This MP3 is a recording of the teachings The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche gave at the first Treasury of Knowledge retreat in Texas. These talks are based on the eighth section of The Treasury of Knowledge by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye. This section is an examination of the training in excellent meditative absorption. In these talks, Rinpoche begins by providing a brief introduction to the Hinayana and Mahayana paths. He then presents the causes of tranquility, tranquility meditation methods, the defects or impediments to tranquility practice and associated remedies, and the stages of tranquility. Rinpoche then presents three varieties of insight. These talks also include teachings on the Bodhisattva Vow, including the forms of compassion, the causes of Bodhicitta, the conditions necessary to support generating Bodhicitta, the meaning of Bodhicitta, and the commitments of Bodhicitta. Rinpoche concludes these talks by providing a short introduction to the five stages of the Bodhisattva path and the six perfections. Altogether, these talks provide an excellent overview of the Mahayana Path of practice. These twelve talks are translated by Lama Yeshe Gyamtso. This MP3 is edited to provide a Mainly English version of these teachings.

Practices of Tranquility and Insight; Ponlop Rinpoche, Vajra Echoes, 1 MP3 CDs, $54.00

The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is acknowledged as one of the foremost scholars of his generation in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Fluent in English and well-versed in Western culture, Rinpooche has worked to develop and adapt traditional Tibetan education curriculums for Western audiences. Nitartha Institute (www.nitharthainstitute.org), where Rinpoche is the main teacher, provides a focused Buddhist studies program. Rinpoche is a visiting professor of buddhist philosopy at Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado. In 1997, Rinpoche founded Nalanabodhi to preserve the genuine lineage of the Nyingma and Kagyu Schools of Tibetan Buddhism. There are Nalandabodhi centers in North America and Europe, and curriculum materials are available to people worldwide.