Restricted Dzogchen Teachings, Part 4: The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra
In this course Lama Alan Wallace presents the second installment of a line-by-line oral commentary through the remaining sections of the The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, one of the famed Dzogchen master Düdjom Lingpa’s most essential and profound visionary texts. The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra provides an exposition on the entire path of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection, transmitted from Düdjom Lingpa’s pure visions into pith instruction and heart advice.
Lama Alan Wallace—authorized to share these teachings by his Dzogchen lama, the Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche—makes this wellspring of the Great Perfection approachable to a contemporary audience, with step-by-step guidance through the theory and practice of Dzogchen. Rich discussion, practical insights, and guided meditation all support the cultivation of a deepening the practice of shamatha (calm-abiding) and vipashyana (insight), so as to open to the gateway into the utterly profound and distinctive practices within Dzogchen: in particular the practice of trekchö, or cutting through to pristine awareness.
What You’ll Learn
- How the Dzogchen tradition, the tradition of the Great Perfection, understands the path of awakening
- The ability to put into practice pith instructions from one of Tibet’s greatest visionary Dzogchen masters, Düdjom Lingpa
- The importance of visualization and mantra practice in the development of Great Compassion and pure vision
- How the practices of shamatha and vipashyana are related to the practice of trekchö, or cutting through to pristine awareness
About this Course
In this second of a two-part series, continue discovering the depths of the Dzogchen tradition’s approach to awakening, the pristine purity of unborn awareness, with line-by-line commentary and heart advice on Düdjom Lingpa’s famed Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra.
These teachings are based on Lama Alan Wallace’s eight-week retreat in Italy at the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in April and May 2018.
Wisdom Academy has created two courses from this retreat: Restricted Dzogchen Teachings, Part 3: The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, and Part 4: The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra.
Eligibility for the Course
This series of courses is restricted to students who have a solid foundation in the Dharma and a strong commitment to the Buddhist path. Lama Alan Wallace has chosen to limit access to these teachings on Dzogchen due to the possibility of students misunderstanding the subject without having the appropriate background. Students must have received a certificate of completion for the Wisdom Academy course Introduction to Dzogchen and Restricted Dzogchen Teachings, Part 3 in order to take Restricted Dzogchen Teachings, Part 4.
Lessons
Lesson 1: Collapsing the False Cave of Hope and Fear
In this first lesson, Lama Alan Wallace continues his detailed commentary on Phase 3 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra. Lama Alan’s commentary elucidates what Düdjom Lingpa describes in his auto-commentary as “the Faults of Benefit and Harm” and “Collapsing the False Cave and Hopes and Fears.” Ultimately we arrive at the view of all appearances as one emptiness. In addition, Lama Alan guides us through meditations on cultivating great happiness, loving-kindness, and the stillness of awareness.
In this first lesson, Lama Alan Wallace continues his detailed commentary on Phase 3 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra. Lama Alan’s commentary elucidates what Düdjom Lingpa describes in his auto-commentary as “the Faults of Benefit and Harm” and “Collapsing the False Cave and Hopes and Fears.” Ultimately we arrive at the view of all appearances as one emptiness. In addition, Lama Alan guides us through meditations on cultivating great happiness, loving-kindness, and the stillness of awareness.
Lesson 2: Realizing One Emptiness
In this lesson Lama Alan Wallace brings us through the conclusion of Phase 3 of the root text, which discusses the nature of all appearances as of one emptiness in order to identify the ground dharmakaya. Lama Alan offers commentary on Düdjom Lingpa’s discussion of personal identitylessness and phenomenal identitylessness, and leads us in guided meditation on taking the mind as the path and sadhana practice to support the unification of all the practices and teachings in Phase 3.
In this lesson Lama Alan Wallace brings us through the conclusion of Phase 3 of the root text, which discusses the nature of all appearances as of one emptiness in order to identify the ground dharmakaya. Lama Alan offers commentary on Düdjom Lingpa’s discussion of personal identitylessness and phenomenal identitylessness, and leads us in guided meditation on taking the mind as the path and sadhana practice to support the unification of all the practices and teachings in Phase 3.
