Toh 44-2Chapter 2: The Tathāgata

An Explanation of Chapter 2: The Tathāgata

Background

This second chapter belongs to the Northern Tibetan canon, one of the precious scriptural collections of Mahāyāna Buddhism. It is recorded in the Kangyur, the collection of the Buddha’s teachings translated into Tibetan from Sanskrit originals. This chapter focuses on the concept of the “Tathāgata,” one of the most honored titles of Śākyamuni Buddha.

The term “Tathāgata” (de bzhin gshegs pa) means “one who has gone thus” or “one who has come from suchness.” This is not an arbitrary name, but expresses the nature of a buddha: one who has attained supreme awakening, overcome all illusion, and abides in the absolute truth of the nature of Dharma (dharmatā). The appearance of a Tathāgata in the world does not occur through ordinary cause and effect, but is the manifestation of unsurpassed compassion and wisdom.

Main Content

In the Northern Tibetan tradition, the Tathāgata is understood in a deeper way than in other traditions. He is not only a historical figure, but the manifestation of the Dharmakāya, the whole truth of the Buddha-Dharma personified. The Tathāgata possesses the three bodies (Trikāya): the formless Dharmakāya, the Saṃbhogakāya shining in wondrous realms, and the Nirmāṇakāya appearing in the human world.

This chapter may present important characteristics of the Tathāgata, such as the Ten Powers (Daśa Balāni), the omniscient capacities to discern the truth concerning cause and effect, the path and non-path, phenomena, and possessions. The Tathāgata clearly understands every path of practice and every obstruction. With the Four Fearlessnesses (Catasso Vesārajjāni), the Tathāgata proclaims his awakening with complete certainty and without defeat.

More importantly, the Tathāgata is not an omnipotent deity in a simplistic sense, but the supreme Teacher of the paths of practice. All Dharmas taught by the Tathāgata are based on the Truth of the Wisdom of the One Mind (ekacitta-prajñaptā).