When the Clouds Part: The Uttaratantra and Its Meditative Tradition as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra
A new translation of the primary Indian Buddhist text on buddha nature, with Tibetan commentaries explaining how this text can be used to contemplate and realize one's own buddha nature.

     "Buddha nature" (tathāgatagarbha) is the innate potential in all living beings to become a fully awakened buddha. This book discusses a wide range of topics connected with the notion of buddha nature as presented in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and includes an overview of the sūtra sources of the tathāgatagarbha teachings and the different ways of explaining the meaning of this term. It includes new translations of the Maitreya treatise Mahāyānottaratantra (Ratnagotravibhāga), the primary Indian text on the subject, its Indian commentaries, and two (hitherto untranslated) commentaries from the Tibetan Kagyü tradition. Most important, the translator’s introduction investigates in detail the meditative tradition of using the Mahāyānottaratantra as a basis for Mahāmudrā instructions and the Shentong approach. This is supplemented by translations of a number of short Tibetan meditation manuals from the Kadampa, Kagyü, and Jonang schools that use the Mahāyānottaratantra as a work to contemplate and realize one’s own buddha nature.
1118889356
When the Clouds Part: The Uttaratantra and Its Meditative Tradition as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra
A new translation of the primary Indian Buddhist text on buddha nature, with Tibetan commentaries explaining how this text can be used to contemplate and realize one's own buddha nature.

     "Buddha nature" (tathāgatagarbha) is the innate potential in all living beings to become a fully awakened buddha. This book discusses a wide range of topics connected with the notion of buddha nature as presented in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and includes an overview of the sūtra sources of the tathāgatagarbha teachings and the different ways of explaining the meaning of this term. It includes new translations of the Maitreya treatise Mahāyānottaratantra (Ratnagotravibhāga), the primary Indian text on the subject, its Indian commentaries, and two (hitherto untranslated) commentaries from the Tibetan Kagyü tradition. Most important, the translator’s introduction investigates in detail the meditative tradition of using the Mahāyānottaratantra as a basis for Mahāmudrā instructions and the Shentong approach. This is supplemented by translations of a number of short Tibetan meditation manuals from the Kadampa, Kagyü, and Jonang schools that use the Mahāyānottaratantra as a work to contemplate and realize one’s own buddha nature.
79.95 In Stock
When the Clouds Part: The Uttaratantra and Its Meditative Tradition as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra

When the Clouds Part: The Uttaratantra and Its Meditative Tradition as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra

When the Clouds Part: The Uttaratantra and Its Meditative Tradition as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra

When the Clouds Part: The Uttaratantra and Its Meditative Tradition as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra

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Overview

A new translation of the primary Indian Buddhist text on buddha nature, with Tibetan commentaries explaining how this text can be used to contemplate and realize one's own buddha nature.

     "Buddha nature" (tathāgatagarbha) is the innate potential in all living beings to become a fully awakened buddha. This book discusses a wide range of topics connected with the notion of buddha nature as presented in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and includes an overview of the sūtra sources of the tathāgatagarbha teachings and the different ways of explaining the meaning of this term. It includes new translations of the Maitreya treatise Mahāyānottaratantra (Ratnagotravibhāga), the primary Indian text on the subject, its Indian commentaries, and two (hitherto untranslated) commentaries from the Tibetan Kagyü tradition. Most important, the translator’s introduction investigates in detail the meditative tradition of using the Mahāyānottaratantra as a basis for Mahāmudrā instructions and the Shentong approach. This is supplemented by translations of a number of short Tibetan meditation manuals from the Kadampa, Kagyü, and Jonang schools that use the Mahāyānottaratantra as a work to contemplate and realize one’s own buddha nature.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781559394178
Publisher: Shambhala
Publication date: 02/17/2015
Series: Tsadra , #16
Pages: 1152
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 2.10(d)

About the Author

KARL BRUNNHÖLZL was trained as a physician and presently works as a Tibetan translator and Buddhist teacher. He studied Tibetology, Buddhology, and Sanskrit at Hamburg University and Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy and practice at the Marpa Institute for Translators in Kathmandu. Currently he works as a translator and interpreter for the Tsadra Foundation, Nalandabodhi, and the Nitartha Institute. In 2009 he was appointed as the first Western khenpo (abbot in the Kagyü and Nyingma lineages) by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Translator's Introduction 1

The Sutra Sources of the Tathagatagarbha Teachings 3

Different Ways of Explaining the Meaning of Tathagatagarbha 53

Explanations of Tathagatagarbha in Indian Texts 54

Tathagatagarbha as the Emptiness That Is a Nonimplicative Negation 55

Tathagatagarbha as Mind's Luminous Nature 57

Tathagatagarbha as the Alaya-Consciousness 63

Tathagatagarbha as a Sentient Being 63

Tathagatagarbha as the Dharmakaya, Suchness, the Disposition, and Nonconceptuality 64