Lesson 3: The Actual Characteristics of the Ground
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace begins his discussion of Phase 4 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, offering insights and commentary on early moments in Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary account for “Determining the Characteristics and Qualities of the Ground.” Guided meditations on the space of the mind, compassion, nonmeditation, and cultivating pure view support our understanding and integration of Düdjom Lingpa’s precious teachings.
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace begins his discussion of Phase 4 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, offering insights and commentary on early moments in Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary account for “Determining the Characteristics and Qualities of the Ground.” Guided meditations on the space of the mind, compassion, nonmeditation, and cultivating pure view support our understanding and integration of Düdjom Lingpa’s precious teachings.
Lesson 4: Wisdom, Path and Ground
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace continues his discussion of Phase 4 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, offering insights and commentary on Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary account for “Determining the Characteristics and Qualities of the Ground.” Here Düdjom Lingpa discusses the meaning and significance of deities, the subtle body, and the variety of paths, all encompassed by the Great Perfection.
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace continues his discussion of Phase 4 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, offering insights and commentary on Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary account for “Determining the Characteristics and Qualities of the Ground.” Here Düdjom Lingpa discusses the meaning and significance of deities, the subtle body, and the variety of paths, all encompassed by the Great Perfection.
Lesson 5: Natural Liberation and Dualistic Grasping
In this lesson Lama Alan Wallace guides us to completion of Phase 4 of the Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra and into the opening of Phase 5, “Determining Secret Dualistic Grasping and Revealing the Way of Natural Liberation.” Lama Alan Wallace offers commentary on Düdjom Lingpa’s exquisite and pithy description of how samsara arises, from the most subtle of levels. Guided meditations on the awareness of awareness, the nature of mental afflictions, emptiness and equanimity support our understanding of these profound teachings.
In this lesson Lama Alan Wallace guides us to completion of Phase 4 of the Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra and into the opening of Phase 5, “Determining Secret Dualistic Grasping and Revealing the Way of Natural Liberation.” Lama Alan Wallace offers commentary on Düdjom Lingpa’s exquisite and pithy description of how samsara arises, from the most subtle of levels. Guided meditations on the awareness of awareness, the nature of mental afflictions, emptiness and equanimity support our understanding of these profound teachings.
Lesson 6: Apprehending Minds and Liberating Appearances
In this lesson Lama Alan Wallace continues his commentary on Phase 5 of the Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra. Here, Düdjom Lingpa outlines the heart of samsara, and “secret dualistic grasping,” as well as the heart of liberation from the vantage point of the Secret Mantrayana and Dzogchen. Guided meditations on resting the mind in its natural state, developing pure vision, cultivating bodhicitta, as well as sadhana practice, all support our journey through the root text.
In this lesson Lama Alan Wallace continues his commentary on Phase 5 of the Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra. Here, Düdjom Lingpa outlines the heart of samsara, and “secret dualistic grasping,” as well as the heart of liberation from the vantage point of the Secret Mantrayana and Dzogchen. Guided meditations on resting the mind in its natural state, developing pure vision, cultivating bodhicitta, as well as sadhana practice, all support our journey through the root text.
Lesson 7: Realizing Identitylessness and Essential Points of Practice
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace brings us to the conclusion of Phase 5 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, and begins us commentary on Phase 6, “Teachings on the Essential Points of Practice and Their Key Distinctions.” Guided meditations on discerning wisdom, single-pointed mindfulness, and loving-kindness, as well as Sadhana practice, support our integration and understanding of this profound material.
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace brings us to the conclusion of Phase 5 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, and begins us commentary on Phase 6, “Teachings on the Essential Points of Practice and Their Key Distinctions.” Guided meditations on discerning wisdom, single-pointed mindfulness, and loving-kindness, as well as Sadhana practice, support our integration and understanding of this profound material.
