Dzogchen is an ancient spiritual teaching developed in Tibet within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It does not belong to a school or religious system. Rather, it is the knowledge that Tibetan masters have transmitted without being limited by sectarianism. The word ‘Dzogchen’, meaning ‘total perfection’, actually refers to the true inherent nature of all beings, their primordial state, which is free from all limitations and conditioning. The master’s transmission of this state of knowledge lies at the very heart of the Dzogchen teachings.
The Dzogchen tradition has been passed from master to student in an unbroken lineage over the centuries, right up to the present day. Due to its direct and unelaborate approach, it transcends cultural boundaries making it accessible to all nationalities alike regardless of their spiritual background.
The Dzogchen teachings are divided in three series: Semde, Longde and Mennagde. The three series are three ways of presenting the teaching, each with its corresponding methods of practice; the aim of all three, however, is to lead the practitioner to final realization.
In Semde, the ‘mind series’, the practitioner is introduced to the nature of mind in order to have a actual experience of it.
Longde means the ‘space series’: in this instance space refers to the primordial dimension of emptiness which serves as a base for manifesting the clarity of the practitioner, and for developing their understanding.
Mennagde, the essential series of ‘secret instructions’ or Upadesha, comprises special teachings and methods based on the experiences of masters, with the aim of helping the practitioner progress up to complete realization.
THE LINEAGE OF TEACHERS
In terms of early Buddhist history, Dzogchen is said to have originated with Garab Dorje in Oddiyana during the period 300 years after the parinirvana of Buddha Sakyamuni. Many scholars associate Oddiyana with the Swat Valley in northern Pakistan but it could also have been Afghanistan. The pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet, the Bonpo tradition, also has Dzogchen teachings, which are called the ‘Shangshung Nyengyud’. However, early Dzogchen sources also speak of twelve primordial teachers of Dzogchen, some of whom pre-date Garab Dorje by many thousands of years. The last of these teachers before Garab Dorje was Shakyamuni Buddha. These profound Dzogchen teachings are, therefore, by all accounts, extremely ancient.
Garab Dorje was born around 60 A.D., and is considered to be the first human Knowledge Holder or Rigdzin (rig dzin : Vidyadhara) of the Dzogchen teachings in our epoch. Garab Dorje’s main student was called Manjusrimitra who in turn passed on his knowledge to Sri Singha, both of whom attained total realization. Since that time, the lineage of teachers has remained intact in an unbroken lineage right down to the present day, to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.
TRANSMISSION
The Direct Transmission is the means by which the teacher introduces us directly to the true nature of our mind: our primordial state or ‘Rigpa’ (in Tibetan). The Transmission enables the person to start to practice the Dzogchen Teachings transmitted by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.
Newcomers should be seriously interested in the Dzogchen Teachings as transmitted by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and practiced by the International Dzogchen Community and should try to receive Transmission when it is next available.
People interested in Dzogchen Teachings can send their request to be notified about the date of the next Dzogchen Teachings by filling the following CONTACT FORM.
After having attended the Teachings, they should also try to practice, train and collaborate with the International Dzogchen Community.