Toh 2105Untitled

Exposition of Toh 2105 — Tengyur, Śāstra Piṭaka

Background

This scripture belongs to the Tengyur (the Śāstra Piṭaka) in the Northern Tibetan Mahāyāna tradition, compiled and preserved from the works of ancient Indian Buddhist scholars and further developed by the Tibetan tradition. As a part of the Śāstra Piṭaka, this is a work of explanation, instruction, and development of the fundamental Dharma methods in the Sutra Piṭaka, intended to help practitioners understand more deeply the theory and practice of Mahāyāna.

In the context of the Northern Tibetan Mahāyāna tradition, all treatises are directed toward a common goal: teaching the path of complete liberation based on the bodhisattva mind — the resolve to liberate not only oneself but also all beings. These treatises are the result of the profound study and wisdom of bodhisattva teachers and virtuous wise monks across many centuries.

Main Content

Although the specific scripture of this work has not yet been fully translated, in the general context of the Tengyur Śāstra Piṭaka, the Dharma methods often revolve around the core themes of Mahāyāna: the definition of bodhicitta, the stages of practice on the bodhisattva path, profound understanding of emptiness (Śūnyatā), and skillful means (Upāya) for guiding beings.

The treatises in the Tengyur often focus on developing compassionate wisdom and establishing practices of meditative stability (Samādhi), which are indispensable foundations for the practitioner to accomplish the bodhisattva path. They also explain in detail the profound steps of the path of practice, from the stage of generating the bodhisattva mind to the attainment of Buddhahood. In particular, the Tibetan tradition emphasizes the union of wisdom and means, of profound doctrine and concrete practice.

Practical Meaning

For the modern practitioner, this Śāstra Piṭaka provides exceedingly precious instructions for nurturing bodhicitta — the very foundation of all attainments in the Buddha Dharma.