Toh 2358Untitled

Exposition of Toh 2358 — Tengyur Śāstrapiṭaka

Context

The Śāstrapiṭaka (Tengyur) is the collection of treatises and instructions by Buddhist masters after the time of the Buddha, compiled and translated into Tibetan from the eighth century onward. Toh 2358, as one of the important treatises in the Northern Tibetan Mahayana tradition, reflects the profound development of the Buddhadharma through sages and Dharma masters of wholesome teachings.

The Northern Tibetan Mahayana tradition, including schools such as Tibetan Buddhism, especially esteems treatises that clarify advanced methods of practice, particularly Tantra and doctrines concerning Buddha-nature. The Śāstrapiṭaka is regarded as “the exposition of the venerable ministers,” where bodhisattvas and great arahants teach the practical path of cultivation based on the scriptural canon.

Main Content

Although the title is not fully provided, from the position of Toh 2358 in the Tengyur, this treatise is very likely to belong to the field of teachings on Buddha-nature doctrine or practices related to Yogācāra (唯識派, the Mind-Only school). These treatises often focus on clarifying how all sentient beings possess Buddha-nature, that is, the inherent capacity to become a Buddha.

In the Mahayana context, mind is not something permanently defiled, but has an innate luminous presence and the capacity to be completely purified. This treatise may teach how the minds of sentient beings are related to the minds of the Buddhas, or about the obstacles to the dharmadhātu that we must overcome in order to realize the qualities of Buddhahood.

Treatises belonging to the Tengyur often provide details about methods of practice, from basic recollection to advanced practices such as meditation on the four immeasurables (Brahmavihāra), or the practices of generosity, secret body, or emanation body.