Way of the Unsurpassed Way

Among the Nine Ways of Bön, The Ninth Way is the highest. It is the practice of dzogchen, the great perfection. Here, everything is spontaneously perfected and there is no activity to be performed. The view is unbounded and beyond subject and object. Because everything is spontaneously perfected and complete, it is beyond needing the effort of a generating stage and perfection stage. It is beyond the extremes of existence and nonexistence, and without beginning or end. Although it is ineffable, the enlightened Lord Tönpa Shenrap has given guidance using words for those disciples who need instruction. Therefore, this Way is often classified and explained in three parts: the foundation, the path, and the result, or the view, the meditation, and the behavior.

According to the Lord Tönpa Shenrap Miwoche: “If it is divided into each separate aspect, it has 84,000 elaborations. Condensed inward, it is one essence, a single tiklé.”

Furthermore:  “It cannot be lost. It is not created from a cause, nor is it destroyed by circumstance.”

Although the dzogchen view is the highest and is beyond the dualistic concepts of good and bad, the dzogchen practitioner is not beyond these concepts until they have completely realized the fruit of the teachings, which is buddhahood. Therefore, even if a disciple has a vast and high view, Lord Tönpa Shenrap advises that they maintain behavior according to the path of the two accumulations of virtue and wisdom.  Although dzogchen is about knowing and being aware rather than performing any particular behavior or ritual, there are specifics practices that are prescribed  to be applied to whatever cause or condition is blocking or interrupting awareness. Central to the practice of dzogchen is the development of the mind of enlightenment, doubtless refuge, and indestructible devotion to one’s root lama who points out the true nature of the disciples mind and gives them advice along the path.