Khenpo Tamphel at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium

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Khenpo Tamphel at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium - 6 of 23
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Description
Drawing on the text entitled A Mahāmudrā Investigation into Confusion: An Instruction for Identifying the Process of Confusion by Jikten Sumgon, Khenpo Tamphel explains how, according to this text, sentient beings and buddhas are related, how confusion arises that leads to saṃsāra, and how recognition of the true nature of sentient beings is the way to enlightenment.

Abstract from the Author

The Difference Between a Sentient Being and a Buddha: 'Jig rten gsum mgon’s Instruction on the Process of Confusion
This paper will present the text Phyag chen 'khrul pa rtsad gcod 'khrul lugs ngos 'dzin gyi gdams pa (A Mahāmudrā Investigation into Confusion: An Instruction for Identifying the Process of Confusion) by 'Jig rten gsum mgon. This text explains what differentiates sentient beings from buddhas and how they are ultimately inseparable. The disciple Mkhan po Bzod pa asks his teacher to clarify where confusion comes from and which came first: a buddha or a sentient being. 'Jig rten gsum mgon answers that neither came first, that there is no difference in terms of time between the two, and that the first buddha is the primordial buddha (ādibuddha), which is the dharmatā (chos nyid), and the first sentient being is the dharmin (chos can). The dharmatā and dharmin is the basis of all (kun gzhi). He explains that the dharmatā exists within all sentient beings, and their confusion is caused by not recognizing that this dharmatā exists within them. Recognizing this dharmatā is to become a buddha according to 'Jig rten gsum mgon. This is a profound text that shows how sentient beings and buddhas are related, how confusion arises that leads to saṃsāra, and how recognition of the true nature of sentient beings is the way to enlightenment. We will discuss the major points of this text and how dharmatā is related to the idea of buddha-nature of the Uttaratantra.

Sources Mentioned

People Mentioned

Jikten Gönpo
1143 ~ 1217
Khenpo Zopa
12th century ~ late 12th century
Pakmodrupa Dorje Gyalpo
1110 ~ 1170
The Second Pawo Tsuklak Trengwa
1504 ~ 1566
Nyo Gyelwa Lhanangpa Sanggye Rinchen
1164 ~ 1224
Gar Dampa Chodingpa
1180 ~ 1240
Palchen Chokyi Yeshe
late 12th century ~ early 13th century
Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye
1813 ~ 1899
Ngok Lotsāwa Loden Sherab
1059 ~ 1109
Tsen Khawoche
1021
Sajjana
11th century
Drolungpa Lodrö Jungne
11th century
Zhang Tsepong Chökyi Lama
11th cent. ~ 12th cent.
Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje
1284 ~ 1339
Gö Lotsāwa Zhönu Pal
1392 ~ 1481
Dölpopa Sherab Gyaltsen
1292 ~ 1361
Tāranātha
1575 ~ 1634
Gampopa
1079 ~ 1153
Maitrīpa
986 ~ 1063
Maitreya
Sherab Jungne
1187 ~ 1241
Featuring Khenpo Tamphel
Creator University of Vienna, Tsadra Foundation
Event Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia (17 July 2019, University of Vienna, Austria)
Related Website Buddha-Nature Project
Video Web Location Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia
Creation Date 17 July 2019
Citation Tamphel, Khenpo Könchok. "The Difference Between a Sentient Being and a Buddha: 'Jig rten gsum mgon’s Instruction on the Process of Confusion." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 47:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GbYgx3ozDM.