The Nine Yanas
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Pravin K. Shah Jaina Education Committee Jain Agam Literature Background Lord Mahavir's Preaching Was Orally Compiled Into Many
Pravin K. Shah Jaina Education Committee Jain Agam Literature Background Lord Mahavir's preaching was orally compiled into many texts (Sutras) by his disciples. Collectively these texts are called Jain canonical or Agam literature. The Agam Sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Traditionally these sutras were orally pass on from teachers (acharyas or gurus) to the disciples for several centuries. Also, during the course of time many learned acharyas (elder monks) compiled commentaries on the various subjects of the Agam literature. In olden times, the books were hand-written and rare. Also the religious books and scriptures were considered possessions and attachments for ascetics. Therefore Agam sutras were rarely documented and not widely distributed for or by ascetics. During the course of time, it became extremely difficult to keep memorizing the entire Jain literature (Agam sutras and Commentary literature) compiled by the many Ächäryas. Also there occurred a twelve years of famine around 350 BC. It was extremely difficult for the Jain ascetics to survive during this time. Under such circumstances they could not preserve the entire canonical literature. In fact, a significant number of Agam sutras were already forgotten and lost after the famine. Later, when the Jain congregation relaxed the vow of non-possession with regards to religious scriptures for ascetics, they had already forgotten much of the oldest canonical literature such as twelfth Ang-agam known as Drastiwad, which included fourteen Purvas. The rest of agams were polluted with some modifications and errors. -
VT Module6 Lineage Text Major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism
THE MAJOR SCHOOLS OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM By Pema Khandro A BIRD’S EYE VIEW 1. NYINGMA LINEAGE a. Pema Khandro’s lineage. Literally means: ancient school or old school. Nyingmapas rely on the old tantras or the original interpretation of Tantra as it was given from Padmasambhava. b. Founded in 8th century by Padmasambhava, an Indian Yogi who synthesized the teachings of the Indian MahaSiddhas, the Buddhist Tantras, and Dzogchen. He gave this teaching (known as Vajrayana) in Tibet. c. Systemizes Buddhist philosophy and practice into 9 Yanas. The Inner Tantras (what Pema Khandro Rinpoche teaches primarily) are the last three. d. It is not a centralized hierarchy like the Sarma (new translation schools), which have a figure head similar to the Pope. Instead, the Nyingma tradition is de-centralized, with every Lama is the head of their own sangha. There are many different lineages within the Nyingma. e. A major characteristic of the Nyingma tradition is the emphasis in the Tibetan Yogi tradition – the Ngakpa tradition. However, once the Sarma translations set the tone for monasticism in Tibet, the Nyingmas also developed a monastic and institutionalized segment of the tradition. But many Nyingmas are Ngakpas or non-monastic practitioners. f. A major characteristic of the Nyingma tradition is that it is characterized by treasure revelations (gterma). These are visionary revelations of updated communications of the Vajrayana teachings. Ultimately treasure revelations are the same dharma principles but spoken in new ways, at new times and new places to new people. Because of these each treasure tradition is unique, this is the major reason behind the diversity within the Nyingma. -
An Excursus on the Subtle Body in Tantric Buddhism. Notes
THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BUDDHIST STUDIES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF A. K. Narain University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA EDITORS L. M.Joshi Ernst Steinkellner Punjabi University University of Vienna Patiala, India Wien, Austria Alexander W. Macdonald Jikido Takasaki Universite de Paris X University of Tokyo Nanterre, France Tokyo, fapan Bardwell Smith Robert Thurman Carleton College Amherst College Northfield, Minnesota, USA Amherst, Massachusetts, USA ASSISTANT EDITOR Roger Jackson FJRN->' Volume 6 1983 Number 2 CONTENTS I. ARTICLES A reconstruction of the Madhyamakdvatdra's Analysis of the Person, by Peter G. Fenner. 7 Cittaprakrti and Ayonisomanaskdra in the Ratnagolravi- bhdga: Precedent for the Hsin-Nien Distinction of The Awakening of Faith, by William Grosnick 35 An Excursus on the Subtle Body in Tantric Buddhism (Notes Contextualizing the Kalacakra)1, by Geshe Lhundup Sopa 48 Socio-Cultural Aspects of Theravada Buddhism in Ne pal, by Ramesh Chandra Tewari 67 The Yuktisas(ikakdrikd of Nagarjuna, by Fernando Tola and Carmen Dragonetti 94 The "Suicide" Problem in the Pali Canon, by Martin G. Wiltshire \ 24 II. BOOK REVIEWS 1. Buddhist and Western Philosophy, edited by Nathan Katz 141 2. A Meditators Diary, by Jane Hamilton-Merritt 144 3. The Roof Tile ofTempyo, by Yasushi Inoue 146 4. Les royaumes de I'Himalaya, histoire et civilisation: le La- dakh, le Bhoutan, le Sikkirn, le Nepal, under the direc tion of Alexander W. Macdonald 147 5. Wings of the White Crane: Poems of Tskangs dbyangs rgya mtsho (1683-1706), translated by G.W. Houston The Rain of Wisdom, translated by the Nalanda Transla tion Committee under the Direction of Chogyam Trungpa Songs of Spiritual Change, by the Seventh Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Kalzang Gyatso 149 III. -
