)i") y!u "leanse a4ay "!n(usi!n t)r!u$) vari!us steps+

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.60/ As (!r t)e t)ree !uter ."lasses !(/ se"ret mantra, t)r!u$) t)eir ta#in$ puri(i"ati!n as t)e main .pra"ti"e/, y!u aband!n and ad!pt in turn .4)at is appr!priate/ and t)us rem!ve taints .(r!m y!ur pat)4ay !( mind/ by .applyin$ t)eir/ antid!tes+ As (!r t)e inner .t)ree "lasses !( se"ret mantra, t)e emp)asis is !n/ deep a4areness, 4)i") is a n!ndualisti" uni(ied pair+ &n terms !( .t)is deep a4areness/, t)r!u$) .t)e appli"ati!n !(/ met)!ds, y!u trans(!rm int! a pat)4ay !( mind t)!se t)in$s t)at are t! be aband!ned+ .61/ &n t)e mandala !( t)e sp)ere !( t)e basis, 4)i") is a 4!mb "!ntainin$ a Bliss(ully >!ne 8ne, all p)en!mena, 4)i") are its re(lexive appearan"es, are mere appearan"es !( y!ur !4n limited mind+ *)ey are de"epti!ns, n!t true p)en!mena 5 dev!id (!rms t)at are .Cust/ "larity and appearan"e itsel(+ .62/ ;)en y!u )ave be"!me mind(ul t)at t)e a$$re$ate (a"t!rs !( experien"e, t)e element s!ur"es, t)e "!$nitive stimulat!rs, and s! !n, are, in pure .(!rm/, t)e (ive .Budd)a/ (amilies, t)en t)r!u$) t)e $enerati!n sta$e .pra"ti"es/, t)e samsari" 4!rld !( appearan"es be"!mes a sin$le mandala+ I!u C!in b!dies t! deities, spee") t! mantras, and remembran"es and .!t)er/ "!n"eptual t)!u$)ts t! emanatin$ and reabs!rbin$ .deep a4arenessE s! t)at/ in t)e end, .all/ de"eptive appearan"es are re$arded as a Budd)a6 (ield+ .6?/ ;it) t)e "!mplete sta$e .pra"ti"es/, everyt)in$ is made t! enter int! t)e sp)ere !( t)e a"tual nature .!( all t)in$s/ and "lear li$)t mind bey!nd all t)!u$)t+ .*! a""!mplis) t)is,/ t)r!u$) y!$a .pra"ti"es/ dealin$ 4it) t)e ener$y6")annels, ener$y64inds, and "reative ener$y6dr!ps, t)e ener$y64inds and t)e mind .are made/ servi"eable and t)e sp)ere .!( v!idness/ and deep a4areness are "!nC!ined+ *)e pat)4ay mind !( t)e $reat seal, ma)amudra, 4)i") is .t)is/ indivisible uni(ied pair, is t)e resultant JaCrayana ve)i"le !( mind !( se"ret mantra+

The %nsur!assable -athway Mind of Dzogchen

.6G/ *)e unsurpassable ve)i"le !( mind !( t)e supremely se"ret $reat "!mpleteness, dz!$")en, "!nne"ts y!u dire"tly 4it) t)e sp)ere t)at sp!ntane!usly establis)es .all appearan"es/+ &n t)e sp)ere !( t)e basis, 4)i") is un")an$in$ li#e spa"e, .t)e appearan"es !(/ all $!!d 9ualities are sp!ntane!usly establis)ed li#e t)e sun, t)e m!!n, t)e planets, and t)e stars+ Be"ause .t)eir appearan"es are/ sp!ntane!usly establis)ed (r!m t)e dept)s, 4it)!ut need (!r bein$ s!u$)t, .t)is is/ a pat)4ay !( mind 4it) a (un"ti!nal nature !( bein$ strai$)t(!r4ard, ma#in$ n! e((!rt !r exerti!n+ .65/ *)e mandala !( t)e sp)ere !( t)e "lear li$)t mind is una((e"ted+ &t is t)e naturally abidin$ -)arma#aya .a '!rpus Dn"!mpassin$ Dveryt)in$/, t)e intended p!int .!( t)e Budd)as: tea")in$s/, 4)i") is e9ually .in every!ne/+ 3avin$ stable realizati!n .!( it/ is .t! )ave/ t)e supreme ."!rre"t/ vie4 !( t)e abidin$ nature .!( all t)in$s/+ .66/ 8n t)e sp)ere t)at is .primally/ pure, t)e "l!uds !( (leetin$ !bs"urati!ns ."ause/ de"eptive appearan"es .t! arise !n/ t)e limited minds !( 4anderin$ bein$s+ ;)ile n!t truly existin$, yet t)r!u$) t)eir nevert)eless appearin$, t)e t)ree planes .!( samsari" existen"e/ and t)e six "lasses .!( 4anderin$ bein$s/ are perpetuated+ But 4)atever appears, at t)e time !( its appearin$ is n!t .truly/ establis)ed !n t)e deepest level+ 2i#e t)e s#y and t)e "l!uds .in it/, it is merely appearin$ .dependently !n/ (leetin$

G5

"ir"umstan"es+ .*)ere(!re, as t)e appearan"es !(/ un"!ntr!llably re"urrin$ samsari" existen"e are interp!lati!nsE .4)en y!u realize/ t)eir de(inin$ ")ara"teristi", t)ey st!p+ .6L/ .&n !t)er 4!rds,/ <4)ile n!t .truly/ existin$, .t)e p)en!mena !( samsara/ nevert)eless appear= .means t)at,/ bein$ v!id by t)eir !4n essential nature, v!id appearan"es are n!t .true/ p)en!mena+ *)ey are li#e a blur, (allin$ )airs .seen by s!me!ne 4it) "atara"t/, a dream, a mira$e, !r a "!n") per"eived as yell!4 .by s!me!ne 4it) Caundi"e/+ At t)e very time !( t)eir appearin$ in 4)atever 4ay .t)ey may appear/, t)ey "an never be .validly/ experien"ed as bein$ .truly/ establis)ed+ *)ey are 4it)!ut a basis, 4it)!ut a supp!rt, and 4it)!ut an .a"tual/ be$innin$, middle, !r end+ 1n!4 t)at, by (un"ti!nal nature, t)ey are pure (r!m t)e start+ .6M/ '!n"ernin$ .all/ p)en!mena li#e t)is 5 t)e samsari" 4!rld !( appearan"es% envir!nments and t)eir in)abitants 5 t)ere are n! .true/ "!$nitive !bCe"ts t! be ta#en+ *)ey are li#e ma$i"al emanati!ns !r visual appariti!ns+ And t)ere are n! .true/ limited minds t! "!$nitively ta#e t)em .as !bCe"ts+ All is/ pure li#e empty spa"e+ .Sin"e/ t)ere is n! .true/ pair% "!$nitive !bCe"ts t! be ta#en and .limited minds/ t)at "!$nitively ta#e t)em, samsara )as never been .validly/ experien"ed as bein$ .truly/ existent+ 2iberate .y!ursel(/ by #n!4in$ t)at .samsara/ is an appearan"e !( 4)at d!esn:t .truly/ exist and )as t)e (un"ti!nal nature !( bein$ de"eptive+ .69/ Be"ause t)e appearan"es !( t)in$s t! be aband!ned !r ad!pted, "auses, e((e"ts, and "ir"umstan"es naturally puri(y t)emselves a4ay, #n!4 t)at, !n t)e deepest level, t)eir abidin$ nature is bey!nd "ause and e((e"t+ *)e basis supp!rt (!r t)is .natural puri(i"ati!n/ is pure a4areness, rigpa, t)e .deepest/ b!d)i")itta mind+ *)e sp)ere !( .naturally/ released nirvana, t)e $reat sp!ntane!us establis)er .!( all appearan"es 5 t)is is/ t)e deepest trut), pure (r!m t)e start+ .L0/ &n !t)er 4!rds, 4it) an identity6nature !( bein$ 4it)!ut a be$innin$ and 4it)!ut an end, .pure a4areness/ is t)e "lear li$)t mind in its sel(6nature 5 pr!(!und, stilled, and parted (r!m mental (abri"ati!n+ &t is .t)e deep a4areness/ naturally abidin$ (r!m t)e dept)s, a stainless -)arma#aya '!rpus Dn"!mpassin$ Dveryt)in$+ &t abides as an essential nature, 4it)!ut s)i(tin$ !r ")an$in$ !ver t)e t)ree times+ .L1/ *)is is t)e sp)ere !( t)e basis, t)e diam!nd6str!n$ vaCra essen"e+ &n !t)er 4!rds, 4)!ever )as stable realizati!n !( t)at .pure a4areness/ )as t)e ."!rre"t/ vie4 itsel( !( t)e abidin$ natureE and, 4it) interp!lati!n and repudiati!n stilled, )as stable realizati!n !( it as t)e )eart6essen"e !( t)e deepest level+

