Entering the Way of the Great Vehicle

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This first English translation presents a classic treatise on Dzogchen, or Great Perfection, illustrating its role as the culmination of Mahayana Buddhism. Written in the eleventh century by Rongzom Chökyi Zangpo during a pivotal renaissance of Buddhism in Tibet, the work responds to the emergence of new translations of Indian texts and the subsequent rise of "new schools" that deemed older traditions impure. Rongzompa's treatise aims to clarify how Dzogchen aligns with the diverse sutric and tantric teachings across Tibetan schools. Employing the philosophical and linguistic analyses favored by the new schools, he argues that the Great Perfection represents the culmination of the Mahāyāna path. Central to his discourse is the concept of illusory appearance; recognizing that all appearances are illusory leads to the understanding of their inherent equality. This realization is the essence of the Great Perfection approach, liberating practitioners from both attachment to and aversion toward appearances. For those struggling to maintain this effortless state, the final chapter offers insights into paths that involve effort, demonstrating their inclusion within the Great Perfection framework.