While the Great Perfection teachings are well-known for their direct, "instantaneous" approach to practice, they are also rich in key instructions that concern more gradual and accessible ways to transform the mind. This collection of teachings is drawn from the Heart Essence, or Nyingtik, tradition, an approach to spiritual practice that is considered the most profound approach to realization in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

The first text in this collection is a short text from the Nyingthig Yabshi, the Four-fold Heart Essence, a set of teachings compiled by Longchenpa that combines the Dzogchen lineages of Vimalamitra and Padmasambhava. It presents a series of practical instructions that are to be followed before engaging in more advanced forms of Dzogchen practice. In basing his teachings on the Heart Essence of Vimalamitra, the Vima Nyingtik, he lays out the preliminary practices for Dzogchen Meditation according to one of the two main Dzogchen lineages, that of the Indian saint Vimalamitra.

The second text, The Outer Preliminaries: Seven Point Mind Training (blo sbyong don bdun ma thar pa'i them skas), was written by Jigmé Lingpa and is included in his revelatory teachings the Longchen Nyingthig, Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse. In this text, Jigmé Lingpa takes the same seven points laid out by Vimalamitra and Longchenpa and comments upon them in detail. The text begins with a presentation of the Rimé ideal, the fundamental values of the Tibetan non-sectarian movement, where he shows that there is no conflict between Nyingma approach and that of the New Schools. He then proceeds to explain the seven points in his characteristic style, which is at once both colloquial and full of poetic expression.

In contrast to most of the mind-training texts available in the English language, the presentation in Jigmé Lingpa's text reflects the unique approach of the Nyingma tradition, with its heavy emphasis on the union of sutra and tantra. The initial content of the text is in line with most presentations, setting out basic Buddhist principles like the law of karma and the necessity of compassion. Towards the end of the text, however, the author launches into an explanation of exercises designed to work with directly with the subtle, energetic body, a topic rarely addressed in mind-training literature. On this point, the author gives precise, detailed instructions on basic energetic exercises, quoting extensively from the treasure tradition of Padmasambhava.

The final two texts, also written by Jigmé Lingpa, explain the preliminary practices of the Great Perfection as they are more commonly known. The first covers the outer preliminaries, explaining how to contemplate topics such as impermanence and the sufferings of cyclic existence, while the second text builds upon the first by presenting the unique preliminaries, beginning with refuge and continuing up to the profound practice of guru yoga. These two texts have been the basis for some of the most well-known texts of the past few centuries, including Patrul Rinpoche's treasured Words of My Perfect Teacher.

These translations are being carried out with the authorization and blessings of Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche, a true living buddha of the Nyingtik tradition, and with the assistance of Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a learned and accomplished scholar who has studied and practiced under both Jigmé Phuntsog Rinpoche and Khenpo Petsé, two of the this century's great exponents of the Nyingma tradition.


Royalties from this project will go towards Chatral Rinpoche's annual fish release in Calcutta, India, where this great master frees thousands of fish that would otherwise be killed back into the ocean.

This project has received partial funding from the Perkins Foundation and is scheduled for publication in mid-2008. If you would like to make a contribution to help ensure the completion of this project, please click the DONATE link below to make a tax-deductible donation. Detailed information concerning the project budget and timeline is available upon request.