The covert intention with respect to interpretation refers to teachings given in a form which is extremely difficult to
understand
in order to pacify the faults of those who think:
This doctrine is inferior to others Because it is easy to understand.
This doctrine is inferior to others Because it is easy to understand.
Dudjom Rinpoche - Fundamentals and History of the Nyingmapa
Thus, there is not the slightest disharmony between the two kinds of Madhyamaka of defini- tive meaning with respect to the conclusive intention [of the buddhas].
The Prasangika do not claim that the ultimate reality referred to by synonyms, which lies within the range of the dualising intellect or consciousness, is conclusive other than as a provisional introduction. They do, however, say that the coalescent ultimate reality without synonyms, which is within the range of the genuine pristine cognition of individual intuitive awareness, is the unique ultimate truth, charac- terised as the ineffable, unthinkable and inexpressible perfection of discriminative awareness.
The proponents of extrinsic emptiness, in the same way, convention- ally assign consciousness and its objects to the deceptive, false, relative appearance, making them as false on the conventional level as lightning and clouds. Yet they assign pristine cognition and its objects to the ultimate truth by virtue of their infallible conclusive reality, which is free from conditions to be clarified and established because it is perman- ent, steadfast and unchanging.
Therefore, when one meditates [according to these two kinds of Madhyamaka], they are found to make the same essential point. When the pristine cognition or ultimate reality experienced during sublime meditative equipoise according to the greater vehicle, which the a11- knowing great Longcenpa expressed within our own [Nyingma] tradi- tion, is objectified, it is impossible for conceptual elaborations such as the postures of clinging to explicit negation and implicitly affirmative negation to exist therein, regardless of the concepts of being and non- being upheld by philosophical systems.
There is no philosophical system to be upheld during this great sameness, which is a coalescence free from conceptual activity. How- ever, when the aftermath of that meditative equipoise is conventionally objectified, the structure of the ground, path and result and so forth is differentiated in accordance with quotations from the authentic liter- ary transmissions.
This essential point which is indubitably upheld is not contradicted in either of the two kinds of Madhyamaka [for the following twO reasons]. Firstly, both of them refute all signs and ideas of conceptual
elaboration, including being and non-being, in relation to the experience of meditative equipoise or the investigation of the truth, and afterwards are determined and balanced in a great sameness free from conceptual elaborations, without conditions to be clarified or established. Secondly, they both differentiate and uphold the two truths professed according to their respective philosophical systems in the situation of the relative or conventional truth during the aftermath ofthat meditative absorption. One should not, therefore, be exhausted by the conceptual elaboration of and proof, pursuing mere words instead of relying on their meanmg.
One who is attracted and adheres to any agreeable standpoint concern- ing appearances and emptiness cannot reverse the evil view of clinging to extremes. This is why the expanse of reality, the conclusive ultimate truth without synonyms in which appearances and emptiness are coalesced, should be well established as sameness throughout the extent of existence and quiescence.
The mode of establishing this [sameness] is also taught in the eighteenth chapter of [Longcenpa's] Wish-fulfilling Treasury. Accord- ingly, though all relative things that conventionally appear are non-exist- ent in fact, bewildering apparitions appear by the power of the bewil- derment of propensities, without past, without future, without existence during the present interval between them. However, these are empty forms which have never existed in reality, like the combed-out hairs that appear to the vision of one drugged by datura. Appearances and emptiness are not differentiated because the ground that differentiates between appearances and emptiness has ceased to exist, and attributes such as the naturally radiant buddha-body and pristine cognition of ultimate reality are free from the flux of the three times. For they are an uncorrupted expanse and original sameness, neither different nor distinct by nature.
One should know that even the two truths designated by the intellect
are of a supremely pure, indivisible sameness, throughout the extent
of existence and quiescence, because they are merely names and words,
not existing independently in reality. As the text [Wish-fulfilling Treas- ury] says:
Since it is beyond the interrupted and classified objects of relative appearance,
And transcends the two designated truths, All elaboration is pacified.
The indivisible truth is neither proven nor
disproven;
Since, in the expanse, appearances and emptiness
are naturally without duality,
This truth is also said to be indivisible.
