A Fine Blend of Mahamudra and Madhyamaka

A Fine Blend of Mahamudra and Madhyamaka

Book

Book

 Search online

Read Online

The collection of twenty-six texts on non-conceptual realization is the result of blending the essence and tantric mahamudra teachings of Saraha, Nagarjuna and Savaripa with a particular form of Madhyamaka philosophy, called 'non-abiding' (apratisthana), which aims at radically transcending any conceptual assessment of true reality. This goal is achieved by "withdrawing one's attention" (amanasikara) from anything that involves the duality of a perceived and perceiver. The result is a "luminous self-empowerment," Maitripa's (986–1063) final tantric analysis of amanasikara. The collection of texts on non-conceptual realization plays a crucial role, as it constitutes, together with Naropa's teachings, the main source of bKa' brgyud lineages. The edition and translation of this collection is followed by another text attributed to Maitripa, the *Mahamudrakanakamala, which was translated by Mar pa Lo tsa ba Chos kyi blo gros (11th century) into Tibetan. The *Mahamudrakanakamala picks up on the themes of the collection and shows that all aspects of Maitripa's mahamudra were indeed passed on to early bKa' brgyud masters. Besides an English translation and analysis, the present publication contains a new edition of the available Sanskrit on the basis of the editio princeps by Haraprasad Shastri, the edition of the Studying Group of Sacred Tantric Texts at Taisho University, the Nepalese manuscript NGMPP B 22/24, and the manuscript no. 151 from the Todai University Library. The Tibetan edition of all texts is based on the Derge and Peking bsTan 'gyur and the dPal spungs edition of Karmapa VII Chos grags rgya mtsho's (1454-1506) Collection of Indian Mahamudra Works (Phyag rgya chen po'i rgya gzhung). (Source Accessed Feb 11, 2020)

Citation	Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. A Fine Blend of Mahāmudrā and Madhyamaka: Maitrīpa's Collection of Texts on Non-conceptual Realization (Amanasikāra). Philosophisch-Historische Klasse Sitzungsberichte 869. Beiträge zur Kultur- und Geistesgeschichte Asiens 90. Vienna: Österreichischen Akademie Der Wissenschaften, 2015. https://austriaca.at/7786-9inhalt?frames=yes.

ContentsSources

• Abbreviationsviii
• Prefaceix
• Introduction1
  • General Remarks1
  • A Summary of the Amanasikāra Cycle and the
    *Mahāmudrākanakamālā7
  • Maitrīpa’s Life Story in the 'Bri gung bKa' brgyud chos mdzod23
• The Collection of Texts on Non-conceptual Realization
  (The Amanasikāra Cycle)41
  • 1. The Destruction of Wrong Views (Kudrstinirghātana)41
  • 2. A Commentary on the [Initial] Statement of "The Destruction of Wrong
    Views" (Kudrstinirghātavākyatippinikā)51
  • 3. The Major Offences (Mūlūpattayah)55
  • 4. The Gross Offences (Sthūlāpattayah)57
  • 5. A Jewel Garland of True Reality (Tattvaratndvalī)59
  • 6. Explaining the Seals of the Five Tathāgatas
    (Pañcatathāgatamudrāvivaraṇa)95
  • 7. A Presentation of Empowerment (Sekanirdeśa)107
  • 8. The Succession of the Four Seals (Caturmudrānvaya)119
  • 9. A Summary of the Meaning of Empowerment (Sekatātparyasaṃgraha)133
  • 10. The Five Aspects [of Vajrasattva] ([Vajrasattva-]Pañcākāra)147
  • 11. A Discourse on Illusion (Māyānirukti)155
  • 12. A Discourse on Dream (Svapnanirukti)159
  • 13. An Elucidation of True Reality (Tattvaprakāśa)163
  • 14. An Elucidation of Non-Abiding (Apratiṣṭhānaprakāśa)169
  • 15. An Elucidation of [the Term] "Indivisible union" (Yuganaddhaprakāśa)175
  • 16. The Manifestation of Great Bliss (Mahāsukhaprakāśa)181
  • 17. The Twenty Verses on True Reality (Tattvaviṃśikā)187
  • 18. The Twenty Verses on Mahāyāna (Mahāyānaviṃśikā)193
  • 19. The Five Verses on Penetrating Insight (Nirvedhapañcaka)199
  • 20. The Six Verses on the Middle [Path] (Madhyamaṣaṭka)203
  • 21. The Five [Verses on Transcendent] Love (Premapañcaka)207
  • 22. The Ten Verses on True Reality (Tattvadaśaka)211
  • 23. A Justification of Non-conceptual Realization (Amanasikārādhāra)241
  • 24. The Six Verses on the Co-emergent (Sahajaṣaṭka)259
  • 25. A Pith Instruction on Reality Called A Treasure of Dohas (*Dohānidhināmatattvopadeśa)263
  • 26. A Pith Instruction on Settling the Mind Without Becoming Engaged
    in the Thought Processes of Projecting and Gathering—A Genuine Secret
    (Shes pa spro bsdu med par 'jog pa'i man ngag gsang ba dam pa)269
  • 27. A Golden Garland of Mahāmudrā (*Mahāmudrākanakamālā)273
  • Conclusion315
• Edition of the Sanskrit and Tibetan Texts319
  • General Remarks319
  • 1. Kudṛṣṭinirghātana323
  • 2. Kudṛṣṭinirghātavākyaṭippinikā333
  • 3. Mūlāpattayah337
  • 4. Sthūlāpattayah339
  • 5. Tattvaratnāvalī341
  • 6. Pañcatathāgatamudrāvivaraṇa371
  • 7. Sekanirdeśa385
  • 8. Caturmudrānvaya389
  • 9. Sekatātparyasaṃgraha403
  • 10. [Vajrasattva-]Pañcākāra415
  • 11. Māyānirukti427
  • 12. Svapnanirukti433
  • 13. Tattvaprakāśa437
  • 14. Apratiṣṭhānaprakāśa443
  • 15. Yuganaddhaprakāśa447
  • 16. Mahāsukhaprakāśa451
  • 17. Tattvaviṃśikā457
  • 18. Mahāyānaviṃśikā465
  • 19. Nirvedhapañcaka473
  • 20. Madhyamaṣaṭka477
  • 21. Premapañcaka481
  • 22. Tattvadaśaka485
  • 23. Amanasikārādhāra489
  • 24. Sahajaṣaṭka499
  • 25. *Dohānidhināmatattvopadeśa503
  • 26. Shes pa spro bsdu med par 'jog pa'i man ngag gsang ba dam pa507
  • 27. *Mahāmudrākanakamālā511
• Bibliography543
  • Primary Sources (Indian)543
  • Primary Sources (Tibetan)549
  • References551
• Index559

