Three Words That Strike the Vital Pointis the famous seminal statement by Garap Dorje that is said to encapsulate all the myriad dzogchen tantras. The key instructions on it by the outstanding nineteenth-century master Paltrul Rinpoche-the verses known as "The Special Teaching of Khepa Shri Gyalpo"-form the basis for Khyentse Rinpoche's discourse here. These teachings belong to the oral instruction division of atiyoga and explain the path of trekch , or directly cutting through the confusion of samsara to the primordial purity of the nature of mind. In dzogchen, when one has fully recognized that all the confusion of samsara is the expressive power of primordially pure great emptiness, confusion is spontaneously liberated into the primordial purity of mind's original nature. Compassion spontaneously arises, accomplishing the benefit of sentient beings. Khyentse Rinpoche was renowned for his ability to elucidate the dzogchen teachings and to lead students of all backgrounds to deeper experiential realization. His powerful presence shines through the pages of this book.