Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind: The Trilogy of Rest, Volume 1

by Longchenpa, Padmakara Translation Group (Translator)

Overview

Released in paperback for the first time, this brilliant translation of Longchenpa's famous work presents the entire scope of the Buddhist view combined with pith instructions for pointing out the nature of one's mind.

Longchen Rabjam's Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind is a classic Buddhist manual for attaining true liberation through familiarizing ourselves with our most basic nature—our clear, pristine, and aware mind. Written in the fourteenth century, this text is the first part to Longchenpa's Trilogy of Rest, a work of the esoteric Tibetan Dzogchen tradition. This unique presentation of the Buddhist view and path combines the scholastic expository method of explanation with direct pith instructions designed for yogi practitioners.

This text systematically presents the view in thirteen chapters, outlining all that a practitioner must know in order to embark on the complete Buddhist path. Here we find fundamental instructions on the need to turn away from materialism, how to find a qualified guide, how to develop boundless compassion for all beings, tantra and its associated practices, calm abiding (śamatha) and deep insight (vipaśyanā) meditation techniques, all culminating in the practice presented from the perspective of Dzogchen.

This first volume of the Trilogy of Rest is a comprehensive teaching on the view from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, setting the foundation for the following two volumes: Finding Rest in Meditation, which focuses on meditation practice, and Finding Rest in Illusion, which focuses on post-meditation yogic conduct. The Padmakara Translation Group has provided us with a clear and fluid new translation of Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind, which will serve as a genuine aid to study and meditation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781611807523
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	10/20/2020
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

LONGCHEN RABJAM (1308-1363) is Tibet's most famous master of the Dzogchen tradition. He was a prolific scholar, poet, and accomplished spiritual practitioner. He authored hundreds of seminal texts that make up the core of Nyingma traditional instructions, systematically connecting traditional Buddhist thought with esoteric Dzogchen instructions.

The PADMAKARA TRANSLATION GROUP, based in France, has a distinguished reputation for all its translations of Tibetan texts and teachings. Its work has been published in several languages and is renowned for its clear and accurate literary style.

Table of Contents

Foreword Alak Zenkar Rinpoche xiii

Foreword Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche xv

Translators' Introduction xix

Part 1 Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind

Prologue 5

1 The Freedoms and Advantages of Human Birth So Hard to Find 5

2 Impermanence 11

3 The Sufferings of Samsara 17

4 The Karmic Law of Cause and Effect 35

5 The Spiritual Master 51

6 Refuge 67

7 The Four Unbounded Attitudes 75

8 Cultivating the Attitude of Mind Oriented toward Enlightenment 85

9 The Generation and Perfection Stages and Their Union 103

10 The View That Dwells in Neither of the Two Extremes, the Wisdom whereby the Nature of the Ground Is Realized 115

11 The Path: Stainless Meditative Concentration 127

12 The Three Aspects of Meditative Concentration 143

13 The Great, Spontaneously Present Result 151

Conclusion 163

Part 2 Excerpts from The Great Chariot

The Mind Is the Root of All Phenomena 167

Mind, Intellect, and Consciousness 171

The Eight Consciousnesses as the Basis of Delusion 175

The Three Natures 179

The Universal Ground 191

The Universal Ground, the Eight Consciousnesses, and the State of Sleep 201

The Tathagatagarbha 205

Refuge 243

The Three Concentrations of the Generation Stage 253

The Simple Practice of the Generation and Perfection Stages 257

The Mind and the Objects That Appear to It 261

The Omniscient Longchenpa Speaks about His Realization 265

Notes 269

Texts Cited in The Great Chariot 301

Bibliography 305

The Padmakara Translation Group Translations into English 309

Index 311

Editorial Reviews

Rest is what we all lack most. Even more agonizing is that we don’t know how to do it; in fact, we don’t even understand what it means to rest. Who but Longchenpa can and will make absolutely sure that we finally understand what rest is?”
—Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche
 
“In his stunningly poetic exposition, the Trilogy of Rest, Gyalwa Longchenpa illumines the great path to enlightenment with unsurpassable depth and detail. Volume 1 of the trilogy, Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind, sets us upon that path, grounding us from our very first steps through to the profound—showing the most profound to be grounded in unshakable simplicity. Brilliantly clarifying the complexities we create to come to this realization, Longchenpa easily and clearly reveals the concordance of the journey’s various stages.

This new translation of one of the greatest classics of the Nyingma School is wonderfully accessible and a most welcome contribution filled with the rich biographical and historical details of Longchenpa’s own journey. Reading this book, one cannot help but feel the ping of recognition that goes beyond words to the heart of direct experience.”
—Khandro Rinpoche
 
“This sacred volume embodies the entire Buddhist path—from how to inspire our wild mind towards the Dharma to how to fulfill the needs of all by awakening the nature of the mind, innate Buddhahood, as it is.”
—Tulku Thondup

From the Publisher