Not for Happiness: A Guide to the So-Called Preliminary Practices

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche has accomplished quite a coup: a text on the Ngondro preliminaries that simultaneously brings the Ngondro overachiever down to earth, provides a swift quick in the bum for the Ngondro slacker, and fosters greater enthusiasm and understanding in those already in the thick of the practices. The book is strong on context and the visceral, lived experience of the practices, less so on the detail, which Rinpoche repeatedly suggests is best to obtain directly from a teacher. The practice descriptions present the Longchen Nyingthig preliminary practices of the Nyingma lineage, and are quite sufficient to lay out the mechanics, particularly if accompanied by more specific commentary for those who want to pin down intricate points. The context and background explanations, however, apply to any Ngondro--indeed to any Tibetan Buddhist practice.More importantly, the text provides insight and straight-to-the-heart purpose for engaging in the practices themselves. Rinpoche speaks with one foot solidly grounded in the traditional theory and methodology of practice, another in an open and kind understanding of practical challenges modern practitioners face. He is a recognized incarnation of a great Tibetan master, yet is thoroughly modern in his approach and life (he is also well known as the film maker behind "The Cup" and "Travelers and Magicians.") The combination of tradition and modernity provides for a vivid description of the meaning behind the practices, and a lively approach to actively encountering it in our own experience. The English editing is superb--the language is elegant, fluid, and rich without getting in the way of the substance.As a Kagyu practitioner who remains an active fan after having completed one Mahamudra Ngondro, I found much to carry into my ongoing practice at all levels. As a student and translator of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy in traditional monasteries in Nepal and India, I recognized the scholarly vein of the monastic training in Rinpoche's delivery. Rinpoche peppers the text with seminal and relevant quotes and advice from genuine teachers of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the Nyingma and Kagyu schools emphasizing the Ngondro as a foundational practice. The result is a text inlaid with nuggets of practical wisdom available for the reader to mine, contemplate, and apply to their practice. Much food for thought on many levels, practical and profound. Rinpoche is particularly effective in demystifying the central role of devotion to all practice.I would highly recommend this thoroughly engaging book to those who wish to bring their spiritual practice to life. Sound, pragmatic advice that will get you reflecting on your motivation and approach in positive ways throughout the day, and send you to the cushion with fresh and enlivening insight to fuel your practice of awakening. I, for one, foresee returning to its inspiring and grounding blessings again and again. May all beings develop and suffuse their mindstreams with genuine devotion and understanding, bringing it to the complete perfection of buddhahood for the sake of all that lives!

I'm not sure how many stars to give this book. For an already-committed ngöndro practitioner who buys into that tradition fully (and knows little or nothing of other Buddhist traditions or modern scholarship) it's easily a four or five star book, but for those with a background in other traditions or decent training in modern scholarship it could be the kind of "one star" experience that makes them swear off of Tibetan Buddhism altogether - though that's certainly not Rinpoche's intention.Dzongsar Rinpoche works hard at being provocative, and as young and thoroughly cross-cultural as he is there's really no excuse for some of the inaccuracies about other Buddhist traditions and the basic history of the religion that are repeated here as facts. The historical Buddha did not teach Mahayana let alone Vajrayana Buddhism - those sutras, tantras and commentaries were written centuries later by no doubt highly-realized practitioners, but they are not the words of the Buddha. The Buddha didn't teach "Bodhisattvayana," didn't do or recommend visualization or prostrations or deity worship of any kind, and never talked about guru yoga or devotion. These are simple matters of fact that were certainly not known to the first generation of Tibetan refugee lamas who knew nothing of Buddhism outside of Tibet, but there's really no excuse for a modern dharma teacher not distinguishing between party line and fact.Other old canards repeated here are the portrayal of what the Buddha actually taught as preliminary teachings ("Shravakayana") and the citing of "lineage" as a means of assessing the authenticity of teachers and texts despite the fact that almost everything taught in the book was written by Indian and Tibetan masters who were at least eight centuries removed from the Buddha and whose teachings and practices, however profound and efficacious they may be, bear little resemblance to those of of the Buddha.These criticisms notwithstanding there's a great deal of pithy dharma in this book. The quotations, doctrines and practices presented may not be those of the Buddha, but arguably they are those of living Buddhas from many centuries later. Who's to say that their levels of understanding and skillful means don't surpass those of the tradition's founder?

Only about halfway through with it but really can't say enough about it. The author does a wonderful job bringing out the essence of what Ngondro practice is in a very lucid way that seems particularly pertinent to the typical western mind. The section on the Bodhicitta of aspiration is exceptional and something that has changed my life/practice forever. The overall style is quick and to the point. It reads almost like a conversation in which Rinpoche answers all the questions you've been wanting to ask.It is definitely a text for readers with some familiarity of Tibetan Buddhist terms and methods but will probably benefit anyone who reads it; even if only a single page opened at random. It really is that powerful.(I would also recommend any texts by Robert Thurman who also has an exceptional way of bringing the essence of core principles to western readers and thus deepening appreciation/understanding of more traditional works)This book is, in short, an extremely valuable resource and one that could really recharge your practice.

The book texturized the why and how of Ngondro practice. The language is modern, lucid, no nonsense, no rosy lens to lessen the terminal disease “samara” we all have. It sometimes shock me of how honestly and provokingly it can be in pinpointing the lies we tell ourselves. There is no place to escape or hide when reading it sincerely, but to pick up our courage and all Paramitas we can gather to continue or start the practice. Thank you Khyentse Rinpoche!

The most direct boock about the so call preliminary practices

GREAT book!

Lo busque como una guía para las practicas preliminares y termino siendo un libro de enseñanzas extremadamente profundas, para cualquiera de las escuelas del budismo Tibetano por lo que lo podría recomendar a todos.

It does help with Ngöndro practice, however the book is not what it's cover promises. The author suggests a fresh, 'western' look at Dharma practice, still parts are left very gender specific. Slaves are always women, who clean and master is a man. Guru is a man, of course. Some exploration are helpful but I personally can't help wanting to open my windows to let the overall stale patriarchal air of the author, out into the void. Can recommend if u don't know anything about Ngöndro. Can't, if u think u've found a hip, modern view without gender.

If you have read DJK before you will not be surprised by how simply he writes and how easy he makes it for us to even glimpse the first steps to waking up, he is comical and compassionate yet very serious in so many ways. Knowing very little about this type of practice, and with 1/4 of the book to go I am finding it very helpful, having been involved in sitting practice for some years I had not come across such specific instructions about visualisations and how to use them, in this way before, it is therefore a first step for me in this regard. Please read if you want to live fully with a heart willing to give your mind time to experience. I also recommend his other book What Makes You Not A Buddhist, brilliantly honest and no holds barred.