Perfect clarity : a Tibetan Buddhist anthology of Mahamudra and Dzogchen

__Perfect Clarity__ is an anthology of essential writings on Mahamudra and Dzogchen for the student of Tibetan Buddhism. Mahamudra, a meditation practice focusing on the nature of mind, and Dzogchen, a body of teachings aimed at realizing the "great perfection" or natural, primordial state, are central to Vajrayana practitioners today. Translator Erik Pema Kunsang has selected works by legendary masters both ancient and modern. From the distant, mythic past come teachings from Guru Rinpoche (also known as Padmasambhava), the tantric master who established Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the ninth century, his consort Yeshe Tsogyal, and the famous yogis Milarepa (1040-1123), and Longchenpa (1308-1363). More recent teachers included in this collection are Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991), and Khenpo Ganshar, the root guru of Chogyam Trungpa, and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. The writings are in a variety of forms reflecting the genius of each contributor: chapters of detailed meditation instructions, inspired poems, and parable-like stories. CONTENTS......Page 9 PREFACE......Page 13 AN INTRODUCTION TO GUIDANCE MANUALS......Page 17 SUPPLICATIONS......Page 21 Cloud Banks of Nectar. Longchenpa......Page 23 Cloud Bank, of Blessings. Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo......Page 31 The Mighty Vajradhara of the Definitive Meaning. Dudjom Rinpoche......Page 37 MAHAMUDRA......Page 39 Illuminating Wisdom. Milarepa......Page 41 Single Sufficient Path. Gampopa......Page 45 The Mahamudra Aspiration of True Meaning. Karmapa Rangjung Dorje......Page 49 The View, Meditation, and Action of Mahamudra. Tsokdrug Rangdrol......Page 57 Notes on Mahamudra. Pema Karpo......Page 63 The Instruction on Stillness, Occurrence,and Awareness in Mahamudra. Mipharn Rinpoche......Page 85 DZOGCHEN......Page 87 The Instruction Manual for the Ground of Trekcho. Vajra Yogini and Chokgyur Lingpa......Page 89 Uncultivated Buddhahood. Dudjom Lingpa......Page 95 The Essence of Wakefulness. Mipharn Rinpoche......Page 127 The Mirror of Mindfulness. Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche......Page 131 The Lamp that Dispels Darkness. Mipham Rinpoche......Page 133 Old Vijaya. Shechen Gyaltsab Perna Narngyal......Page 141 Key Points in Dzogchen PracticeShechen Gyaltsab Perna Namgyal......Page 149 UNITY......Page 159 Naturally Liberating Whatever You Meet. Khenpo Gangshar......Page 161 Cognizance. Tsele Natsok Rangdrol......Page 181 View and Meditation. Jamgon Kongtrul......Page 185 Liberation throught Hearing in the Bardo. Guru Rinpoche and Chogyur Lingpa......Page 187 The Ultimate Confession of Simplicity. Guru Rinpoche......Page 193 The Aspiration of Yeshe Tsogyal. Guru Rinpoche and Pema Ledrel Tsal......Page 199 Bigraphical Notes......Page 203 Glossary......Page 207 For practitioners on the paths of Dzogchen and Mahamudra, one of the greatest joys is to personally receive oral instructions from a realized teacher. The excitement of being able to train based on that advice is further enhanced by the stimulation and support that guidance manuals provide. All of the selections presented in Perfect Clarity offer incredible teachings that are inspiring and vital. Pith instructions are so simple and direct that we can easily apply them without fear of mistakes. These days, the most effective style of teaching is not lengthy scholarly explanations but rather direct guidance manuals The Dzogchen tantras themselves were written in a style that shrouds and conceals the meaning so that only a master who is extremely well-versed in oral instructions and treatises is able to clarify the meaning. On the other hand, based upon oral instructions a guidance manual is a short, comprehensive teaching written in a clear and simple manner. Such summaries of the Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings contain all the teachings that a worthy practitioner requires to reach the state of primordial enlightenment in this very life. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche The amazing collection in Perfect Clarity is rounded out by an introduction by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a preface by Marcia Dechen Wangmo, biographical data of the authors, a glossary, line drawings and photos and Tibetan source material references.