Rating: 
Summary: Don't give up
Review: 10-Point Rating: (10.0)
I came to this book with a heavy background in western philosophy, specifically the analytic tradition. Never having studied eastern traditions directly, I had always bought into the marginalizations of eastern thought prevalent in our culture. This book literally slapped me awake. There is not a thinker in the entire history of western philosophy (and that includes all the greats) that can hold a candle to Longchen Rabjam and the tradition he represents. I am not going to lie to you, this book is not easy reading - the system/viewpoint expressed is completely alien to our western outlook. It thus carries with it a set of technical terms (just as our philosophers do - e.g. substance, person, free will) which must be understood prior to a serious reading. For this reason it is best not to breeze through the introductory material which, as in most books on dzogchen, makes up at least half the volume. Another difficulty is that the author (Longchenpa) is assuming familiarity with certain ideas (such as the twelvefold chain of interdependent causation) and so he only treats them in a cursory fashion - bear with it, re-read it, study it, it will eventually come to you.
Rating:
Summary: If you read and understand only one book in your life . . .
Review: I recently compiled a list of the ten most influential books in shaping my particular worldview, and this book had no serious competitors for the top spot. Longchenpa (c. 1350) is quite simply one of the finest pure philosophers ever to draw breath. This collection of his writings (quite capably translated and introduced by Tulku Thondrup) is a must for any serious student of either religion or philosophy (whether Buddhist or not). Of notable interest would have to be Section 7: Naturally Liberated Mind, the cornerstone of the entire volume. Herein, the reader will be treated to one of the most lucid and forceful, yet subtle and elegant presentations of the Dzogchen view in print anywhere. This one section is worth the cost of the entire volume, and though difficult at points, it bears re-reading until understood. The technical Tibetan and Sanskrit terms might seem overwhelming to readers not versed in the religious traditions of the East, but the effort to transcend this difficulty will be repayed a hundredfold. Simply put: this book belongs in your library!!
Rating:
Summary: If you read and understand only one book in your life . . .
Review: I recently compiled a list of the ten most influential books in shaping my particular worldview, and this book had no serious competitors for the top spot. Longchenpa (c. 1350) is quite simply one of the finest pure philosophers ever to draw breath. This collection of his writings (quite capably translated and introduced by Tulku Thondrup) is a must for any serious student of either religion or philosophy (whether Buddhist or not). Of notable interest would have to be Section 7: Naturally Liberated Mind, the cornerstone of the entire volume. Herein, the reader will be treated to one of the most lucid and forceful, yet subtle and elegant presentations of the Dzogchen view in print anywhere. This one section is worth the cost of the entire volume, and though difficult at points, it bears re-reading until understood. The technical Tibetan and Sanskrit terms might seem overwhelming to readers not versed in the religious traditions of the East, but the effort to transcend this difficulty will be repayed a hundredfold. Simply put: this book belongs in your library!!
Rating: 
Summary: technical
Review: i recently ordered this book based upon reviews and was disappointed. i wasn't able to wade through the technical language and writing style of this book. i don't doubt the amount of information that is here, but if i can't access it, it is of little use to me. perhaps i'll find something else more useful to me.
Rating:
Summary: technical
Review: i recently ordered this book based upon reviews and was disappointed. i wasn't able to wade through the technical language and writing style of this book. i don't doubt the amount of information that is here, but if i can't access it, it is of little use to me. perhaps i'll find something else more useful to me.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book for researchers
Review: The book is very interesting but it is an advanced book for researchers. Nevertheless Dzogchen is not easily to be understood. The author gives very wide information about Nyingma Dzogchen tradition. I thank the author for helping me on my way to choose my buddhist path. More important is the practice and not the reading. Maybe I will understand this book better after practicing intensively. This book will give motivation for the practice...
