Quite possibly the most revered and prolific Nyingma master of all time, Longchenpa was an extraordinary practitioner, scholar, and poet. Known for writing some of the greatest works on Dzogchen, The Great Perfection, today's Nyingma teachers continue to draw from his seemingly infinite well-spring of beautifully composed and profoundly touching works.
Also see:
Nyingma Lineage Collections
Dudjom Tersar | Longchen Nyingtik | Namcho & Palyul | Nyingma
Guides to Other Important Nyingma Figures
Guru Rinpoche | Yeshe Tsogyal | Mandarava | Rongzompa | Longchenpa | Jigme Lingpa | Patrul Rinpoche | Sera Khandro | Mipham Rinpoche | Dilgo Khyentse | Dudjom Rinpoche
The Life of Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364)
Longchen Rabjam was a master known by many names including Drime Ozer, Dorje Ziji, and most notably, Longchenpa, whose name literally means “Great Expanse” as described in H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s book Primordial Purity. Born in a time of great social, political, and literary change in Tibet, Longchenpa made a significant impact on the development of the Nyingma tradition. Having systematized the tradition in such a way, during a time when the “old school” of the Nyingmas was nearing extinction due to the ever-changing social, political, and religious horizons of 14th century Tibet, the legacy of Longchenpa continues to draw inspiration for today’s Nyingma and Rime teachers alike. Some of his greatest works include his Trilogy of Rest and the many works compiled by Tulku Thondup in the Practice of Dzogchen.
In Nyingma, Longchenpa is indispensable. His teachings are authoritative works for listening, contemplating, and meditating. Longchenpa had three incarnations as a tertön. The first was as Pema Ledrel Tsal. The second was as the Omniscient Longchen Rabjam. The third was as the tertön king Pema Lingpa. Gyalwa Longchenpa is considered an incredibly learned and accomplished master. If one is sectarian, then there is a tendency to be critical of masters from other lineages, saying, “Well, such-and-such a master is learned, but not accomplished,” or, “That teacher is learned in sutra, but not in tantra.” However, Longchenpa is both accomplished and learned in the sutras and tantras of all the five traditions in Tibet. Longchenpa’s teachings are so thorough, complete, and logical that there can be no debate about them. So far, no one has really been able to challenge Longchenpa; his position is indestructible. His writings also change the mind of those who read them; they are clearly put forth, in an unerring fashion, and also carry incredible blessings.
—Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche, from the Preface to The Life of Longchenpa: The Omniscient Dharma King of the Vast Expanse
Latest and Upcoming Releases
The Precious Treasury of Essential Instructions
With Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's Commentary, The Nectar of Brilliant Moon
By Longchenpa and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche; translated by Padmakara Translation Group
In this collection of spiritual instructions, fourteenth-century Tibetan Buddhist master Longchenpa offers a comprehensive guide to achieving enlightenment, presented here with Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s practical commentary. The text offers clear and direct guidance for practitioners at every level, addressing the challenges of meditation, the nature of mind, and the essential practices required for progressing along the Dzogchen path.
The Precious Treasury of Essential Instructions (Man ngag rin po che’i mdzod) presents a systematic approach to spiritual development through the Dzogchen path of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The fourteenth-century master Longchenpa’s root text seamlessly blends profound philosophical insights with practical meditation instruction, covering everything from the foundational practices of renunciation to advanced contemplations on the nature of reality. His classic presentation includes sixfold categorizations of essential points, making complex Buddhist concepts accessible and applicable to daily practice.
Longchenpa’s root text is accompanied by the modern master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s (1910–1991) detailed commentary. Readers will gain invaluable insights into preparing for spiritual retreat, training the mind to cultivate compassion and wisdom, transforming adversity into opportunities for practice, and ultimately recognizing the true nature of mind. This book serves as an indispensable guide for both beginner and seasoned meditators seeking to deepen their understanding of Tibetan Buddhist practice in the Nyingma tradition and ensures these timeless teachings remain relevant and practical for modern practitioners.
Precious Treasury of the Dharmadhatu
by Longchenpa with a commentary by Khagsar Tenpa's Wangchuk
Among the great works of the omniscient Longchenpa, The Treasury of the Dharmadhātu, one of Longchenpa’s (1308–1363) Seven Treasuries is particularly revered among Tibetan poetic and scholastic works on Dzogchen meditation. The text expounds the intrinsic nature of the mind—awareness, the vast expanse of the dharmadhātu—as the basis and medium of the endless and unlimited display of phenomenal existence, of both mundane samsara and exalted nirvana. The teachers are laid out according to the approach of trekchö, the practice that “cuts through” the tough deposit of conceptual fabrication and habitual tendencies, accumulated from beginningless time, which obscures the original, unimpaired, and ever-present purity of the mind’s nature, the sugatagarbha.
