Toh 2310The Inconceivable Varieties, Advice to the Vedic Scholar

An Exposition of the Scripture “Inconceivable Encouragements for the Non-Buddhist Scholar”

Context

This scripture belongs to the Treatise Collection (Tengyur) of the Northern Mahayana canon. It is a precious work preserving the advice given by bodhisattvas to non-Buddhist scholars who followed the Vedas—the learned intellectual masters of ancient India. This work reflects the Mahayana Buddhist spirit of interreligious dialogue, in which the Buddha and the bodhisattvas do not refuse dialogue with followers of other doctrines, but instead present the Dharma clearly and without prejudice.

The term “rig byed” (Vedas) denotes the most ancient non-Buddhist texts of the Hindu tradition. These scholars are honored for their search for truth, although they remain bound within the circle of concepts of existence (āsrava). The advice addressed to them is not a rebuke, but a compassionate invitation to enter the signless path of liberation (anupalabdha).

Main Content

The title contains the essence: “inconceivable encouragements” (sna tshogs bsam gyis mi khyab pa). This indicates that emptiness (suññatā) cannot be imagined or grasped through ordinary concepts. The scripture encourages the scholars to recognize that their Vedic works, although precious, remain limited by relativity and dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda).

The advice is presented from many perspectives (sna tshogs, meaning “varieties” or “ways”): First, the scripture points out that the objects upon which non-Buddhist doctrines focus—such as an eternal Brahman and an independent atman—are themselves relative and arise through causes and conditions. Second, it invites these scholars to perceive the absence of inherent existence in all phenomena, something that cannot be inferred or imagined beforehand, but can only be directly realized through profound meditation.

The scripture emphasizes that inconceivability (mi khyab pa, “inconceivable”