210 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
And when the two truths are allocated through their abiding and appari- tional natures, which depend on the universal logic of conventions, the text says:
Thus all things of sarpsara which are bewildering appearances
Are the relative truth because they are false and fallacious.
The reality of nirvat:la which is profound, calm inner radiance,
Is held to be the ultimate truth of unchanging natural expression.
So it is that, after precedence has been given to the establishment of the two truths as an indivisible great sameness without conceptual elaborations, as described above, the objects and subjects, in which the abiding and apparitional modes are in total harmony, are then both allocated to the ultimate reality, and the objects and subjects in which the abiding and apparitional modes are in a state of disharmony, are both allocated to relative appearances. This determination should be made according to their infallibility in conventional terms; otherwise, the whole structure of conventional truth would be deranged, because one would not know whether the apprehension of a conch-shell as white or yellow would be veracious.
It is appropriate, therefore, that all things of nirvat:la attained through the power of the abiding and apparitional modes in harmony be assigned to the ultimate reality, and all things of sarpsara which originate through the power of their disharmony, to the relative appearance. If scrutinised according to conventional analysis, all the apparitions of buddha-body and pristine cognition are uncreated by the bewilderment of deeds and
defilements, and are proven to be true and not fallacious because they originate from the power of genuine pristine cognition, and are unpol- luted by obscurations. The things of sarpsara, on the other hand, are said not to be true because they are the opposite. Their respective truth and falsehood is proven by the logic which conventionally analyses them to be fallacious or not. In this respect, the subject in which the abiding and apparitional modes are in harmony is called pristine cog- nition because it is without the dichotomy of apprehending subject and apprehended object. The subject which apprehends them as dishar- mony is called consciousness because it is endowed with the dichotomy . of subject and object. The object of which the abiding and apparitional modes are in harmony is reliable because it is never reversed by reve- lations of invalid cognition. To give a mundane example: It resembles the intellect which apprehends a rope as a rope. The object of which the abiding and apparitional modes are disharmonious, on the other hand, is not reliable because, like the intellect which apprehends a rope
as s? ake, it is. reversed on perceived as an invalid cognition. ThIs IS expressed In the Sutra Revealed by Aksayamati (Ak$ayamatzmrdesasutra, T 175) when it says: .
Pristine cognition is permanent And consciousness is impermanent.
In this way, this expanse and non-dual pristine cognition are perman- ent because they are no different from reality. The Sutra ofthe Arrayed Bouquet says:
Though a multitude of world systems, Inconceivable in number, have been incinerated, The sky remains undestroyed:
Such is the naturally present pristine cognition.
And in Tantra of the Supreme Radiance of Truth without Conceptual ElaboratlOns (spros-bral don-gsal chen-po'i rgyud, NGB Vo1. 6):
In all the tantras and transmissions I have revealed When the words "unchanging" and And "like indestructible reality" are expressed,
of the naturally present, pure,
pnstIne cognItIon.
An? the Commentary on the Nucleus of Indestructible Reality [rdo-rye
snymg- grel, T2515; or the Cammentary(onHevajra) by Vajragarbha, T1180]:
Just as, though a vase has been destroyed,
T. he. space [within] remains undamaged, though the mind has been destroyed, PnstIne cognition remains undamaged.
[in the Eulogy to the Expanse of Reality, vv. 20-1] the sublime Nagafjuna has said:
As cloth that may be purified by fire,
When soiled with various stains,
Is placed in the midst of fire
The stains are burnt, but no; the cloth,
So, too, when the mind that is inner radiance Possesses stains such as attachment
These burnt by the fire of pristine cognition, But not so its Inner radiance. 21o
Two Truths according to Great Madh)Iamaka 211
ce reference to this apparition of reality, though creation and d SSatIOn are indeed ostensible, they cannot harm the ultimate unbewil
h···· ,- ap :. menta nature w lch IS reahty itself, because they are
ered funda I
pantIOna1 modes' I ' h b .
ex In re atIOn to t e ewlldered consciousness. For th though space ostensibly expands and contracts depending on e SIze of the] vessel, it cannot be proven that space is compounded
212 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
and impermanent. In its own essence, this reality or pristine cognition possesses four enlightened attributes of hidden meaning beyond the range of the childish intellects of inhibited perception. Namely, it is pure because it is originally uncovered by minute blemishes, permanent because it is naturally without change, blissful because it is never oppres- sed by suffering, and true self because it pervades all sarpsara and
nirvaI). a and pacifies elaborate concepts of self and selflessness. The lord Maitreya has said in the Supreme Continuum ofthe Greater Vehicle
(Ch. 1, v. 35):
Owing to its purity, self, bliss and permanence,
The transcendental perfection of enlightened attributes
is the result.