And Daemonic Buddhism in India and Tibet
Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2012 The Raven and the Serpent: "The Great All- Pervading R#hula" Daemonic Buddhism in India and Tibet Cameron Bailey Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES THE RAVEN AND THE SERPENT: “THE GREAT ALL-PERVADING RHULA” AND DMONIC BUDDHISM IN INDIA AND TIBET By CAMERON BAILEY A Thesis submitted to the Department of Religion in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Religion Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2012 Cameron Bailey defended this thesis on April 2, 2012. The members of the supervisory committee were: Bryan Cuevas Professor Directing Thesis Jimmy Yu Committee Member Kathleen Erndl Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the thesis has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii For my parents iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank, first and foremost, my adviser Dr. Bryan Cuevas who has guided me through the process of writing this thesis, and introduced me to most of the sources used in it. My growth as a scholar is almost entirely due to his influence. I would also like to thank Dr. Jimmy Yu, Dr. Kathleen Erndl, and Dr. Joseph Hellweg. If there is anything worthwhile in this work, it is undoubtedly due to their instruction. I also wish to thank my former undergraduate advisor at Indiana University, Dr. Richard Nance, who inspired me to become a scholar of Buddhism. -
WHY HOLY OBJECTS ARE PRECIOUS and WISH-FULFILLING by Lama Zopa Rinpoche Very Time You Look at Holy Objects – Pictures of the Destroy the World
HOLY OBJECTS and the lotus seat on which Tara sits, but the fine detailed procession all around Kopan Hill. I remember that Lama painting of Tara’s facial features, especially her eyes, was was wearing a ceremonial crown of the five dhyani done by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche was truly able to buddhas. We stopped at various points to chant and make bring Tara alive when he “opened the eyes” of the statue. prayers. Lama explained to everyone that we were showing This was the last step before the actual consecration, during Tara around her new home. Then she was placed in her which Tara was invited to come and reside in the statue. house in front of the gompa. I always thought of her as Connie remembers the consecration: “Two monks watching over and protecting Kopan from there.” And she carrying Tara on their shoulders led everyone in a joyous still does to this day. ama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe are pictured here at Borobudur LStupa, Java, Indonesia, in 1979. Peter Kedge remembers the details of this visit to one of the world’s greatest Buddhist pilgrimage sites, dating back to 800 CE. “It was blisteringly hot the day we were there, humid and absolutely the worst conditions for Lama [Lama Yeshe had a heart condition that was especially aggravated by the heat]. But he insisted on circumam - bulating the shrine several times, while prostrating. Rinpoche joined him, but I couldn’t keep up at all and went off and found some shade.” WHY HOLY OBJECTS ARE PRECIOUS AND WISH-FULFILLING By Lama Zopa Rinpoche very time you look at holy objects – pictures of the destroy the world. -
Brief History of Dzogchen
Brief History of Dzogchen This is the printer-friendly version of: http: / / www.berzinarchives.com / web / en / archives / advanced / dzogchen / basic_points / brief_history_dzogchen.html Alexander Berzin November 10-12, 2000 Introduction Dzogchen (rdzogs-chen), the great completeness, is a Mahayana system of practice leading to enlightenment and involves a view of reality, way of meditating, and way of behaving (lta-sgom-spyod gsum). It is found earliest in the Nyingma and Bon (pre-Buddhist) traditions. Bon, according to its own description, was founded in Tazig (sTag-gzig), an Iranian cultural area of Central Asia, by Shenrab Miwo (gShen-rab mi-bo) and was brought to Zhang-zhung (Western Tibet) in the eleventh century BCE. There is no way to validate this scientifically. Buddha lived in the sixth century BCE in India. The Introduction of Pre-Nyingma Buddhism and Zhang-zhung Rites to Central Tibet Zhang-zhung was conquered by Yarlung (Central Tibet) in 645 CE. The Yarlung Emperor Songtsen-gampo (Srong-btsan sgam-po) had wives not only from the Chinese and Nepali royal families (both of whom brought a few Buddhist texts and statues), but also from the royal family of Zhang-zhung. The court adopted Zhang-zhung (Bon) burial rituals and animal sacrifice, although Bon says that animal sacrifice was native to Tibet, not a Bon custom. The Emperor built thirteen Buddhist temples around Tibet and Bhutan, but did not found any monasteries. This pre-Nyingma phase of Buddhism in Central Tibet did not have dzogchen teachings. In fact, it is difficult to ascertain what level of Buddhist teachings and practice were introduced. -
