The Nature and Characteristics of Pure Awareness (Rig Pa) According to the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism

Explore a 23-minute conference talk examining the historical development and significance of pure awareness (rig pa) in Tibetan Buddhism's Great Perfection (Dzogchen) tradition. Delve into how 8th to 14th century Buddhist scholars distinguished between pure awareness and dualistic mind (sems), a fundamental concept for understanding their philosophical and practical teachings. Learn how this distinction helps practitioners identify unconditioned mental states with minimal conceptual distortion from conditioned dualistic states, illuminating the path from delusion to enlightenment. Examine the historical and doctrinal context of this distinction, focusing on the characteristics of pure awareness compared to dualistic mind. Consider the contemporary relevance of these ancient Buddhist insights and their potential implications for modern consciousness studies and ethical frameworks.