"ultivating a "orrect (iew of Dzogchen in Meditation

.L2/ Stainless meditati!n, .d!ne/ 4it)in a state !( stable realizati!n !( t)e )eart6essen"e !( t)e "lear li$)t mind, is parted (r!m mental dullness, (li$)tiness !( mind, and mental (abri"ati!n+ &t is 4it)!ut distra"ti!n, parted (r!m t)e dualisti" mind, and extremely expansive+ &n !t)er 4!rds, it is "!mpletely pure li#e t)e s#y, 4it)!ut restri"ti!n !r sele"tive bias, bey!nd all t)!u$)t, expressi!n, and ima$inati!n+

"ultivating "orrect $ehavior $ased on the Dzogchen (iew

G6

.L?/ As (!r be)avi!r, 4)atever appears )as n! true .existen"e/% it puri(ies itsel( a4ay+ .*)us, "!n"ernin$/ internal .limited minds/ ta#in$ .!bCe"ts/, any t)at da4n naturally liberate t)emselves .by aut!mati"ally diss!lvin$+ And "!n"ernin$/ external .!bCe"ts/ "!$nitively ta#en, t)ey are li#e a dream !r an illusi!n+ 8n t)e deepest level, t)ere isn:t t)e pair, and .s!/ a"t 4it)!ut ad!ptin$ !r dis"ardin$+

eca!itulation of Dzogchen
.LG/ 7e$ardin$ .limited minds/ ta#in$ .!bCe"ts, !bCe"ts/ "!$nitively ta#en, disturbin$ em!ti!ns and attitudes, ne$ati!n and a((irmati!n p)en!mena 5 in arisin$, t)ey are aut!mati"ally liberatin$ t)emselves+ .*)at is t! say,/ 4it) #n!4in$ t)eir (un"ti!nal nature, .y!u #n!4 t)at t)ey aut!mati"ally/ liberate t)emselves+ ;it) t)eir liberatin$ t)emselves, t)en 4it)in a state !( e9uality in -)arma#aya, "!mplete (r!m t)e dept)s, t)ere is n! need t! see# a nirvana (r!m )avin$ an aband!nment !( samsara+ .L5/ ;)atever ."!$nitive !bCe"ts/ appear, t)ey are mirr!rs revealin$ t)e deepest .level/+ ;)atever .limited minds/ da4n, .t)at "!$nitively ta#e t)em/, #n!4 t)at t)ey aut!mati"ally liberate t)emselves+ *)ey are t)e e((ul$ent display !( a -)arma#aya+ 2i#e 4ater and 4aves, t)ey )ave a sin$ular supp!rt in -)arma#aya+ *)is is t)e .Budd)as:/ intended p!int "!n"ernin$ t)e ultimate level, t)e very summit !( vie4s, t)e $reat "!mpleteness, dz!$")en+

Summary
.L6/ &n s)!rt, 4)!ever pra"ti"es in any !( t)ese 4ays, .#n!4 t)at/ $raspin$ (!r an imp!ssible < s!ul= aut!mati"ally liberates itsel( and disturbin$ em!ti!ns and attitudes puri(y a4ay in t)e sp)ere .!( v!idness/+ Bein$ s#illed in t)e pat)4ays !( a"tin$ 4it) .t)ese/ met)!ds in all .situati!ns/ is tau$)t as .t)e 4ay (!r/ )avin$ t)e pat)4ay minds eliminate "!n(usi!n+ .LL/ May all bein$s, 4it)!ut ex"epti!n, "r!ss t)e !"ean !( "!mpulsive existen"e by means !( t)e pre"i!us $reat s)ip !( .t)ese/ 4ays !( t)e -)arma li#e t)at, and, !n t)e supreme island !( a stilled state !( pre"i!us liberati!n, be)!ld a ban9uet !( an untainted stillin$ and bliss+ *)is ."!n"ludes/ t)e t)ird ")apter !( < )recious (arland $or the /our ,hemes o$ 2(ampopa3, <3avin$ t)e @at)4ay Minds Dliminate '!n(usi!n+=

< -urifying "onfusion into Dee! 'wareness

-rovisional -urification
.LM/ 0ext is puri(yin$ y!ur "!n(usi!n int! deep a4areness+ 8( t)e sta$es (!r .t)is/ p!int, t)e pr!visi!nal and ultimate, t)e (irst is t)e pr!visi!nal .puri(i"ati!n, dealin$ 4it)/ t)e time .4)en y!u )ave/ a pat)4ay !( mind !( pra"ti"in$ .t! a"tualize t)e $!al/+ By (amiliarisin$ y!ursel( by means !( pr!(!und met)!ds, 4)atever disturbin$ em!ti!ns arise t!tally puri(y int! t)e sp)ere .!( deep a4areness/+ *! ma#e mani(est .t)e underlyin$/ deep a4areness 4)i") is t)e natural "larity .!( t)e mind/ is "alled <puri(yin$ "!n"eptual t)!u$)ts !( "!n(usi!n int! t)e sp)ere !( deep a4areness+=

GL

.L9/ *)at .pr!visi!nal sta$e/ "an be divided int! s)ared, spe"ial, and unsurpassable .met)!ds/ a""!rdin$ t! t)e met)!ds !n 4)i") y!u rely+ .*)ese are respe"tively/ "leansin$ a4ay .t)e "!n(usi!n !( disturbin$ em!ti!ns/ 4it) t)eir antid!tesE trans(!rmin$ .t)em/ 4it) met)!dsE and )avin$ t)em puri(y int! t)e sp)ere .!( deep a4areness/ 4it)!ut .need (!r/ aband!nin$ t)em, .sin"e/ t)ey aut!mati"ally liberate t)emselves in t)eir !4n pla"e+ 7e$ardless !( )!4 y!u train 4it) 4)i")ever .met)!d/ y!u li#e, st!ppin$ .t)e disturbin$ em!ti!ns/ "!mes t! t)e same p!int as t)e disturbin$ em!ti!ns .aut!mati"ally/ puri(yin$ t)emselves+ .M0/ ;)en y!u re"!$nise t)e natural $r!und (!r t)e arisin$ !( l!n$in$ desire, )!stility, naivety, pride, and Ceal!usy, .y!u see t)at/ t)ey aut!mati"ally settle and aut!mati"ally liberate t)emselves, puri(yin$ int! t)e (ive aspe"ts !( deep a4areness+ *)is is "alled <pr!visi!nally puri(yin$ t)e "!n(usi!n !( t)e (ive p!is!n!us em!ti!ns int! t)e .(ive/ maC!r deep a4arenesses= 5 analyti", mirr!r6li#e, sp)ere !( reality, e9ualisin$, and a""!mplis)in$+

%ltimate -urification
.M1/ *)e ultimate .puri(i"ati!n/ is t)e partin$ !( .all/ (leetin$ stains (r!m t)e s!ur"e+ &n !t)er 4!rds, 4)en y!u dis"!ver t)e puri(ied state t)at is stilled and parted (r!m any spe"# .!( de(ilement/, y!u ma#e mani(est t)e (un"ti!nal nature !( t)e sp)ere Cust as it is and dis"!ver t)e deep a4areness !( t)e t)ree Dnli$)tenin$ '!rpuses !( a Budd)a as bein$ !( !ne taste in -)arma#aya+ .*)is/ is "alled t)e '!rpus !( t)e Sp)ere @!ssessin$ -!uble @urity+ &t is n!t a "!$nitive !bCe"t .#n!4able/ by any!ne !t)er t)an t)e *riump)ant .Budd)as/ t)emselves+ .M2/ *)e t)ree Dnli$)tenin$ '!rpuses .!( a Budd)a/, namely a '!rpus Dn"!mpassin$ Dveryt)in$ .-)arma#aya/, a '!rpus !( ull Hse .Samb)!$a#aya/, and a '!rpus !( Dmanati!ns .0irmana#aya/, t!$et)er 4it) deep a4areness, are in"!rp!rated int! a '!rpus !( Dssential 0ature .Svab)ava#aya/, 4)i") is stati", all6pervasive, una((e"ted, and 4it)!ut s)i(t !r ")an$e+ .M?/ &t remains in t)e sp)ere !( -)arma#aya, 4)i") is a 4is)6(ul(illin$ $em, and, 4it)in t)at state !( its real nature, its -eep A4areness '!rpus !( Dnli$)tenin$ &n(luen"e, as a $litterin$ play !( '!rpuses !( ull Hse and !( Dmanati!ns, appears .respe"tively/ t! t)!se 4it) .arya b!d)isattva/ levels !( bhumi6mind and t! !t)er 4anderin$ bein$s+ .MG/ urt)er, it appears li#e t)at (r!m t)e puri(yin$ .p!4er/ !( t)e "!mbinati!n !( t)e stren$t)s !( t)e enli$)tenin$ inspirati!n !( t)e *riump)ant 8nes and t)e p!sitive (!r"e !( t)e dis"iples t! be tamed+ Be"ause .!( t)at puri(yin$ p!4er, t)e attainment !(/ t)e enli$)tenin$ in(luen"e .!( a Budd)a/ (ul(illin$ t)e )!pes .!( all limited bein$s/, li#e a 4is)6$rantin$ tree !r $em, 4it)!ut any brea# (!r as l!n$ as "!mpulsive existen"e endures 5 t)is is "alled <t)e .ultimate/ puri(i"ati!n !( "!n(usi!n int! deep a4areness+= .M5/ May t)e seven6)!rse6dra4n .sun/, 4)i") is t)e )eart6essen"e !( t)e pr!(!und meanin$ .explained/ li#e t)at, s)ed t)!usands !( li$)t6rays !( its vari!us 4!rds and t)eir meanin$s !n t)e 4!rld !( dis"iples t)r!u$) t)e pat)4ay !( t)e s#y !( t)eir minds and "lear a4ay t)e dar#ness !( una4areness (r!m all 4anderin$ bein$s+

