That list helped me see what is not trusted in Dzogchen (not that I understand it yet and how it fits in all the other elaborate activities in Aro).
Oddly, I am attracted to some of the simplicity of Zen (though not their philosophy), the emotional field of Shaivite Hinduism and love Tibetan script. And I don't care if something can be proven to be from the Buddha or even his highest teaching -- I just want to know if it "fits".
I was hoping for a bit more meat about the "controversy" but maybe I need a bigger library (but, wow, those are expensive - like college text books).
The subtext here is that Aro has come in for a fair amount of flak, based mainly on Eastern religious politics and on Western misunderstandings of Tibetan Buddhism.
As for the former, Dzogchen remains unpopular among conservative Tibetans.
As for the latter, Dzogchen appears to contradict both Sutra and Tantra. To those whose understanding is limited to Sutra and/or Tantra, statements rooted in Dzogchen will look totally wrong.
The point of citing Dudjom Rinpoche and Davidson is that they are authoritative, from the Eastern and Western points of view. In other words: if you don't believe me that Dzogchen is both controversial and orthodox, you can look it up in those big difficult books, and they say so.
I wouldn't recommend that you read either of them at this point; they are advanced texts.
Dzogchen is utterly simple. Tantra is utterly complex. Both are available in Aro, although Dzogchen is emphasized. Most people find they work well together. Dzogchen by itself can feel too austere and abstract; Tantra puts emotion into it.
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Orthodoxy
4 Dec 2010
Ouch, Davidson is $37, Dodjom Rinpoche is $63.
That list helped me see what is not trusted in Dzogchen (not that I understand it yet and how it fits in all the other elaborate activities in Aro).
Oddly, I am attracted to some of the simplicity of Zen (though not their philosophy), the emotional field of Shaivite Hinduism and love Tibetan script. And I don't care if something can be proven to be from the Buddha or even his highest teaching -- I just want to know if it "fits".
I was hoping for a bit more meat about the "controversy" but maybe I need a bigger library (but, wow, those are expensive - like college text books).
Dzogchen, Aro, and orthodoxy
4 Dec 2010
The subtext here is that Aro has come in for a fair amount of flak, based mainly on Eastern religious politics and on Western misunderstandings of Tibetan Buddhism.
As for the former, Dzogchen remains unpopular among conservative Tibetans.
As for the latter, Dzogchen appears to contradict both Sutra and Tantra. To those whose understanding is limited to Sutra and/or Tantra, statements rooted in Dzogchen will look totally wrong.
The point of citing Dudjom Rinpoche and Davidson is that they are authoritative, from the Eastern and Western points of view. In other words: if you don't believe me that Dzogchen is both controversial and orthodox, you can look it up in those big difficult books, and they say so.
I wouldn't recommend that you read either of them at this point; they are advanced texts.
Dzogchen is utterly simple. Tantra is utterly complex. Both are available in Aro, although Dzogchen is emphasized. Most people find they work well together. Dzogchen by itself can feel too austere and abstract; Tantra puts emotion into it.
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