Toh 1716Untitled

Exposition of the Abhidharma-pitaka (Toh 1716) - Northern Tibetan Mahayana Tradition

Background

This work belongs to the Abhidharma-pitaka (Abhidharmakosa or the treatises on the Buddha Dharma) in the Tengyur, the Northern Transmission Tibetan Canon, compiled by great masters and Buddhist scholars to interpret and systematize the teachings of the Buddha. The Northern Tibetan Mahayana tradition especially emphasizes the bodhisattva path, that is, practice aimed at attaining Buddhahood not for personal benefit, but in order to liberate countless sentient beings.

The Tengyur is a compilation of commentaries from great Dharma masters, recording Dharma methods of the highest value. Works in the Abhidharma-pitaka often revolve around themes such as the nature of mind, Buddhist causality, or the bodhisattva path of practice.

Main Content

Although the official title has not been fully provided, this work may revolve around one of the core themes of Mahayana: the Buddha-nature of all sentient beings, or the stages of practice according to the bodhisattva path. In the Northern Tibetan tradition, such treatises often explore how all sentient beings, regardless of their present stage, possess the potential to become Buddhas.

These works may also discuss the role of wisdom (prajna), compassion (karuna), and the paramitas (the Buddhist perfections), the supreme practices that a bodhisattva must complete. In particular, they emphasize that Buddhahood is not a selfish, quiet happiness, but perfection for the sake of saving all.

In the spirit of Mahayana, this work may examine deeply the nature of the absence of intrinsic nature (sunyata) and the cultivation of active bodhicitta, the aspiration for awakening for the sake of all sentient beings. These tenets form the basic difference between Mahayana and other traditions.