The Essence of Zhentong

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|AlternateSourceName=Jonang Foundation
 
|AlternateSourceName=Jonang Foundation
 
|AlternateSourceLink=https://jonangfoundation.org/sites/default/files/jf_snying%20po_final.pdf
 
|AlternateSourceLink=https://jonangfoundation.org/sites/default/files/jf_snying%20po_final.pdf
|AuthorPage=People/TA_ra_nA_tha
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|AuthorPage=People/Sheehy, M.
 
|PubDate=2008
 
|PubDate=2008
 
|ArticleSource=Jonang Foundation
 
|ArticleSource=Jonang Foundation
 
|ArticleContent=Oṃ Svasti!<br>
 
|ArticleContent=Oṃ Svasti!<br>
Here, the essence of Mahāyāna, the Madhyamaka of definitive meaning (''nītārtha'', ''nges don''), will be characterized by:<ref> The following translation is based upon the ‘Dzam thang edition of the ''Gzhan stong snying po'', see Tā ra nā tha, ''Gzhan stong''.<br></ref><br>
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Here, the essence of Mahāyāna, the Madhyamaka of definitive meaning (''nītārtha'', ''nges don''), will be characterized by:<ref> The following translation is based upon the ‘Dzam thang edition of the ''Gzhan stong snying po'', see Tā ra nā tha, ''Gzhan stong''.<br></ref><br><br>
 
I. A General Presentation on the Classification of Philosophical Systems<br>
 
I. A General Presentation on the Classification of Philosophical Systems<br>
 
II. Identifying the Classifications of Madhyamaka<br>
 
II. Identifying the Classifications of Madhyamaka<br>
 
III. Clearing Away Extremes Imputed by Others<br><br>
 
III. Clearing Away Extremes Imputed by Others<br><br>
I. A General Presentation on the Classification of Philosophical Systems
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'''I. A General Presentation on the Classification of Philosophical Systems'''<br>
Non-Buddhist Systems
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Non-Buddhist Systems<br>
While views and philosophies of other [non-Buddhist] extremists lack a path to freedom,
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While views and philosophies of other [non-Buddhist] extremists lack a path to freedom, our own Buddhist views and philosophies are related through a path to freedom. Even though extremists do not have a path to freedom, some of them posses—while others do not posses—teachings that lead them to exalted states of existence.<ref>''Mtho ris kyi mngon par mtho'', elevated or high states of existence within the cycle of saṃsāra. These are
our own Buddhist views and philosophies are related through a path to freedom. Even
+
heavenly or celestial realms that can be traversed through advanced meditation but are not free from the innate pains of sentience.</ref> For instance, materialists and most other nihilists who lack respect for actions and their effects, and who primarily endorse teachings that are hurtful, do not even have a clear path to exalted states. Sāṃkhyas, naked Jain ascetics, some followers of supreme beings, and extremists who meditate, often do posses paths to exalted states. They are then reborn as gods and humans within the desire realms due to their having relinquished harmful actions and created virtuous actions; they are reborn in the form realms due to having meditatively cultivated the four concentrations; and they are reborn in the formless realms due to having meditatively cultivated the four formless stabilizations.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The reason why extremists do not have a path to freedom is that they do not relinquish the mentality that fixates onto the egotistic self. This is known as “fixation onto the self of personhood.” In saṃsāra, from time without beginning, what has continuously come about is this persistent mentality that fixates onto the egotistic self. Even so, these philosophical systems assert its existence along with the many distinctive qualities that are themselves this very egotistic self and they then meditate on its meaning. Since they do not have anything that can counteract this fixation onto the ego, they are not able to relinquish this self-fixedness. Consequently, this self-fixation is the
though extremists do not have a path to freedom, some of them posses—while others do
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repetitive cause of their every upsetting emotion.<br>
not posses—teachings that lead them to exalted states of existence.2
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;However, the more sophisticated extremists meditate on the coarse impermanence of birth, aging, sickness, death, and so forth; they know the suffering of this life and of the desire realm; they affirm that coarse substances such as material forms lack a true reality; they decrease their attachments and know contentment; they develop lovingkindness and compassion; they meditate on the equanimity of friends and enemies; and they relinquish the four roots.<ref>''Rtsa bzhi'': (1) killing; (2) stealing; (3) sexual misconduct; (4) lying.</ref> Since they have an excellent view, meditation, and conduct, their path leads to exalted states. (''The Essence of Zhentong'', introduction, 3–4)<br><br>
For instance,
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[https://jonangfoundation.org/sites/default/files/jf_snying%20po_final.pdf Read more here . . .]
materialists and most other nihilists who lack respect for actions and their effects, and
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|DisableDropcap=Yes
who primarily endorse teachings that are hurtful, do not even have a clear path to exalted
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|PostToAudioStream=No
states. Sāṃkhyas, naked Jain ascetics, some followers of supreme beings, and extremists
 
who meditate, often do posses paths to exalted states. They are then reborn as gods and
 
humans within the desire realms due to their having relinquished harmful actions and
 
created virtuous actions; they are reborn in the form realms due to having meditatively
 
cultivated the four concentrations; and they are reborn in the formless realms due to
 
having meditatively cultivated the four formless stabilizations.
 