Khangsar Tenpa’i Wangchuk’s modern commentary brings to life the fine points of the text as a meditation manual. Completed in 1996, it is the first extensive and detailed commentary ever to be produced on Longchenpa’s root text, with the exception of the author’s own autocommentary. In contrast with the general “meaning commentary” composed by Longchenpa himself, which explains the sense of the root text in broad strokes, supporting it with many scriptural citations, Tenpa’i Wangchuk’s is a “word-commentary” in which both the words and syntax of the root text are elucidated, thereby giving clear guidance and insight into the intentions of the author. Both root text and commentary are said to reflect the realizations of the lineage holders of the tradition and present a clear picture of the perfection of the Buddhist path.
The Precious Treasury of the Fundamental Nature By Longchenpa and Khangsar Tenpa’i Wangchuk; translated by Padmakara Translation Group
Modern scholar and Nyingma master Khangsar Tenpa’i Wangchuk composed this first and only commentary on the fourteenth-century Buddhist master Longchenpa’s essential text, The Precious Treasury of the Fundamental Nature. The root text establishes the definitive view of the secret class of pith instructions of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection. Tenpa’i Wangchuk’s word-commentary elucidates the nature of phenomena adhering closely to the internal structure of Longchenpa’s verses, clearly presenting the four vajra principles of the nature of phenomena: nonexistence, evenness, spontaneous presence, and single nature.
The Padmakara Translation Group has provided a clear and fluid new translation of Longchenpa’s root text. The commentary by Khangsar Tenpa’i Wangchuk is here translated for the first time, commencing an extended project to render his entire collected works in English. This is an invaluable resource for students of Buddhism who wish to deepen their understanding of the nature of mind and phenomena as presented in the Great Perfection tradition.
On Longchenpa's Seven Treasures
Tulku Pema Rigtsal, author of The Great Secret of Mind, gave this talk on Longchenpa and his Seven Treasuries, or Dzik Don. Below you will find both the video and audio.
Precious Advice on the Vajrayana Path
In Finding Rest in Illusion, Longchenpa does not, like the great madhyamaka authors, lay out his teachings in the form of dry, closely reasoned arguments demanding hard intellectual effort on the part of the reader. In explaining the meaning of the teachings, he aims not to demonstrate but rather to describe. He speaks from the depth of his own realization using examples and imagery, making full use of his superlative poetic gifts.
-Translator’s introduction to Finding Rest in Illusion
Longchenpa’s Trilogy of Rest
Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind
by Longchenpa and translated by Padmakara Translation Group
Longchenpa’s classic Buddhist manual for attaining liberation teaches us how to familiarize ourselves with our most basic nature—the clear, pristine, and aware mind. Written in the fourteenth century, this text is the first volume of Longchenpa’s Trilogy of Rest, a work of the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition. This profound and comprehensive presentation of the Buddhist view and path combines the scholastic expository method with direct pith instructions designed for yogi practitioners. It sets the foundation for the following two volumes: Finding Rest in Meditation, which focuses on Tibetan Buddhist meditation practice, and Finding Rest in Illusion, which focuses on post-meditation yogic conduct. The Padmakara Translation Group has provided us with a clear and fluid new translation of Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind along with selections from its autocommentary, The Great Chariot, which will serve as a genuine aid to study and meditation.
Finding Rest in Meditation
by Longchenpa and translated by Padmakara Translation Group
Longchenpa’s classic exposition of the Buddhist path, the Trilogy of Rest, teaches us how to familiarize ourselves with our most basic nature—the clear and pristine awareness that is the nature of the mind. According to the traditional format of view, meditation, and action, Finding Rest in Meditation is the sequel to Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind, which establishes the view of the Buddhist path generally, and specifically that of the teachings of the Great Perfection. It precedes the final volume, Finding Rest in Illusion, which focuses on post-meditation yogic conduct. The current volume outlines the main points of meditation, namely, where one should meditate, what qualities a practitioner should possess and develop, and what should be practiced.
Finding Rest in Illusion by Longchenpa and translated by Padmkara Translation Group
This third volume of the Trilogy of Rest introduces us to our most basic nature—the clear and pristine awareness that is the nature of the mind. The Padmakara Translation Group has provided us with a clear and fluid new translation of the final volume, Finding Rest in Illusion, along with its autocommentary, The Chariot of Excellence, which describes in detail the conduct of those who have stabilized their recognition of the nature of the mind and how to apply the Buddhist view when relating to ordinary appearances. This is an invaluable manual for any genuine student of Buddhism who wishes to truly find rest through the path of the Great Perfection.
