Soh

New podcast share: Malcolm Smith: Dzogchen Teacher & Translator on the Somatic Primer Podcast. Listen here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6r8XPaqlpYBYlPU3B54iE6?si=RyjVj0GERgGBbp7v711LUg

Update, here’s another chat with Acarya Malcolm:

✨🎥 WISDOM DHARMA CHAT | Ācārya Malcolm Smith Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. EDT Live In-Studio & Online Learn more, get your ticket, or register to join us at https://rebrand.ly/WDCMS0825 Fresh from wrapping up filming on his brand-new Wisdom Academy course, Malcolm will share behind-the-scenes perspectives and personal insights into the profound and transformative path of the great perfection. Together with Daniel, he’ll explore the challenges and blessings of presenting these teachings for a modern audience, and what it means to integrate the view of Dzogchen into everyday life. This conversation will also touch on Malcolm’s upcoming book, Yoga of the Natural State: The Dzogchen Aural Lineage. Whether you’re a longtime student of Dzogchen or newly curious about its radical approach to awakening, this Dharma Chat offers a rare opportunity to connect with one of today’s most respected Western teachers and translators of the great perfection. We hope you’ll join us live—online or in-studio—for this illuminating conversation. #DHARMA #BUDDHISM #WISDOM #WISDOMPUBS #Buddhism #Vipashyana #Shamatha #Wisdom #Meditation #WisdomDharmaChats #WisdomPublications #Dzogchen #DharmaChats #meditation #danielaitken #MalcolmSmith #acaryamalcolmsmith
Soh

Welcome to Awakening to Reality

Hello! Welcome to the Awakening to Reality site.

Must-Read Articles

You’re welcome to join our archived Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/AwakeningToReality.

Update: The group is closed to new posts, but you can still join to access past discussions.

1) The Awakening to Reality Practice Guide — by Nafis Rahman

ATR Practice Guide cover
The Awakening to Reality Practice Guide — cover

2) The Awakening to Reality Guide — Web Abridged Version

3) The Awakening to Reality Guide — Original Version (compiled by Soh)

  • Latest update: 12 January 2025
  • PDF · Long version (mirror) · EPUB
  • This is the original 1300+ page document on which the practice and abridged guides are based.
"I also want to say, actually the main ATR document >1200 pages helped me the most with insight... ...I did [read] it twice 😂 it was so helpful and these Mahamudra books supported ATR insights. Just thought to share." – Yin Ling

 

"To be honest, the document is ok [in length], because it’s by insight level. Each insight is like 100 plus pages except anatta [was] exceptionally long [if] I remember lol. If someone read and contemplate at the same time it’s good because the same point will repeat again and again like in the nikayas [traditional Buddhist scriptures in the Pali canon] and insight should arise by the end of it imo.", "A 1000 plus pages ebook written by a serious practitioner Soh Wei Yu that took me a month to read each time and I am so grateful for it. It’s a huge undertaking and I have benefitted from it more that I can ever imagine. Please read patiently." – Yin Ling
ATR Guide preview
ATR Guide preview

Listening to PDFs on Various Devices

How to download PDFs and listen with text-to-speech (TTS).

iPhone (iOS 18+)

  1. Download & unzip: In Safari, download the ZIP. Open Files → Downloads and tap the .zip to extract.
  2. Add to Books: In Files, select the PDFs → ShareBooks (may appear as “Save to Books”).
  3. Listen with Speak Screen: Settings → Accessibility → Read & Speak → Speak Screen → turn on Speak Screen (and optionally Show Controller / Highlighting). Open the PDF in Books, then two-finger swipe down from the top, press Play on the floating controller, or say “Siri, speak screen.” Adjust Voices & Speaking Rate there.

Android

  1. Download & unzip: In Chrome, download the ZIP and extract in the Files app.
  2. Open a PDF: Use Drive PDF Viewer, Acrobat, etc.
  3. TTS options: Turn on Select to Speak in Settings → Accessibility (voices/speed under Text-to-speech output), or use an app like @Voice Aloud Reader.

