Toh 44-12Chapter 12: The Buddha

Commentary on Chapter 12: The Buddha

Background

Chapter 12, entitled “The Buddha” (sangs rgyas kyi le'u), is found in the Kangyur, the largest collection of scriptures in the Northern Tibetan tradition. The Kangyur was compiled from the eighth to ninth centuries, gathering sacred scriptures taught by Buddha Shakyamuni in many different periods. This chapter has a special place in the structure of the canon, because it focuses on the nature and characteristics of an awakened buddha.

In the Mahayana Northern Tibetan tradition, the concept of “Buddha” (sangs rgyas) does not simply refer to Buddha Shakyamuni, but also includes countless other buddhas across the ages. Each buddha has attained the state of complete awakening, overcoming every obstruction of reasoning, consciousness, and defilement. This chapter is presented in the context of ancient Indian society, but its doctrine remains deeply universal.

Main Content

The chapter describes the basic characteristics that constitute a buddha. According to the Northern Tibetan tradition, a buddha must possess the three bodies (trikaya): the dharmakaya, the absolute nature of truth; the sambhogakaya, the subtle form body for bodhisattvas; and the nirmanakaya, the form body in the human world for liberating sentient beings.

The sutra strongly emphasizes that buddhas possess the ten transcendent powers (dashabala), including: knowledge of causes and conditions, knowledge of the results of actions, knowledge of the paths of practice, knowledge of the realms of reality and the faculties of wisdom, and other powers related to ignorance, desire, hatred, and afflictions. These powers allow buddhas to teach and transform sentient beings in the supreme way.

The chapter also emphasizes the selflessness and emptiness (sunyata) of buddhas: they do not possess an independent self-nature, but are manifestations of the impermanent Dharma realm, ever transforming for the benefit of sentient beings.