For Thoroughly Ascertaining Reality
www.khenposodargye.org For Thoroughly Ascertaining Reality By Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche Commented by Khenpo Sodargye 1 www.khenposodargye.org Not Final Version Yet For Internal Use Only If you find any mistake, please kindly send your message to [email protected]. We sincerely appreciate all your feedback. 2 www.khenposodargye.org Content Root Verses with Textual Outline ............................................................... 5 Chapter One. The Opening ........................................................................ 28 The Explanation of the Title ................................................................... 29 The Prostration & the Pledge ................................................................. 31 Chapter Two. The Two Truths and the Two Types of Valid Knowledge ... 34 The Two Truths to be Ascertained ......................................................... 34 The Two Types of Valid Knowledge that Can Ascertain the Two Truths 36 The Manifestation of Dependent Arising ............................................... 39 The Principle of Function and the Principle of Dependence .................. 42 The Necessity of Understanding the Two Principles .............................. 47 The Principle of Nature on Conventional Level ...................................... 52 The Principle of Nature on Ultimate Level ............................................. 60 Summary of the Three Principles ........................................................... 64 The Principle of Establishment by Proof ............................................... -
Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava Essay
Mirrors of the Heart-Mind - Eight Manifestations of Padmasam... http://huntingtonarchive.osu.edu/Exhibitions/sama/Essays/AM9... Back to Exhibition Index Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava (Image) Thangka, painting Cotton support with opaque mineral pigments in waterbased (collagen) binder exterior 27.5 x 49.75 inches interior 23.5 x 34.25 inches Ca. 19th century Folk tradition Museum #: 93.011 By Ariana P. Maki 2 June, 1998 Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, Padmakara, or Tsokey Dorje, was the guru predicted by the Buddha Shakyamuni to bring the Buddhist Dharma to Tibet. In the land of Uddiyana, King Indrabhuti had undergone many trials, including the loss of his young son and a widespread famine in his kingdom. The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara felt compassion for the king, and entreated the Buddha Amitabha, pictured directly above Padmasambhava, to help him. From his tongue, Amitabha emanated a light ray into the lake of Kosha, and a lotus grew, upon which sat an eight year old boy. The boy was taken into the kingdom of Uddiyana as the son of King Indrabhuti and named Padmasambhava, or Lotus Born One. Padmasambhava grew up to make realizations about the unsatisfactory nature of existence, which led to his renunciation of both kingdom and family in order to teach the Dharma to those entangled in samsara. Over the years, as he taught, other names were bestowed upon him in specific circumstances to represent his realization of a particular aspect of Buddhism. This thangka depicts Padmasambhava, in a form also called Tsokey Dorje, as a great guru and Buddha in the land of Tibet. -
Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, Revised Edition
REVISED EDITION John Powers ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 1 Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 2 ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 3 Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism revised edition by John Powers Snow Lion Publications ithaca, new york • boulder, colorado ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 4 Snow Lion Publications P.O. Box 6483 • Ithaca, NY 14851 USA (607) 273-8519 • www.snowlionpub.com © 1995, 2007 by John Powers All rights reserved. First edition 1995 Second edition 2007 No portion of this book may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission from the publisher. Printed in Canada on acid-free recycled paper. Designed and typeset by Gopa & Ted2, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Powers, John, 1957- Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism / by John Powers. — Rev. ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and indexes. ISBN-13: 978-1-55939-282-2 (alk. paper) ISBN-10: 1-55939-282-7 (alk. paper) 1. Buddhism—China—Tibet. 2. Tibet (China)—Religion. I. Title. BQ7604.P69 2007 294.3’923—dc22 2007019309 ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 5 Table of Contents Preface 11 Technical Note 17 Introduction 21 Part One: The Indian Background 1. Buddhism in India 31 The Buddha 31 The Buddha’s Life and Lives 34 Epilogue 56 2. Some Important Buddhist Doctrines 63 Cyclic Existence 63 Appearance and Reality 71 3. Meditation 81 The Role of Meditation in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism 81 Stabilizing and Analytical Meditation 85 The Five Buddhist Paths 91 4. -
