From Foundation to Summit - by Orgyen Chowang (Paperback)

About the Book

"Teachings based on Thinley Norbu's A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar"--Page one of cover.

Book Synopsis

Essential instructions on the Vajrayana path to ultimate enlightenment, from the foundational contemplations about the nature of reality to the ultimate realizations of the wisdom of Dzogchen.

In the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, before one can receive empowerments and pointing-out instructions from a dharma master, one must first open and prepare the mind by engaging in the foundational practices (ngöndro). This consists of completing a specified number of repetitions of the rituals of taking refuge, arousing the mind of awakening (bodhichitta), mandala offering, Vajrasattva purification, and Guru Yoga.

In this book, Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche brilliantly explains how to engage in the foundational practice according to the New Treasures of the Dudjom tradition, the Dudjom Tersar. And from the outset, Orgyen Chowang introduces the pristine teachings of Dzogchen, the pinnacle of the Nyingma path, to provide the context that informs every stage of the path to awakening.

This book is based on a series of oral teachings on Thinley Norbu's text A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar, itself a teaching on the Dudjom Tersar, that Orgyen Chowang gave to Western students over a three-month period in 1997. He explains in a very fresh, uncomplicated way such topics as receiving the blessings from the lama, the nature of awakening, the role of pointing-out instructions, tranquility and insight meditation, the three bodies of enlightenment, and the Dzogchen practices of trekchöd (cutting through) and thögal (passing over). This book will be of immense benefit to those engaged in the Dudjom Tersar ngöndro, those who have already finished their ngöndro accumulations, and those engaged in the foundational practice from other Nyingma lineages.

Review Quotes

"I feel sure that the publication of Orgyen Chowang's commentary on Thinley Norbu's A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar will be of immense benefit, and my aspiration is that it will inspire the blessings and fearlessness of the great tertön Dudjom Lingpa to shower down ceaselessly on this earth."
--from the foreword by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, author of Living Is Dying

"Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche is someone with a deep understanding of Dzogchen and Vajrayana that is truly rare. He has a special gift to take us to the heart of the matter with his clear and profound teachings. I'm so happy he has written this book on the Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro. There is no doubt that many will benefit from reading it."
--Anam Thubten, author of Into the Haunted Ground: A Guide to Cutting the Root of Suffering

"A wealth of glorious information."
--Buddhistdoor Global

About the Author

​​ORGYEN CHOWANG​ ​is a master of meditation, especially the pinnacle meditation of Tibetan Buddhism called Dzogchen. He trained for many years in the Nyingma lineage with his principal teacher, Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, one of the greatest Dzogchen masters in modern times. He is the founder and spiritual director of Pristine Mind Foundation, which sponsors extensive programs and teachings by Orgyen Chowang, and the author of Our Pristine Mind: A Practical Guide to Unconditional Happiness.