Rating:
Summary: Naturally Liberated Mind, the Great Perfection
Review: The excerpt of this book provided on Amazon only has portions from the introductory material by Tulku Thondrup, none of the words of Longchempa are included. The following excerpts are all from chapter 7, the Sems-Nyid Rang-Grol, which is the heart of the volume. I have provided these for those who may be curious as to what this book is really about. My own views on this book are well known (q.v.)."Phenomenal existences are unborn, of equal nature;
In which the originally liberated appearances and mind prevail evenly without apprehensions;
Concerning that marvelous sovereign, Naturally Liberated Mind,
Listen while I tell you what I have realized. "All phenomena are primordially pure and enlightened, so it is unborn and unceasing, inconceivable and inexpressable.
In the ultimate sphere purity and impurity are naturally pure and
Phenomena are the great equal perfection, free from conception. "There is no separate emptiness apart from apparent phenomena.
The notion of their distinctness is a division made by the mind. "In the mind which has no essence, various things
Arise because of the objective conditions,
Like reflections appearing in a mirror or in the ocean.
The emptiness essence, unceasing nature, and
Variously appearing characteristic, the magical display, is
The dual projection of samsara and nirvana within a single Mind. "The primordially empty Mind, which has no root,
Is not defiled by the phenomenal appearances of samsara and nirvana. "The nature of samsara is the essence of the mind,
Which is primordially unborn and enlightened,
So by seeing the Mind, realization of the nature of existence is attained. "For the Buddhahood which is totally and naturally pure,
Do not search anywhere but in your own mind. "For people who want enlightenment, the meaning of the unmodified absolute
Is to let the mind be at ease without effort."
Rating:
Summary: buy it, read it, re-read it.
Review: The first attempt to write this review had to be aborted due to lack of space! I love this book. I love Tulku Thondup. I love Longchenpa, in large part due to the efforts of Tulku Thondup himself. This book, previously published as "Buddha Mind," has so much good stuff in it, i can't tell it all! Start with a thorough outline of the views within the nyingma school, culminating in dzogchen, throw in some stories from past masters' lives, and you have the first part of the book. The second part is a careful selection from some of Longchenpa's important writings. This includes a section each for the "view, meditation and result" of dzogchen. Within the "meditation" section is the full translation of both an instructional text and its practice explanation. This alone is worth a lot of gold, if you know what i mean. If you are a practitioner within a dzogchen lineage, you probably already have this book. If you are knew to this amazing tradition, pick up a copy tommorrow and dive in.
Rating:
Summary: An eye-opening anthology of the writings
Review: The Practice Of Dzogchen is an eye-opening anthology of the writings on Dzogpa Chenpo, or Dzogchen, by Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363), a widely renowned adept of the Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism. Meticulously translated into English by Tulku Thondup, this classic 466-page text cogently explains the nature of the three outer and three inner tantras, presents excerpts from the lives of Dzogpa Chenpo masters, offers paths to meditation, and a great deal more. Simply put, The Practice Of Dzogchen is a "must-have" addition for Tibetan Buddhist reference shelves and a strongly recommended entry for the supplemental reading lists of dedicated students of Tibetan Studies.
Rating:
Summary: Advanced Dzogchen study
Review: There are lots of introductory Dzogchen books (as there are for Mahamudra, Kabbalah, etc.). This is NOT one of them. There are also pure scholarly works with a small, fervent readership. I don't think this is that either, though scholars may certainly find it very valuable. The commentator/translator excerpts from many of Longchenpa's (Longchen Rabjam's) various texts which would be virtually impossible to access in English otherwise. Longchenpa is one of, if not THE, greatest Dzogchen masters of all time. Nevertheless, this is not an easy text to read. Furthermore, like the Sperling translation of the Zohar, it is very inconsistent in depth, style, etc. After all, people change as they age and their perspectives, examples, etc. change to match. As far as I can see, this is a definitive Dzogchen text--quite advanced, not for the beginner, challenging, and enlightening. It grows with you. Nevertheless, reading, re-reading... texts in an area of unfamiliarity can help one gain familiarity. That's how Carl Jung studied Alchemy. It works. This is a GREAT book, not to be underrated, but not every book is for every one.
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