And in the Litany of the Names of Maiijusn (v. 46) accordingly:
Purest of the pure by nature,
It is beginninglessly
The self free from elaborations.
Furthermore, all the outer and inner phenomena subsumed by the components, psychophysical bases and activity fields are apparitions which arise from reality, and yet, by the power of its natural purity, with reference to the conclusive abiding mode, they do not stray from the natural sameness of the Original Buddha [Samantabhadra] and are
of the nature of the buddha-body and pristine cognition. They are seen as such by the conclusive buddha-eye which is free from all obscura- tions. Therefore it says in the Satra of the Arrayed Bouquet:
Those who well abide in natural sameness With respect to self and sentient beings, And are dynamic and non-acquisitive, Are said to be the sugatas.
With purity of form and feeling,
Of perception, consciousness and attention, The countless tathagatas
Become the supreme sages.
And in the Kalacakra Tantra:
Sentient beings are buddhas. There are no other great buddhas In this world system.
And in the Tantra of the Secret Nucleus (Ch. 2, v. 4):
Emaho! The chiliocosms ofthe ten directions are originally
void.
The three spheres of existence are. pure buddha-fields.
The reality of the five impurities is the blissful abode.
The reality of the five components is the perfect Buddha. Since he possesses the nucleus of all that is supreme, The Conqueror does not search elsewhere for the doctrine. A doctrine which is said to be other than that,
Though searched for, is not found by the Conqueror.
If one were, on the other hand, to think that the Buddha would not even speak of the characteristic bases of suffering and its origin, such as the components, he does, by dint of necessity. As Maitreya says:211
Self is revealed,
And selflessness is also taught. The conquerors reveal both self And the total absence of self.
Accordingly, while buddhas have no thought of self, it is not contradic- tory, as known in the greater vehicle as a whole, for them to enter into the mundane consensus that speaks of an ego and its possessions, or to perceive that a personal self, though not really existing, appears as such to the childish. Although they perceive phenomenal existence as buddha-body and pristine cognition, it is not contradictory for them to teach in that way having seen that ostensible suffering and its origin are unimpeded in the face of the impure bewilderment of sentient beings.
It is similarly not proven that, if sentient beings are buddhas, a buddha implicitly suffers when a sentient being suffers in the hells and so forth. There is no flaw because ultimately sarpsara does not exist, an? one who is born therein, in the relative apparitional mode, not beIng a buddha whose obscurations have been purified, experiences ? ewildering dream-like appearances by the power of obscuration which Inheres in one's own mind. In the abiding mode, on the other hand suffering and so forth do not exist. It says in the Tantra ofthe Extensiv; Magical Net:
If there is no understanding of intrinsic awareness or genuine perception,
The field of SukhavatI212 is even seen as a state of evil existence.
If the truth which is equivalent to the supreme of vehicles is realised,
Even states of evil existence are and
,should know,that t? ese two [modes] are exclusively by
lOgIC of conventIOn, SInce all the appearances of Impure samsara
areb 'ld ' .
eWI enng appearances which do not correspond to [the buddhas']
per ' ,
b CeptIOn, all the appearances of pure mrval)a such as the buddha-
Two Tntths according to Great Madhyamaka 213
ody and pnstIne cogmtIOn are unbewildered.
214 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Two Truths according to Great Madhyamaka 215
Now, concerning all these appearances of impure sarpsara, including the hells which appear to one's own bewildered perception by the power of having an evil mind, it is said in the Introduction to the Conduct of a Bodhisattva (Ch. 5, vv. 7-8):
Who made the [hellish] core of molten iron? Whence originated these infernos?
