Perfect or Perfected? Rongtön on Buddha-Nature
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As the most important canonical treatise on Buddha-nature, the Ratnagotravibhaga (also known as Uttaratantrasastra, Tib. rgyud bla ma) established the doctrinal foundations for the Mahayana philosophy of tathāgatagarbha, the doctrine according to which all sentient beings are either inherently buddhas or endowed with the potential for awakening. Among the most prominent Tibetan commentaries on this text figures that of the Sakya master Rongtön Sheja Künrig, a prolific writer who was active during the golden age of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. Refuting, on one hand, the notion that Buddha-nature is synonymous with mere emptiness, and on the other that the mind is inherently endowed with the Buddha qualities, Rongtön argues for an understanding of Buddha-nature that embraces both aspects of the nature of mind: cognizance and emptiness.
Rongtön Sheja Künrig (1376-1449) figures among the greatest teachers of the Sakya tradition. Particularly renowned for his commentaries on the Five Treatises of Maitreya, his vast erudition, and extensive teaching career made him one of the most influential masters for the scholastic lineages of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. This volume contains an annotated translation of Rongtön Chenpo’s commentary on the central chapter of this treatise (including the relevant stanzas of the root text), along with an extensive introduction to the historical development of this doctrine and an analysis of Rongtön’s position. (Source: Vajra Publications)
| Citation | Bernert, Christian, trans. Perfect or Perfected? Rongtön on Buddha-Nature: A Commentary on the Fourth Chapter of the Ratnagotravibhāga (vv.1.27-95[a]). By Rongtön Sheja Künrig (rong ston shes bya kun rig). Kathmandu: Vajra Books, 2018. |
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- G: Theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos legs par bshad pa. A detailed exegesis of the Uttaratantraśāstra (Ratnagotravibhāga) by Roṅ-ston Śes-bya-kun-rig. Reproduced from a rare manuscript from Jakhar Tshang. Gantok, 1979. This is a manuscript of ninety-six folios (192 pages) written in dbu med script.
- LS: Theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos legs par bshad pa bzhugs so. In Rong ston bka' 'bum, vol. JA. Skye gdu mod: Gangs ljong rig rgyan gsung rab par khang, 2004. A modern printed edition of 100 folios (199 pages).
- K: Theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos legs par bshad pa bzhugs so. In Theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos rtsal 'grel bzhugs so. Khreng tu'u (Chengdu): Si khron mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 1995. A book in wesstern format including a concise account of Maitreya's career, the root verses of the Ratnagotravibhaga, Rongtön's commentary, and its outline.