The Fearless Lion's Roar: Profound Instructions on Dzogchen, the Great Perfection
By Nyoshul Khenpo and translated by David Christensen
Included in this collection of stories and teachings is Longchenpa’s life story and an introduction to Resting in Illusion, the third text in his Trilogy of Rest.
This volume is a heartfelt, intimate presentation of the entire system of the Nyingma tradition from sutra to tantra to Dzogchen, the Great Perfection, and how through it, modern-day practitioners can succeed in attaining fully realized buddhahood. Inspiring stories of the great masters Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa kindle the prerequisites of faith and devotion that are the basis for the practices that follow. The Tibetan Buddhist master Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje gave these talks during a three-year retreat in France from 1982 to 1985.
More From Longchenpa
“The Practice of Dzogchen enshrines the quintessential teachings of Dzogchen (Dzogpa Chenpo) written by Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjam. He is known as one of the three living Buddhas of Wisdom (Manjushri) of the Tibetan Buddhist world and the supreme authority on Dzogchen. . . .Longchen Rabjam explains that the Dzogchen teachings represent the highest views and hardcore essence of esoteric (tantric) Buddhism. Dzogchen offers meditation methods that awaken the true innate nature of our own mind, buddhahood, swiftly—in this very lifetime or during our bardo journey or, at least, in the next life by our taking rebirth in a pure land.”
-Tulku Thondup, Preface to The Practice of Dzogchen
The Practice of Dzogchen Longchen Rabjam’s Writings on the Great Perfection By Longchenpa and translated by Tulku Thondup
The Practice of Dzogchen: Longchen Rabjam’s Writings on the Great Perfection
By Longchenpa and translated by Tulku Thondup
This classic collection of texts on the meditation practice and theory of Dzogchen presents the Great Perfection through the writings of its supreme authority, the fourteenth-century Tibetan scholar and visionary Longchen Rabjam. The pinnacle of Vajrayana practice in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Dzogchen embodies a system of training that awakens the intrinsic nature of the mind to reveal its original essence, utterly perfect and free from all duality—buddha nature, or buddhahood itself.
In The Practice of Dzogchen, Tulku Thondup translates essential passages from Longchen Rabjam’s voluminous writings to illuminate and clarify this teaching. He also draws on the works of later masters of the tradition, placing Dzogchen in context both in relation to other schools of Buddhism and in relation to the nine-vehicle outline of the Buddhist path described in the Nyingma tradition. This expanded edition includes Counsel for Liberation, Longchenpa’s poetic exhortation to readers to quickly enter the path of liberation, the first step toward the summit of Dzogchen practice.
You Are the Eyes of the World
By Longchenpa and translated by Kennard Lipman and Merril Peterson
Just as the images on television are nothing more than light, so are our experiences merely the dance of awareness. Often we form attachments to or feel enslaved by these experiences. But they are only reflections. As easily as television pictures vanish when the channel is changed, the power of our experiences fades if we penetrate to the heart of reality—the light of the natural mind within everyone.
You Are the Eyes of the World presents a method for discovering awareness everywhere, all the time. This book does not discuss how to turn ordinary life off, and it does not describe how to create beautiful spiritual experiences; it shows how to live within the source of all life, the unified field where experience takes place.
The Guhyagarbha Tantra: Secret Essence Definitive Nature Just as It Is
By Longchenpa and translated by Lama Chonam and Sangye Khandro
The twenty-two chapters of this tantra elucidate how to correctly view the ground, traverse the path, and ultimately reach the result—fully enlightened buddhahood. The first part of this book includes the Tibetan and English translation for the root tantra itself. The second part is a translation of the extensive commentary on The Guhyagarbha Tantra, called Thorough Dispelling of Darkness throughout the Ten Directions, written by the omniscient Longchenpa, who was an emanation of Samantabhadra. His word-for-word commentary gives uncommon explanations regarding all stages of Vajrayana practice, including comprehensive teachings from the Dzogchen point of view on how to practice and accomplish the path to enlightenment. The author includes complete explanations of the peaceful and wrathful mandalas as well as practical instructions needed to attain the four states of vidyadharahood.
Note that this is a restricted text. See Sangye Khandro's advice on restricted material.