The Sage has said that all these
Are [products of] an evil mind.
The intentions of the siitras and the tantras agree that the pure array of the buddhas' fields and bodies and so forth appears through the purity of one's own mind. This can also be known from the debate between Brahma Sikhin and Sariputra concerning the purity of this field [which contains our own world]. 213
It is said particularly in the tantrapiraka of the unsurpassed way of
mantras that [the buddha-bodies and fields] originate through the purity
of the internal structure of the energy channels, currents and seminal
points and of mind-as-such. Therefore, while all things are not truly
existent apart from being mere labels designated by the ideas of one's
own mind, the infallibility with which these very objects designated by
thought appear in circumstances dependent on different intellects, is
called proof by the logic of convention. Not one of us at the present
time, who has gathered the appropriate deeds and awakened to the
appropriate propensities, can contradict in the case of fire, for example,
the statement that fire is hot, since it is validly proven that the nature
of fire does appear to be hot; and the same would appear to be true
for virtue, evil and the like. Ultimately, however, no such one-sided
determination can be made. This is known because fire does not appear
214
to be hot to the creature Agnisud
powered beings can display various emanations and transformations of substances.
It is said [in the Collection ofthe Greater Vehicle, Ch. 8, para. 20, v. a]: Since a single substance is differentiated by minds,
It appears to be non-existent in reality.
Therefore, on thorough scrutiny, when this, one's own unique body, is observed by the organisms within it, by vultures without, by those who desire it and those who do not, by oneself and others, and by many such enemies and friends, it is said to be seen and in different ways - as a dwelling place, as food, as purity or impunty, as the possession of oneself or of another, as ugliness, beauty or an object of indifference and so on. If it is perceived by sublime beings the
Then, if scrutinised even further, when one searches for that which is called the body, it can be known by penetrating analysis even now that it is not an object of reference and that it does not inherently exist even to the extent of the minutest atomic particle. Therefore, when this [analysis] is applied to all outer and inner phenomena, including the bodies of others, they can be established to be without independent exist- ence. In ultimate reality, all things should be known as the great same-
ness of reality, naturally without divisions and [the need for] clarifica- tions. Conventionally, however, one ought to ascertain that the phenomena which appear to ordinary sentient beings at the present time are false in comparison with those which appear in the face of that [ulti- mate reality], because they are impure, bewildered appearances. One also ought to ascertain that even the appearances [discerned by] bodhisattvas on the path are impotent in the face of that [ultimate real-
ity], because there is a pure basis for perception which is progressively higher than theirs. The abiding mode is conclusively proven because nothing is to be gained beyond the perception of the conclusive buddha level. In short, the goal of that which is expressed is inexpressible, the goal of ideas is non-conceptualising, the goal of consciousness is pristine cognition, and the goal of the apparition of reality is reality itself. There- fore, the inconceivable pristine cognition that is reality is a great purity
of natural expression, transcending the symbolic range of the subject- object dichotomy.
However, if one were to object that there would then be no point in on the path, this is not the case. Since sentient beings medItate on the path in order to purify these bewildering appearances which arise suddenly as in a dream through their lack of realisation, and the propensities of the bewildering thoughts which cling to them, there need be no clinging to the idea that the doctrines of the path and result are truly existent. It is as when a sorceror removes fears on the
path by an army of his emanations, or when a phlegmatic eye disease IS cured.
Therefore, with reference to the conclusion that is to be realised all thO ,
. mgs subsumed by the relative and ultimate truths should be estab- lIshed as naturally indivisible, in the"great pure sameness free from Conceptual elaborations, the original natural expression of the buddhas.
Yet one should not be attracted to or fall into any elaborate viewpoint
.
Rely not upon individuals but upon the doctrine,
Rely not upon words but upon their meaning,
,
body is said to be without independent existence and so forth, and on the . h1
conclusive buddha level it is said that the pure physical component IS t essence ofVairocana. Statements ofthis kind are not contradictory.
e '
and so forth, and because em-
regard' d l' .
mg. ua IStlC concepts such as being and non-being, appearance
'.
h' . . ss, or punty an Impunty, as are partially appraised by
and emptlne . d
C 11diSh mtellects of inhibited vision.
