“I pray with whatever prayers I know that the great waves of benefit that
[Tulku Pema Rigtsal] generates for Buddha’s teaching in general, and
particularly the study and practice of the Kama and Terma teachings of the
Nyingma and Tersar traditions, from his ancestors up to his holy father,
increase like rivers in summertime, and that he has a long life.”
—Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
“I strongly recommend this work to all those who meditate. I believe this work
will bring benefit to people of both the West and the East who have an interest
in Dzogchen, and I urge everyone who wants to practice buddha-dharma to
take time to read this book.”
—Domang Yangtang Tulku
“The fundamental teachings of Mahayana Buddhism in general and of
Dzogchen in particular are elucidated in this book in the clearest possible way.
For anyone who is open to learning the sacred secret of the mind that we all
treasure, this is an eye-opening book to read.”
—Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, author of Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth
“The Great Secret of Mind is the condensed meaning of buddha-dharma and
particularly the Nyingma teachings.... I am pleased by his work and pray to
the Triple Gem and bodhisattvas that it may benefit all students of Buddhism.”
—His Holiness Penor Rinpoche
ABOUT THE BOOK
Dzogchen (Great Perfection) goes to the heart of our experience by
investigating the relationship between mind and world and uncovering the
great secret of mind's luminous nature. Weaving in personal stories and
everyday examples, Pema Rigtsal leads the reader to see that all phenomena
are the spontaneous display of mind, a magical illusion, and yet there is
something shining in the midst of experience that is naturally pure and
spacious. Not recognizing this natural great perfection is the root cause of
suffering and self-centered clinging. After introducing us to this liberating
view, Pema Rigtsal explains how it is stabilized and sustained in effortless
meditation: without modifying anything, whatever thoughts of happiness or
sorrow arise simply dissolve by themselves into the spaciousness of pure
presence.
The book is divided into chapters on the view, meditation as the path,
conduct, the attainment, and the four bardos. Each chapter consists of mini-
sections that can be read as stand-alone Dharma talks. Pema Rigtsal has
studied and lived with several authentic Dzogchen masters and has surprising
stories to tell about their unconventional methods to introduce students to the
subtle view of Dzogchen.