Windows

  1. Open the PDF in Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click Read aloud (or press Ctrl+Shift+U).
  3. Use Voice options to change voice and speed.
Adobe Acrobat Reader: View → Read Out Loud → Activate → choose a mode; voices in Preferences → Reading.

Mac

  1. Books / Preview: Select text → Edit → Speech → Start Speaking. System-wide: Accessibility → Spoken Content → Speak selection (shortcut Option+Esc).
  2. VoiceOver: Toggle with Command+F5.
  3. Acrobat Reader: View → Read Out Loud → Activate; adjust in Preferences → Reading.
Tip: If a PDF is only scanned images, run OCR (e.g., Acrobat “Recognize Text”) so TTS can read it.
Soh

Mr K asked: "Hi, I've enjoyed reading the blog. I was wondering where your course of study has led you to now? I've been exploring Dzogchen lately and plan to do so for the next couple months before digging into Mahamudra, and then seeing what resonates best for me.

I was curious if you've found yourself studying with a particular teacher, or if a particular teacher did the best job of pointing out and confirming the nature of mind for you, and then how to rest in it (or if they were different).

Thanks for sharing your experiences!"


Soh replied:


Hi Mr K,

Thanks so much for reading the blog and for your thoughtful note. I’m glad you’re exploring Dzogchen now and considering Mahāmudrā next—that’s a great way to taste both streams and see what resonates.
Where my study led me (and who pointed out mind’s nature for me)
My main teacher is John Tan. He taught me early on, led to my realization of mind’s nature, and I continue to learn from him. 
I also have an interest in Dzogchen, and have attended teachings by Ācārya Malcolm Smith in recent years.

Nature of mind is nature of mind
—the same recognition in Zen/Chan, Mahāmudrā, or Dzogchen.
To underscore that unity, here are two comments by Ācārya Malcolm Smith (from DharmaWheel) quoted verbatim:
"There really is no difference between perfection of wisdom, mahāmudra, Chan/Zen, etc., and tregchöd. I have heard it said that Tulku Orgyen asserted that trekchöd exists in all yānas, perhaps EPK would be kind enough to confirm this. What separates from trekchöd from these other systems of the method of introduction. Trekchöd, like any secret mantra practice, is based on empowerment/introduction."
"Realization of Chan, Mahāmudra, and Dzogchen are all the same. The length of time it takes to gain that realization is what makes the distinction.
Your concept of ka dag is a bit limited though. Kadag is not simply emptiness, though it has been dumbed down in that way for people like you."
And in response to someone asking whether Dzogchen’s uniqueness is basically tögal:
"There are a number of things which make Dzogchen distinct, thögal is one, but there are others, the explanation of the generic basis is another, the specific preliminary practices related to thögal such as 'khor 'das ru shan and so on are others, and the general requirement for some kind of introduction either through the fourth empowerment of Mahāyoga, the ati yoga empowerment found in Anuyoga or the empowerment of the potentiality of vidyā.
As far as tregchö goes, there is really no difference between tregchö, Kagyu Mahāmudra and the meditation the view of the inseparability of samsara and nirvana — all three have the same point and all three depend on the experiential view imparted during empowerment.
I also want to point out that like the rest of Vajrayāna, Dzogchen practice, path and realization completely depends on the Guru. Guru Yoga is absolutely central to Dzogchen. Without guru yoga and devotion to a realized master, no progress at all is possible in Dzogchen, none whatsoever."

