The Great Perfection (rdzogs chen): A Philosophical and Meditative Teaching of Tibetan Buddhism. Second edition

Both Dzogchen and Chan emphasize 'Buddha-nature' (tathāgatagarbha) and have at their core Yogācāric leanings, although this is denied by later Dzogchen writers such as Longchen Rabchampa.

“Both Dzogchen and Chan further emphasize 'Buddha-nature' ( tathāgatagarbha ) and have at their core Yogācāric leanings - although this is denied by later Dzogchen writers such as Longchen Rabchampa (1308-1363/4; Karmay, 2007: 67).”

In Dzogchen, bodhicitta is already manifestly enlightened and not earned through merit and spiritual exercise.

“in Dzogchen, bodhicitta is already manifestly enlightened and not earned through merit and spiritual exercise (Karmay, 2007: 129).”

Dzogchen takes the gradual path of thod rgal to be superior to the 'short-cut' precept of khregs chod, because body transforms into rainbow light through former rather than being extinguished; in Chan the instantaneous 'ultimate breakthrough' is more in line with latter, focusing on directly confronting original nature of mind.

“A notable difference is that Dzogchen takes the gradual but more diligent path of thod rgal to be superior to the 'short-cut' precept of khregs chod , as one's body is transformed into rainbow light through the former, rather than being extinguished, as through the latter, whereas in Chan the instantaneous 'ultimate breakthrough' is more in line with the latter, with its focus on directly”

Dzogchen does not prescribe the method of achieving simultaneous enlightenment to everyone; instead a gradual systematic path towards thod rgal is the ultimate goal for most practitioners, and various branches of Chan similarly advocate gradualism for the majority.

“While it could be argued that both Dzogchen and Chan have been 'elitist' from the beginning in that only those of the sharpest faculties are able to instantaneously achieve enlightenment, Dzogchen does not prescribe the method of achieving 'simultaneous' (Tibetan: cig car ) enlightenment to everyone - that is, through the precept of khregs chod or 'cutting off the rigidity'. 10 Instead, a 'gradual”

Chan arguably aims at the ultimate through an intentional approach, while Dzogchen uncovers it through nonintentional spontaneity.

“Chan arguably aims at the ultimate through an intentional approach, while Dzogchen uncovers it through nonintentional spontaneity.”

Other forms of convergence include certain esoteric aspects of Chan and Dzogchen, as both were engaged in esotericism in 8th century, although Dzogchen contains many tantric terms with no Chan parallels.

“Other forms of convergence include certain esoteric aspects of Chan and Dzogchen, as both were engaged in esotericism in the 8th century, although Dzogchen evidently contains many tantric terms for which there are no Chan parallels (Karmay, 2007: 66).”