GM

*)is ."!n"ludes/ t)e (!urt) ")apter !( < )recious (arland $or the /our ,hemes 2o$ (ampopa3, <@uri(yin$ '!n(usi!n int! -eep A4areness+=

'uthorDs "olo!hon
.M6/ *)is spread !( a ban9uet .laid !ut/ (!r t)e sa#e !( b!t) mysel( and !t)ers (r!m t)e ma$ni(i"ent mansi!n !( t)e br!ad intelli$en"e !( t)ese .-)arma/ met)!ds, and $arnis)ed 4it) a lavis) am!unt !( )earin$, t)in#in$ and meditatin$, )as been arran$ed in a""!rdan"e 4it) t)e meanin$ !( t)e sutras, tantras, and )eart6essen"e 9uintessen"e tea")in$s+ .ML/ By t)e "!nstru"tive .(!r"e/ !( t)is, may & and all 4anderin$ bein$s level t)e m!untain !( "!mpulsive samsari" existen"e in t)is li(etime and attain a supreme puri(ied state t)at is stilled and parted (r!m any spe"# .!( de(ilement/+ May 4e be"!me Budd)as, "!mpletely (ul(illin$ t)e aims !( b!t) !urselves and !t)ers+ .MM/ And t)en in a land beauti(ied 4it) expansive sn!46m!untains !( "lear meanin$, may .t)e sun !( !ur/ lustr!us $!!d 9ualities, 4)i") extends t! t)e limit !( .all/ dire"ti!ns, )i$)li$)t t)e )eart6essen"e p!ints !n t)e pre"i!us $ems !( t)e s"riptures and .t)ereby/ brin$ C!y t! t)e masses !( pe!ple 4it) belie( in 4)at:s (a"t+ *)is 4!r#, "alled <A @re"i!us >arland (!r t)e !ur *)emes .!( >amp!pa/,= )as been "!mp!sed by t)e y!$i !( t)e Supreme Je)i"le, 1un#yen 0$a$$i64an$p! .2!n$")en 7abCampa/, illumined by t)e "rystal m!!n in t)e ma$ni(i"ent mansi!n !( Samantab)adra in a $arden "alled <A 'l!ud !( l!4ers= !n t)e sl!pes !( 2imest!ne M!untain and "!mpleted in !ne sittin$+ May a rain !( $reat bliss (all (!r all times and in all dire"ti!ns as in t)e .$!lden/ a$e !( a "!mplete e!n, $rantin$ everyt)in$ )!ped (!r in every!ne:s 4is)es+

Similar -ages4

Ma)amudra Dliminatin$ t)e -ar#ness !( Hna4areness 5 @art !ur% Dn)an"in$ I!ur @ra"ti"e 3!4 >amp!pa 7ea")ed 3is Spiritual Attainments

G9

6undamentals of Dzogchen Meditation

Alexander Berzin, January 2001

; ecognizing Different #evels of Mental 'ctivity and '!!earance-Ma,ing

[As ba"#$r!und, see &ntr!du"ti!n t! -z!$")en+ See als!% MaC!r a"ets !( -z!$")en+,

.hat is Mind8
*)e (!ur (a"ts !( li(e .(!ur n!ble trut)s/ may be (!rmulated in terms !( mind, 4)i") means in terms !( an individual bein$:s experien"in$ !( t)em% 1+ t)e experien"in$ !( di((erent types !( true su((erin$s .true pr!blems/, 2+ t)e experien"in$ !( t)eir true !ri$ins .true "auses/, ?+ t)e experien"in$ !( t)e true st!ppin$s .true "essati!ns/ !( b!t), 50

G+ t)e experien"in$ !( t)e true pat)4ays !( mind .true pat)s/ t)at brin$ ab!ut t)ese st!ppin$s and 4)i") are t)emselves states !( mind t)at are dev!id !( t)e pr!blems and t)eir "auses+ *)us, 4!r#in$ 4it) mind is (!rem!st+ Mind, in Budd)ism, re(ers t! t)e individual and subCe"tive mental a"tivity !( merely experien"in$ s!met)in$ 5 in !t)er 4!rds, t)e individual, subCe"tive mere $ivin$ rise t! and "!$nitively en$a$in$ ."!$nizin$/ a "!$nitive appearan"e !( s!met)in$+

#evels of Mental 'ctivity

*)ere are t4! 4ays !( di((erentiatin$ t)e levels at 4)i") mental a"tivity !""urs% 1+ *)e Sarma .ne4 translati!n peri!d/ traditi!ns .Sa#ya, 1a$yS, and >elu$/ di((erentiate t)ree levels+ 2+ 0yin$ma dz!$")en di((erentiates t4! levels+ *)e t4! systems !verlap, sin"e 0yin$ma divides t)e subtlest Sarma level int! t4!, ta#in$ t)e subtlest !( t)at as !ne level .rig-pa, <ri$pa,= pure a4areness/, and all t)e !t)ers as t)e !t)er level .sems, <sem,= limited a4areness/+ *)ere(!re, let us l!!# (irst at t)e Sarma system and t)en at t)e dz!$")en re(inements+ 3ere, 4e s)all l!!# !nly at t)e Sa#ya and 1a$yu divisi!ns !( Sarma, sin"e t)e 0yin$ma presentati!n (its 4it) t)eir manner !( asserti!n and t)e >elu$ presentati!n di((ers (r!m all t)ree+ A""!rdin$ t! Sarma, t)e t)ree levels !( mental a"tivity are% 1+ >r!ss experien"in$ !( s!met)in$, 4)i") is !nly 4it) sens!ry "!$niti!n and is !nly !( appearan"es+ 2+ Subtle experien"in$ !( s!met)in$, 4)i") is !nly 4it) mental "!$niti!n and "an be !( eit)er appearan"es !r v!idness+ ?+ Subtlest experien"in$ !( s!met)in$, 4)i") is !nly 4it) "lear li$)t "!$niti!n and is !( b!t) appearan"es and v!idness inseparably+

Sens!ry "!$niti!n is al4ays n!n"!n"eptual+ Mental "!$niti!n may be n!n"!n"eptual .dreamin$, DS@/ !r "!n"eptual+ 'lear li$)t "!$niti!n is al4ays n!n"!n"eptual+

Sensory "ognition
&n sens!ry "!$niti!n .seein$, )earin$, smellin$, tastin$, and p)ysi"ally (eelin$ s!met)in$/, t)e di((erent types !( sens!ry "!ns"i!usness, su") as visual !r audial, $ive rise t! and dire"tly "!$nize .dngos-su rig-pa/ !nly mental aspe"ts .rnam-pa, mental )!l!$rams/ !r mental derivatives .gzugs-bsnyan/ resemblin$ external p)en!mena+ *)ey !nly indire"tly "!$nize .shugs-su shes-pa/ external p)en!mena t)emselves, be"ause t)e m!ment !( an external p)en!men!n t)at a sens!ry "!$niti!n per"eives )as already "eased t! exist t)e m!ment t)at t)e sens!ry "!$niti!n !( it arises+ *)is is be"ause t)e external p)en!men!n is t)e (!"al "!nditi!n .dmigs-rkyen, !bCe"tive "!nditi!n/ (!r t)e "!$niti!n !( it as its result, and a "ause "ann!t exist simultane!usly 4it) t)e e((e"t it pr!du"es+ *)us, external p)en!mena remain )idden .lkog na-mo/ t! sens!ry "!$niti!n+ 51

urt)er, t)e mental aspe"ts t)at appear in sens!ry "!$niti!n are merely aspe"ts resemblin$ t)e de(inin$ "!mp!nents !( a spe"i(i" sens!ry (ield+ *)us, (!r example, !nly mental aspe"ts resemblin$ "!l!red s)apes appear t! visual "!$niti!n and !nly mental aspe"ts resemblin$ t)e s!unds !( v!4els and "!ns!nants appear t! audial "!$niti!n+ Be"ause sens!ry "!$niti!n d!es n!t interp!late .sgro-dogs, superimp!se/ anyt)in$ !nt! t)e mental aspe"ts, sens!ry "!$niti!n is al4ays n!n"!n"eptual+

