Tibetan Dzogchen Tradition

Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche

The founding of Dzogchen tradition in Tibet by Shenrab Miwo proves that Tibet not only was in possession of an advanced culture and a cultural history but also possessed a profound and magnificent science of Nang-don Rig-pa (inner Philosophy or Philosophy of the mind)

Some scholars might object to the statement that Shenrab Miwo propounded the Dzogchen since it originally came to Tibet from Ogyen. This objection is valid. The origin of Dzogchen is generally traced to Lord Ga-rab Dor-je Ogyen. Not only that, but all the secret Mantra or Anuttara Tantra, highest level of Buddhist Tantra are supposed to have originated from Ogyen. But it has become difficult to locate and conclude that exact location and identification of Ogyen. Some Western scholars identify Ogyen with Swat in Khotan and all the records of antiquity agree that Ogyen is to the North-West of India.

Similarly, Shambala, despite its history, defies exact geographical location. Judging the real sense of the history of Shambala and of Ogyen, it appears probable that they are the same country. These famous places of ancient Tibetan legends-Shambala and Ogyen-where the Indian Arhats retire after countless penance, may have been a part of Zhang Zhung empire. Even if these famous places were not within the Zhang Zhung empire, these countries undoubtedly bordered on Zhang Zhung…………..

From The Necklace of gZi