Longchen Choying Tobden Dorje, Longchenpa, and The Complete Nyingma Tradition
In 1838 Longchen Choying Tobden Dorje, a yogin and scholar of northeastern Tibet and one of the main students of the first Dodrubchen Rinpoche, completed a multivolume masterwork that traces the entire path of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism from beginning to end. Written by a mantra practitioner for the benefit of mantra practitioners living among the lay community, it was intended to be informative, inspirational, and above all, practical. Its twenty-five books, or topical divisions, offer a comprehensive and detailed view of the Buddhist path according to the Nyingma School, spanning the vast range of Buddhist teachings from the initial steps to the highest esoteric teachings of the Great Perfection.
As an heir to Longchenpa, this vast work by Longchen Choying Tobden Dorje is very much based on his teachings, with verbatim passages reproduced throughought as is typical in Tibetan writing. In particular books 15–17 are based on Longchenpa’s explanations of the Guhyagarbha Tantra.
Foundations of the Buddhist Path
Book 1: Discipleship and forsaking misleading companions
Book 2: How the sacred Buddhist doctrine is transmitted through teaching and listening, and how its foundation, faith, is developed
Book 3: The difficulty of attaining a free and fully endowed human life
Book 4: The impermanence of composite phenomena
Book 5: Ennobling and corrupting actions, karma, and consequences
Book 6: The round of rebirth’s nature as suffering
Book 7: Taking refuge; the legal code of the spiritual path of individual liberation; and the basis, path, and result of the hearers’ and solitary sages’ ways of Buddhist practice
Book 8: The middle way’s foundation—the two truths, and the initial uplifting of the mind to awakening
Book 9: The middle way’s path—the twofold cultivation of goodness and wisdom during three intervening incalculable eons
Book 10: The middle way’s result—the two wisdom bodies of final, manifest complete enlightenment
This volume presents the philosophical systems of India and Tibet, according to the writings of Longchen Rabjam and the revelations of Orgyan Lingpa.
First, it discusses the views attributed to classical Hinduism, Jainism, materialism, and nihilism.
Second, it describes the standpoints of the Vaibhashika and Sautrantika exponents of the lesser vehicle, exemplified by pious attendants and hermit buddhas, and the Cittamatra (“mind only”) and Madhyamaka (“middle way”) commentators of the great vehicle, exemplified by great bodhisattva beings.
Third, it analyzes the inner and outer vehicles of the Buddhist tantras, with an emphasis on the three classes of the great perfection.
Fourth, it documents the lines of philosophical transmission within Tibet, including Bon, Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Kadampa, and Geluk.
It concludes with an extract from a well-known treatise of the Fifth Dalai Lama, applying the techniques of consequential reasoning to the first chapter of Vasubandhu’s Treasury of Phenomenology.
An Overview of Buddhist Tantra, is the fourteenth book from this collection and the first in the series to focus on tantra. Whereas previous volumes presented the general exoteric teachings of Buddhism, this work outlines the esoteric practice of tantra according to the Nyingma system.
The author defines the parameters of tantra by dividing the work into outer and inner tantras, and concludes with explaining the result of the tantric path—enlightenment itself. Designed to be a companion for dedicated practitioners who receive direct instructions from a qualified teacher, this work is a comprehensive manual that provides the foundation for understanding the genuine and profound teachings of Buddhist tantra.
The Essential Tantras of Mahayoga is presented in two volumes and concerns the first of the three classes of inner tantra. It presents the entire text of the Guhyagarbha Tantra, in Tibetan and English, together with the interlinear sections of one of its most important commentaries, Dispelling the Darkness of the Ten Directions, by the outstanding fourteenth-century master Longchen Rabjam. Also included is Choying Tobden Dorje’s rewriting of Candragomin’s inspirational Extensive Commentary on the Sublime Litany of the Names of Manjushri.
This translation is comprised of two physical books for the single price.
First, it discusses the views attributed to classical Hinduism, Jainism, materialism, and nihilism.
Second, it describes the standpoints of the Vaibhashika and Sautrantika exponents of the lesser vehicle, exemplified by pious attendants and hermit buddhas, and the Cittamatra (“mind only”) and Madhyamaka (“middle way”) commentators of the great vehicle, exemplified by great bodhisattva beings.
Third, it analyzes the inner and outer vehicles of the Buddhist tantras, with an emphasis on the three classes of the great perfection.
Fourth, it documents the lines of philosophical transmission within Tibet, including Bon, Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Kadampa, and Geluk.
It concludes with an extract from a well-known treatise of the Fifth Dalai Lama, applying the techniques of consequential reasoning to the first chapter of Vasubandhu’s Treasury of Phenomenology.
