Zurchungpa's Eighty Chapters of Personal Advice was the final teaching given by the great Nyingma master Zurchung Sherab Trakpa. The original text consists of 580 maxims, covering the entire path of Dzogchen from fundamental teachings through to a series of pith instructions that bring the Dzogchen view to life. Much of the meaning of these often cryptic instructions could be lost to the reader without further explanations, so this book contains a complete, detailed commentary on Zurchungpa's text by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Originally intended as essential instructions for a group of practitioners in three-year retreat, it will undoubtedly serve as an indispensable guide to anyone who seriously wishes to practice the Great Perfection.

Zurchungpa's Testament, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Snow Lion Publications, Hardcover, 2006, 418 Pages, $29.95

Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche(1910-1991), whose remarkable life came to an end in September of 1991, was one of the foremost poets, sages, scholars, philosophers and meditation masters of the Mahayana, Mahamudra and Great Perfection traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism. He was highly respected by thousands of students in Tibet and throughout the world.

Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was recognized as a supreme authority on all aspects of the buddhadharma and an authentic holder of the Dzogchen lineage. He was a discoverer of the spiritual treasures of Padmasambhava, the foremost pupil of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, a disciple of the Third Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche, and the teacher of many lamas, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness Khyentse Rinpoche was recognized by the Saint Mipham Namgyal Rinpoche as a tulku (or incarnation) of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, one of the leading tertons and proponents of the Rime Movement, a non-sectarian movement in Tibetan Buddhism.

At eleven years old, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche entered Shechen Monastery in Kham, a principal monastery of the Nyingma School, where he was enthroned as the wisdom emanation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo. While studying there, he received all the essential empowerments and instructions of the Nyingma tradition, and became head of the Nyingma lineage. His Holiness Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche entered a meditation retreat at the age of 15, and remained in silence until the age of 28.

Notable teachers with whom Khyentse Rinpoche studied are Shechen Gyaltsap, Chokyi Lodro, Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche, Khenpo Shyenga, Pema Wangchuk Gyalpo, and more than fifty other Kagyu and Sakya masters.

As part of the exodus from Tibet, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche moved to Bhutan in the 1950's. While in exile, he became the spiritual teacher of the Royal family there. Kheyntse Rinpoche's travels took him to India, Southeastern Asia, Nepal, and several Western countries, where he taught, established Buddhist temples, colleges and monasteries, re-established the Samye Monastery in Tibet, and rebuilt Shechen Monastery in Nepal. He was also able to preserve many scriptural texts of Tantric teachings and practices during his lifetime, which has been a tremendous gift to scholars, students, and lay people throughout the world.

Khyentse Rinpoche's writings were clear and understandable, delivered with kindness, wisdom and compassion. Among his books, Guru Yoga and The Excellent Path to Enlightenment have been of great help to people of many beliefs and philosophies.


The Padmakara Translation Group has a distinguished reputation for its translations of Tibetan texts and teachings, and is renowned for its clear and accurate literary style.