The Yeshe Lama: Jigme Lingpa's Dzogchen Atiyoga Manual

The ultimate objective of all Buddhist practice is the direct experiencing of the nature of one's own mind; that is, enlightenment. There are many different levels of practice designed to match the different capacities and levels of preparedness of practitioners. While many practices have objectives which are considered to be only steps towards enlightenment, Dzogchen has enlightenment as its immediate goal. The Yeshe Lama is considered to be one the most efficacious instruction manuals within Dzogchen for experiencing of the nature of one's own mind through the practices of Trekcho (Breakthrough) and Togal (Leapover). This book by Keith Dowman is the latest translation into English of this time honored work.There are a number of different factors that could be used to distinguish this translation from the others. Some are the accuracy, understandability and poetic nature of the translation as well as quality and usefulness of the translator's commentary. I feel Mr. Dowman does very well indeed with all these. However, in this instance there is one single factor that dwarfs all the others: Availability. The other translations will be unavailable to you if you can not produce evidence of having received empowerment and authorization to read the text by an authentic lama. As Tibetan Buddhism penetrates more and more deeply into the west (providing enlightening new techniques to ameliorate suffering), it is inevitable that a clash of the two cultures will happen.The feudal nature of Tibetan Buddhism might possibly be conducive to the continuation of that religion or even Tibetan culture itself, I do not know. However, it can present a distinct obstruction to people who wish to recognize their own buddha natures (the nature of their minds). Neither knowledge of the nature of mind nor its direct experience can or should be owned or controlled by any individual or group of individuals. Anyone who has tasted the clear light is saturated with the desire that every being become aware of his/her own existence as buddha. By Keith Dowman's open publishing of the Yeshe Lama an important step has been made towards bringing to the general population the wisdom of enlightenment that Tibet has to offer humanity. I feel intense satisfaction because this has been done; perhaps I have longed to see such a thing for many many years. And so, I publicly wish to express my appreciation and deep respect to Mr. Dowman for what he has given the west – it is precious beyond words, and for his courage to stand exactly where the waves are breaking in the meeting of these two cultures.I must finish with a disclaimer for those who are unfamiliar with the teachings in Dzogchen on the attainment of enlightenment. Getting glimpses of the nature of one's own mind is like catching rain falling from the sky. Putting out empty buckets to catch the falling of uncertain rain can not be effective with certitude. There can be no direct cause of the experiencing of the nature of mind. Nonetheless, in the same way that empty buckets are useful in gathering rainwater, I feel that the general availability of the Yeshe Lama will do much to help people discover their own mind.

There should be an an understanding that spiritual path of an individual is their own business to an inconceivable extent. Thus if one were to locate a book such as this, it be pretty important to align your practice in a way so that you benefit from it. And only the person them self can possibly know how to do it. So, if a person connects with these "top most" teachings with appropriate degree of seriousness, they will know what to do how to handle these.After all this is that spiritual path we are talking about here, the one and same that millions of people do not see any value to at all, let alone Buddhist, or Dzogchen teachings... So, yes it is most interesting to try and wrap your mind around the idea that century after century there seemingly persists a large number of people that do get the teachings, do attempt some manner of meditation and still seem to follow into the direction of the "butter bag" - a traditional tibetan idea based on the fact that butter was stored in a leather bag. That bag would become so hard from all the contact with the butter, so it would not be ever softened ever again by application of any more butter... The highest risk that people coming in contact with Dzogchen and liberating Vajrayana teachings is not using these to liberate.Then there is a storm wave of voices about accurate, bad, good whatever translation that this one is or not. Well when your 40 years of study and contemplation result in your translation of a Yeshe Lama, then it will be possible to compare. Until then, we got this.And yes in the west and in US we do not have a strong Buddhist tradition at all, it all is very new and very much uncertain. So, one hears people very actively attempting to discourage others in taking their path seriously.May this review and most of all the book about which I managed to talk very little, be of liberating benefit to all!In addition there are two more translations of the same text that can be considered:Highest Wisdom: A Guidebook to The Stages of Path of the Primal Guardian According to Longchen Nyingtig Great Completion by Jigmey Lingpa , translated by Tony DuffAnd,Yeshe Lama By Vidyadhara Jigmed LingpaTranslation by Lama Chönam and Sangye Khandro-Light of BerotsanaWe are alive in very fortunate times!

Not to be read by anyone who isn’t given the instructions to read this text and then guided through it by a qualified master. This isn’t your run of the mill Buddhist book the ideas and practices are very advanced and if done without empowerments, purifications/preliminaries and guru guidance it could prove harmful and PUFF UP THE EGO.But if one is ready this is a rocket ship to the Dharmakaya

Fitted in well with recent reads and making a great deal of difference to experiences.

The Yeshe Lama is beyond review + the author's forward is both provocative and important. Thanks for making this available.

Ok

This is sad to see non legal use of "LAMA YESHE" who is a true best seller & who's teachings are deep.Here the name is "Yeshe Lama" = false advertising to sell a book.Now, about the content: looking attractive but so far from the real teachings of Tantrism :(The problem is that people with true will to learn will get wrong knowledge :(----Il est triste de voir une utilisation frauduleuse du nom du réel "LAMA YESHE".Dans le doute j'ai acheté le livre, mais à la lecture, on constate immédiatement que les contenus ont peu de choses à voir avec la Voie tantrique :(Le pire à mon avis est que des personnes animées d'une sincère envie de travailler cette voie, vont prendre pour authentique ce livre, bien éloigné des enseignements du véritable LAMA YESHE :(