Dzogchen — how to sample it and where to go deeper
Start here (book): Crystal and the Way of Light by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu — a classic overview of Dzogchen.
Amazon (US): https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Light-Chogyal-Namkhai-Norbu/dp/1559391359 
Next, register interest and attend live teaching:
• Contact page: https://www.zangthal.com/contact  — register your interest and ask to be notified of the next online teaching with Ācārya Malcolm Smith.
• Important: Dzogchen cannot be learned from books alone. One needs direct introduction (pointing out) and ongoing instructions from a qualified teacher. Make it a priority to receive introduction from Malcolm when a teaching is available.
Discuss & ask questions:
• You can raise practice/view questions directly with Ācārya Malcolm Smith via the contact page above.
• I also personally recommend reaching out to his realized student Kyle Dixon for clarifications and discussion: [facebook link redacted], his clarifications of dharma on Reddit have been helpful to many. (See: 
https://www.reddit.com/user/krodha/ and https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/03/better-document-formatting-and-new.html)
Sangha portals:
• Main site: https://www.zangthal.com/ 
• Forum: https://forum.zangthal.com/   — you may need to request access. In practice, it helps to express interest in attending Malcolm’s teachings first, then request forum access as directed by the sangha guidelines.
 Intro talk (to get a feel for Malcolm’s style):
 Short reading (view clarifications):

Mahāmudrā — my recommended teacher & books
For Mahāmudrā, I’ve long appreciated Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. All of his books are clear, practical, and deeply supportive for Mahāmudrā students.
• AtR: Thrangu Rinpoche attained Buddhahood (rainbow body) — reflections and links:
https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2023/11/thrangu-rinpoche-attained-buddhahood.html 
• AtR: All Thrangu Rinpoche’s 58 books at $35 (links list):
https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2022/01/all-thrangu-rinpoche-58-books-at-35.html 
If you want one place to begin, pick one Mahāmudrā book by Thrangu Rinpoche and work through it slowly while cross-checking view in practice.

Other teachers & sanghas you might appreciate

Finding a good, awakened teacher (why it matters)
In my experience, quality awakened teachers are essential. For background and criteria, see my AtR article “Finding an Awakened Spiritual Teacher and Sangha”:
https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2024/01/finding-awakened-spiritual-teacher-and.html  

If Dzogchen feels like home after a couple of months, contact Zangthal, receive introduction from Malcolm, and practice with guidance. If Mahāmudrā pulls you in, Thrangu Rinpoche’s books remain a superb self-study foundation. (Finding a good and accessible Mahamudra teacher is also important)
Happy to compare the “feel” of Dzogchen vs. Mahāmudrā in practice terms as you go—just let me know what’s landing and what isn’t.

Warmly,
Soh
Soh

简体:https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/blog-post_2.html

英文(原文):http://greatawakeningtoreality.com/2012/09/great-resource-of-buddha-teachings.html

佛陀教法的偉大資源

蘇合(Soh)

另見:
《涅槃的意義》
《佛法中的“不死”是什么?》
《什么是涅槃?》

更新:原網站已下線。但可在 Box.com 或 Scribd 獲取副本: https://app.box.com/s/nxby5606lbaei9oudiz6xsyrdasacqph / https://www.scribd.com/document/274168728/Measureless-Mind

當我發現 “Measureless Mind(無量心智)” 這個網站時,我心想:哇,多么偉大的佛陀教法資源!這對一切修行者都是極有價值的資料。編排精良、呈現清晰、面面俱到,并對巴利經典中的佛陀原始教法配以恰當評注,作者是 Geoff(在 dharmawheel 的網名是 jnana,在 dhammawheel 是 nana)。如同我經常引用的堪布南卓/麥爾康(Loppon Namdrol/Malcolm),Geoff(其修行背景更偏向大手印與上座部)也是一位學識淵博的佛教學者—修行者,我常常懷著濃厚興趣閱讀他的文章。

我把其中兩篇文章(我從頭到尾讀完了整個網站,強烈推薦他人也如此閱讀)發給 Thusness。Thusness 也評論說:“兩篇文章都寫得非常好。放到博客上。”又說:“那個網站是極好的資源。”

http://measurelessmind.ca/anattasanna.html

無我想(Anattasaññā)

“莫伽羅阇啊,觀此世間,見其空寂,恒常正念;
滅除我見,便能超越死。
如是觀世間者,不為閻摩王所見。”
——《經集》5.15《問莫伽羅阇童子經》 SuttaCentral