"once!tualization
8( t)e t)ree levels !( experien"in$ s!met)in$, !nly mental "!$niti!n may be "!n"eptual+ Sin"e dz!$")en meditati!n emp)asizes n!n"!n"eptuality, 4e need t! understand 4)at "!n"eptualizati!n means+ As in n!n"!n"eptual sens!ry "!$niti!n, "!n"eptual "!$niti!n als! dire"tly "!$nizes !nly mental aspe"ts .mental )!l!$rams/, su") as mental aspe"ts resemblin$ "!l!red s)apes !r resemblin$ t)e s!unds !( v!4els and "!ns!nants+ ;it) "!n"eptual "!$niti!n, )!4ever, t)e mental aspe"ts t)at arise are mixed 4it) "!n"eptual "ate$!ries .spyi, universals, mental synt)eses/, superimp!sed !r pr!Ce"ted !nt! t)em+ *)e mental aspe"ts and "!n"eptual "ate$!ries are "!nse9uently "!n(used 4it) ea") !t)er+ < conceptual category is a mentally "!nstru"ted synt)esis .spros-pa, mental (abri"ati!n/ !( individual items+ '!n"eptual "ate$!ries arise !nly in "!n"eptual "!$niti!n and are mental representati!ns .snang-ba, mental appearan"es/ t)at partially veil t)e mental aspe"ts !n t! 4)i") t)ey are superimp!sed+ *)e "!n"eptual "ate$!ries 4it) 4)i") t)e mental aspe"ts are mixed and "!n(used may be in re(eren"e eit)er t! "!nventi!nal !bCe"ts !r t! lan$ua$e+ &n re(eren"e t! "!nventi!nal !bCe"ts, "ate$!ries in"lude%

"!lle"ti!n mental synt)eses .tshogs-spyi/, #ind mental synt)eses .rigs-spyi/, !bCe"t mental synt)eses .don-spyi/+

A collection mental synthesis may be a 4)!le imputed !n spatial, sens!rial, andF!r temp!ral parts, su") as a 4)!le <table= imputed !n (!ur le$s and a (lat sur(a"e+ *)e 4)!le may als! be imputed !n several types !( sens!ry in(!rmati!n, su") as b!t) a si$)t and ta"tile p)ysi"al sensati!n+ urt)er, t)e 4)!le may be a 4)!le "!ntinuum imputed !n a su""essi!n !( m!ments !( eit)er !( t)e previ!us t4! types !( 4)!les+ A kind mental synthesis is t)e type !( p)en!men!n t)at a spe"i(i" individual item is an instan"e !(, su") as an item bein$ a <table+= An object mental synthesis is t)e "!n"eptual "ate$!ry !( a "!mm!nsense !bCe"t .B jigrten-la grags-pa/, su") as <table,= used 4)en t)in#in$ !(, verbalizin$, ima$inin$ .visualizin$/, !r rememberin$ a "!mm!nsense !bCe"t+ &n re(eren"e t! lan$ua$e, "ate$!ries in"lude% 52

audi! "ate$!ries .s$ra6spyi, term universals/, meanin$ "ate$!ries .don-spyi, meanin$ universal/+

An audio category is an a"!usti" pattern ad!pted as a "!nventi!n .tha-snyad/ in a parti"ular lan$ua$e by t)e members !( a spe"i(i" s!"iety+ As t)e a"!usti" patterns !( 4!rds, su") as <table,= and n!t t)e s!unds !( 4!rds .4)i") are "!lle"ti!n synt)eses and #ind synt)eses/, t)ey are "ate$!ries in t)e sense t)at t)ey are imputable !n s!unds made in a variety !( v!i"es, pit")es, v!lumes, and pr!nun"iati!ns+ By t)emselves, audi! "ate$!ries d! n!t )avin$ any meanin$s ass!"iated 4it) t)em+ *)us, 4)en mental aspe"ts resemblin$ t)e s!unds !( v!4els and "!ns!nants appear !ne by !ne in se9uen"e in audial "!$niti!n, "!n"eptual mental "!$niti!n simultane!usly

puts t)em t!$et)er, mentally synt)esizes "!lle"ti!n and #ind synt)eses representin$ 4!rds, p)rases, and senten"es, and superimp!ses !n t)em audi! "ate$!ries !( 4!rds, p)rases, and senten"es

A meaning category is a pattern !( si$ni(i"an"e !( an audi! "ate$!ry, ad!pted as t)e meanin$ !( a 4!rd, p)rase, !r senten"e in a parti"ular lan$ua$e by members !( a spe"i(i" s!"iety+ Meanin$s, a(ter all, d! n!t exist in)erently 4it)in s!unds !r 4!rds, but are merely "!nventi!ns "!ined, assi$ned t! 4!rds, and used as "ate$!ries by t)e members !( a s!"iety (!r t)in#in$ and "!mmuni"atin$+ M!re!ver, ea") pers!n in t)at s!"iety may assi$n a sli$)tly di((erent meanin$ t! a parti"ular 4!rd, but still use t)at meanin$ as a "ate$!ry 4)en t)in#in$ t)at 4!rd+ M!st "!n"eptual "!$niti!ns are verbal and t)us superimp!se b!t) audi! and meanin$ "ate$!ries !nt! mental aspe"ts+ '!n"eptual "!$niti!n, )!4ever, may als! be n!nverbal, in 4)i") "ase it superimp!ses !nt! mental aspe"ts !nly "!lle"ti!n, #ind, and !bCe"t synt)eses, su") as 4)en visualizin$ !r rememberin$ 4)at s!me!ne:s (a"e l!!#s li#e+ [See% ine Analysis !( 8bCe"ts !( '!$niti!n% 0!n6>elu$ @resentati!n+,

The Difference between "once!tual "ognition and Thin,ing

;)en Budd)ism spea#s !( "!n"eptualizati!n, it is spea#in$ !( m!ments !( "!n"eptually experien"in$ s!met)in$+ *)e ;estern term concepts "!rresp!nds t! t)e "ate$!ries t)at are mixed and "!n(used 4it) mental aspe"ts in m!ments !( "!n"eptual "!$niti!n+ '!n"eptual "!$niti!n is a mu") br!ader term t)an t)e ;estern term thinking+ '!n"eptual "!$niti!n may !""ur (!r !nly a m!ment !r it may last 4it) "!ntinuity, 4)ereas t)in#in$ usually implies a train !( t)!u$)t, and m!st "!mm!nly verbal !r abstra"t t)!u$)t+ M!re!ver, "!n"eptual "!$niti!n in"ludes ima$inin$ and rememberin$ all types !( sense !bCe"ts, as 4ell as ima$inin$ and rememberin$ 4ays !( bein$ a4are !( s!met)in$, su") as bein$ an$ry, and abstra"t t)in$s+

"once!tual "ognition Ma,es '!!earances of True E&istence

*)e "!n"eptual "ate$!ries t)at "!n"eptual "!$niti!n (abri"ates are "!$nitive representati!ns snang-ba, mental appearan"es/ n!t !nly !( 4)at t)in$s are .4!rds, 5?

meanin$s, 4)!les, "!ntinuums, !bCe"ts, #inds !( t)in$s, and s! !n/, but als! !( t)in$s truly existin$ in t)at 4ay+ *ruly existin$ .bden-par grub-pa/, )ere, means really existin$ in t)at 4ay, independently !( imputati!n+ *)us, "!n"eptual "!$niti!n al4ays entails ma#in$ appearan"es !( true existen"e .bdensnang/, !r dual appearan"e6ma#in$ .gnyis-snang/+ *)is means appearan"e6ma#in$ !( truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s 5 appearan"es !( items as truly existin$ in (ixed, "!n"rete b!xes !r "ate$!ries as <t)is=s !r <t)at=s+ '!n"eptual appearan"e6ma#in$ !( truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s, t)en, underlies !nly ima$inin$ and verbally t)in#in$+ &t d!es n!t underlie sens!ry "!$niti!n, su") as seein$ and )earin$+ &n !t)er 4!rds, !nly ima$inin$ and verbally t)in#in$ are "!n"eptual, be"ause !nly t)ey ma#e appearan"es !( truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s+ @er"eivin$ appearan"es !( truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s and believin$ t)at t)ey "!rresp!nd t! reality .bden-dzin, $raspin$ (!r true existen"e/ !""ur simultane!usly, and als! !nly in ima$inin$ and verbally t)in#in$+ *)is is be"ause per"eivin$ and believin$ in truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s are t)e same a"tivity (r!m Cust t4! p!ints !( vie4+ &n te")ni"al lan$ua$e, t)ey s)are t)e same essential nature .ngo-bo gcig/+ &n !t)er 4!rds, (abri"atin$ an appearan"e !( a truly existent <t)is= !r <t)at= !nly !""urs 4)en 4e believe in true existen"e, 4)en 4e believe in t)e "!n"rete b!xes !r "ate$!ries !( <t)is= and <t)at+=

