For centuries, Dzogchen, often translated as the “Great Perfection,” was a secretly transmitted teaching, unknown beyond the Tibetan culture. Wellsprings of the Great Perfection explains how the Dzogchen teachings came into the world, who received them, and through whom they passed. This impressive collection of translations, many of which have never before appeared in English, is drawn from a vast number of original classical Tibetan sources and includes selections of realization songs by early masters of the lineage. The book describes the early Dzogchen masters’ lives and what they taught, with particular emphasis on events that took place before the teachings were transmitted to Tibet. Enhanced by specially commissioned line drawings by a notable living Tibetan artist, as well as rare samples of the mystical symbolic script of the dakinis, the book is both a fascinating historical document and a source of sacred knowledge and inspiration.
Wellsprings of the Great Perfection presents the primary sources explaining how the Dzogchen teachings came into this world, who received them and through whom they passed. It is an impressive collection of traditional translations from a vast number of original, classical Tibetan documents, including songs of realization by the early masters of the lineage. • Tantras spoken by Samantabhadra and Vajrasattva
- The early history spoken by Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra and Vairotsana
- Teachings by Garab Dorje (Prahevajra) and Shri Singha
- Recorded by Yeshe Tsogyal, Tingdzin Zangpo of Nyang and other close disciples
- Revealed by the treasure masters Dangma Lhungyal and Chetsün Senge Wangchuk, Pema Ledrel Tsal, Rinchen Lingpa, Rigdzin Gödem, Dorje Lingpa, Sangye Lingpa, Dungtso Repa, Ratna Lingpa, Kunkyong Lingpa, Taksham Nüden Dorje (Samten Lingpa), Labu Dönyö Dey, Zhikpo Lingpa, Longsal Nyingpo, Jigmey Lingpa, Chokgyur Lingpa & Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
- Essays by Lobpön Kunsang, Nyang Ral Nyima Özer, Longchenpa and Tsele Natsok Rangdröl
- Brief explanations by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgön Kongtrül, Dudjom Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
- Foreword by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche
Wellsprings fills an important gap in the body of translated Tibetan works now available as much of this anthology has never before appeared in English. This comprehensive assortment describes the lives of the early Dzogchen masters, what they taught and to whom they transmitted the Dzogchen lineages. Emphasis is paid to events that took place before the teachings spread to Tibet. Often it feels as if you are a witness to intimate conversations between buddhas and bodhisattvas, celestial beings and the first Indian masters. When gathering these texts, translator, Erik Pema Kunsang consulted many of the major masters of this living tradition to verify the most essential material.
The contents of this book are greatly enhanced by specially commissioned line drawings as well as rare samples of the mystical symbolic script of the dakinis. In short, Wellsprings is not only a fascinating and useful historical record but a source of inspirational sacred knowledge deserving a special place on your bookshelf.