Great Perfection: Outer and Inner Preliminaries [Hardcover]

In the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, the Great Perfection is considered the most profound and direct path to enlightenment. The instructions of this tradition present a spiritual shortcut—a radically direct approach that cuts through confusion and lays bare the mind's true nature of luminous purity. For centuries, these teachings have been taught and practiced in secret by some of the greatest adepts of the Buddhist tradition.Great Perfection: Outer and Inner Preliminariescontains detailed instructions on the foundational practices of this tradition, from The Excellent Chariot, a practice manual compiled by the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche.

Distilling the teachings of theHeart Essence of the Dakinisinto an accessible, easy-to-practice format,The Excellent Chariotleads the reader through the entire Buddhist path, starting with basic Buddhist contemplations that work to dislodge deeply ingrained patterns of thinking and behaving, and continuing on to the most advanced and secret meditative practices of the Great Perfection. The teachings in this volume are drawn largely from the writings of the great Nyingma master Longchenpa and the root texts of theHeart Essence of the Dakinisitself. The Third Dzogchen Rinpoche begins by discussing the correct way to study and practice the Great Perfection teachings before presenting an overview of the Great Perfection lineage and an explanation on the meaning and importance of empowerment. In the chapters that follow, he presents practical instructions on the outer and inner preliminaries, the so-called ngöndro practices. These practices enable the practitioner to transform and purify the mind, preparing it for the advanced Great Perfection meditation of Trekchö and Tögal, the breakthrough and direct leap.

In addition to the translation mentioned above,Great Perfection: Outer and Inner Preliminariescontains a beautiful introduction by the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinl#"