Exploring the esoteric subject of Dzogchen, His Holiness offers insights into one of Buddhism’s most profound systems of meditation. He discusses both the philosophic foundations and the practices of this system—taking into account the approaches of various schools and teachers.

To these teachings, His Holiness brings all those qualities which are so uniquely his—the accumulated knowledge of years of study, his curiosity, humor, and compassion, and his seemingly infinite subtlety of mind. Paying tribute to the uniqueness of Dzogchen, His Holiness sets it within the wider spectrum of Tibetan Buddhism as a whole. He explains the essence of Dzogchen practice and addresses subjects such as why it is called “the pinnacle of all vehicles,” what its special features are, and the crucial principles of the other Buddhist paths that a Dzogchen practitioner should know.

"In this beautifully translated and edited volume, His Holiness, foremost proponent of the Ri-me movement in contemporary Buddhism, displays his enormous erudition, profound insight, and inexhaustible good humor in illuminating the profound theory and practice of Dzogchen. This work is a genuine treasure for scholars and contemplatives alike."—B. Alan Wallace