View (Dzogchen)

In Dzogchen, the view (Tib. ''tawa'') is one of the Three Dharmas of the Path of Dzogchen. The other two dharmas of the path are practice (''gompa'') and conduct (''chöpa'').

Terminology

Nyingma Dzogchen texts use unique terminology to describe the Dzogchen view (Tib. ''tawa''). Some of these terms deal with the different elements and features of the mind and are drawn from classic Buddhist thought. The generic term for consciousness is ''shes pa'' (''Skt. vijñāna''), and includes the six sense consciousnesses. Worldly, impure and dualistic forms of consciousness are generally referred to with terms such as ''sems'' (''citta,'' mind), ''yid'' ('' mānas'') and ''blo'' (''buddhi''). On the other hand, nirvanic or liberated forms of consciousness are described with terms such as ''ye shes'' (''jñāna'', 'pristine consciousness') and ''shes rab'' ( ''prajñā'', wisdom). According to Sam van Schaik, two significant terms used in Dzogchen literature is the ground (''gzhi'') and gnosis (''rig pa''), which represent the "ontological and gnoseological aspects of the nirvanic state" respectively.

Nyingma Dzogchen literature also describes nirvana as the "expanse" or "space" (''klong'' or ''dbyings'') or the "expanse of Dharma" (''chos dbyings'', Sanskrit: ''Dharmadhatu''). The term '' Dharmakaya'' (Dharma body) is also often associated with these terms in Dzogchen, as explained by Tulku Urgyen:

''Rigpa'' (knowledge) and ''ma rigpa'' (delusion)

''Rigpa'' is the knowledge of the fundamental ground. It has also come to mean the 'pristine awareness' that is the ground itself. Erik Pema Kunsang translates a text which provides basic definitions of ''rigpa'' and ''ma rigpa'' in a Dzogchen context:

Rigpa has two aspects, namely ''kadag'' and ''lhun grub''. ''Kadag'' means 'purity' or specifically 'primordial purity.' ''Lhun grub'' in Tibetan normally implies automatic, self-caused or spontaneous actions or processes. As quality of ''rigpa'' it means 'spontaneous presence.'

''Ma rigpa'' ( ''avidyā'') is the opposite of rigpa or knowledge. ''Ma rigpa'' is ignorance, delusion or unawareness, the failure to recognize the nature of the basis. An important theme in Dzogchen texts is explaining how ignorance arises from the basis or Dharmata, which is associated with ''ye shes'' or pristine consciousness. Automatically arising unawareness ('' ma-rigpa'') exists because the basis has a natural cognitive potentiality which gives rise to appearances. This is the ground for samsara and nirvana.

Eleven vajra topics

The Dzogchen view of the secret instruction series (''man ngag sde'') is classically explained through the eleven vajra topics. These can be found in the ''String of Pearls Tantra'' (''Mu tig phreng ba''), the ''Great Commentary by Vimalamitra'' as well as in Longchenpa's ''Treasury of Word and Meaning'' (''Tsik Dön Dzö).''

See also

*Ground (Dzogchen)
* Path (Dzogchen)
* Fruit (Dzogchen)

References

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{{Buddhism topics

Dzogchen
Tibetan Buddhist philosophical concepts