BOUNDLESS VISION presents the Dzogchen practices of the Tibetan Northern Treasure tradition of the master Godemchan according to the 19th century master Tulku Tsulo. Tulku Thondrup Rinpoche's translation has been edited by Keith Dowman. Tulku Tsulo's lamrim text begins in Part One with the preliminary Dzogchen practices (ngondro) including the Five Nails, all treated at length. These elementary levels are evidently designed for newcomers to the Nyingma path. Part Two begins with the inner, Dzogchen, preliminaries (rushen) and then treats the trekcho and togal central meditations, providing clear and detailed instruction and metaphorical indication for both meditation phases. The Breakthrough (togal) section emphasizes direct introduction, while the Leap-over (togal) section, thoroughly explicates the four lamps and the four visions. Bardo descriptions as meditation experience in this life conclude this section. Part Three summarizes the result and completes the text. The Northern Treasure (changter) tradition is founded in the termas that Rigzin Godemchan discovered in a treasure cache in Western Tibet in the 14th century, which is collectively known as All-Good Boundless Vision. This treasure cache is universally renowned for its clarity, lucidity and profundity. (The Northern Treasure is to be distinguished from the more prolific Southern Treasure - lhoter - of which Jigmelingpa is a major exponent). Tulku Tsulo (Tsultrim Zangpo, 1884-1957?) of Do Dorje Trak gompa in Kham composed this celebrated lamrim, based on Godemchan's terma, which Tulku Thondrup entitles BOUNDLESS VISION . This textbook of Dzogchen training became a primer for latterday changter practitioners, amongst whom was Tertrul Chimme Rigzin Rinpoche (1922-2002), who received the instruction from Tulku Tsulo himself at the Khordong Gompa in Kham, bringing it to Shantiniketan University in Bengal, India. It has been authoritatively translated by Tulku Thondrup Rinpoche, a primary lineage holder of Chimme Rigzin at Shantiniketan, now teaching in Boston, USA. A vital community in Germany and Poland continues the tradition. Tulku Thondrup has contributed a practical introduction to his translation, along with useful notation elucidating textural cruxes in footnotes and establishing the origin of Tulku Tsulo's quotations in endnotes. Keith Dowman's editing updates the terminology of Dzogchen, bringing it in line with rapidly changing contemporary usage. This seminal Dzogchen text is published here by Dzogchen Now! Books with an understanding of the karmic burden entailed. Our hope and anticipation is that it is treated with the respect that this core text demands, that positive outcome will greatly outweigh any negativity caused by inappropriate motivation, and in this respect we draw the prospective reader's attention to the protecting powers of the Dzogchen Dharma.
About the Author: BOUNDLESS VISION presents the Dzogchen practices of the Tibetan Northern Treasure tradition of the rigzin Godemchan according to the 19th century master Tulku Tsulo. Tulku Thondrup Rinpoche's translation has been edited by Keith Dowman. Rigzin Godemchan (1337-1408) resides in the highest echelon of buddhas in the Nyingma lineages, and is exalted equally by the Southern Treasure tradition. His lineage is founded in Dorje Trak Gompa in Central Tibet and has a strong presence in Kham. Tulku Tsulo (Tsultrim Zangpo, 1884-1957?), the author of BOUNDLESS VISION, was a khempo at the Dorje Trak gompa in Domang, Kham. He was the grandson of Nuden Dorje Dropen Lingpa; he taught at Shukchung, Bahne and Khordong gompas; he composed eight volumes of commentary; and his reputation spread widely throughout eastern Tibet. Chimme Rigzin Rinpoche (1922-2002) was recognized as the fourth incarnation of Nuden Dorje Dropen Lingpa in the Khordong Gompa in south-eastern Kham and received instruction from Tulku Tsulo. Transported to India he taught in the Shantiniketan university in West Bengal, founded a gompa in Siliguri, and teaching abroad he established a Khordong tradition in Germany and Poland. Tulku Thondrup studied under Chimme Rigzin at Shantiniketan, India, before departing for Boston, Massachusetts, USA, where under the auspices of the Buddhayana Foundation he became a prolific translator and well-beloved mentor. Chimme Rigzin induced him to translate this text into English. Keith Dowman, born in England, lived in India and Nepal under the tutelage of Dudjom Rinpoche and Kanjur Rinpoche for 45 years, and now lives in Mexico, translating and teaching Dzogchen.