The Trilogy of Rest: Finding Rest Volumes by Longchenpa
Listen to Padmakara translator Wulstan Fletcher on this unique and profound work
Here he is discussing translating Longchenpa generally
The Padmakara Translation Group has provided us with a clear and fluid new translation of the Trilogy of Rest along with its autocommentary, The Chariot of Excellence, both intended to elucidate the appropriate view, meditation, and action of practice.
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.
Finding Rest in the Nature of Mind, Volume I is the profound and comprehensive presentation of the Buddhist view and path, combining the scholastic expository method with direct pith instructions designed for yogi practitioners.
Finding Rest in Meditation establishes the view of the Buddhist path generally, and specifically that of the teachings of the Great Perfection. It 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 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. Drawing extensively from classic Buddhist works, the author uses well-known examples of illusion found throughout Mahāyāna literature to illustrate the illusory nature of both saṃsāra and nirvāṇa, thus revealing their ultimate nondual nature. 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 Trilogy of Rest is the heart of all the sūtra and tantra teachings of Lord Buddha. It is the very essence of the wisdom mind of Gyalwa Longchenpa, the holder of the treasury of the nine vehicles. I rejoice that it has been translated into English and published by Shambhala Publications. At the present time, when thoughts, ideas, and beliefs are becoming more and more coarse by the day, I hope and pray that these translated texts will be a source of goodness in the world, encouraging beings to turn within and to discover at length the uncontrived nature of their minds—finding rest and relief from all their many pains and sorrows."
—Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche
"Rest is what we all lack most. Even more agonizing is that we don’t know how to do it; in fact, we don’t even understand what it means to rest. Who but Longchenpa can and will make absolutely sure that we finally understand what rest is?"
—Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche
"In his stunningly poetic exposition, the Trilogy of Rest, Gyalwa Longchenpa illumines the great path to enlightenment with unsurpassable depth and detail. Volume 1 of the trilogy, Finding Rest in the Nature of the Mind, sets us upon that path, grounding us from our very first steps through to the profound—showing the most profound to be grounded in unshakable simplicity. Brilliantly clarifying the complexities we create to come to this realization, Longchenpa easily and clearly reveals the concordance of the journey’s various stages.
This new translation of one of the greatest classics of the Nyingma School is wonderfully accessible and a most welcome contribution filled with the rich biographical and historical details of Longchenpa’s own journey. Reading this book, one cannot help but feel the ping of recognition that goes beyond words to the heart of direct experience."
—Khandro Rinpoche
"Finding Rest in Illusion completes the project to translate the Trilogy of Rest, Longchenpa’s quintessential guide to the Nyingma Dzogchen tradition. The Padmakara Translation Group is well-known and respected for their clear, informed translations of Tibetan texts into contemporary English. I am certain that this third volume, which details how those who have recognized the nature of mind should conduct themselves, will be a valuable resource for practitioners and students of Buddhism alike."
—The Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje
"Finding Rest in Illusion is the third part of Gyalwa Longchenpa’s Trilogy of Rest. My root teacher Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche used to teach this trilogy so that it could be practiced in retreat for one hundred days of sustained meditation. It is a most essential presentation of the teachings of the Great Perfection in terms of the eight famous examples of illusion taken from the Prajñāpāramitā scriptures. This is a masterful and poetic translation and I believe it will be invaluable to many dedicated practitioners."
—The Seventh Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche
"This sacred volume embodies the entire Buddhist path—from how to inspire our wild mind towards the Dharma to how to fulfill the needs of all by awakening the nature of the mind, innate Buddhahood, as it is."
—Tulku Thondup