Toh 1702Untitled

Interpretation of Scripture Toh 1702 — Northern Tibetan Mahayana Tradition

Context

Toh 1702 is a treatise in the Tengyur, the explanatory canon of the Northern Tibetan transmission of the Buddha Dharma. The works in this collection were compiled from the eighth century onward, recording teachings by Indian sages on the Mahayana Buddha Dharma. In this tradition, scriptures and treatises are not only the Buddha’s teachings but also profound explanations of the meaning of the Dharma, transmitted by bodhisattvas and awakened masters.

The Northern Tibetan canon is a system of Buddha Dharma recorded in Tibetan from ancient Sanskrit originals, with the participation of outstanding translators such as Vasubandhu, Dignāga, Dharmakīrti, and many other great masters. Its methodology uses the logic of dependent origination (Pratītyasamutpāda), valid cognition (pramāṇa), and the four noble truths as its foundation.

Main Content

Although the original title of Toh 1702 has not been fully identified in the descriptive information, according to the structure of the Tengyur, this is a profound treatise on some aspect of Mahayana Buddhist learning. It may be related to Abhidharma (concerning the nature of phenomena), Madhyamaka (concerning the thought of the middle way), or Yogācāra (concerning knowledge and practice of the path), the three important pillars of the Northern Tibetan Mahayana.

The treatises in the Tengyur usually present:

First, the nature of the aggregates (skandha), the factors that constitute the world and mind according to the Buddhist view — not as absolute entities, but as conjunctions of impermanent causes and conditions.

Second, the path of practice leading to awakening, including the profound bodhisattva conduct — the path of the ten grounds of the bodhisattva (Daśabhūmi) and the pāramitā such as generosity, ethical discipline, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom.

Third, the nature of mind and knowledge, the way mind operates through the aspects of Tathatā (suchness — the true nature of all phenomena) in every circumstance of life.