Trilogy of Natural Ease
Encyclopedia
Trilogy of Finding Comfort and Ease (ngal gso skor gsum) - A trilogy of Dzogchen
writings by Longchen Rabjam:
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...
writings by Longchen Rabjam:
- Finding Comfort and Ease in the Nature of Mind (sems nyid ngal gso)
- Great Chariot (shing rta chen po), a 13 chapter autocommentary on the above
- Finding Comfort and Ease in Meditation (bsam gtan ngal gso)
- Finding Comfort and Ease in the Illusoriness of Things (sgyu ma ngal gso)
The logic of their sequence
Longchenpa's commentary on the trilogy as a whole, entitled An Ocean of Fine Explanation: An Overview of the Trilogy of Comfort and Ease (ngal gso skor gsum gyi spyi don Legs bshad rgya mtsho) says:- In the beginning, when we first set out on the path, it is important that we establish a good foundation in the DharmaDharmaDharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
, and that is why the thirteen chapters of Finding Comfort and Ease in the Nature of Mind, from the difficulty of finding the freedoms and advantage onwards, offer an elaborate explanation of the Ground, the view that is beyond the two extremes. At the same time, they also explain aspects of the stages of the path and fruition.
- Once we have understood the ground, we can begin to meditate on the path, and so the four chapters of Finding Comfort and Ease in Meditation offer a step-by-step explanation of the places where meditation can be practised, the types of individual suited to the practice, the techniques we can use in meditation and the types of concentration that can be achieved.
- While this path is being practised it is important to have teachings on non-attachment and non-clinging towards phenomena. Thus, as a support, a clear and elaborate presentation of the stages of conduct is given in the eight chapters of Finding Comfort and Ease in the Illusoriness of Things. These chapters reveal, thoroughly and without any error, how to relate to all phenomena and to experience them as the eight similes of illusoriness.
Further reading
- Guenther, H.V., Kindly Bent to Ease Us, vols. 1-3, Dharma Publishing, 1975-6