The Nonconce!tuality of Sensory "ognition

Be"ause sens!ry "!$niti!n, su") as seein$ and )earin$, are n!t "!n"eptual, t)ey d! n!t ma#e appearan"es !( truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s+ *)ey ma#e appearan"es !( n!n6 true existen"e .med-snang/ 5 appearan"es !( 4)at d! n!t truly exist as <t)is=s !r <t)at=s+ M!re!ver, seein$ and )earin$ neit)er per"eive n!r believe in appearan"es as truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s + Seein$ and )earin$ per"eive appearan"es !nly !( 4)at d! n!t truly exist as <t)is=s !r <t)at=s+ ;)at d!es t)is meanA Seein$ and )earin$ !""ur (!r !nly a millise"!nd+ -urin$ t)at millise"!nd, 4e see mental aspe"ts resemblin$ !nly sensibilia, (!r instan"e "!lle"ti!ns !( pat")es !( "!l!red s)apes, 4)i") appear n!n6truly existent as <t)is=s !r <t)at=s+ ;e )ear !nly t)e s!unds !( "!ns!nants and v!4els, 4)i") als! appear n!n6truly existent as <t)is= !r <t)at= 4!rd 4it) <t)is= !r <t)at= meanin$+ 8nly 4it) "!n"eptual "!$niti!n, 4)i") (!ll!4s immediately a(ter4ards, d! 4e mentally synt)esize t)e "!l!red s)apes and ima$ine a (a"e as a 4)!le, (!r example, 4)i") is an appearan"e !( a truly existent !bCe"t <t)is= !r <t)at+= 8nly 4it) "!n"eptual "!$niti!n, d! 4e mentally put t!$et)er t)e s!unds !( "!ns!nants and v!4els and verbally t)in# a 4)!le 4!rd and a meanin$, 4)i") is an appearan"e !( a truly existent <t)is= !r <t)at+= *)us, sens!ry "!$niti!n (alls in t)e "ate$!ry !( n!ndeterminin$ "!$niti!n .snang-la manges-pa/, sin"e it d!es n!t as"ertain its mental aspe"ts as an !bCe"t+ &t d!es, )!4ever, distin$uis) .Bdu-shes/ ")ara"teristi" "!l!red s)apes 4it)in t)e visual sense (ield, (!r instan"e 5 be"ause t)e a$$re$ate !( distin$uis)in$ .re"!$niti!n/ a""!mpanies ea") m!ment !( experien"e, in"ludin$ n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n+ 0evert)eless, sens!ry "!$niti!n d!es n!t distin$uis) t)e mental aspe"ts !( t)!se "!l!red s)apes as a

5G

"!nventi!nal !bCe"t, su") as a table 5 and, m!re!ver, as a truly existent table+ *)at type !( distin$uis)in$ a""!mpanies !nly "!n"eptual "!$niti!n+ [See% *)e *4! *rut)s in Jaib)as)i#a and Sautranti#a+ See als!% ine Analysis !( 8bCe"ts !( '!$niti!n% 0!n6>elu$ @resentati!n and &mpure and @ure Appearan"es A""!rdin$ t! 0!n6>elu$+,

/ow (oidness Is 7nown

*)ere are t4! levels !( v!idness .stong-pa-nyid, S#t+ shunyata, emptiness/% 1+ v!idness t)at is a "!n"eptual "!nstru"t, 2+ v!idness t)at is bey!nd "!n"eptual "!nstru"ts+ J!idness, as an abs!lute absen"e .med-dgag, n!nimpli"ative ne$ati!n/ !( true existen"e as <t)is= !r <t)at,= is t)e "!n"eptual "!nstru"t !r abstra"ti!n <t)ere is n! su") t)in$ as truly existent Bt)is:s and Bt)at:s+= &t "an !nly be #n!4n "!n"eptually and is t)at t! 4)i") t)e 4!rd !r "!n"ept <v!idness= re(ers+ '!$nizin$ t)is level !( v!idness is a ne"essary steppin$6st!ne t! "!$nizin$ de(initive v!idness, 4)i") is bey!nd all "!n"eptual "ate$!ries and bey!nd all 4!rds+ Alt)!u$) v!idness "an be re(erred t! by a "!n"eptual "!nstru"t !r 4!rd, v!idness t)at is bey!nd "!n"eptual "!nstru"ts .de(initive v!idness/ d!es n!t "!rresp!nd t! anyt)in$ a 4!rd !r "!n"ept 4!uld "!rresp!nd t!, namely s!met)in$ existin$ in t)e (ixed b!x !r "ate$!ry !( <v!idness+= *)us, t)e t4! levels !( v!idness are n!t "!ntradi"t!ry+ &t is n!t t)at v!idness <bey!nd= is a trans"endental level in t)e sense !( bein$ bey!nd t)e limits !( all p!ssible experien"e and #n!4led$e, and !nly a""essed t)r!u$) a mysti"al experien"e, per)aps $ained by t)e $ra"e !( >!d+ &t merely means t)at it is bey!nd t)e limits !( 4)at "!n"eptual "!$niti!n and n!n"!n"eptual sens!ry and mental "!$niti!n "an "!$nize+ J!idness as a "!n"eptual "!nstru"t "an !nly be "!$nized "!n"eptually+ ;e "!$nize it "!n"eptually by !ur mental "!ns"i!usness $ivin$ rise t! a mental aspe"t resemblin$ an empty !r blan# spa"e, and superimp!sin$ !r pr!Ce"tin$ !nt! it t)e audi! and meanin$ "ate$!ries <v!idness+= *)is d!es n!t mean, )!4ever, t)at 4)en "!n"eptually (!"usin$ !n v!idness, 4e ne"essarily als! must )ave a mental aspe"t resemblin$ t)e s!und !( t)e v!4els and "!ns!nants !( t)e 4!rd <v!idness+= *)e "!n"eptual "!$niti!n !( v!idness may be n!nverbal+ 0evert)eless, sin"e t)e mental representati!ns .t)e "!n"eptual "ate$!ries/ t)at appear in "!n"eptual "!$niti!n are ne"essarily appearan"es !( true existen"e, t)e empty !r blan# spa"e appears t! be a v!idness t)at truly exists in t)e "!n"rete "ate$!ry <v!idness+= *)e meanin$ "ate$!ry ass!"iated 4it) it, )!4ever, is t)e "!rre"t meanin$ !( v!idness 5 namely, t)e abs!lute absen"e !( true existen"e+ J!idness t)at is bey!nd "!n"epts "an !nly be "!$nized n!n"!n"eptually, but it "ann!t be "!$nized by n!n"!n"eptual mental "!$niti!n+ 0!n"!n"eptual mental "!$niti!n pr!du"es a mental aspe"t !( s!met)in$ n!t truly existin$ as a <t)is= !r a <t)at+= 3!4ever, v!idness t)at is bey!nd "!n"epts is bey!nd all (!ur extremes% 1+ truly existin$ as a <t)is= !r a <t)at,= 55

2+ n!t truly existin$ as a <t)is= !r a <t)at,= ?+ b!t) truly and n!t truly existin$ as a <t)is= !r a <t)at,= G+ neit)er truly n!r n!n6truly existin$ as a <t)is= !r a <t)at+= *)ere(!re, v!idness t)at is bey!nd "!n"epts d!es n!t "!$nitively appear as a mental aspe"t !( an empty !r blan# spa"e t)at appears t! be a v!idness in t)e "ate$!ry !( a n!n6 truly existent < v!idness+= [See% A((irmati!ns, 0e$ati!ns, and -enumerable and 0!ndenumerable Hltimate @)en!mena+,

0nly "lear #ight Mental 'ctivity "an "ognize (oidness beyond "once!ts
8nly "lear li$)t mental a"tivity "an )ave n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n !( v!idness bey!nd "!n"epts, and 4)en it d!es, it )as n!n"!n"eptual "!$niti!n !( t)e t4! trut)s .bdengnyis/ simultane!usly+ &n t)is "!ntext, t)e t4! trut)s are%

v!idness bey!nd "!n"epts, pure appearan"es .dag-pa"i snang-ba/ 5 appearan"es t)at are bey!nd impure appearan"es .ma-dag-pa"i snang-ba/+

&mpure appearan"es in"lude% 1+ appearan"es !( truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s, 2+ appearan"es !( sensibilia, su") as m!mentary "!lle"ti!ns !( pat")s !( "!l!red s)apes, t)at are n!t truly existent as <t)is=s and <t)at=s+ [See% -ivisi!ns, 'auses, and Dliminati!n !( Hnpuri(ied Appearan"e6Ma#in$ A""!rdin$ t! 0!n6>elu$+, '!$niti!n !( impure appearan"es resembles <peris"!pe visi!n,= 4it) 4)i") 4e vie4 reality t)r!u$) a limited perspe"tive, as i( t)r!u$) a peris"!pe+ ;e see !nly 4)at is in (r!nt !( !ur n!ses, seemin$ly separated and is!lated (r!m t)e state bey!nd t)e seemin$ly s!lid "ate$!ries !( 4!rds and "!n"epts+ 'lear li$)t "!$niti!n, !n t)e !t)er )and, pr!du"es and "!$nizes appearan"es !( 4)at are bey!nd truly and n!n6truly existent <t)is=s and <t)at=s+ *)at d!es n!t mean, )!4ever, t)at 4it) "lear li$)t "!$niti!n, everyt)in$ be"!mes an undi((erentiated !neness+ 8bCe"ts retain t)eir "!nventi!nal identities+ M!re!ver, "lear li$)t mental a"tivity pr!du"es and "!$nizes appearan"es b!t) !( all p)en!mena and !( itsel(, (!r instan"e as a Budd)a6 (i$ure+ Simultane!usly, it als! "!$nizes t)e v!idness !( t)em t)at is bey!nd 4!rds and "!n"epts+ 'lear li$)t "!$niti!n, )!4ever, may be divided int! t4!% 1+ "lear li$)t t)at d!es n!t #n!4 t)at t)e t4! trut)s it "!$nizes are true, 2+ "lear li$)t t)at #n!4s t)at t)ey are true+ 56