Tibetan Assertions on Tathagatagarbha 65

The History and Transmission of "The Five Dharmas of Maitreya" from India to Tibet 81

The Mahayanottaratantra (Ratnagotravibhaga) and the Ratnagotravibhagavyakhya 93

Texts and Authorships 93

The Meanings of the Titles Ratnagotravibhaga and Mahayanottaratantrasastra 95

The Uttaratantra and Its Relationship with Yogacara 105

The Meditative Tradition of the Uttaratantra and Shentong 123

The Two Approaches of Explaining the Uttaratantra 123

The Shentong Lineages and the Meditative Tradition of the Uttaratantra in the Jonang, Kagyü, and Nyingma Schools 131

Indian Forerunners of Shentong, Early Tibetan Shentongpas, and Their Connection to the Uttaratantra 140

The Uttaratantrra and Mahamudra 151

Sutra Mahamudra, Tantra Mahamudra, and Essence Mahamudra 151

The Sutra Sources of Mahamudra 165

Maitripa's Mahamudra of "Mental Nonengagement" 167

Connections between Maitripa's Mahamudra and the Uttaratantra 177

Other Indian Nontantric Treatises on Mahamudra 184

Gampopa's Mahamudra and the Uttaratantra 190

The Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje 202

The Eighth Karmapa, Mikyö Dorje 206

Tagpo Dashi Namgyal 212

Padma Karpo 214

The Eighth Situpa, Chökyi Jungné 216

Other Kagyü Masters on Mahamudra and the Uttaratantra 227

Gö Lotsawa's Unique Mahamudra Interpretation of the Uttaratantra 243

The Geden Kagyü Tradition of Mahamudra 278

Overview of the Indian and Tibetan Texts Presented in This Book 283

The Uttaratantra and Ratnagotravibhagavyakhya 283

The Indian Texts on the Uttaratantra 288

The Tibetan Commentaries 301

Instruction Manuals 314

Translations 329

Ratnagotravibhaga Mahayanottaratantrasastra-An Analysis of the Jewel Disposition, A Treatise on the Ultimate Continuum of the Mahayana 331

Chapter 1 The Three Jewels and the Tathagata Heart 337

Chapter 2 Awakening 415

Chapter 3 The Buddha Qualities 429

Chapter 4 Buddha Activity 437

Chapter 5 The Benefit 455

Pith Instructions on "The Treatise on the Ultimate Continuum of the Mahayana" by Sajjnna 461

A Commentary on the Meaning of the Words of the "Uttaratantra" 473

A Commentary on "The Treatise on the Ultimate Continuum of the Mahayana," The Heart of the Luminous Sun by Dashi Öser 695

Instructions on "The Ultimate Continuum of the Mahayana" by Mönlam Tsültrim 777

The Repository of Wisdom by Mönlam Tsültrim 789

The Heart of the Matter of Luminosity by Mönlam Tsültrim 797

Pith Instructions on the Wisdom at the Point of Passing when about to Die by Mönlam Tsültrim 801

The Lamp That Excellently Elucidates the System of the Proponents of Shentong Madhyamaka by the Eighth Karmapa 803

Guiding Instructions on the View of Great Shentong Madhyamaka-Light Rays of the Stainless Vajra Moon by Jamgön Kongtrul 831

Appendix 1 Selected Indian and Tibetan Comments on Uttaratantra 1.27-28 855

Appendix 2 Selected Indian and Tibetan Comments on Uttaratantra 1,154-55 901

Appendix 3 Indian and Tibetan Comments on Abhisamaydlamkara V.21 943

Appendix 4 The Emptiness Endowed with All Supreme Aspects 953

Appendix 5 The General Explanation of Tathagatagarbha in Yeshé Dorje's Commentary on the Uttaratantra 963

Appendix 6 The Presentation of the Purpose of Teaching Tathagatagarbha in Yeshé Dorje's Commentary on the Uttaratantra 969

Appendix 7 Comparison of the First Six Topics of the Fourth and Fifth Vajra Points in the Uttaratantm with the Same Six Topics in the Mahayanasutralamkara and the Mahayanasamgraha 979

Appendix 8 A Letter from Stainless Expanse and Awareness-a Casual Summary of the "Uttaratantra" 983

Notes 985

English-Sanskrit-Tibetan Glossary 1227

Tibetan-Sanskrit-English Glossary 1231

Selected Bibliography 1235

Index 1259

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