The reason why extremists do not have a path to freedom is that they do not
 
relinquish the mentality that fixates onto the egotistic self. This is known as “fixation
 
onto the self of personhood.” In saṃsāra, from time without beginning, what has
 
continuously come about is this persistent mentality that fixates onto the egotistic self.
 
Even so, these philosophical systems assert its existence along with the many distinctive
 
qualities that are themselves this very egotistic self and they then meditate on its
 
meaning. Since they do not have anything that can counteract this fixation onto the ego,
 
they are not able to relinquish this self-fixedness. Consequently, this self-fixation is the
 
repetitive cause of their every upsetting emotion.
 
However, the more sophisticated extremists meditate on the coarse impermanence
 
of birth, aging, sickness, death, and so forth; they know the suffering of this life and of
 
3
 
www.JonangFoundation.org
 
the desire realm; they affirm that coarse substances such as material forms lack a true
 
reality; they decrease their attachments and know contentment; they develop lovingkindness and compassion; they meditate on the equanimity of friends and enemies; and
 
they relinquish the four roots.3
 
Since they have an excellent view, meditation, and
 
conduct, their path leads to exalted states.
 
 
}}
 
}}

Latest revision as of 17:46, 24 July 2023

The Essence of Zhentong
Article
Article
Citation: Sheehy, Michael R., trans. The Essence of Zhentong. By Jetsun Tāranātha. With Khenpo Kunga Sherab Saljay Rinpoche. JonangFoundation.org, 2008. https://jonangfoundation.org/sites/default/files/jf_snying%20po_final.pdf

Oṃ Svasti!
Here, the essence of Mahāyāna, the Madhyamaka of definitive meaning (nītārtha, nges don), will be characterized by:[1]

I. A General Presentation on the Classification of Philosophical Systems
II. Identifying the Classifications of Madhyamaka
III. Clearing Away Extremes Imputed by Others

I. A General Presentation on the Classification of Philosophical Systems
Non-Buddhist Systems
While views and philosophies of other [non-Buddhist] extremists lack a path to freedom, our own Buddhist views and philosophies are related through a path to freedom. Even though extremists do not have a path to freedom, some of them posses—while others do not posses—teachings that lead them to exalted states of existence.[2] For instance, materialists and most other nihilists who lack respect for actions and their effects, and who primarily endorse teachings that are hurtful, do not even have a clear path to exalted states. Sāṃkhyas, naked Jain ascetics, some followers of supreme beings, and extremists who meditate, often do posses paths to exalted states. They are then reborn as gods and humans within the desire realms due to their having relinquished harmful actions and created virtuous actions; they are reborn in the form realms due to having meditatively cultivated the four concentrations; and they are reborn in the formless realms due to having meditatively cultivated the four formless stabilizations.
    The reason why extremists do not have a path to freedom is that they do not relinquish the mentality that fixates onto the egotistic self. This is known as “fixation onto the self of personhood.” In saṃsāra, from time without beginning, what has continuously come about is this persistent mentality that fixates onto the egotistic self. Even so, these philosophical systems assert its existence along with the many distinctive qualities that are themselves this very egotistic self and they then meditate on its meaning. Since they do not have anything that can counteract this fixation onto the ego, they are not able to relinquish this self-fixedness. Consequently, this self-fixation is the repetitive cause of their every upsetting emotion.
    However, the more sophisticated extremists meditate on the coarse impermanence of birth, aging, sickness, death, and so forth; they know the suffering of this life and of the desire realm; they affirm that coarse substances such as material forms lack a true reality; they decrease their attachments and know contentment; they develop lovingkindness and compassion; they meditate on the equanimity of friends and enemies; and they relinquish the four roots.[3] Since they have an excellent view, meditation, and conduct, their path leads to exalted states. (The Essence of Zhentong, introduction, 3–4)

Read more here . . .

  1. The following translation is based upon the ‘Dzam thang edition of the Gzhan stong snying po, see Tā ra nā tha, Gzhan stong.
  2. Mtho ris kyi mngon par mtho, elevated or high states of existence within the cycle of saṃsāra. These are heavenly or celestial realms that can be traversed through advanced meditation but are not free from the innate pains of sentience.
  3. Rtsa bzhi: (1) killing; (2) stealing; (3) sexual misconduct; (4) lying.