Sem and ig!a

*)e 0yin$ma dz!$")en system di((erentiates t4! types !( mental a"tivity (!r experien"in$ t)in$s% 1+ sem .sems, limited a4areness/, 2+ rigpa .rig-pa, pure a4areness/+ 7!u$)ly spea#in$, ri$pa "!rresp!nds t! t)e se"!nd divisi!n !( "lear li$)t mental a"tivity% "lear li$)t t)at #n!4s its !4n t4!6trut) nature+ Sem "!rresp!nds t! all levels !( mind t)at d! n!t #n!4 t)is t4!6trut) nature+ *)us, sem in"ludes%

"lear li$)t mental a"tivity t)at d!es n!t #n!4 its !4n t4!6trut) nature, su") as t)e !rdinary "lear li$)t a4areness !( deat), t)e n!n"!n"eptual millise"!nds !( seein$ and )earin$ appearan"es !( n!n6true existen"e, 4)ile n!t #n!4in$ t)e t!tality !( everyt)in$ in t)e state bey!nd "!n"epts, and n!t "!$nizin$ v!idness bey!nd "!n"epts, ima$inin$ !r verbally t)in#in$ appearan"es !( true existen"e, 4)ile n!t #n!4in$ t)at t)ey are (alse, and als! n!t "!$nizin$ v!idness bey!nd "!n"epts+

'lear li$)t mental a"tivity, t)en, t)at d!es n!t #n!4 its !4n t4!6trut) nature, even t)!u$) it "!$nizes t)e t4! trut)s simultane!usly, is n!t ri$pa+ &t is sem+ All sem are (leetin$, 4)ereas ri$pa is unstained by (leetin$ limited mental a"tivity+ M!re!ver, ri$pa is "!mplete 4it) all $!!d 9ualities .yon-tan/, 4)i") means t)at ri$pa n!t !nly "!$nizes pure appearan"es and v!idness bey!nd "!n"epts simultane!usly, it #n!4s its !4n t4!6trut) nature+ *)at #n!4in$ is "alled%

re(lexive deep a4areness .rang-rig ye-shes/, sel(6arisin$ deep a4areness .rang-byung ye-shes/, a4areness !( its !4n (a"e .rang-ngo shes-pa/+

Alt)!u$) ri$pa "!$nizes and #n!4s its !4n t4!6trut) nature, t)e t4! trut)s may !r may n!t be e9ually pr!minent+ *)e t4! are n!t e9ually pr!minent 4)ile still !n t)e pat)E t)ey are !nly e9ually pr!minent as a Budd)a+

Three 's!ects of ig!a

7i$pa )as t)ree naturally inseparable .rang-bzhin dbyer-med/ aspe"ts+ *)e t)ree simultane!usly arise .lhan-skyes/ and )ave t)e same essential nature .ngo-bo gcig/ 5 t)ey are re(errin$ t! t)e same p)en!men!n (r!m di((erent mental p!ints !( vie4+ 0evert)eless, t)ey may be di((erentiated (r!m ea") !t)er and spe"i(ied as di((erent "!n"eptually is!lated items .ldog-pa/+ [See% 7elati!ns)ips bet4een *4! 8bCe"ts in Anuttaray!$a *antra+,

5L

1+ 7i$pa is a primally pure awareness .ka-dag/, unstained, in t)e sense !( b!t) sel(6v!idness .rang-stong/ and !t)er6v!idness .gzhan-stong/+ *)is aspe"t derives (r!m l!$i"ally is!latin$ !ne trut) ab!ut ri$pa, its v!idness+ 7i$pa is sel$-void in t)e sense t)at it is bey!nd !r dev!id !( existin$ as anyt)in$ t)at 4!uld "!rresp!nd t! "!n"epts !r 4!rds+ o &t is other-void in t)e sense !( bein$ an a4areness t)at n!t !nly )as t)at v!id nature, but t)at als! "!$nizes t)at v!id nature, and 4)i") is t)us dev!id !( all (leetin$ levels !( <!t)er= mental a"tivity .sem/+ 2+ 7i$pa is an awareness that spontaneously establishes pure appearances .lhungrub/+ *)is aspe"t derives (r!m l!$i"ally is!latin$ t)e se"!nd trut) ab!ut ri$pa% its appearan"e6ma#in$ aspe"t+ ?+ 7i$pa is a responsive awareness .thugs-rje/+ &t is "!mpassi!nate, 4)i") implies "!mpassi!nate "!mmuni"ati!n !r resp!nsiveness+ *)is aspe"t derives (r!m l!$i"ally is!latin$ a subtler aspe"t !( appearan"e6ma#in$% t)e resp!nsiveness !( appearan"e6ma#in$ t! !t)er bein$s and t! t)e envir!nment+
o

The Three Ty!es of ig!a

*)ere are t)ree types !( ri$pa% 1+ Basis rigpa .gzhi"i rig-pa/ is t)e 4!r#in$ basis t)at 4e all )ave+ Alt)!u$) it pervades all m!ments !( sem, li#e sesame !il pervades a sesame seed, 4e n!rmally d! n!t re"!$nize it+ *)e next t4! are t)e t4! aspe"ts !( ri$pa t)at 4e re"!$nize !n t)e pat)+ 2+ irst, 4e re"!$nize e$$ulgent rigpa .rtsal-gyi rig-pa/+ &t is ri$pa in its aspe"t !( a"tively $ivin$ rise t! and "!$nizin$ pure appearan"es in resp!nse t! t)in$s+ Alt)!u$) it )as all t)ree aspe"ts !( ri$pa, t)e sp!ntane!us establis)in$ aspe"t is m!re pr!minent+ ?+ *)en, 4e re"!$nize essence rigpa .ngo-bo"i rig-pa/ as 4)at underlies e((ul$ent ri$pa+ &t is ri$pa in its aspe"t !( bein$ t)e "!$nitive spa"e .klong, spa"i!us a4areness/ 5 re(errin$ t! !t)er6v!idness 5 t)at all!4s (!r t)e arisin$ and "!$nizin$ !( pure appearan"es in resp!nse t! t)in$s+ Alt)!u$) it t!! )as all t)ree aspe"ts !( ri$pa, t)e primal purity aspe"t is m!re pr!minent+

Dumbfoundedness and the 'laya for /abits

Alt)!u$) t)e "!ntinuity !( ea") bein$:s individual basis ri$pa is unstained, 4it) n! be$innin$ and n! end, t)ere is als! a be$innin$less (a"t!r, "alled dumb(!undedness .rmongs-cha = stupidity, bedazzlement/, t)at aut!mati"ally arises simultane!usly .lhanskyes/ 4it) ea") m!ment !( "!$niti!n+ &t is als! "alled aut!mati"ally arisin$ una4areness .i$n!ran"e/ .lhan-skyes ma-rig-pa/ re$ardin$ p)en!mena, a n!minal disturbin$ attitude .nyon-mongs-kyi ming-btags-pa/ in"luded am!n$ t)e !bs"urati!ns re$ardin$ all #n!4ables, and 4)i") prevent !mnis"ien"e .shes-sgrib/+ &t !bs"ures ri$pa:s innate $!!d 9uality !( re(lexive deep a4areness !( its !4n t4!6trut) nature+ [See% 7iddin$ 8nesel( !( t)e *4! Sets !( 8bs"urati!ns in Sutra and Anuttaray!$a *antra A""!rdin$ t! 0yin$ma and Sa#ya +, ;)en basis ri$pa is (l!4in$ t!$et)er 4it) t)is (leetin$ (a"t!r !( dumb(!undedness,

5M

basis ri$pa is (un"ti!nin$ as an alaya $or habits .bag-chags-kyi kun-gzhi/ .(!undati!nal a4areness (!r t)e )abits !( $raspin$ (!r true existen"e, (!r #arma, (!r mem!ries/+ *)e alaya (!r )abits is t)e usual "lear li$)t !( deat) !( !rdinary bein$s, as 4ell as t)at 4)i") underlies and a""!mpanies every m!ment !( $r!sser levels !( sens!ry and mental "!$niti!n 4)ile alive+ &t is n!t t)at basis ri$pa is t)e "ause !( t)e alaya (!r )abits+ *)e t4! )ave t)e same essential nature, in t)at t)ey re(er t! t)e same t)in$ (r!m di((erent mental p!ints !( vie4+ 0evert)eless, 4e "an l!$i"ally is!late t)e t4! (r!m ea") !t)er, and t)us t)e alaya (!r )abits and basis ri$pa and are n!t identi"al+ *)ey "!rresp!nd t! t)e divisi!n, made earlier, !( "lear li$)t mental a"tivity t)at d!es n!t #n!4 t)at t)e t4! trut)s it "!$nizes are true and t)e "lear li$)t a"tivity t)at d!es #n!4 t)at t)ey are true+ *)e (i(teent)6 "entury >elu$ master 1aydrub 0!rzan$6$yats! .m has-grub !or-bzang rgya-mtsho/ implies a similar distin"ti!n 4it) )is explanati!n t)at t)e "lear li$)t !( deat) pr!du"es an appearan"e !( v!idness, but la"#s t)e re"!$niti!n and understandin$ !( 4)at it is+ All ')apter '!ntents 0ext ')apter 2

Similar -ages4

&ntr!du"ti!n t! -z!$")en *)e MaC!r a"ets !( -z!$")en -isturbin$ Dm!ti!ns durin$ 0!n"!n"eptual Sens!ry '!$niti!n Ma#in$ Sense !( *antra 5 9 0!n6>elu$ Jariati!ns '!n"ernin$ >eneral Anuttaray!$a ine Analysis !( 8bCe"ts !( '!$niti!n *)e Jalidity and A""ura"y !( '!$niti!n !( t)e *4! *rut)s in >elu$6@rasan$i#a

6undamentals of Dzogchen Meditation

Alexander Berzin, January 2001

@ The Ste!s of Dzogchen Meditation

ecognizing the 'laya for /abits
&n dz!$")en meditati!n, 4e (irst a""ess and re"!$nize t)e alaya (!r )abits, t)en e((ul$ent ri$pa, and t)en essen"e ri$pa+ 3!4 t! re"!$nize t)e alaya (!r )abitsA *)e alaya (!r )abits $ives rise t! seein$ and )earin$, as 4ell as t! ima$inin$ and verbally t)in#in$+ &ma$inin$ and verbally t)in#in$ $ive mental labels !( Ot)isO and Ot)atO and (!ll!4 t)in$s !ut+ Seein$ and )earin$ d! n!t $ive mental labels and d! n!t (!ll!4 t)in$s !ut+ 59

2i#e seein$ and )earin$, t)e alaya (!r )abits als! d!es n!t $ive labels !r (!ll!4 t)in$s !ut, but it is m!re subtle t)an seein$ and )earin$+ &t underlies t)em, as 4ell as underlyin$ ima$inin$ and verbally t)in#in$+ 7e"!$nizin$ t)e alaya (!r )abits, )!4ever, is extremely di((i"ult+ &( 4e see s)apes and "!l!rs as a (a"e .eit)er 4it) !r 4it)!ut an idea !( 4)! it is/ !r )ear t)e s!unds !( "!ns!nants and v!4els as a 4!rd .eit)er 4it) !r 4it)!ut an idea !( t)eir meanin$/, t)is is n!t n!n"!n"eptual seein$ !r )earin$, let al!ne t)e alaya (!r )abits+ &t is "!n"eptual mental "!$niti!n+ &( 4e are able t! re"!$nize t)e millise"!nds !( n!n"!n"eptual seein$ !( s)apes and "!l!rs, 4it)!ut mentally "!nstru"tin$ !r "!n"eptualizin$ t)em int! a Ot)isO !r a Ot)at,O t)is is still n!t t)e alaya (!r )abits+ *)e same is true i( 4e are able t! re"!$nize t)e millise"!nds !( n!n"!n"eptual )earin$ !( t)e s!unds !( "!ns!nants and v!4els, 4it)!ut mentally "!nstru"tin$ !r "!n"eptualizin$ t)em int! t)e 4!rds Ot)isO !r Ot)at+O *! re"!$nize t)e alaya (!r )abits durin$ sens!ry "!$niti!n, 4e need t! $! deeper+ &n dz!$")en literature, su") as 8iberation through -earing in the Bardo .Bar-do thosgrol, ,he ,ibetan Book o$ the %ead/, 4e !(ten read !( re"!$nizin$ ri$pa durin$ bard! .bar-do/+ Bard! usually re(ers t! t)e peri!d in bet4een deat) and "!n"epti!n int! t)e next rebirt)+ Bard!, )!4ever, "an be t)e O"!$nitive spa"e in bet4eenO !t)er t)in$s+ *)us, ri$pa 6 and )ere, t)e alaya (!r )abits 6 "an be re"!$nized in t)e "!$nitive spa"es in bet4een m!ments !( seein$, )earin$, ima$inin$, !r verbally t)in#in$+ Be"ause re"!$nizin$ t)e millise"!nds !( n!n"!n"eptual seein$ and )earin$ is s! di((i"ult, let al!ne re"!$nizin$ t)e "!$nitive spa"es in bet4een t)!se millise"!nds, 4e start 4it) tryin$ t! re"!$nize t)e alaya (!r )abits in bet4een m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$+ *)is means tryin$ t! re"!$nize it in bet4een ea") 4!rd !r syllable !( a verbal t)!u$)t+

Method of Meditating
*! av!id distra"ti!n (r!m sens!ry "!$niti!n, 4e meditate in t!tal dar#ness and t!tal silen"e 4it) three immovables 2mi-g>yo-ba gsum3? 1+ imm!vable b!dy 6 4it) b!dy strai$)t, )ands eit)er in t)e meditati!n p!se in !ur laps !r li$)tly restin$ !n t)e #nees, 2+ imm!vable senses 6 4it) eyes neit)er "l!sed n!r 4ide !pen, but $azin$ naturally in (r!nt, ?+ imm!vable mind 6 n!t a"tively t)in#in$, 4it) n! t)!u$)ts !( t)e past !r (uture, and 4it) n! analysis+ ;e Cust rest in t)e present m!ment !( a4areness, (res) and un"!ntrived, 4it)!ut bein$ sel(6"!ns"i!us ab!ut 4)at 4e are d!in$+ &n !t)er 4!rds, even i( a t)!u$)t arises, 4e d! n!t (!ll!4 it !ut+ Jerbal t)!u$)ts simultane!usly arise, abide, and "ease+ ;)en 4e (!"us !n t)at )appenin$, 4e rea") t)e Ospa"e in bet4een verbal t)!u$)ts,O 4)i") is t)e situati!n in 4)i") 4e "an re"!$nize t)e alaya (!r )abits+ *)e meditati!n met)!d, )!4ever, is n!t simply t! st!p verbally t)in#in$ by applyin$ restraint !r dis"ipline+ *)e simultane!us arisin$, abidin$, and "easin$ !( m!ments !( 60

verbal t)in#in$ !""ur aut!mati"ally+ 0! e((!rt is re9uired t! ma#e t)at )appen+ 0evert)eless, 4e need e((!rt t! re"!$nize it and t! stay (!"used !n it 4it) understandin$+ 8t)er4ise, 4it) mental 4anderin$, 4e (!ll!4 !ut t)!u$)ts, !r 4it) mental dullness, 4e (all int! a daze and understand n!t)in$+

The Need for Madhayma,a 'nalytical Meditation as a -reliminary

;e d! n!t $ain understandin$ t)r!u$) an analyti"al pr!"ess durin$ t)e meditati!n+ -z!$")en meditati!n is 4it)!ut analysis+ *! be able t! (!"us, 4it) understandin$, !n t)e simultane!us arisin$, abidin$, and "easin$ !( m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$, t)e $reat 0yin$ma masters Mipam and t)e *)ird -!drub")en explained instead t)at 4e need be(!re)and t! )ave $ained "ertainty !( t)e v!idness !( true existen"e+ ;e d! t)is t)r!u$) t)e analyti"al met)!d #n!4n as Osear")in$ (!r t)e )idden (la4 !( mindO .semskyi mtshang btsal-ba/+ ;e analyze%

4)ere a m!ment !( verbal t)in#in$ "!mes (r!m 6 its !ri$in, t)e situati!n !( verbal t)in#in$ itsel( 6 )!4 a m!ment !( verbal t)in#in$ abides !r remains, 4)ere a m!ment !( verbal t)in#in$ "eases .disappears t!/ 6 4)ere it diss!lves !r $!es t!+

Sear")in$ (!r t)e )idden (la4 !( mind resembles t)e Mad)ayma#a analyti"al pr!"ess 4it) 4)i") 4e analyze an event (r!m t)e p!int !( vie4 !( its "ause, t)e event itsel(, and its e((e"ts+ 8nly 4)en 4e understand t)at m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$ la"# a truly existent arisin$, abidin$, and "easin$ are 4e able t! re"!$nize and experien"e, 4it) understandin$, t)e simultaneity !( t)e t)ree+ M!re!ver, 4e need als! t! understand be(!re)and t)e t!tal absen"e .v!idness/ !( an una((e"ted, m!n!lit)i", separate OmeO as a b!ss ma#in$ t)e arisin$, abidin$, and "easin$ !( m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$ )appen, !r !bservin$ t)em )appen+ *)is understandin$ enables us t! re"!$nize and experien"e, 4it) understandin$, t)at t)e simultane!us arisin$, abidin$, and "easin$ !( m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$ )appen aut!mati"ally, 4it)!ut any e((!rt+ *! $ain t)is understandin$ als! re9uires Mad)yama#a trainin$+ ;it) t)ese understandin$s as additi!nal preliminaries t!