Sanskrit source for Mathes' first 24 texts of the Amanisikā Cycle (numbered below) can be found in Haraprasad Shastri's Advayavajrasaṃgraha (Gaekwad's Oriental Series 40), 57. Baroda: Oriental Institute, 1927. Even more detailed source information given with the editions of the Sanskrit and Tibetan texts beginning on page 323.

1. Maitrīpa. Advayavarjasaṃgraha (sgrub pa sde bdun dang snying po skor gsum yis la mi byed pa'i chos skor). In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 1: 5 - Vol. 2:488. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
2. _____. Kudṛṣṭinirghāta (lta ba ngan pa sel ba). (D 2229) rgyud, wi 104b7-110a2; (P 3073) rgyud 'grel, mi 113a7-119a8 (vol.68, p.271); (N 1875) rgyud 'grel, mi 110b6-116b1. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 1: 408 - 424. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
   1. Shastri, 1-11.
3. _____. Kudṛṣṭinirghāthanavākyaṭippinikā (lta ba ngan pa sel ba'i dran pa). (D 2231) rgyud, wi 110a6-111a3; (Q 3075) rgyud 'grel, mi 119b6-120b6 (vol.68, p.274); (N 1877) rgyud 'grel, mi 116b6-117b4. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 1: 424 - 426. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
   1. Shastri, 11-12.
4. Author Unknown. Mūlāpattayaḥ.
   1. Shastri, 13.
5. _____. Sthūlāpattayaḥ.
6. Shastri, 13.
7. _____. Tattvratnāvalī (de kho na nyid rin po che'i phreng ba). (D 2240) rgyud, wi 115a6-120a1; (Q 3085) rgyud 'grel, mi 126b6-130b8 (vol.68, p.276); (N 1886) rgyud 'grel, mi 123a4-127a2. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 1: 231-241. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
   1. Shastri, 14-22.
8. _____. Pañcatathāgatamudrāvivaraṇa (de bzhin gshegs pa lnga'i phyag rgya rnam par bshad pa). (D 2242) rgyud, wi 120b3-122b3; (P 3087) rgyud 'grel, mi 131b5-134a4 (vol.68, p.278); (N 1888) rgyud 'grel, mi 127b4-130a2. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 31-37. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
   1. Shastri, 23-27.
9. _____. Sekanirdeśa (dbang bskur ba nges par bstan pa). (D 2252) rgyud, wi 141b2-143a5; (Q 3097) rgyud 'grel, mi 154b8-156b5 (vol.68, p.288); (N 1898) rgyud 'grel, mi 150a5-152a3. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 1: 432-437. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
   1. Shastri, 28-31.
10. Author unknown, possibly Nāgārjuna. Caturmudrānvaya (phyag rgya bzhi rjes su bstan pa). (D 2225) rgyud 'grel, wi 77a3-79b2; (p 3069) rgyud 'grel, mi 82a1-84b5. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 1: 295-302. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
11. Maitrīpa. Sekatātparyasaṃgraha (dbang gi dgos pa mdor bsdus pa). (D 2243) rgyud, wi 122b4-124b7; (P 3088) rgyud 'grel, mi 134a4-136b6 (vol.68, p.279); (N 1889) rgyud 'grel, mi 130a2-132b3. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 1: 437-444. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 36-39.
12. _____. Pañcākāra. (rang bzhin lnga pa). (D 2245) rgyud 'grel, wi 143b3-136b6; (P 3090) rgyud 'grel, mi 147a8-149b6.
    1. Shastri, 40-43.
13. _____. Māyānirukti. (sgyu ma nges par bstan pa). (D 2234) rgyud, wi 111b6-112a7; (P 3078) rgyud 'grel, mi 121b4-122a6 (vol.68, p.274); (N 1880) rgyud 'grel, mi 118b1-119a2. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 75-77. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 44.
14. _____. Svapnanirukti (rmi lam nges par bstan pa). (D 2233) rgyud, wi 111a7-111b6; (P 3077) rgyud 'grel, mi 121a4-121b3 (vol.68, p.274); (N 1879) rgyud 'grel, mi 118a2-118b1. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 72-75. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 45.
15. _____. Tattvaprakāśa (de kho na nyid rab tu bstan pa). (D 2241) rgyud, wi 120a1-120b3; (P 3086) rgyud 'grel, mi 131a1-131b5 (vol.68, p.278); (N 1887) rgyud 'grel, mi 127a2-127b4. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 80-122. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 46-47.
16. _____. Apratiṣṭhānaprakāśa (rab tu mi gnas pa gsal bar ston pa). (D 2235) rgyud, wi 112a7-112b7; (P 3079) rgyud 'grel, mi 122a6-122b7 (vol.68, p.275); (N 1881) rgyud 'grel, mi 119a2-119b3. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 122-128. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 48.