To sum up, the Transcendent Lord has said:
Rely not upon the provisional but the definitive meaning
216 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Rely not upon consciousness but upon pristine cognition.
This is why, in the context of the abiding mode of the two truths which are to be known, the result is incontrovertibly appraised by the logic of scriptural authority, reason and esoteric instructions. One should know that the entire intention of the sutras and the tantras, which are the scriptures of the Tathagata, is subsumed in a single nucleus, just as butter is condensed from milk, and cream from butter, so that the climax of the philosophical systems, according to the causal vehicle of dialectics, is this Great Madhyamaka, supreme among vehicles. Its meaning is revealed in the texts of Maitreya, such as the Supreme Continuum of the Greater Vehicle, and in the sublime Nagarjuna's Col- lection ofEulogies, which subsume the essence of the definiJive meaning of both the intermediate and final promulgations of the transmitted precepts.
It says in the Sutra of the Descent to Lahka (Ch. 6, v. S):
In the five doctrines and three essential natures, In the eight aggregates of consciousness
And in the two kinds of selflessness,
The entire greater vehicle is subsumed.
And in the Intermediate Mother:
Maitreya, regard any imaginary form as not substantially
existent. One might regard any conceptualised form as sub- stantially existent because thoughts exist substantially, but do not confer independent status upon it. Then you should regard the very form of reality as being disclosed by ultimate reality, for it is neither substantially existent nor non- existent.
8 ! (ey to the Appraisal of Causal Vehicle Texts
215
[116b. 3] Having distinguished between the relative truth or apparitional nature, and the ultimate truth or abiding nature, the definitive order of the precious treasure store of the true doctrine that is to be appraised has been established. The precious key to its appraisal is structured in two parts, of which the first concerns the provisional and definitive meanmgs.
THE PROVISIONAL AND DEFINITIVE MEANING OF THE TRUE DOCTRINE
[116b. 3-118a. 2] The reality of all things, the expanse of just what is, the inner radiant intention of mind-as-such, which is of the essence of space, naturally pure and unchanging, beyond creation, cessation and duration, is the definitive meaning; and all the transmitted precepts and treatises which reveal it are subsumed within the definitive meaning. All the apparitions of reality that appear, dream-like and manifesting as the diverse, successive forms such as those of creation, cessation, coming and going, purity and impurity, components, psychophysical and activity fields, which are all appraised and exaggeratedly IndIcated by a succession of words, thoughts and expressions, are called theyrovisional meaning; and all the transmitted precepts and treatises whIch reveal them are subsumed within the relative truth. For example, those which boast in word, expression and thought that mind-as-such rese:nbles space are relative, whereas the fundamental nature ofultimate being the definitive meaning, is genuine. Such is said in the
Tulogy to the Inconceivable Madhyamaka (Madhyamakacintyastava, 1128, vv. S6c-S7c):
The emptiness of all things
Is indeed revealed as the definitive meaning. That in which creation, cessation and so on,
218 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
And living beings, life itself and so on are revealed, Is the relative truth of provisional meaning.
The Sublime Sutra of the King of Contemplation says:
As spoken by the Teacher, the Sugata,
Know the details of the siltras of definitive meaning; All doctrines which teach of sentient beings, Individuals2I6 or creatures
Should be known as the provisional meaning.
And in the Sublime Sutra Revealed by
If one asks what are the siltras of definitive meaning and what are the siltras of provisional meaning, those siltras " which are taught in order that one might enter the path are called the provisional meaning, and those siltras which are taught in order that one might enter the result are called the definitive meaning. Those siltras which teach of self, sentient beings, life itself, creatures, individuals, personalities, per- sonal selves, actors, subjects of sensation, explanations ac- cording to diverse terms, and of that which is not a possessor
as a possessor, are called the provisional meaning. The siltras which teach of emptiness, of that which is signless, aspira- tionless, not manifestly conditioned, uncreated, unorigi- nated, insubstantial, without self, without sentient beings, without life itself, without individuals, without a possessor and without any properties even as far as the approach to liberation, are called the definitive meaning. This text is said to rely on the siltras of definitive meaning, but not to rely on the siltras of provisional meaning.
