Dzogchen - Definition and Overview

Dzogchen (Tibetan, translated from the Sanskrit Mahasandhi) has at least 2 meanings:

1. The primordial state of every sentient being.
2. Teaching. Dzogchen is a teaching that gives paths to discover the primordial state and develop it to achieve realization (enlightenment). In Tibet Dzogchen is considered an advanced and secret teaching on nonduality, i.e. it is thought to be the absolute/ultimate teaching of pure and total awareness (see also Maha Ati Tantra)

There are two different main lineages of Dzogchen:

1. Buddhist: first taught by Guru Garab Dorje
2. Bön (Bon)

According to the first historical teacher of Nyingma Dzogchen lineage, Garab Dorje, Dzogchen has three key points:

1. Direct introduction to one's own nature (Tib., ngo rang thog-tu sprod-pa)
2. Direct discovery of this unique state (Tib., thag gcig thog-tu bcad-pa)
3. Remain in this state until liberation (Tib., gdeng grol thog-tu bca'-pa)

The core understanding of Dzogchen centers on three terms: View, Meditation and Behaviour. To see directly the absolute state of our mind is the View; the way of stablizing that View and making it an unbroken experience is Meditation; and integrating that View into our daily life is what is meant by Behaviour.

Bibliography

Lawless, J. & Allan, J. Beyond Words: Dzogchen Made Simple, Harper Collins, 2003

Dudjom Rinpoche. The Nyigma School of Tibetan Buddhism. Vol 1. Wisdom Publications, 1991

Sogyal Rinpoche. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Random House, 2002.

External links

• Dzogchen Atiyoga (http://dzogchen.info.ms/), Info Page
• Dzogchen Institute (http://www.dzogchen.org/), founded by Surya Das
• Tsegyalgar (http://www.tsegyalgar.org/), a Dzogchen Community in America