Maitreya's Distinguishing Phenomena and Pure Being

Translation of Distinguishing Phenomena and Their Nature (84000)

Book

Distinguishing Phenomena and Pure Being was composed by Maitreya during the golden age of Indian Buddhism. Mipham's commentary supports Maitreya's text in a detailed analysis of how ordinary, confused consciousness can be transformed into wisdom. Easy-to-follow instructions guide the reader through the profound meditation that gradually brings about this transformation. This important and comprehensive work belongs on the bookshelf of any serious Buddhist practitioner—and indeed of anyone interested in realizing their full potential as a human being.

Ju Mipham Rinpoche (1846–1912) was a great master of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the leading figures in the Rime nonsectarian movement in Tibet. This text, along with Ju Mipham Rinpoche's commentary, is taught extensively throughout the world by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, who considers this text to be of pivotal importance. Jim Scott, a longtime student of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, translated this work at his request and under his guidance. (Source: Shambhala Publications)

Citation	Scott, Jim, trans. Maitreya's Distinguishing Phenomena and Pure Being. With commentary by Mipham. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 2004.

Translator's Preface 11
The Root Text 15
The Commentary 55
The Authors Introduction 57
The explication of the treatise 67

I. The meaning of the title 67
II. The translators' homage 67
III. The main body of the text 69
- A The verse introducing the author s intention 69
- B The actual body of the treatise 71
  - 1 The brief presentation 71
    - I) The points comprising the essential subject matter 71
    - II) The defining traits of each of these 75
      - A) The definition of phenomena 75
      - B) The definition of pure being 77
    - III) The rationale underlying these traits 79
    - IV) Examining both for sameness and difference 83
  - 2 The expanded explanation 85
    - I) The expanded explanation of phenomena 85
      - A) A presentation of the headings 85
      - B) An explanation of each of these 87
        (1) A passing reference to the first three points 87
        
        (2) An explanation of the last three points 89
        (I) The explanation of the two types of ground 89
        (A) A brief presentation of both in common 89
        
        (B) An expanded explanation of the meaning of each 91
        1) Experience comprising a common ground 91
        
        2) Experience not shared in common 95
        
        (II) How to approach reality, which is free of perceived and perceiver 97
        (A) The tenet stating that there is no outer referent, only image-awareness 97
        1) The lack of a perceived object discrete from the perceiver 97
        
        2) The elimination of any further uncertainty 101
        
        (B) The resultant procedure for approaching reality, the freedom from perceived and perceiver 107
    - II) The expanded explanation of pure being 113
      - A) A brief presentation of the headings 113
      - B) The expanded explanation of these six 115
        (1) The defining characteristics 115
        
        (2) The ground 115
        
        (3) Definitive verification 117
        
        (4) Encounter 117
        
        (5) Recollection 119
        
        (6) Complete immersion into its core 121
        (I) The character of ultimate transformation 121
        
        (II) The expanded explanation of its distinctive features 123
        (A) The brief presentation of the headings 123
        
        (B) The expansion on these ten 125
        1) The essence 125
        
        2) The ingredients 127
        
        3) The individuals 131
        
        4) The special traits 133
        
        5) The requirements 135
        
        6) The ground 137
        a) The brief presentation 137
        
        b) The expansion on these six points 141
        i) The focal requirement 141
        
        ii) Surrendering attributes 143
        
        iii) How to apply the mind correctly in practice 147
        
        iv) The defining characteristics of wisdom in terms of its effects—the sphere of experience it opens 149
        
        v) The benefits 159
        
        vi) The introduction to full understanding 161
        (a) The brief presentation 161
        
        (b) The expansion on that 163
        (i) Fully understanding the remedy 163
        
        (ii) Fully understanding the concrete characteristic 165
        
        (iii) Fully understanding the distinctive marks 171
        
        (iv) Fully understanding the five effects 173
        
        7) Mental cultivation 175
        
        8) Application 185
        
        9) The disadvantages 189
        
        10) The benefits 199
  - 3 The concluding summary employing examples to illustrate the point 201
IV. The concluding statement 203
- The Author's Colophon 205
- Dedication 207

Bibliography 209
Notes 211

Maitreya/Asaṅga (mgon po byams pa)/thogs med: chos dang chos nyid rnam par 'byed pa'i tshig le'ur byas pa (Dharmadharmatāvibhaṅgakārikā), Otani: (P5524), sems tsam, phi 51b6-54b7 (vol.108, p.22-24) (Tōh. 4023), sems tsam, phi 50b1-53a7. (N) phi 45b3-48b2. (Kinsha) 3523, phi 59b1 (p.31-2-1). In bstan 'gyur (sde dge), Vol. 123: 91-98. Delhi: delhi karmapae choedhey, gyalwae sungrab partun khang, 1982-1985. Columbia AIBS
Mi pham rgya mtsho, (Chos dang chos nyid rnam par 'byed pa'i tshig le'ur byas pa'i 'grel pa ye shes snang ba rnam 'byed). In Sde-dge dgon-chen Prints of the Writings of 'Jam-mgon 'Ju Mi-pham-rgya-mtsho, ed. Dilgo Khyentse, vol. 4, 609-657. Kathmandu: Shechen Monastery,1990.