Toh 2228Untitled

Commentary on Toh 2228 - Northern Tibetan Mahayana Tradition

Context

The scripture (Toh 2228) belongs to the Tengyur, the Treatise Collection of the Northern Transmission, and is a doctrinal work within the tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. The Tengyur, or “Translated Treatises,” is a collection of commentaries and explanations on the scriptures, compiled by the deepest saints and scholars of Tibet. The scriptures in the Treatise Collection frequently teach aspects of Mahayana Buddhism, especially the theory of consciousness (Yogacara) and emptiness (Sunyata), or the divisions of practice that lead to enlightenment.

Although the title of the scripture is not clearly recorded in the descriptive information, Toh 2228 is part of the rich treasury of Eastern materials, translated from Sanskrit into Tibetan during the 9th-11th centuries, the golden age of Buddhist learning in Tibet. This scripture is thought to be a commentary on, or summary of, an important element of the path, possibly bodhicitta, emptiness, or advanced methods of practice.

Main Content

In the Mahayana tradition, treatises often present the connection between theory and practice. Toh 2228, following the orientation of the Tengyur, is likely to focus on analyzing the nature of mind and dharma, or to teach the ten bhumis of the bodhisattva path (Bodhisattva-bhumi). A central element of Northern Tibetan treatises is the emphasis on skillful means (upaya), the capacity of the Buddha and bodhisattvas to adapt the Dharma according to the faculties of sentient beings.

This scripture may teach how the empty mind (sunya-cittas) is an essential characteristic of Buddha-nature. Through analysis of phenomena (dharma-dharmata), students are taught to see that all dharmas lack independent nature and exist only through dependent arising (pratityasamutpada). This is not a doctrine of a substantial void, but a lucid understanding that all things interact with and support one another within limitless dependent arising.