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  • Penetrating the Secret Essence Tantra

    About The File:
    File Format | PDF
    File Size | 4.76 MB
    Pages | 612
    Language | English
    Category | Buddhism
    Description:  This dissertation describes the Zur tradition's ( zur lugs ) interpretation of the Mahayoga Vehicle and its central scripture the Secret Essence Tantra ( gsang ba'i snying po rgyud, guhyagarbhatantra ) found in the Old Schools ( rnying ma ) of Tibetan Buddhism. The perspective provided on this tradition is that of an early twentieth century commentary, the Key to the Treasury ( mdzod kyi lde mig ), composed by the Third Dodrupchen Jikme Tenpe Nyima (1865-1926).

    The first part of the dissertation provides an introduction to the Mahayoga system of beliefs and practices by viewing Mahayoga from four different perspectives: doxographical, historical, scriptural, and philosophical. How Mahayoga figures into the nine vehicle doxography of the Old Schools is presented through a discussion of the relevant section in Oral Instructions of the Lord of Secrets ( gsang bdag zhal lung ) by Lochen Dharmashri (1654-1717), a prominent member of the Zur tradition upon whom Jikme Tenpe Nyima heavily relies. The historical background of the Key to the Treasury is described through short biographies of the important figures in Jikme Tenpe Nyima's lineage along with biographies of other important figures of the Old Schools relevant to this discussion. 
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