Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State

This little book introduces dzogchen, as a system of awakening in the present moment that is independent of culture, religion or philosophy. (Yet it uses culture (Tibetan) and religion (Buddhist) to explain it...) It is a simple presentation (synopsis of a lifetime of learning and realization), and seems to hit the mark to me, but maybe to someone unfamiliar with the culture, religion and actual pointing-out instructions it may seem lacking. Such is the nature of deep truths - they are always right in front of us yet remain self-secret till we are ripe and ready. I get the strong impression from Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's teaching, in how he synthesizes these vast and profound traditional teachings and makes them simple, clear and concise, that he is a true master. These teachings of the vision of dzogchen form the pinnacle or fulfillment of spiritual realization - the 'Path of Self-Liberation', the lower ones being the sutra 'Path of Renunciation' and the tantra 'Path of Transformation', and Norbu Rinpoche introduces them in the context of general spiritual, and specific Buddhist, practices. This general introduction, Part One, makes up the first half of the book. Part Two expounds on this with a translation of and commentary on Vairocana's (Tibetan translator who helped bring dzogchen into Tibet from India in the 8th century) pithy six line poem, "The Cuckoo of the State of Presence", summing up the 'base', 'path' and 'fruit' of dzogchen (the way of seeing, practicing and behaving respectively). The teachings here are diverse, giving historical and philosophical context as well as practical advice for daily practice. Norbu Rinpoche's style is relaxed and informal, brief and to the point, and is refreshingly free of the rigid and guarded approach commonly found in Tibetan Buddhism. "The teachings are not just something sacred, to be found only in temples and scriptures, they are actually real understanding of the inherent state of all human experience" N.N. Dzocgchen as such is profoundly simple, immediate and innately part of each of our experience. Natural and effortless, it is apparently too simple for us to appreciate without the direct pointing-out by a master, and our own direct experience. Such pointing out probably has to happen in person, from someone like this author, so there is only so much we can expect from such a text. What this text teaches us is that such a path truly exists, that it is alive and well, that intellectual understanding while probably unavoidable is not desirable or sufficient, and that it is up to us to take the next step.

Chogyal Namkhai Norbu is a true master of dzogchen. This book is an excellent overview of dzogchen and in CNN's style it gets to the point and really opens your eyes. The only caution I have is that there is a small amount of buddhist jargon that gets repeated throughout the book. If you are familiar with the terms you appreciate him using them, but if not just write them down (there aren't many) and you will have no problems.

As a newcomer to Dzogchen I find this book invaluable. Norbu Rinpoche articulates the ineffable. His emphasis on going beyond the limitations of any particular dogma or tradition is also so refreshing and, in my experience, unusual that I knew I was reading the words of a master. The book is inspiring. It made me want to put its teachings into practice. It's also highly practical and written to be completely clear. Norbu Rinpoche's unadorned, down-to-earth way of communicating sublime and subtle concepts is wonderful. His reputation is superb and this book is a good example of why he is so highly regarded as a master teacher. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's just great.

This book is excellent. It may be required some knowledge of the topics to better understand it, although this is not a demand. It is written in a very easy language easy to understand even for people that don't speak english as a mother language. It contains a helpful advice on how to confront daily live in a better way, although it comes from very ancient fonts of knowledge. The contents are still actualized, maybe because the basic problems of humanity are still the same (since the beginning).

This is an excellent book. It is a fascinating, well written introduction to Dzogchen which is found both in the ancient Bon religion of Tibet and in Nyingma Buddhism. The author makes the subject interesting and easy to understand.