' The Two Truths in Dzogchen '...

In discussing Dzogchen here, often people confuse the lower level understandings of the "Two Truths" with the Dzogchen and tantric understanding.

In Dzogchen there are no "two truths". The absolute and the relative are both, equally, empty concepts.

All phenomena are equally the single expression of the Great Perfection, and are therefore perfect.

The lower view claims there is true variation amongst "relative" phenomena and values: better/worse, good/bad, moral/immoral, right/wrong, attainment/non-attainment, realization/absence of realization.

Since all phenomena and ideas are equally empty of inherent existence, no "other" existence is findable.

Pema Rigtsal:

"No matter what arises in samsara and nirvana, at the very moment of its appearing, it arises in ultimate timeless emptiness. There is not an iota of good to be cultivated or bad to be rejected. This is called “great timeless inseparable truth.” Empty when appearing, appearing when empty, this magnificent timeless sameness of emptiness and appearance is called “the view of Dzogchen” and also “the view of the ultimate sacrifice” or “the view free of all propositions.” In reality, therefore, all phenomena are merely mental labels, and in reality not even the smallest thing exists to be cultivated or rejected."



- Jackson Peterson