Lama Vajranatha

Dzogchen Teachings in the Longchen Nyingthik

In Tibet in the 18th cen., Jigmed Lingpa revived the Dzogchen Upadesha teachings of Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra known as Nying-thik, “the essence of the mind.” He had followed in the earlier footsteps of Longchenpa (14th cen.) who systematically collected these transmissions. Furthermore, it was said that there were a number of teachings that Longchenpa did not have the opportunity to set down in writing in his own lifetime. While in retreat in the Chimphu cave in Central Tibet, Jigmed Lingpa had a series of visions where Longchenpa actually appeared to him and dictated these teachings to him. He set them down in writing with the title of the Longchen Nyingthik, “the essence of the mind of the great vast expanse,” that is to say, Longchenpa. In 19th and 20th century Tibet, this became the most widespread and popular series of Terma teachings among Nyingmapa Tibetans. In this seminar, we shall look into this Terma series of teachings, both Tantra and Dzogchen, but especially the latter.