Dzogchen Primer (eBook)

Fromthe Preface

TheDzogchen Primer offersa joyful way to access the traditional principles of Tibetan Buddhism. It is aguidebook on how to study, contemplate, and meditate in a supportiveenvironment abundant in rich material and practices. Here is a definitive mapshowing where practitioners of this path are going and how to get there. ThePrimer includesthe basics for proper understanding and practice—,a source anyone on this pathcan turn to for guidance.

Thesedays there is a strong interest in the Vajrayana, especially the Dzogchen andMahamudra teachings. As Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche says, 'During this age, theVajrayana teachings blaze like the flames of a wildfire. Just as the flames ofnegative emotions flare up, so do the teachings. During the Age of Strife, itseems as though people are seldom amiable, rather, they are always trying tooutdo one another. This fundamental competitiveness has given rise to the nameAge of Strife. But this is exactly the reason that Vajrayana is so applicableto the present era. The stronger and more forceful the disturbing emotions are,the greater the potential for recognizing our original wakefulness. Thus, thevast amount of conflict in the world today is precisely why the Vajrayanateachings will spread like wildfire.'

The Primer providesa much-needed corrective to the many misconceptions and wrong views beingpromoted about Dzogchen—,and there are many. One of the most serious obstaclesthat can confront practitioners is the entertainment of wrong views. Unless westudy, we will not know how to differentiate between what is correct and whatis incorrect. Study does not have to mean the extensive program of a Tibetan shedra.Here,study is presented in the kusulufashion,the style of a simple meditator.

'Thecausal and resultant vehicles—,Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana—,differ inwhat they regard as path. In particular, to actually apply Vajrayana inpractice, there are three different approaches: taking the ground as path,taking the path as path, and taking the fruition as path. These threeapproaches can be understood by using the analogy of a gardener or farmer.Taking the ground or cause as path is like tilling soil and sowing seeds.Taking the path as path is like weeding, watering, fertilizing, and coaxingcrops forth. Taking the fruition as path is the attitude of simply picking theripened fruit or the fully bloomed flowers. To do this, to take the completeresult, the state of enlightenment itself, as the path, is the approach ofDzogchen. This summarizes the intent of the Great Perfection.'

So,here we are, practitioners in the Age of Strife, replete with inner and outerconflicts, who are described further as being extremely sharp but extremelylazy. It is only natural that we, materialistic seekers of objects of highquality, would be drawn to the pinnacle of vehicles. Lacking in diligence, weare attracted to what is the least complex and most unelaborated.

Unfortunately,gaining the right understanding is not that easy. It is extremely important notto oversimplify and lose sight of the true meaning. Although Padmasambhava gaveus these custom-made teachings, designated for our particular times andtemperament (the beauty of Hidden Treasures), we need the proper conditions toconnect with them. These include the presence of a fully realized teacher andqualified lineage holder, as well as our own circumstances of being born at theright time and place with the right frame of mind.

Theright frame of mind means that we trust and appreciate the teachings and theteachers and have devotion and pure...