The Dzogchen Primer: An Anthology of Writings by Masters of the Great Perfection

330 Pages·2002·17.24 MB·English

by  Marcia Binder Schmidt

The
Dzogchen Primer
Embracing the Spiritual Path
According to the Great Perfection
Compiled and edited by
MARCIA BINDER SCHMIDT
Introductory teachings by
CHOKYI NYIMA RINPOCHE
and
DRUBWANG TsoKNYI RINPOCHE
t
SHAMBHALA
Boston & London
2002
SHAMBHALA PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Horticultural Hall
300 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, Mass~chusetts 02115
www.shambhala.com
©2002 by Marcia Binder Schmidt
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,
or by any information storage and retrieval sy'stem,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 I
First Edition
Printed in the United States of America
@ This edition is printed on acid-free paper that meets the
American National Standards Institute Z39·48 Standard.
Distributed in the United States by Random House, Inc.,
and in Canada by Random House of Canada Ltd
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Schmidt, Marcia Binder.
The Dzogchen primer: an anthology of writings by masters of
the great perfection: foreword, introductory teachings by
Cheokyi Nyima Rinpoche and Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche I
compiled and edited by Marcia Binder Schmidt.-rst ed.
p. em.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 1-57062-829-7 (alk. paper)
r. Rdzogs-chen (Rani~n-ma-pa) I. Title.
BQ7662.4 .S34 2002
294·3 1 420423-dC2I
2002004532
Not only the Dharmashould be Dzogchen;
the individual should be Dzogchen as well.
-KYABJE TRULSHIG RINPOCHE

CONTENTS
P~a ~
Acknowledgments xvu
PART ONE: INTRODUCTORY TEACHINGS I
Introduction · Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche 3
Introduction· Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche 12
PART Two: STARTING PoiNT 21
r. Buddha Nature· Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche 23
2. The Basis: Buddha Nature· Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 26
3. The Ground · Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche 3 2
4· Re-enlightenment · Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 4 3
5. Meditation · Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche 48
PART THREE: INTEGRATION 55
6. Integrating View and Conduct · Tulku Urgyen
Rinpoche 57
7· Padmasambhava's Overview of the Path· ]amgon
Kongtrul 67
8. Advice on How to Practice the Dharma Correctly·
Padmasambhava 69
9· The Qualified Master· Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 71
Io. The Guru, the Vajra Master · Chogyam Trungpa
Rinpoche 79
I r. Wake-up Practice • Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 93
12. The First of the Four Dharmas of Gampopa ·
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 99
I 3. Renunciation Mind · Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche I02
vii
CONTENTS
I4. Impermanence· Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 108
I5. The Second of the Four Dharmas of Gampopa ·
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche I I 8
I6. Instructional Advice on Training in Buddhism·
Patrul Rinpoche I2I
I7. The True Foundation· Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche I25
I8. Taking Refuge· Padmasambhava I37
I9. The Innermost Refuge· Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche I 54
20. A Guided Meditation· Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche I 59
2 I. The Excellence of Bodhichitta · Shantideva I 6 5
22. Devotion and Compassion· Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche I72
23. Bodhichitta · Padmasambhava I83
24. The Bodhisattva Vow· Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche no
25. The Two Truths· Thinley Norbu Rinpoche 2I3
26. The Sutra of the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge 2I9
27. Shunyata · Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche 22I
28. Egolessness · Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche 23 I
29. The Nature of the Mahamudra of Perception·
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche 234
30. Wisdom through Meditation· Patrul Rinpoche 239
3 I. The Song of Realization · Milar epa 2 5 I
32. Root of Mahayana· Padmasambhava 256
3 3. The Meditation of Ultimate Bodhichitta and Its
Result· jamgon Kongtrul 26I
Facilitator Guidelines 269
Notes 279
Glossary 285
Recommended Reading 299
Contributors 303
Credits 307
viii
PREFACE
The Dzogchen Primer offers a joyful way to access the traditional princi
ples of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a guidebook on how to study, contem
plate, and meditate in a supportive environment abundant in rich
material and practices. Here is a definitive map showing where prac
titioners of this path are going and how to get there. The Primer includes
the basics for proper understanding and· practice-a source anyone on
this path can turn to for guidance.
These days there is a strong interest in the Vajrayana, especially the
Dzogchen and Mahamudra teachings. As Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche says,
"During this age, the Vajrayana teachings blaze like the flames of a wild
fire. Just as the flames of negative emotions flare up, so do the teachings.
During the Age of Strife, it seems as though people are seldom amiable;
rather, they are always trying to outdo one another. This fundamental
competitiveness has given rise to the name Age of Strife. But this is ex
actly the reason that Vajrayana is so applicable to the present era. The
stronger and more forceful the disturbing emotions are, the greater the
potential for recognizing our original wakefulness. Thus, the vast
amount of conflict in the world today is precisely why the Vajrayana
teachings will spread like wildfire."1
The Primer provides a much-needed corrective to the many miscon
ceptions and wrong views being promoted about Dzogchen-and there
are ·many. One of the most serious obstacles that can confront prac
titioners is the entertainment of wrong views. Unless we study, ~e will
not know how to differentiate between what is correct and what is in
correct. Study does not have to mean the extensive program of a Tibetan
shedra. Here, study is presented in the kusulu fashion, the style of a
simple meditator.
"The causal and resultant vehicles-Hinayana, Mahayana, and
tX
PREFACE
Vajrayana-differ in what they regard as path. In particular, to actually
apply Vajrayana in practice, there are three different approaches: taking
the ground as path, taking the path. as path, and taking the fruition as
path. These three approaches can be understood by using the analogy of
a gardener or farmer. Taking the ground or cause as path is like tilling
soil and sowirig seeds. Taking the path as path is like weeding, watering,
fertilizing, and coaxing crops forth. Taking the fruition as path is the
attitude of simply picking the ripened fruit or the fully bloomed flowers.
To do this, to take the complete result, the state of enlightenment itself,
as the pa.th, is the approach of Dzogchen. This summarizes the intent of
the Great Perfection."2
So, here we are, practitioners in the Age of Strife, replete with inner
and outer conflicts, who are described further as being extremely sharp
but extremely lazy. It is only natural that we, materialistic seekers of
objects of high quality, would be drawn to the pinnacle of vehicles.
Lacking in diligence, we are attracted to what is the least complex and
most unelaborated.
Unfortunately, gaining the right understanding is not that easy. It is
extremely important not to oversimplify and lose sight of the true mean
ing. Although Padmasambhava gave us these custom-made teachings,
designated for our particular times and temperament (the beauty of Hid
den Treasures), we need the proper conditions to connect with them.
These include the presence of a fully realized teacher and qualified .lin
eage holder, as well as our own .circumstances of being born at the right
time and place with the right frame of mind.
The right frame of mind means that we trust and appreciate the
teachings and the teachers and have devotion and pure perception. Like
wise, it is fundamental that we aspire to put these teachings into practice
for the benefit of the countless other less fortunate beings of the dark
age who lack the opportunity to meet the teachers and the teachings.
The Dharma needs to be practiced. Teachings-no matter how high or
lofty-have little value for the individual who does not apply them.
As Sogyal Rinpoche states, "Whichever way the training is tailored,
from the traditional point of view, there must be a solid grounding in
the basic Dharma teaching. The main points, the heart of the teaching,
must be instilled in the student's mind so that he or she will never forget
them. For example: refraining from harm, the crux of the Fundamental
Vehicle; developing Good Heart, the essence of the Mahayana; and pure
perception, the heart of the Vajrayana."3
The Dzogchen Primer offers a way to acquire the correct grounding
X