Lesson 8: Key Distinctions of the Great Perfection
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace continues his commentary on Phase 6 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra. Here, Lama Alan elucidates Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary instructions on distinguishing mind from pristine awareness, and ordinary consciousness from primordial consciousness. To support our study and integration of this profound material, Lama Alan offers guided meditations on the awareness of awareness, mantra practice of Avalokitesvara, and on the practice open presence.
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace continues his commentary on Phase 6 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra. Here, Lama Alan elucidates Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary instructions on distinguishing mind from pristine awareness, and ordinary consciousness from primordial consciousness. To support our study and integration of this profound material, Lama Alan offers guided meditations on the awareness of awareness, mantra practice of Avalokitesvara, and on the practice open presence.
Lesson 9: The Direct Perception of Ultimate Reality
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace completes his commentary on Phase 6 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, and begins his commentary on selections from Phase 7: How to Follow the Path of the Great Clear Light, Direct Crossing Over. Lama Alan discusses the relationship between prior phases and the teachings on direct crossing over and presents a general understanding on the teachings of direct crossing over; to orient us amidst the fullness of Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary path. Lama Alan also offers guided meditations on the sadhana of Avalokitesvara, on integrating practices covered thus far in the course, the four greats, and open presence.
In this lesson, Lama Alan Wallace completes his commentary on Phase 6 of The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, and begins his commentary on selections from Phase 7: How to Follow the Path of the Great Clear Light, Direct Crossing Over. Lama Alan discusses the relationship between prior phases and the teachings on direct crossing over and presents a general understanding on the teachings of direct crossing over; to orient us amidst the fullness of Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary path. Lama Alan also offers guided meditations on the sadhana of Avalokitesvara, on integrating practices covered thus far in the course, the four greats, and open presence.
Lesson 10: The Fruition of the Path: Rainbow Body and the Ground of Being
For our final lesson, Lama Alan Wallace brings us to the conclusion of Pema Tashi’s commentary on The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, illuminating selections from Phase 7 and Phase 8 of the root text. Here, we come to the culmination of path, receiving Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary instructions on fruition; both in terms of the transitional stages of the bardo and the great rainbow body in Phase 7, and the spontaneous actualization of the dharmakaya in Phase 8. Lama Alan offers guided meditations on open presence, bodhicitta, and awareness practice that encapsulates practices explored throughout the course.
For our final lesson, Lama Alan Wallace brings us to the conclusion of Pema Tashi’s commentary on The Sharp Vajra of Conscious Awareness Tantra, illuminating selections from Phase 7 and Phase 8 of the root text. Here, we come to the culmination of path, receiving Düdjom Lingpa’s visionary instructions on fruition; both in terms of the transitional stages of the bardo and the great rainbow body in Phase 7, and the spontaneous actualization of the dharmakaya in Phase 8. Lama Alan offers guided meditations on open presence, bodhicitta, and awareness practice that encapsulates practices explored throughout the course.
About the Teacher
Dynamic lecturer, progressive scholar, and one of the most prolific writers and translators of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, Lama Alan Wallace, PhD, continually seeks innovative ways to integrate Buddhist contemplative practices with Western science to advance the study of the mind.
Lama Alan, a scholar and practitioner of Buddhism since 1970, has taught Buddhist theory and meditation worldwide since 1976. Having devoted 14 years to training as a Tibetan Buddhist monk, ordained by H.H. the Dalai Lama, he went on to earn an undergraduate degree in physics and the philosophy of science at Amherst College and a doctorate in religious studies at Stanford. Lama Alan later studied Dzogchen with Gyatrul Rinpoche, a senior teacher in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. With his unique background, Lama Alan brings deep experience and applied skills to the challenge of integrating traditional Indo-Tibetan Buddhism with the modern world.
Lama Alan is the author and translator of several books, including Düdjom Lingpa’s Visions of the Great Perfection, Stilling the Mind: Shamatha Teachings From Dudjom Linpa’s Vajra Essence, Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground Up, Natural Liberation: Padmasambhava’s Teachings on the Six Bardos, and The Attention Revolution.