17. _____. Yuganaddhaprakāśa (zung du 'jug pa rab tu gsal ba bstan pa). (D 2237(a)) rgyud, wi 113a6-113b6; (Q 3081) rgyud 'grel, mi 123a8-123b8 (vol.68, p.275); (N 1883) rgyud 'grel, mi 120a3-120b3. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 69-72. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 49.
18. _____. Mahāsukhaprakāśa (bde ba chen po gsal ba). (D 2239) rgyud, wi 114b2-115a6; (P 3084) rgyud 'grel, mi 124b6-126b6 (vol.68, p.276); (N 1885) rgyud 'grel, mi 121a6-123a4. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 66-69. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 50-51.
19. _____. Tattvaviṃśikā (de kho na nyid nyi shu pa). (D 2250) rgyud, wi 140a5-141a3; (P 3095) rgyud 'grel, mi 153b1-154a8 (vol.68, p.287); (N 1896) rgyud 'grel, mi 148b7-149b5. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 63-66. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 52-53.
20. _____. Mahāyānaviṃśikā (theg pa chen po nyi shu). (D 2248) rgyud, wi 137b7-138b4; (P 3093) rgyud 'grel, mi 150b8-151b6 (vol.68, p.286); (N 1894) rgyud 'grel, mi 146a6-147a5. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 58-63. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 54-55.
21. _____. Nirvedhapañcaka (mi phyed pa lnga). (D 2238) rgyud, wi 114a3-114b2; (P 3083) rgyud 'grel, mi 124a6-124b5 (vol.68, p.275); (N 1884) rgyud 'grel, mi 120b7-121a6. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 54-56. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 56.
22. _____. Madhyamaṣaṭka (dbu ma drug pa). (D 2230) rgyud, wi 110a2-110a6; (P 3074) rgyud 'grel, mi 119a8-119b6 (vol.68, p.273); (N 1876) rgyud 'grel, mi 116b1-116b6. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 56-57. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 57.
23. _____. Premapañcaka (dga' bcug lnga pa). (D 2237(b)) rgyud, wi 113b6-114a3; (P 3082) rgyud 'grel, mi 124a1-124a6 (vol.68, p.275); (N 1883) rgyud 'grel, mi 120a3-120b3. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 53-54. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 58.
24. _____. Tattvadaśaka (de kho na nyid bcu pa). (D 2236) rgyud, wi 112b7-113a6; (P 3080) rgyud 'grel, mi 122b7-123a8 (vol.68, p.275); (N 1882) rgyud 'grel, mi 119b3-120a3. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 77-79. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 59.
25. Maitrīpa. Amanasikārādhāra (yid la mi byed pa ston pa). (D 2249) rgyud, wi 138b4-140a5; (P 3094) rgyud 'grel, mi 151b6-153b1 (vol.68, p.286); (N 1895) rgyud 'grel, mi 147a5-148b7. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 1: 405-408. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 60-62.
26. _____. Sahajaṣaṭka (lhan cig skyes pa drug pa). (D 2232) rgyud, wi 111a3-111a7; (P 3076) rgyud 'grel, mi 120b6-121a4 (vol.68, p.274); (N 1878) rgyud 'grel, mi 117b4-118a2. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 57-58. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
    1. Shastri, 62-63.
27. _____. Dohānidhināmatattvopadeśa (do ha ni dhi zhes bya ba de kho na nyid kyi man ngag. (D 2247) rgyud, wi 137a3-137b6; (P 3092) rgyud 'grel, mi 150a3-150b7 (vol.68, p.286); (N 1893) rgyud 'grel, mi 145b3-146a6. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 57-58. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
28. Author unknown, possibly Maitrīpa. shes pa spro bsdu med par 'jog pa'i man ngag gsang ba dam pa. (D 2251) rgyud 'grel, wi 141a3-b2; (P 3096) rgyud 'grel, mi 154a8-b7. In chos grags rgya mtsho's cycle: "Collection of Indian Mahāmudrā Works" (phyag rgya chen po'i rgya gzhung). dPal spungs block print. No date.
29. Maitrīpa. Mahāmudrākanakamālā (phyag rgya chen po gser phreng). (D 2454) rgyud, zi 115b3-124b3; (P 3282) rgyud 'grel, tshi 145b6-157a7 (vol.69, p.248); (N 2083) rgyud 'grel, tshi 125b7-135b2.
    1. Not available in Sanskrit original
30. Rāmapāla. Sekanirdeśapañjika (dbang bskur ba nges par bstan pa'i dka' 'grel). (D 2253) rgyud, wi 143a5-160b7; (P 3098) rgyud 'grel, mi 156b5-176a2 (vol.68, p.288); (N 1899) rgyud 'grel, mi 152a3-171a4.
31. Author unknown. yid la mi byed pa'i chos skor nyi shu rtsa lnga'i lo rgyus. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 1: 350-359. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.
32. Sahajavajra. Tattvadaśakaṭīkā (de kho na nyid bcu pa'i rgya cher 'grel pa). (D 2254) rgyud, wi 160b7-177a7; (Q 3099) rgyud 'grel, mi 176a2-195a3 (vol.68, p.296); (N 1900) rgyud 'grel, mi 171a4-190a2. In 'bri gung bka' brgyud chos mdzod chen mo, Vol. 2: 357-375. Lhasa: s.n., 2004.