Book 19: Atiyoga, the ground of being. In the commentary to the natural great perfection tantras, their origin and an enumeration of their texts; their foundation—empowerment; and their vital force—the tantric bonds’ four principles
Book 20: The view of Atiyoga. For those of the highest degree of acumen, who can attain freedom in this lifetime—coming to conclusive certainty in the view of atiyoga
Books and Collections that Include the Works and Inspiration of Longchenpa
Like the rainbow’s colors in an immaculate sky Is the shimmer of thoughts in the nature of mind. Today, understand with certainty That whatever arises is the sovereign mind, empty and luminous, Which transcends any attachment. As in the example of a melody, All things result from a number of causes, Themselves devoid of reality. Today, understand with certainty That everything is the primordial nature, Empty, without root or foundation. Like clouds in the unchanging sky, Negative actions and emotions, And all things good or bad, Spring from the mind and depend on the mind, But the nature of mind has neither root nor basis. Just as turbid water becomes clear at rest, Today, understand with certainty That by leaving thoughts alone just as they are, They naturally become limpid by themselves And are spontaneously liberated in the absolute dimension. —Longchenpa
From Matthieu Ricard’s On the Path to Enlightenment
On the Path to Enlightenment Heart Advice from the Great Tibetan Masters By Matthieu Ricard
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche inspired Matthieu Ricard to create this anthology by telling him that “when we come to appreciate the depth of the view of the eight great traditions [of Tibetan Buddhism] and also see that they all lead to the same goal without contradicting each other, we think, ‘Only ignorance can lead us to adopt a sectarian view.’” Ricard has selected and translated some of the most profound and inspiring teachings from across these traditions.
The selected teachings are taken from the sources of the traditions, including the Buddha himself, Nagarjuna, Guru Rinpoche, Atisha, Shantideva, and Asanga; from great masters of the past, including Thogme Zangpo, the Fifth Dalai Lama, Milarepa, Longchenpa, and Sakya Pandita; and from contemporary masters, including the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and Mingyur Rinpoche. They address such topics as the nature of the mind; the foundations of taking refuge, generating altruistic compassion, acquiring merit, and following a teacher; view, meditation, and action; and how to remove obstacles and make progress on the path.
More from Longchenpa’s Lineage
Included below are works by eminent Nyingma scholars and practitioners who’ve gleaned much of their inspiration from Longchenpa. They include Jigme Lingpa, who according to the tradition, received visions from Longchenpa himself and revealed the Longchen Nyingtik treasure cycle. In addition, masters such as Mipham Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and many more have drawn from the well-spring of inspiration provided by Longchen Rabjam.
Sunlight Speech That Dispels the Darkness of Doubt: Sublime Prayers, Praises, and Practices of the Nyingma Masters
By Longchenpa, Jigme Lingpa, Jamgon Mipham, Dudjom Rinpoche, and Patrul Rinpoche; translated by Thinley Norbu
In this sublime revision, Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche has translated a selection of wisdom teachings into direct and simple English that retains the power of the original writings and their emphasis on practice. The authors are five of the most sublime scholar-saints of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism: Kunkhyen Longchenpa, Kunkhyen Jigme Lingpa, Patrul Rinpoche, Mipham Rinpoche, and Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche. Their compositions include words of advice, poetic praises, concise daily prayers, and liturgies accompanied by instructions. Written over a span of time from the medieval to the modern era, these precious teachings are intended to be the cornerstones of faith, practice, and enlightenment.
Masters of Meditation and Miracles Lives of the Great Buddhist Masters of India and Tibet
By Tulku Thondup
Masters of Meditation and Miracles presents colorful biographies of thirty-five realized teachers whose lives were full of peace, enlightenment, and amazing miracles. They flourished in Tibet, the Roof of the World, in its golden days. These teachers belong to the Longchen Nyingthig lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, a cycle of mystical teachings revealed by the great scholar and adept Jigme Lingpa.
From the first master, Garap Dorje, to the present, each spiritual personality has his or her own distinctive role to play in this great lineage. In retelling their stories in his own words, the author has sought to bring out their inner feelings as well as their external activities: how they faced and healed physical pain, how they dealt with emotional turmoil, how they overcame spiritual or meditative illusions, and most important, what experiences they had when they awakened their own inner Buddha Mind and Buddha qualities. These biographies not only provide great sources of teachings on meditation, but will also kindle a spiritual flame in the hearts of readers.
Additional Resources
Select translations from Longchenpa can be found under 'Longchen Rabjam Series' on Lotsawa House
And for Tibetan readers, TBRC/BDRC of course provides downloadable pdfs of Longchen Rabjam's works in Tibetan
More can be found on Longchenpa's live on Treasury of Lives