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Journey to Certainty: The Quintessence of the Dzogchen View: An Exploration of Mipham's Beacon of Certainty
Approachable yet sophisticated, this book takes the reader on a gently guided tour of one of the most important texts Tibetan Buddhism has to offer. "Certainty" in this context refers to the unshakeable trust that develops as meditators discover for themselves the true root of reality. In this authoritative presentation, master teacher Anyen Rinpoche opens wide the storehouse of this richly philosophical text in a way that lets readers of all backgrounds easily benefit.
248 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2012
About the author
Anyen Rinpoche
9 books10 followersKhenpo Anyen Tulku Rinpoche is a Tibetan master of Dzogchen meditation as well as a seasoned scholar of the Nyingma and Gelugpa schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is one of five "heart sons" of his root lama, Khenchen Tsara Dharmakirti Rinpoche, from whom he received an uncommonly short and unbroken lineage of the Longchen Nyingthig cycle of Jigme Lingpa in the lineage of Patrul Rinpoche.
Anyen Rinpoche founded the Orgyen Khamdroling Dharma Center in Denver, Colorado, which remains his principle seat in the West, and the Phowa Foundation, intended to help Buddhist practitioners prepare for the moment of death.
Anyen Rinpoche founded the Orgyen Khamdroling Dharma Center in Denver, Colorado, which remains his principle seat in the West, and the Phowa Foundation, intended to help Buddhist practitioners prepare for the moment of death.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 1, 2021
A generally simple-worded book that addresses profound philosophical topics, but always with the meditator's practice in mind. It's not a meditation manual, but it's very helpful as a bridge between view and meditation. Some background in Madhyamaka is indispensable. It works as good companion to Mipham's commentary to Shantarakshita's Madhyamakalankara (Adornment of the Middle Way).
It contrasts the views of Mipham mainly with those of Tsongkhapa. It feels like a perfect introduction to Mipham's text, that can perhaps be followed by Pettit's Beacon of Certainty. The latter includes the root text and a verse commentary, while the former (the book being reviewed here) does not - it's a "meaning commentary."
All in all, highly recommended.
Rigpa wiki says:
The text is structured as answers to the following seven questions:
According to which of the two negations do you explain the view?
Do arhats realize both types of selflessness?
Does meditation involve grasping at an object?
Should we do analytical meditation or settling meditation?
Which of the two truths is most important?
What is the common object of disparate perceptions?
Does Madhyamaka have a position or not?
[The questions feel highly abstract and philosophical, but Rinpoche explores them in a practical manner.]
Journey to Certainty ends like this:
The Final Summary
Mipham Rinpoche presents a final summary in the conclusory section, where
each of the questions and answers is summarized into one sentence. A summary
of these is as follows:
• The first question and answer is the way to practice the actual meditation of
indivisible appearance and emptiness.
• The second question and answer profoundly shows what is and what is not
the sphere of activity of the shravakas and pratyekabuddhas. It also shows that
meditation on inseparable appearance and emptiness is an uncommon
defining quality of the Secret Mantrayana.
• The third question and answer is the way to meditate on the union of
appearance and emptiness just as it is. This includes working with both
analytical and directly abiding meditation.
• The fourth question and answer is the way to then generate that style of
meditation in one’s own mind continuum, by taking the teachings from the third topic and trying to apply them.
• The fifth question and answer is the way that the two truths will appear to
someone who has profound realization.
• The sixth question and answer is how phenomena display as the state of
equality when one experiences realization.
• The seventh question and answer shows how to teach profound advice on
the view to others in accordance with one’s own realization.
Mipham Rinpoche goes on to say that the Buddha’s teachings are
inconceivably vast. It is hard to study everything, but he believes that if we study
the seven topics as they are presented within this text, we will attain certainty
that is free from all the darkness of doubt and find the marvelous path of the
supreme vehicle.
Sarva Mangalam! May auspiciousness prevail!
It contrasts the views of Mipham mainly with those of Tsongkhapa. It feels like a perfect introduction to Mipham's text, that can perhaps be followed by Pettit's Beacon of Certainty. The latter includes the root text and a verse commentary, while the former (the book being reviewed here) does not - it's a "meaning commentary."
All in all, highly recommended.
Rigpa wiki says:
The text is structured as answers to the following seven questions:
According to which of the two negations do you explain the view?
Do arhats realize both types of selflessness?
Does meditation involve grasping at an object?
Should we do analytical meditation or settling meditation?
Which of the two truths is most important?
What is the common object of disparate perceptions?
Does Madhyamaka have a position or not?
[The questions feel highly abstract and philosophical, but Rinpoche explores them in a practical manner.]
Journey to Certainty ends like this:
The Final Summary
Mipham Rinpoche presents a final summary in the conclusory section, where
each of the questions and answers is summarized into one sentence. A summary
of these is as follows:
• The first question and answer is the way to practice the actual meditation of
indivisible appearance and emptiness.
• The second question and answer profoundly shows what is and what is not
the sphere of activity of the shravakas and pratyekabuddhas. It also shows that
meditation on inseparable appearance and emptiness is an uncommon
defining quality of the Secret Mantrayana.
• The third question and answer is the way to meditate on the union of
appearance and emptiness just as it is. This includes working with both
analytical and directly abiding meditation.
• The fourth question and answer is the way to then generate that style of
meditation in one’s own mind continuum, by taking the teachings from the third topic and trying to apply them.
• The fifth question and answer is the way that the two truths will appear to
someone who has profound realization.
• The sixth question and answer is how phenomena display as the state of
equality when one experiences realization.
• The seventh question and answer shows how to teach profound advice on
the view to others in accordance with one’s own realization.
Mipham Rinpoche goes on to say that the Buddha’s teachings are
inconceivably vast. It is hard to study everything, but he believes that if we study
the seven topics as they are presented within this text, we will attain certainty
that is free from all the darkness of doubt and find the marvelous path of the
supreme vehicle.
Sarva Mangalam! May auspiciousness prevail!
November 21, 2016
smells so much of dogma...
I think the buddha would recommend at least a year in silence.
attachment to tradition... let it go!
there's only now.
I think the buddha would recommend at least a year in silence.
attachment to tradition... let it go!
there's only now.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews