Steps to the Great Perfection: The Mind-Training Tradition of the Dzogchen Masters

Description

The first-ever English translation of mind-training contemplations from the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. A compilation of teachings on the seven contemplations, an ancient system of mind-training/lojong teachings that has been preserved as part of a rare set of instructions on Dzogchen, or the Great Perfection. This book is unique because although the lojong teachings of the Kadam tradition are well known, this is the first time the mind-training teachings from the Dzogchen tradition have been presented in an English translation, and most Western scholars and practitioners are unaware that such mind-training techniques even exist in Dzogchen. The contemplations themselves are vividly described, and some unfold as dramatic stories in which the meditator imagines himself or herself as the main character. Thus, they are quite accessible for beginning practitioners.

JIGME LINGPA (1730-1798) was one of the most important masters of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He and the great fourteenth-century master Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363), with whom he was closely linked through visionary experience, are known as the "two omniscient masters, father and son." Jigme Lingpa was a terton, or discoverer of treasure teachings, and revealed the Longchen Nyingtik, one of the most important cycles of meditative practice in the Nyingma School.

"The sevenfold mind training of the Dzogchen lineage is very important, since it gives us a practical set of instructions to help us to get in touch with the fundamental wisdom of the Buddhist path. In ancient times, it was often said that these foundational teachings are even more important than the advanced instructions of our tradition. I am very happy to see these important texts now appearing in the English language. They will be of great benefit to all those interested in the path of awakening. "-Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, author of Turning Confusion into Clarity "The great vidyadhara Jigme Lingpa left an abundance of literary and instructional treasures for us-methods for awakening our hearts and freeing our minds. Among those, the sevenfold mind-training instructions presented in The Steps to Liberation are an especially powerful set of teachings that unite many of the key points of sutra and tantra in an utterly pragmatic way. I am therefore very happy and grateful that Cortland Dahl has made an excellent translation of these precious teachings available to the English-reading public. I encourage readers to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to deepen and expand their compassion and wisdom. "-Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, author of Rebel Buddha: A Guide to a Revolution of Mind