Madhyamaka - Along with Yogācāra, it is one of the two major philosophical schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Founded by Nāgārjuna around the second century CE, it is rooted in the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras, though its initial exposition was presented in Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā. Skt. मध्यमक Tib. དབུ་མ་ Ch. 中觀見

Go to the page with the definition of 'Madhyamaka'

prabhāsvaratā - In a general sense, that which clears away darkness, though it often appears in Buddhist literature in reference to the mind or its nature. It is a particularly salient feature of Tantric literature, especially in regard to the advanced meditation techniques of the completion-stage yogas. Skt. प्रभास्वर Tib. འོད་གསལ་ Ch. 光明

Go to the page with the definition of 'luminous'

NGMPP - Nepal German Manuscript Preservation Project

Go to the page with the definition of 'NGMPP'

Mahāmudrā - Mahāmudrā refers to an advanced meditation tradition in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna forms of Into-Tibetan Buddhism that is focused on the realization of the empty and luminous nature of the mind. It also refers to the resultant state of buddhahood attained through such meditation practice. In Tibet, this tradition is particularly associated with the Kagyu school, although all other schools also profess this tradition. The term also appears as part of the four seals, alongside dharmamūdra, samayamudrā, and karmamudrā. Skt. महामुद्रा Tib. ཕྱག་རྒྱ་ཆེན་པོ།

Go to the page with the definition of 'Mahāmudrā'

Mahāyāna - Mahāyāna, or the Great Vehicle, refers to the system of Buddhist thought and practice which developed around the beginning of Common Era, focusing on the pursuit of the state of full enlightenment of the Buddha through the realization of the wisdom of emptiness and the cultivation of compassion. Skt. महायान Tib. ཐེག་པ་ཆེན་པོ། Ch. 大乘

Go to the page with the definition of 'Mahāyāna'