The first part of this book is a direct translation of the liturgy on the

Preliminary Practices of the Longchen Nyingthig tradition of the Great Completeness, or Dzogchen teaching. The text is entitled The Excellent Path to Enlightenment written by Jig-me-ling-pa (1729-1798).  Jigme Lingpa is considered the founder of the Longchen Nyingthig tradition, and Drubchen as the principle holder of the doctrine. 

It is in effect a condensed practical handbook of Buddhism for followers of the Vajrayana school of Mahayana Buddhism. Its main subject, though not its sole concern, is the preliminary practices or that which "goes before" a a preliminary the actual practice. However, this is somewhat misleading, since this practice also contains a complete course of practice for achieving Buddhahood itself.