For centuries, Dzogchen, a unique meditative path to spontaneous enlightenment, has been misunderstood by critics and uninformed practitioners as mystical and irrational. In response, 19th-century Buddhist philosopher Mipham wrote Beacon of Certainty, offering a compelling defense of Dzogchen using the very logic it was said to lack. Pettit's clear translation and insightful analysis showcase Mipham as one of Tibet’s most profound thinkers, making this deep philosophy accessible to all.

Lama Mipham Rinpoche was a great Nyingma scholar of the 19th century, who wrote a prodigious number of works on all subjects, as well as brilliant commentaries on both sutra and tantra. His work translated here by John Whitney Pettit as Beacon of Certainty was particularly famous and one of his most beneficial for clearing away the doubts and confusions on the view, path, and meditation. It is my earnest hope that John Pettit's translation will bring great benefit to foreign students and scholars in the study of both philosophy and meditation practice. This is a valuable work indeed. I pray that all sentient beings receive benefit from this text and ultimately attain Enlightenment." -- Penor Rinpoche