關于“無我想”的觀修,《增支部》10.60《吉利曼陀經》這樣說:
“那么,阿難,什么是無我想?在這里,阿難,比丘到森林、樹根處或空閑之地,如是審觀:‘眼無我,色無我;耳無我,聲無我;鼻無我,香無我;舌無我,味無我;身無我,觸無我;意無我,法無我。’他便如是就六內外處而住于無我之觀。阿難,這就稱為無我想。” SuttaCentral

在修行中,我們需要在直接經驗里識別這種“無我”:當“見”時,是可見之色、眼根與眼識的聚合;當“聞”時,是聲音、耳根與耳識的聚合;當“觸”時,是觸受、身根與身識的聚合;當“思”時,是念頭、意根與意識的聚合。這些過程只是通過“觸”而起:當某一根門與某一所緣相觸,對應的識便生起。此全程依“此緣性”(idappaccayatā,特定緣起)而發生。并無獨立、完全自主的能作之我在操控這一切。

一個獨立自主的“我”,按定義應當是:
1)常住;2)可滿足;3)不受病患;4)完全自決(對自身具有徹底的自主掌控)。
因此,被否定的,是一個常住而可滿足、不受老病死侵的“我”。正如《相應部》22.59《五比丘經》(節錄)所說:
“諸比丘,色、受、想、行、識皆無我。若色、受、想、行、識是我,則色、受、想、行、識就不會導致病患。”同時:“誰也不能令其‘當如是’或‘不當如是’。” SuttaCentral

通過持續而專注的觀修,我們所見只是無常的過程:緣起而生,并非完全自決。首先,我們清楚見到身心一切有為法皆無常;繼而見到凡無常者皆不可滿足,不能提供持久的快樂;于是了知:一切無常而不可滿足的身心法皆無我——它們不能作為“我”的根據,因為“我”按定義應當是常住且(人們希望)可滿足的。這一“觀無常—觀苦—觀無我”的次第關系,可用示意圖來說明(原文處為圖示)。

當無我之認知成熟,“主體”與“客體”的兩面在經驗中都被騰空。我們領會到:對于身心以及一切外在表相的“我所作”“我所取”,其實是迷誤。無我之認知一旦徹底成就,便不再有可被主觀執取所對應的實在所指。凡所見,唯是“所見”(diṭṭhamatta);凡所聞、凡所感,唯是“所聞”(sutamatta)與“所感”(mutamatta);凡所知,唯是“所知”(viññātamatta)。《自說經》1.10《婆希耶經》這樣說:
“于見唯見,于聞唯聞,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知。婆希耶,你應如是訓練。
當你于見唯見、于聞唯聞、于所感唯所感、于所知唯所知之時,那么,在那方面并無‘你’。既然在那方面并無‘你’,你就不在那里。既然你不在那里,你既不在此,也不在彼,也不在兩者之間。唯此即是苦之盡。” SuttaCentral

當無我可得時,經驗便變得極其簡明、直接、無雜染。當“見”時,只是色—眼—眼識的聚合,如是而已;并沒有一個分離的“見者”。所謂“見者”,完全依“所見”而有;沒有脫離“所見”的“見者”。并沒有一個獨立的主體或自我。

對于“所緣”亦然。所謂“所見”,完全依眼根與眼識而有;沒有脫離眼根與了別的“所見”。一切可能的“所緣”皆如是:并沒有一個獨立的客體。

對于“識”亦然。所謂“見”,完全依眼與色而有;沒有脫離眼與了別的“見”。一切可能的“識”皆如是:并沒有一個獨立的感官識。

以你此刻看著屏幕的直接經驗為例:依世俗語言,你可以說“我看見電腦屏幕”。另一種說法是,有一個“見者”在“見”“所見”。但請看這屏幕:你的經驗里,真有三個獨立分離的部分嗎?抑或“見者—見—所見”僅是我們貼在經驗上的三個概念性標簽,而這三者在經驗中完全相依?

