Toh 1770Untitled

Exposition of Toh 1770 — Tengyur Treatise Collection

Context

This text belongs to the Treatise Collection (Abhidharma-piṭaka) within the Tengyur of the Northern Tibetan Mahāyāna tradition, a collection of commentaries and treatises developed from the direct teachings of Buddha Śākyamuni. In the system of Tibetan Buddhism, the Tengyur plays the role of a “language” for interpreting the profound meaning of the principal scriptures (Kangyur).

Toh 1770 is an important scholastic work in the Northern Tibetan tradition, reflecting the development of Mahāyāna Buddhist thought over the centuries. Although at present we do not have a complete Vietnamese translation of this text, based on its position in the Treatise Collection, we may understand it as a doctrinal work intended to clarify aspects of practice according to the Mahāyāna path, especially matters related to the bodhisattva path and the realization of Buddha-nature.

Main Content

Treatises in the Tengyur often focus on the profound analysis of core concepts of the Buddha Dharma: non-self (anatta), impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and the paths of practice leading to liberation. Toh 1770, like many other works in this collection, may discuss one or more central Mahāyāna themes.

In the Northern Tibetan tradition, analysis (pramāṇa) is regarded as of foremost importance. Therefore, scholastic works often explore the relationship between theory and practice, between wise understanding (prajñā) and compassionate action (karuṇā). They guide practitioners to understand clearly the nature of mind, feeling (vedanā), and the ways these give rise to suffering as well as liberation.

A prominent feature of the Tengyur treatises is that they are not only scholarly commentaries but also practical guides for cultivation. Ancient treatise masters such as Nāgārjuna, Asaṅga, and Vasubandhu made great efforts to clarify how to apply the Buddha’s teachings to the spirit and actions of daily life.