A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission: A Commentary on the Precious Treasure of the Basic Space of Phenomena Hardcover – January 1, 2001

This is a very important book which can also be found at Padma Publishing for the real low price new.

Longchen-pa was the Master of Masters! Very concise teachings that both expanded (& confirmed) my understandings of the large volumes of Dzogchen literature!

This is Richard Barron's translation of Longchenpa's self-commentary on his The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena. The Scriptural Treasury. This is the Commentary on the First Chapter of "The Precious Treasury of Dharmadhaatu" was Schmidt's prior translation of the text/self-commentary which together are one of the famous Seven Treasuries--perhaps the greatest set of Dzogchen works. Barron has now translated 4 of them (in 5 volumes). The other translations are: The Precious Treasury of the Way of Abiding: Original Title Gnas Lugs Mdzod, The Precious Treasury of Pith Instructions (The Seven Treasuries Series), & The Precious Treasury of Philosophical Systems. The 3 yet to be translated are: The Precious Treasury Of Sublime Spiritual Approach, The Precious Treasury To Fulfill One's Wishes, & The Precious Treasury Of Words & Their Meanings. The "Basic Space of Phenomena" is awesome itself & the commentary adds many excerpts mostly from numerous Tantras, esp. The All-Creating Monarch, which has been published as The Supreme Source: The Fundamental Tantra of the Dzogchen Semde. This book addresses p. 54: "Mind itself--naturally occurring timeless awareness--has no substance or characteristics." Thus, p. 55: "Naturally arising timeless awareness, being spontaneously present as the heart essence of Dharmakaya, is free of conceptual or descriptive elaboration." Further, p. 183: "Not dependent on causes, incomparable timeless awareness gives rise to everything, & so there is no other source of phenomena." Regarding Samsara: p. 207: "You are not bound by sensory appearances, but by fixation on them & p. 232 "Sensory appearances & consciousness of them are of one taste in nondual unity." My favorite quotes are: p. 367 "Using metaphors provides only partial illustration--in no way does it provide a total comparison...such comparisons are only partially valid & p. 369: There is no contradiction in labeling it as anything or nothing."This is a heavy duty, advanced book; Longchenpa says: p. 432: "The topics discussed in this text are so profound that ordinary people will find it difficult to fathom their meaning." The book also includes an Exhortation by the great Patrul Rinpoche who states: pp. 448-51: "Besides studying these texts, there is no other practice...Mingling your mind with these texts, seal their marrow in your mind...Cast your mind into these texts...a 100 rivers of pith instructions flowing under one bridge--this is it...Since it rests in you, don't seek it elsewhere. Don't collect the bark & throw away the heartwood. Don't practice with exertion, forsaking what is effortless...Definitely attain sublime timeless awareness of the blessing lineage."Note: Longchenpa used numerous pseudonyms such as: p. 437: Samyipa Ngakgi Tsultrim Lodrö (Disciplined Intellect, the Lord of Speech from Samyé), Dorje Ziji (Vajra Brilliance), Drimé Özer (Stainless Rays of Light), Longchen Rabjam (Infinitely Extensive Vast Expanse), & Kunkhyen Ngak-gi Wangpo (Omniscient Lord of Speech) for different types of works.

must read

for the serious student of Dzogchen, this book is truly extraordinary. Longchen Rabjam was one of the great Dzogchen practitioners in Tibet, and this is one of the finest of his many books. one would be hard-pressed to find more eloquent or more clear or more comprehensive expressions and explanations of the nature of mind and all the samsara and nirvana that arise within it. truly, a treasure to be studied, reflected upon and re-read over a life time.but, this book is not for everyone. it is ultimately a guide for serious practitioners. to benefit from this book, one must have at least some basic appreciation at an intuitive level, rather than simply at an intellectual level, of what happens when one looks within one's own mind. otherwise, the book may simply confuse. but, if you are unsure, I urge you to give it a try and see if it resonates; because if it does, this book is not to be missed.note: it appears that the amazon-related sellers of this book (as a used book) are charging approximately double the cost of purchasing this book (as a new book) from the publisher.

Great expansion on The Basic Space of Phenomena. For those who understand, this is a remarkable book. For anyone seriously studying Buddhist thought, Rabjam's writing is nothing short of astonishing.

Hardback: handsome two-cloth binding in blue buckram and cream linen with gold details. With dustjacket.Sewn binding. Creamy stock. 512 pp.TABLE OF CONTENTSForward, His Emminence Chagdud Tulku RinpocheIntroduction, Venerable Tulku Thondop RinpocheTranslation Committee's PrefaceIntroductionThe Adornment of Basic SpaceAwakened Mind as Pure RealmMetaphors for Awakened MindThe Essence and Display of AwarenessTranscending Effort and CausalityAll-Inclusive Awakened MindSpontabeiously Present AwarenessNonduality Within Awakened MindThe Decisive ExperienceNatural Meditative StabilityResting in Uncontrived ConductTimeless FreedomAwakening to BuddhahoodConclusionAn Exhortation to Read "The Seven Treasures," Paltrul RinpocheNotesSources CitedWord List