“見者—所見—見”皆是空、無實體。眼根、色法與眼識,都是同一經驗中互相依存的方面。你無法剝離其一而仍保有感官經驗——并無分離。《增支部》4.24《迦羅迦園經》說:
“因此,比丘們,如來看見應見之法時,不作‘已見’之認定,不作‘未見’之認定,不作‘應見’之認定,也不作‘見者’之認定;
聽聞應聞之法時,不作‘已聞’之認定,不作‘未聞’之認定,不作‘應聞’之認定,也不作‘聞者’之認定;
感受應感之法時,不作‘已感’之認定,不作‘未感’之認定,不作‘應感’之認定,也不作‘感者’之認定;
了知應知之法時,不作‘已知’之認定,不作‘未知’之認定,不作‘應知’之認定,也不作‘知者’之認定。” SuttaCentral

感官識并不能被隔離為分立獨存之物;其他相依諸法亦然。甚至我們賦予這些現象的名稱,也都只是依他起的約定之稱。但這并不意味著我們應將經驗解讀為某種“宇宙一體”或“統一識”等等——那不過又是另一個空、依他起的標簽罷了。此番分析的要點,在于見到一切所指皆空,從而停止建構并界定一個“自我”。

正確修持“無我想”的目的,《增支部》7.49《第二想經》這樣陳說:
“諸比丘,于苦中修習并增上無我之想,具大果,大有益;它與不死相應,以不死為其究竟。”并說明,若此想已熟,則對“此有情身”與“一切外相”的“我所作”“我所取”已盡,超越我慢,寂靜善解脫;若未熟,則應如實知“不足”。(意旨同經文) SuttaCentral

這里觸及佛法最為微細的要點之一。簡言之:無明止息之時,“我見”的信念同步止息。既無可得之我,便無可死、可生之我。這就是“不死”的當下之義。佛陀對莫伽羅阇宣說的,正是此事(見上引)。 SuttaCentral

當完全舍棄一切引發“我”之誤執的潛在習氣——凡所有“我在”的觀念——便無有可死之我。對于“我所作”的思量之流一旦息止,便得其平息之安,彼安即離生老死之苦。《中部》140《界分別經》如是說:
“‘彼于思量之流不復流轉,彼之止息故,名為寂靜之智者。’……‘我在’是思量;……‘我將有/無/有色/無色/有想/無想/非想非非想’皆是思量。思量是病、是癌、是箭。超越一切思量,彼即名為寂靜之智者。
又,寂靜之智者不生、不老、不死;彼不動搖,離貪求……‘生已盡,梵行已立,所作已辦,更無余事。’” SuttaCentral

因此,當無明止息,與“不滿足”(苦)相系的整個緣起復合也隨之止息。當一切“我所作”“我所取”皆因戒、定、慧的圓滿一體化訓練而究竟舍離,此即離欲(virāga),即滅(nirodha),即寂滅(nibbāna),即無漏(anāsava),即不生(ajāta)、不成(abhūta)、不作(akata)、無為(asaṅkhata)、無盡(ananta)、不敗壞(apalokita),并且,確是“不死”(amata)。《相應部》43《無為相應》以整組同義名目,反復以“貪、恚、癡的滅盡”為定義加以說明(其中第 21 經題為“不敗壞經(Apalokita)”)。 SuttaCentral

無我想與七覺支(Satta Bojjhaṅgā)

對于“于苦中之無我想”的持續、專注修持,將漸次成就七覺支生起的最優條件。《相應部》46.73《無我經》明確逐條說明:
— 他以“于苦中之無我想”為依止,修習念覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“于苦中之無我想”為依止,修習擇法覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“于苦中之無我想”為依止,修習精進覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“于苦中之無我想”為依止,修習喜覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“于苦中之無我想”為依止,修習輕安覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“于苦中之無我想”為依止,修習定覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“于苦中之無我想”為依止,修習舍覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
如此修習與培育,便“具大果大益”。 SuttaCentral

http://measurelessmind.ca/nirodhasanna.html

止想(Nirodhasaññā)

“既無彼岸,亦無此岸,亦無兩岸;
離苦無縛,我稱之為婆羅門。”
——《法句經》385(意譯其旨)

