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Crush the Eggshell of the Mind
 
The world is not imperfect or slowly evolving along a path toward perfection. No, it is perfect at every moment.

Herman Hesse
Dzogchen Center printable version


Buddhism for the West

PO Box 400734
Cambridge, MA 02140
617.628.1702

www.dzogchen.org

All the writing on this page is by Lama Surya Das:

Followers of the Dharma (in the West) are informed, engaged citizens,...The Dharma is integrated into daily life. Our inner life and outer life are merged so that family life, the workplace, and relationships all have a place in the mandala of practice here in America.

Our work is based on the understanding that all people are capable of awakening to the "Buddha within" - the freedom and perfection of their own natural state, the very state realized by the Buddha.

Dzogchen, the "Natural Great Perfection," is the ultimate teaching of the Tibetan tradition. It directly introduces our inner Buddha, the inherent freedom, purity, and perfection of being. Through the non-dual awareness practice called Trekchod, or cutting through, this innate Buddha Mind - Rigpa - is effortless unveiled. Rushen, or subtle discernment, is a preliminary practice, taught along with Tibetan Energy Yoga, relaxation techniques, chanting, meditaiton and self-inquiry practices that guide and nourish the practitioner toward realizing a deeper spirituality of being. The practice of many of the greatest Tibetan masters of the recent century, Dzogchen has been proclaimed, in its directness and simplicity, as the quintessential teaching of our time. Traditionally, Dzogchen was transmitted in a very restricted way. It is now being introduced to the West, within the context of traditional lineage teachings.

The following are sections from Surya’s introduction to his Dharma talks on www.dzogchen.org.
The sole purpose of Buddhism is enlightenment, awakening, and the spiritual transformation that brings us inner peace, nirvana, freedom. The path of mindfulness and meditation awakens us to our innate Buddha nature, to pure presence, bringing with the experience of that serene inner center an understanding and acceptance of what is, and the realization that we are one with whatever we experience. Anyone can achieve spiritual realization by following the practice path laid out by the lineage of teachers, beginning with the Buddha and continuing down through the centuries to us today. This timeless legacy transcends distance and time, offering us instruction and guidance, inspiration, and illumination.
……….
My Tibetan lamas taught me to reaffirm daily the Bodhisattva’s altruistic vow of selfless service, in order to serve the Dharma and all beings as part of my path to enlightenment. I have tried to live up to their shining example by helping to bring the practical values and contemplative benefits of Buddhist Dharma to the West—including presenting authentic teachers and their genuine teachings—and making Buddhadharma both accessible and practicable for people today.

Wisdom is the essence of Buddhism;
meditation is its most essential practice; and
love, service, and compassion in action are its ultimate expression.

Truths are many, but truth, reality, is one; may all realize it.

May peace and harmony prevail.

Sarva mangalam.

Lama Surya Das

April 2001

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