Heart of the Great Perfection: Dudjom Lingpa's Visions of the Great Perfection (1)

For those unfamiliar with Dudjom Lingpa or the Tibetan to English translations of Alan Wallace there can be no better place to put your toes into the waters of the Buddhism Dzogchen tradition. This text is a paperback edition of the first volume of a three volume hardcover translation soon available through Amazon as Dudjom Lingpa’s Vision of the Great Perfection. This single volume contains four works, including The Foolish Dharma of an Idiot Clothed in Mud and Feathers about which Mr. Wallace did a multi-year retreat series in Santa Barbara, California. That seems indicative of its depth and the high regard Mr. Wallace holds for it. Forward and Preface add 30 pages to the already lengthy 303 page text, but don’t skip them if you want to get the lay of the land. The same can be said for the Introduction. The introduction describes the life story of Dudjom Lingpa and the lineage that followed him. When we reach the first of the translations, we have been prepared to expect the extraordinary and there is no disappointment in “The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra.” Separate commentaries to a master’s teachings are common with Tibetan texts and that is what occurs next. The commentary called “Essence of Clear Meaning” was recorded by Dudjom Lingpa’s disciple Pema Tashi. It may be that you will want to skip to the commentary, then go back to enjoy the original text. This first commentary alone is worth the price of admittance. Phase Five (page 89) on determining dualistic grasping and revealing the way to natural liberation is brilliant. The next section is “The Foolish Dharma of an Idiot Clothed in Mud and Feathers.” As previously mentioned it was the subject of several retreats over a course of years. Though short, its analysis of reality is exceptional and certainly not the work of an idiot as the self-deprecating title might suggest. The Foolish Dharma is followed by the extremely challenging “The Enlightened View of Samantabhadra,” last save a lengthy and excellent Glossary. Reading it feels a little like one might imagine the climb up Mount Everest. This is certainly no place for a beginner to start his journey along the Buddhist path. In fact Dzogchen is considered the pinnacle, and traditionally many works have been considered secret, to be taught only when the teacher considers the pupil ready. Traditionally this was after years of study and meditation. Some would say the teachings are self- secret, unclear until the student is ready. There are also those who consider them dangerously confusing if read without direction. Perhaps a course of action would be to purchase the book, begin reading, and then decide if it’s the time to tackle the entire text. If not put it close by and return periodically to it as you progress along the path. Or maybe you’re that rare practitioner who instantly awakens. In any case you will be left in awe of the poetic beauty of the writing in this translation.

The writings of Dudjom Lingpa are true treasures. They offer unparalleled guides for understanding the mind and developing awareness and transcendent compassion. The Heart of the Great Perfection is not his only major contribution, but it is probably his greatest and the most accessible of his works.

A treasure of a book, but I needed guidance from the author/tanslator (B. Alan Wallace) to understand fully. Still working on that. A book to be read slowly over and over.

While I'm still not very fay in the text, this appears to be beautifully written and pithy.

Receive transmission from qualified teacher

Gives great context to the Dzogchen practice I was already doing.

glad they have this first volume on kindle

Profound work from a great visionary!