t)e six !uter and six inner preliminaries, en!rm!us stren$t)enin$ !( !ur enli$)tenment6buildin$ net4!r#s !( p!sitive (!r"e and deep a4areness ."!lle"ti!ns !( merit and 4isd!m/, emp!4erment, t)e #eepin$ !( v!4s, and inspirati!n (r!m !ur spiritual ment!rs,

4e are t)en ready t! try t! re"!$nize t)e "!$nitive spa"e in bet4een m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$+ [See% *)e MaC!r a"ets !( -z!$")en+, ;e meditate !n pr!$ressively subtler levels+ *)ese in"lude (!"us !n t)e simultane!us arisin$, abidin$, and "easin$ .disappearin$/ !( 61

1+ 2+ ?+ G+ 5+

m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$, mental ima$es, (eelin$s !( )appiness, un)appiness, !r neutral (eelin$s, attitudes, su") as )!pe, expe"tati!n, disapp!intment, and b!red!m, t)e n!nverbalized "!n"eptual "!nstru"t !( t)e blan#ness 4e per"eive as bein$ a truly existent Ot)isO !r Ot)at+O *)is "!n"eptual "!nstru"t is a O(eelin$O !( true existen"e+

$eing /el!ed by 0ur Dzogchen Masters to ecognize ig!a

As t)e ab!ve meditati!n met)!ds may still n!t enable us t! re"!$nize t)e alaya (!r )abits, let al!ne ri$pa, 4e need (urt)er )elp+ 8ur dz!$")en masters may )elp us t! re"!$nize it by intr!du"in$ us dire"tly .ngo-sprod/+ *)ere are t4! maC!r met)!ds (!r intr!du"in$ us t! ri$pa% 1+ 4it)!ut relyin$ !n #ey p!ints .gnad/ 6 namely, simply t)r!u$) t)e !uter "ir"umstan"e !( inspirati!n (r!m t)e dz!$")en master and t)e inner "ir"umstan"e !( basis ri$pa as Budd)a6nature, 2+ in additi!n t! t)ese !uter and inner "ir"umstan"es, relyin$ !n !ne !( six #ey p!ints t)at use a met)!d t)at (its t)e dis"ipleNs meditati!n pra"ti"e% a+ b+ "+ d+ )!ldin$ t)e mindNs attenti!n, )avin$ t)e mind be at rest, i+e+ remainin$ stable in its !4n pla"e, $ettin$ t! t)e r!!t !( t)e matter, $ettin$ rid !( a sense !( substantiality, s! t)at a(ter )avin$ made a t)!r!u$) examinati!n, mind n! l!n$er (!ll!4s !ut an !bCe"t .li#e a t)!u$)t/ and t)en )as n!4)ere t! $!, e+ usin$ t)e interval bet4een a4areness and its !bCe"ts, (+ "ausin$ distra"ti!n, su") as by s)!utin$ @phat+O *)e sixt) met)!d is t)e m!st "!mm!n+ ;)en distra"ted !r startled, 4e st!p t)in#in$+ &n m!st "ases, 4e d! n!t re"!$nize ri$pa at t)is sta$e, but merely t)e alaya (!r )abits+ ;e re"!$nize it in bet4een m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$, as t)e "!$nitive spa"e $ivin$ rise n!t !nly t! m!ments !( verbal t)in#in$ and ima$inin$, but als! t! t)e millise"!nds !( seein$ "!l!rs and s)apes and )earin$ t)e s!unds !( "!ns!nants and v!4els+ &t is "alm, steady, d!es n!t (!ll!4 !ut !bCe"ts, and d!es n!t mentally label anyt)in$ as Ot)isO !r Ot)at+O 0evert)eless, t)e alaya (!r )abits is still sem .limited a4areness/ and, as su"), it )as a dumb(!unded !r bedazzled (a"t!r !( n!t #n!4in$ its !4n (a"e+

ecognizing Effulgent ig!a

;e must be "are(ul n!t t! "!n(use and ta#e t)e realizati!n !( t)e alaya (!r )abits t! be t)e realizati!n !( ri$pa+ urt)er, 4e need t! be "are(ul n!t t! "!n(use and ta#e t! be t)e realizati!n !( ri$pa a de"isive a4areness .nges-shes/ !( eit)er t)e "!nventi!nal nature .t)e mere pr!du"in$ and per"eivin$ !( "!$nitive appearan"es/ !r t)e deepest nature .v!idness/ !( t)e alaya (!r )abits+ *! d! s! 4!uld be "!n(usin$ dz!$")en meditati!n 4it) >elu$F1a$yu ma)amudra+

62

;e need t! $! deeper and subtler, s! t)at 4e experien"e and re"!$nize a "!$nitive inbet4een spa"e t)at )as deep a4areness !( its !4n t4!6trut) nature+ &( 4e su""eed, t)e (a"t!r !( dumb(!undedness st!ps a""!mpanyin$ !ur meditati!n and t)e alaya (!r )abits be"!mes ri$pa+ Be"ause !( )avin$ O$reasedO t)e pat)4ays !( !ur ener$y6")annels 4it) previ!us anuy!$a pra"ti"e and syn")r!nized t)e 4inds 4it) mantra re"itati!n, t)en in t)e pr!"ess !( t)is meditati!n, all $r!sser levels !( mental a"tivity 6 and spe"i(i"ally t)e alaya (!r )abits 6 aut!mati"ally diss!lve+ ;e d! t)is by re"!$nizin$ e((ul$ent ri$pa+ *)is is ri$pa in its aspe"t !( a"tively $ivin$ rise t! "!$nitive appearan"es and a"tively "!$nizin$ t)em, 4it) t)e (!rmer m!re pr!minent+ ;e (!"us n!4 !n t)e simultane!us arisin$, abidin$, and "easin$ !( t)e millise"!nds !( seein$ and )earin$ t)e "!$nitive appearan"es !( 4)at are n!t truly existent as Ot)isOs and Ot)atOs, 4)i") t)e alaya (!r )abits $ives rise t!+ ;)en 4e re"!$nize e((ul$ent ri$pa, 4e a""ess t)e simultane!usly arisin$, abidin$, and "easin$ !( millise"!nds !( pure appearan"es !( t)e state bey!nd t)e peris"!pe (ield !( per"epti!n !( limited a4areness+

ecognizing Essence ig!a4 The Stages of $rea,-Through and #ea!'head

A(ter re"!$nizin$ e((ul$ent ri$pa and bein$ able t! stay (!"used 4it) it, 4e re"!$nize essen"e ri$pa+ *)is is ri$pa in its aspe"t !( bein$ t)e !pen spa"e .klong/ !r "!$nitive sp)ere .dbyings/ t)at all!4s (!r t)e arisin$ !( appearan"es and t)e "!$nizin$ !( t)em, 4it) t)e latter m!re pr!minent+ ;)en 4e re"!$nize and stay (!"used 4it) t)is, 4e attain brea#6t)r!u$) .thregs-chod/, t)e pat) !( seein$ .mthong-lam/+ *)en, as t)e result !( pra"ti"e 4it) Budd)a6(i$ures in ma)ay!$a, e((ul$ent ri$pa $ives rise t! and "!$nizes itsel( as a rainb!4 b!dy .N ja6-lus/, rat)er t)an 4it) !rdinary a$$re$ates+ *)us, !n t)e leap6a)ead sta$e .thod-rgal/ 6 e9uivalent t! t)e pat) !( a""ust!min$ .sgom-lam, pat) !( meditati!n/ 6 t)r!u$) (!ur sta$es, e((ul$ent ri$pa be"!mes m!re pr!minent 4)ile simultane!usly maintainin$ pr!minent essen"e ri$pa+

-rimordial Mindfulness
;)en 4e a""ess ri$pa, 4e a""ess its simultane!usly arisin$ innate 9uality !( primordial mind$ulness o$ having dropped down to the natural state .rang-babs gnyug-ma6i dranpa/, als! "alled deep mind$ulness $rom having dropped down .ye-babs-kyi dran-pa/+ *)e attenti!n aut!mati"ally )!lds !n t! !r maintains itsel( in ri$pa+ '!nse9uently, dz!$")en meditati!n !n ri$pa is "alled e((!rtless meditati!n, n!n6meditati!n, !r n!n6deliberate meditati!n+ *)is d!es n!t mean t)at be(!re 4e a""ess ri$pa and t)us attain t)e pat) !( seein$, 4e meditate 4it)!ut mind(ulness+ Meditatin$ 4it) sem and 4it)!ut any mind(ulness, 4e experien"e mental (li$)tiness .rgod-pa, mental a$itati!n/ and mental dullness .byingba/+ ;)en pra"ti"in$ dz!$")en, it is "ru"ial t! apply spe"i(i" instru"ti!ns !nly t! t)e level !( meditati!n and be)avi!r (!r 4)i") t)ey are intended+ @revi!us ')apter 1 All ')apter '!ntents

6?

Similar -ages4

&ntr!du"ti!n t! -z!$")en *)e MaC!r a"ets !( -z!$")en Alaya and &mpure Appearan"e6Ma#in$ &nspirati!n .<Blessin$s=/ and &ts 7elati!n t! Mantras and 8ral *ransmissi!n

6G