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Title: The Practice of Dzogchen by Longchen Rabjam, Tulku Thondup ISBN: 1-55939-179-0 Publisher: Snow Lion Pubns Pub. Date: November, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.38 (8 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Advanced Dzogchen study
Comment: There are lots of introductory Dzogchen books (as there are for Mahamudra, Kabbalah, etc.). This is NOT one of them. There are also pure scholarly works with a small, fervent readership. I don't think this is that either, though scholars may certainly find it very valuable. The commentator/translator excerpts from many of Longchenpa's (Longchen Rabjam's) various texts which would be virtually impossible to access in English otherwise. Longchenpa is one of, if not THE, greatest Dzogchen masters of all time. Nevertheless, this is not an easy text to read. Furthermore, like the Sperling translation of the Zohar, it is very inconsistent in depth, style, etc. After all, people change as they age and their perspectives, examples, etc. change to match. As far as I can see, this is a definitive Dzogchen text--quite advanced, not for the beginner, challenging, and enlightening. It grows with you. Nevertheless, reading, re-reading... texts in an area of unfamiliarity can help one gain familiarity. That's how Carl Jung studied Alchemy. It works. This is a GREAT book, not to be underrated, but not every book is for every one.
Rating: 5
Summary: An eye-opening anthology of the writings
Comment: The Practice Of Dzogchen is an eye-opening anthology of the writings on Dzogpa Chenpo, or Dzogchen, by Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363), a widely renowned adept of the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism. Meticulously translated into English by Tulku Thondup, this classic 466-page text cogently explains the nature of the three outer and three inner tantras, presents excerpts from the lives of Dzogpa Chenpo masters, offers paths to meditation, and a great deal more. Simply put, The Practice Of Dzogchen is a "must-have" addition for Tibetan Buddhist reference shelves and a strongly recommended entry for the supplemental reading lists of dedicated students of Tibetan Studies.
Rating: 5
Summary: Don't give up
Comment: 10-Point Rating: (10.0)
I came to this book with a heavy background in western philosophy, specifically the analytic tradition. Never having studied eastern traditions directly, I had always bought into the marginalizations of eastern thought prevalent in our culture. This book literally slapped me awake. There is not a thinker in the entire history of western philosophy (and that includes all the greats) that can hold a candle to Longchen Rabjam and the tradition he represents. I am not going to lie to you, this book is not easy reading - the system/viewpoint expressed is completely alien to our western outlook. It thus carries with it a set of technical terms (just as our philosophers do - e.g. substance, person, free will) which must be understood prior to a serious reading. For this reason it is best not to breeze through the introductory material which, as in most books on dzogchen, makes up at least half the volume. Another difficulty is that the author (Longchenpa) is assuming familiarity with certain ideas (such as the twelvefold chain of interdependent causation) and so he only treats them in a cursory fashion - bear with it, re-read it, study it, it will eventually come to you.
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