1. Introduction
1. Introduction 1. INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2 ORIGINS OF BUDDHISM .......................................................................................................................2 THE PRACTICE LINEAGES ....................................................................................................................3 The Kagyü Lineage........................................................................................................................3 The Nyingma Lineage.....................................................................................................................5 The Surmang Tradition..................................................................................................................5 VIDYADHARA, THE VENERABLE CHÖGYAM TRUNGPA, RINPOCHE .............................................................6 THE VAJRA REGENT ÖSEL TENDZIN......................................................................................................9 THE SAKYONG, JAMGÖN MIPHAM RINPOCHE .......................................................................................12 RELATED ORGANIZATIONS................................................................................................................14 Nalanda Foundation....................................................................................................................14 Naropa University.......................................................................................................................16 -
Three Classifications of Mahamudra Excerpted from Wild Awakening , Released by Shambhala Publications, 2006
Three Classifications of Mahamudra Excerpted from Wild Awakening , released by Shambhala Publications, 2006 According to the teachings and tradition of Lord Gampopa’s lineage, the three classifications of Mahamudra are Sutra Mahamudra, Mantra Mahamudra and Essence Mahamudra. Sutra Mahamudra is primarily based on the sutra teachings, and mantra Mahamudra is primarily based on the mantra teachings. Essence Mahamudra draws from both sutra and mantra, but is traditionally distinguished as the devotional path based on blessings. Sutra Mahamudra: The Secret Road in the City The general teachings of Mahamudra were presented by Lord Buddha and his followers in such sutras as the Prajnaparamita Sutras or The Discourses on Transcendental Knowledge. These sutras teach primarily “the great emptiness.” The shortest of the Prajnaparamita sutras is the Heart Sutra, which teaches the inseparability of form and emptiness. That sutra, along with the whole collection of Prajnaparamita teachings, comprises one of the bases for Sutra Mahamudra. The teachings on buddha nature are the other basis for Sutra Mahamudra. The buddha nature teachings point out that the nature of our mind, emotions and thoughts is complete wakefulness. That wakefulness is what we call buddhahood or enlightenment. Furthermore, that enlightenment is the nature of all sentient beings. This essence of enlightenment is what we call “buddha nature” or tathagatagarbha. These two streams of teachings form the basis for the sutra aspect of Mahamudra. The practice of Sutra Mahamudra essentially involves the study and contemplation of these sutras, followed by meditation. We contemplate the teachings on emptiness or shunyata, as well as the teachings on buddha nature, which is our fundamental wakefulness. -
Notes and Topics: Three Divine Bodies: Tri-Kaya
TIlREE DIVINE BODIES: TRI-KAYA -Prof. P.G.yogi. The universal essence manifests itself in three aspects or modes as symbolized by the three Divine Bodies (Sanskrit-Trikaya). The first aspect, the Dharmakaya or the Essential (or True) Body is the primordial, unmodified, formless, eternally self existing and essentially of Bodhi or divine beingness. The second aspect is the Sambhogakaya or the Reflected Body wherein dweU the Buddhas of meditation (Skt. Dhyana-Buddhas) and other enlightened beings of super human form The third aspect is the Nirmanakaya or the Body of Incarnation or the human form in which state Buddha was born on earth. In the chinese interpretation of the Tri-kaya, the Dharmakaya is the immutable Buddha essence and noumenal source of the cosmic whole. The Sambhogakaya is the phe nomenal appearances and the first reflex of the Dharmakaya on the heavenly planes. In the Nirmanakaya, the Buddha essence is associated with activity on the Earth plane and it incarnates among men as suggested by the Gnostic poem in the Gospel of St.John which refers to the cOming of the word and the mind through human body. See herein book II, p. 217). In its totality, the universal essence is the one mind, manjfested through the myriads of minds in all the states of Sangsaric existence. It is called 'the essence of the Buddha', 'the great symbol', 'the sole seed' 'the potentiality of truth', and 'the all-foundation' as the text states that it is the source of all the bliss of Nirvana and all the sorrow of Sangsara.