Toh 2356Untitled

Exposition of Toh 2356 — A Treatise of the Northern Transmission

Context

Toh 2356 is a treatise found in the Tengyur, the Śāstrapiṭaka of the Tibetan tradition, one of the most important canonical collections of Mahayana Buddhadharma. The Tengyur contains hundreds of treatises by the Buddha’s great disciples, meditation masters, and scholars who explained, developed, and protected the Dharma during its transmission from India to the Tibetan region.

Although the scripture’s title has not yet been fully identified, Toh 2356 lies within the context of Mahayana Buddhadharma, a tradition that emphasizes the bodhisattva path, that is, the path of practice of male and female guardians who wish to attain buddhahood in order to liberate all sentient beings. The Tibetan tradition gives special emphasis to Secret Dharma (Tantra), without neglecting the profound spiritual foundation of clear wisdom (Prajñāpāramitā) and boundless compassion.

The treatises in the Tengyur are often commentaries and detailed explanations of Mahayana scriptures, intended to help practitioners understand and properly practice the Buddha’s Dharma.

Main Content

Although the specific content of Toh 2356 has not yet been fully translated, we may understand that treatises in the Tengyur often discuss key subjects of the Mahayana:

Wisdom of clear insight (Śūnyatā) — The emptiness of all phenomena, not nonexistence, but emptiness of self-nature (svabhāva). This is the foundation of transcendent wisdom that liberates ambition and fear.

Universal compassion (Karuṇā-Upekṣā) — The noble resolve to save all sentient beings, without distinguishing between enemy and kin, or friend. This is the heart of a true bodhisattva.

Buddha-Nature (Tathāgatagarbha) — All sentient beings have Buddha-nature, that is, the innate capacity to become a Buddha. Afflictions and evil karma are only temporary ignorance that obscures it; they are not the true nature of the spiritual mind.