Biography of Longchenpa

Venerable Longchenpa (1308-1364), who is revered as the Second Buddha after Guru Padmasambhava, along with Sakya Pandita and Je Tsongkhapa, is known as one of the "Three Manjushris of Tibet". It is prophesied that the renowned Indian masters Vimalamitra and Shantideva would manifest in Tibet once every hundred years, and Longchenpa is considered to be their emanation. He made an incomparable contribution to Tibetan Buddhism, particularly to the teachings of "Dzogchen".

Longchenpa's writings are vast and brilliant, synthesising the essence of various traditions. As Patrul Orgyen Jigme Chökyi Wangpo Rinpoche said: "His writings encompass and transcend the essential points of Madhyamaka and Prajnaparamita, the Zhentong and Rangtong schools, Mahamudra and Dzogchen". According to his personal bibliography, he left behind 307 works for future generations, covering not only the causal vehicle of sutra and the resultant vehicle of tantra, particularly the supreme secret Dzogchen, but also poetry, drama, literature, Sanskrit grammar, prosody and other general subjects. Among these, his most notable scholarly works that have captured the attention of later generations include:

The Three Self-Liberation Works: "The Self-Liberation of Mind Nature in Dzogchen", "The Self-Liberation of Reality in Dzogchen", and "The Self-Liberation of Equality in Dzogchen".

The Three Rests: "The Natural Rest of Mind Nature in Dzogchen", "The Natural Rest of Meditation in Dzogchen", and "The Natural Rest of Illusion in Dzogchen".

The Three Most Secret Heart Essences: "The Guru's Heart Essence" (Lama Yangtik), "The Dakini's Heart Essence" (Khandro Yangtik), and "The Profound Heart Essence" (Zabmo Yangtik).

The Seven Treasuries: "The Treasury of Wishfulfilling Jewels" (Yishyin Dzö), "The Treasury of Ultimate Reality" (Neluk Dzö), "The Treasury of Philosophical Tenets" (Drubta Dzö), "The Treasury of the Supreme Vehicle" (Tekchok Dzö), "The Treasury of Word and Meaning" (Tsikdön Dzö), "The Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena" (Chöying Dzö), and "The Treasury of Spiritual Instructions" (Mengak Dzö).