The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems

Book

The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems, by Thuken Losang Chökyi Nyima (1737–1802), is arguably the widest-ranging account of religious philosophies ever written in pre-modern Tibet. Like most Tibetan texts on philosophical systems, this work covers the major schools of India, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist, but then goes on to discuss in detail the entire range of Tibetan traditions as well, with separate chapters on the Nyingma, Kadam, Kagyü, Shijé, Sakya, Jonang, Geluk, and Bön schools. Not resting there, Thuken goes on to describe the major traditions of China—Confucian, Daoist, and the multiple varieties of Buddhist—as well as those of Mongolia, Khotan, and even Shambhala. The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems is unusual, too, in its concern not just to describe and analyze doctrines, but to trace the historical development of the various traditions. The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems is an eloquent and erudite presentation exploring the religious history and philosophical systems of an array of Asian Cultures—and offering evidence that the serious and sympathetic study of the history of religions has not been a monopoly of Western scholarship. (Source: Wisdom Publications)

Citation	Sopa, Geshé Lhundub, trans. The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems: A Tibetan Study of Asian Religious Thought. By Thuken Losang Chökyi Nyima (thu'u bkwan blo bzang chos kyi nyi ma). With E. Ann Chávez and Roger R. Jackson. Special contributions by Michael Sweet and Leonard Zwilling. Edited by Roger R. Jackson. Library of Tibetan Classics 25. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2009.

General Editor's Prefacexi
Translators Prefacexv
Editors Introduction1
Map of Tibet24
Technical Note27

The Crystal Mirror An Excellent Explanation Showing the Sources and
Assertions of All Philosophical Systems
1. Preface33
2. Indian Schools37
3. Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism71
4. The Nyingma Tradition77
5. The Kadam Tradition97
6. The Kagyü Tradition117
7. The Shijé Tradition157
8. The Sakya Tradition169
9. The Jonang and Minor Traditions197
10. The Geluk Tradition 1: Tsongkhapa215
11. The Geluk Tradition 2: Tsongkhapa's Successors267
12. The Geluk Tradition 3: The Distinctiveness of Geluk299
13. The Bön Tradition321
14. Chinese Traditions 1: Non-Buddhist331
15. Chinese Traditions 2: Buddhist351
16. Central Asian Traditions371
17. Conclusion387
Appendix: Detailed Outline of Thuken's Text397
Notes411
Glossary497
Glossary of Enumerations515
Bibliography535
Index577
About the Contributors665

Thu'u bkwan blo bzang chos kyi nyi ma. grub mtha' shel gyi me long. Lan kru'u: kan su'u mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 1984.