當離欲之認知完全成熟而證得,不復可得之我、亦無可認同之所依時,即證得解脫的智與見(vimuttiñāṇadassana)。這是真正的內在寂靜(ajjhattasanti),是對“止”的圓滿認知。《增支部》10.60《吉利曼陀經》說:
“那么,阿難,什么是止想?在這里,阿難,比丘到森林、樹根處或空閑之地,如是審觀:‘此為寂靜,此為勝妙:即是一切行的息止,一切取的舍離,貪愛的滅盡,止,涅槃。’阿難,這就稱為止想。” SuttaCentral

這就是“無有動搖”(calita natthi)。《自說經》8.4《涅槃經》開示:
“無動搖則安隱;安隱則無傾向;無傾向則無來無去;無來無去則無生無滅;無生無滅,則無此岸、無彼岸、亦無兩岸之間。唯此即是苦之盡。” SuttaCentral

這也是一切特定造作與意向的平息。《中部》140《界分別經》說:
“不向‘有’與‘無’而造作與意向;既不向‘有/無’而造作與意向,便不執著于此世任何事物;不執著則不興奮;不興奮則親證究竟涅槃;如是了知:‘生已盡,梵行已立,所作已辦,更無余事。’” SuttaCentral

這是一種“以無為自由”的解脫,由徹底認知無我而顯明。《自說經》1.10《婆希耶經》同樣總結:
“于見唯見,于聞唯聞,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知……在那方面并無‘你’;既無‘你’,則不在那里;既不在那里,則不在此、不在彼,亦不在兩者之間。唯此即是苦之盡。” SuttaCentral

這即是圣者的解脫:貪愛與執取的消除。《中部》106《不動適宜經》以“不執而解脫之心”為“不死”。(旨同) The Open Buddhist University

這也是一種不費力的澄明:其識不住、不立(appatiṭṭhita viññāṇa)——即“不安立之識”。《相應部》22.53《方便經》說:
“當此識不建立、不增長、不造作,即解脫;解脫則安穩;安穩則滿足;滿足則不興奮;不興奮則親證究竟涅槃;如是了知:‘生已盡,梵行已立,所作已辦,更無余事。’” SuttaCentral

更無任何尋求,更無個人議程;不再把任何法認同為“我”或將任何事物凝固為固定的依托點;既無“此”,亦無“彼”,亦無“兩者之間”。

覺悟之心是無量的(appamāṇacetasa),離一切“量度”(pamāṇa)。形象地說,覺者深邃(gambhīra)、無邊(appameyya)、不可測度(duppariyogāḷha),從“特定構造之識”(viññāṇasaṅkhāya)中得解脫(vimutta)。已“去”(atthaṅgata),無量之心即使當下亦不可追尋(ananuvejja);它不住于頭部、身體,或任何一處;它無大小、無形狀;它不是客體,也不是主體。正如虛空無相而不示,無量之心亦“不示相”(anidassana,注意:此處為“不示相”,并非“三解脫門”的“無相/animitta”);此澄明不為任何特定造作或意向所媒介。這是不受染的知:于見唯見,于聞唯聞,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知;而于彼無有“你”。當然,這種解脫的智與見并非僅憑言辭即可充分指陳,它是“各自親證”(paccatta veditabba)。關于“不示相”等名相在《相應部》43 中與“無為、不死、吉祥、安隱、不敗壞”等并列為同義名目,可參該相應諸經匯編。 SuttaCentral

止想與七覺支(Satta Bojjhaṅgā)

對于“止想”的持續、專注修持,《相應部》46.76《止經》也逐條說明其與七覺支的相應關系:
— 他以“止想”為依止,修習念覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“止想”為依止,修習擇法覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“止想”為依止,修習精進覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“止想”為依止,修習喜覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“止想”為依止,修習輕安覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“止想”為依止,修習定覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
— 他以“止想”為依止,修習舍覺支,依止離、無欲、止息,導致解脫放下
如是修習與培育,或得兩果之一:現法究竟智,或若有余執則得不還;并且“具大善利,得大解脫安隱,起大緊迫感,住大安樂”。 SuttaCentral

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標簽:無我、佛陀、放下、上座部