Longde
Encyclopedia
Longde is the name of one of three scriptural divisions within Atiyoga, also known as Dzogchen
(Wylie: rDzogs-chen) or the Great Perfection which is itself the pinnacle of the ninefold division of practice according to the Nyingma
school of Tibetan Buddhism.
The name Longde is translated as 'Space Division' or 'Space Series' of Dzogchen and emphasises the emptiness (strong-pa) or spaciousness (klong) aspect of the Natural State.
Penor Rinpoche
states that due to the different approaches of various Dzogchen lineages, three sub-schools have developed of which longde is one. The other two divisions or schools are Semde
(Mind Series) and Menngagde
(Oral Instruction Series). Penor Rinpoche refers to Longde as the Centredness School and is attributed to Longde Dorje Zampa, Shrisimha and Vairotsana
's lineage.
(Wylie: dGa'-rab rdo-rje).
It is important to note that the three series do not represent different schools of Dzogchen practice as much as different approaches to the same goal, that being the basic, natural, and primordial state. As is common throughout much Buddhist literature, Tibetan Buddhism in particular, gradations in the faculties of practitioners are also ascribed to the three divisions, they being seen as appropriate for practitioners of low, middling, and high faculties, respectively.
's second statement, removing doubts. It teaches methods of meditation that enable the practitioner to get beyond any doubts he or she may have concerning the natural state.
Guarisco & McLeod 2005: p.520) list the tantric texts belonging to the Space Division thus:
According to Thondup & Talbott (1997: p.48) there are only seven extant
texts of the Space Class and they are collected in the Nyingma Gyubum
.
Dzogchen
According to Tibetan Buddhism and Bön, Dzogchen is the natural, primordial state or natural condition of the mind, and a body of teachings and meditation practices aimed at realizing that condition. Dzogchen, or "Great Perfection", is a central teaching of the Nyingma school also practiced by...
(Wylie: rDzogs-chen) or the Great Perfection which is itself the pinnacle of the ninefold division of practice according to the Nyingma
Nyingma
The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century...
school of Tibetan Buddhism.
The name Longde is translated as 'Space Division' or 'Space Series' of Dzogchen and emphasises the emptiness (strong-pa) or spaciousness (klong) aspect of the Natural State.
Penor Rinpoche
Penor rinpoche
Kyabjé Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche was the 11th throne holder of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, and said to be an incarnation of Vimalamitra. He was widely renowned in the Tibetan Buddhist world as a master of Dzogchen...
states that due to the different approaches of various Dzogchen lineages, three sub-schools have developed of which longde is one. The other two divisions or schools are Semde
Semde
Semde translated as "mind division", "mind class" or "mind series" is the name of one of three scriptural and lineage divisions within Atiyoga, Dzogchen or the Great Perfection which is itself the pinnacle of the ninefold division of practice according to the Nyingma school of Tibetan...
(Mind Series) and Menngagde
Menngagde
In Tibetan Buddhism and Bön, Menngagde , , is the name of one of three scriptural and lineage divisions within Dzogchen, teachings...
(Oral Instruction Series). Penor Rinpoche refers to Longde as the Centredness School and is attributed to Longde Dorje Zampa, Shrisimha and Vairotsana
Vairotsana
This article is about the Tibetan translator. For the primordial Buddha Vairocana, please see VairocanaVairotsana of 'Pagor' was a Tibetan translator living during the reign of King Trisong Detsen...
's lineage.
Background
These three divisions were introduced by the Buddhist scholar Manjushrimitra. As Great Perfection texts, the texts of all three divisions are concerned with the basic primordial state; the nature of mind-itself (which is contrasted with normal conscious mind). They are related to the 'Three Statements' (Tshig-gsum gnad-brdeg) of Garab DorjeGarab Dorje
Garab Dorje was the semi-historical first human teacher of the Ati Yoga or Great Perfection teachings according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Prior to Prahevajra, the Nyingma hold that the Dzogchen teachings had been expounded only in celestial realms and the 'pure lands' of the Buddhas,...
(Wylie: dGa'-rab rdo-rje).
It is important to note that the three series do not represent different schools of Dzogchen practice as much as different approaches to the same goal, that being the basic, natural, and primordial state. As is common throughout much Buddhist literature, Tibetan Buddhism in particular, gradations in the faculties of practitioners are also ascribed to the three divisions, they being seen as appropriate for practitioners of low, middling, and high faculties, respectively.
Distinguishing Features of the Space Division
The Space Division is related to Garab DorjeGarab Dorje
Garab Dorje was the semi-historical first human teacher of the Ati Yoga or Great Perfection teachings according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Prior to Prahevajra, the Nyingma hold that the Dzogchen teachings had been expounded only in celestial realms and the 'pure lands' of the Buddhas,...
's second statement, removing doubts. It teaches methods of meditation that enable the practitioner to get beyond any doubts he or she may have concerning the natural state.
Texts of the Space Division
"Samantabhadra’s Royal Tantra of All-Inclusive Vastness" (Sanskrit: Maha-avarnta-prasarani-raja-tantra-nama; Tib. Wylie: klongchen rab byams rgyal po’i rgyud ces bya ba bzhugs so) is renowned as the “king” of tantras belonging ot the Space Section.Guarisco & McLeod 2005: p.520) list the tantric texts belonging to the Space Division thus:
- 'King of Infinite Vast Space' or 'Longchen Rabjam Gyalpo'
- 'Total Space of Samantabhadra' or 'Kunto Zangpo Namkhache'
- 'Manifestation of the Creative Energy of Pure Presence' or 'Rigpa Rangtsal Sharwa'
- 'Wheel of Key Instructions' or 'Dam-ngag Natshog Khorlo'
- 'Array of the Exalted Path' or 'Phaglam Kodpa'
- 'Vajrasattva Equal to the Limits of Space' or 'Dorje Sempa Namkha'i Thatang Nyampa'
- 'Secret Pristine Awareness' or 'Lamp of Secret Pristine Awareness' or 'Yeshe Sangwa Dronma'
- 'Wheel of Precious Gems' or 'Rinpoche Khorlo'
- 'Secret Pristine Awareness' or 'Yeshe Sangwa'
- 'Perfect Pristine Awareness' or 'Yeshe Dzogpa'
- 'Total Revelation of the All-Pervasive State of Pure and Total Presence' or 'Changchub Kyi Sems Kunla Jugpa Namtag Tonpa'
- 'Radiant Vajra of the State of Pure and Total Presence' or 'Changchug Kyi Sem Dorje Odthro'
According to Thondup & Talbott (1997: p.48) there are only seven extant
Extant literature
Extant literature refers to texts that have survived from the past to the present time. Extant literature can be divided into extant original manuscripts, copies of original manuscripts, quotations and paraphrases of passages of non-extant texts contained in other works, translations of non-extant...
texts of the Space Class and they are collected in the Nyingma Gyubum
Nyingma Gyubum
'Nyingma Gyubum' is the 'Collected Tantras of the Ancients', that is the Mahayoga, Anuyoga and Atiyoga Tantras of the Nyingma.-Canonization:The Nyingma Gyubum of the Nyingma was a dependent arising resulting from the 'normalization' of the Kangyur and Tengyur by the Sarma traditions which for the...
.