Could you recommend some books?

[mint]

I've just finished reading The Crystal and The Way of Light, The Supreme Source and The Cycle of Day and Night, all by Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. I've also read Primordial Experience by Manjusrimita. Where should I go next in my studies?

[Paul]

I think the books from Rangjung Yeshe Publications are all excellent. "As It Is" (both volumes) by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche are fantastic. Tsoknyi Rinpoche's books are great, especially "Ground, Path and Fruition" - but that's restricted to those that have had pointing out instructions. "Treasures from Juniper Ridge" is an excellent, excellent book that has some good descriptions of progress in Dzogchen meditation. "Quintessential Dzogchen" is a great compilation.

If you're going to get any book get "Vivid Awareness" by Thrangu Rinpoche. It is a book I've become obsessed by. Khenpo Gangshar was clearly a very, very special person.

[mint]

I'm sort of interested in Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen by Longchen Rabjam and Rainbow Painting: A Collection of Miscellaneous Aspects of Development and Completion by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche because I like the titles and the cover looks nice.

Are these books advised? Are they difficult to understand? Do they require a person have a more thorough knowledge of Dzogchen?

[Paul]

Anything by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche should be considered mandatory reading when it comes to Dzogchen. He was one of the most realised masters of the last century.

As for "Natural Perfection" I'm not that keen on Keith Dowman as a translator. It might be a bit confusing unless you know what he's trying to translate.

[Karma Dondrup Tashi]

As for "Natural Perfection" I'm not that keen on Keith Dowman as a translator. It might be a bit confusing unless you know what he's trying to translate.

I also run into that problem I wish he would just translate and not let himself get all creative. A lot of very specific information seems to get all mushed together in his translations.

[Silent Bob]

You've been given some excellent recommendations here, including the caution about Keith Dowman's translations, certainly enough to keep you occupied for quite some time. Offhand, I'd also suggest a pair of books by Tsoknyi Rinpoche, another of Tulku Urgyen's brilliant sons--"Carefree Dignity" and "Fearless Simplicity". Both of these were compiled from talks he's given and capture the flavor of his engaging teaching style.

Chris

[mint]

Is the Tibetan Book of the Dead essential reading for understanding Dzogchen?

[Paul]

Is the Tibetan Book of the Dead essential reading for understanding Dzogchen?

Nope, but it's interesting and the new translations good.

[gnegirl]

to OP:

Book i like: Buddhahood w/o Meditation., its even better if you get the lung for it.

[mint]

I think the next Dzogchen books I will get are the terma teachings by Padmasambhava:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/086171 ... PDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/Treasures-Juniper ... gy_b_img_c