Toh 1286Untitled

Exposition of Toh 1286 – Tengyur Treatise Collection

Northern Tibetan Mahayana Tradition

Context

Toh 1286 is a treatise belonging to the Tengyur (the Treatise Collection) of the Northern Tibetan tradition, one of humanity’s most precious Mahayana Buddhist treasuries. The Tengyur consists of hundreds of treatises (śāstra) composed by bodhisattvas and engaged scholars of the Buddhadharma in order to interpret deeply the intent of the Scriptural Collection (the scriptures of the Buddha). In the context of Northern Tibetan Mahayana practice, these treatises are not only theory but also a sacred map guiding us onto the path of unsurpassed liberation.

This treatise was composed in the spirit of Buddhadharma practice by those who had attained high realization, bodhisattvas possessing sufficient understanding of the Four Noble Truths, the Twelve Links of Dependent Arising, and the wondrous path of practice leading to Buddhahood. It represents the integrated lineage of Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana that is characteristic of the Northern Tibetan tradition.

Main Content

Although the scripture title has not yet been fully translated into Vietnamese, according to the pattern of the treatises in the Tengyur, Toh 1286 certainly discusses a profound aspect of the Buddhadharma, perhaps Tathagatagarbha (Buddha-nature), emptiness (Śūnyatā), or the path of bodhisattva practice.

The treatises in the Tengyur often analyze each passage of scripture and each word taught by the Buddha in order to clarify the profound intent. They follow the methods of logic and causal analysis (Pramāṇa-śāstra) developed by masters such as the venerable Nāgārjuna, Asaṅga, Vasubandhu, and Dharmakīrti. Each point of reasoning is defended with scriptural evidence and rational reflection.

Especially in the Northern Tibetan tradition, these treatises are closely integrated with tantric practice, in order to show the swift path by which all sentient beings may attain the Buddha body within one lifetime or within a few lives of practice, rather than over an endless span as taught by some other traditions.