In short, the fundamental abiding nature and the siltras which reveal it are said to be the definitive meaning and its siltras, while all those doctrines which guide the intellect of sentient beings by many methods to the means of entering that fundamental nature, and reveal the impure bewilderment, its classifications and so on, are called the provisional meaning and the doctrine of the provisional meaning.
THE INTENTION AND COVERT INTENTION OF THE TRUE DOCTRINE
[l18a. 2-121a. 4] The second part concerns the [buddhas'] intention (dgongs-pa, Skt. abhipraya) and covert intention (ldem-dgongs, Skt. abhisandhi). The former, intention, applies to those teachings which are included within slightly exaggerated explanations and reveal indirect
Key to Causal Vehicle Texts 219 methods and purposes. The Ornament ofthe Sutras ofthe Greater Vehicle
(Ch. 12, v. 18) says:
Passages directed towards sameness and other meanings,
And similarly towards other times,
And towards the thoughts of individuals
Should be known as the four kinds of intention.
Accordingly, the [buddhas'] intention is directed towards sameness, as is exemplified in the following words spoken with an intention directed towards the sameness of the body of reality:
At that time, I became the Tathagata Vipasyin.
When this intention is directed towards other meanings it is exemplified by the following words which were spoken with an intention directed towards the three essenceless natures:
All things are without essence.
Now, the imaginary is without essence in respect of attributes, because in truth it definitely does not exist. The dependent is without essence in respect of creation, because creation from the four alternative limits does not exist: Things are not created from themselves because both that which was created and creation itself consist of instantaneous time moments, which renders them mutually exclusive substances. Nor are things created from something else, because the specific characteristics of that something else do not, on analysis, exist. Then, things are not created from both [themselves and other causes], because they are mutually exclusive substances; and, [finally], without a cause, creation is impossible. The creation of whatever is apparitional and so forth instantly appears inasmuch as it is dependently originated, in the man- ner of a mere dream or illusion. Such is said in the Sutra o/the Adornment of Pristine Cognition's Appearance from:
MafijusrI, dreams appear but do not exist. Similarly all things, too, appear but do not exist.
down to:
They are illusory, like a mirage, a castle in the sky, the moon in water, a reflected image and an emanation.
b Then, the absolute is without essence in respect of ultimate reality . therein [the views that] ultimate reality exists, or that the self Impure, and other such conceptual elaborations are essenceless. Such IS said in the Sutra which Decisively Reveals the Intention:
With an intention directed towards essencelessness of attri-
220 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Key to Causal Vehicle Texts 221
butes, essencelessness of creation and essencelessness of ul- timate reality, I reveal all things to be without essence.
The [buddhas'] intention is also directed towards other times, as exem- exemplified in the words:
By merely grasping the name of the Tathagata Vimalacan- draprabha, you will attain buddhahood.
Although buddhahood is not attained by that alone, [the intention is that] one who has accumulated many provisions in the past will at some time become a buddha.
The intention directed towards the thoughts of individuals is exemplified by [the buddhas'] downgrading of moral discipline and praise of liberality in the presence of certain individuals who are con- ceited with respect to their own moral discipline.
Secondly, concerning the covert intention: It is explained that in order to induce another party, who delights in any view whatsoever, to enter into the correct path or meaning, [the buddhas] adopt a style conforming to the needs of that person by relying somewhat on that one's vocabulary and mannerisms, but their meaning does not so con- form. It is said in the Ornament of the Sutras of the Greater Vehicle (Ch. 12, vv. 16-17):
The covert intention in respect of entry,
And, in addition, the covert intention in respect of
attributes,
The covert intention in respect of antidotes,
And the covert intention in respect of interpretation, Directed respectively towards pious attendants
and the essence,
And similarly towards the discipline of faults, And towards profundity of expression,
Are the four kinds of covert intention.
The covert intention in respect of entry is illustrated as follows. In order that certain members of the family of the pious attendants who have not entered the greater vehicle out of fear of emptiness may so enter, [the buddhas] would say that form does exist therein, and thereby the listener would enter assuming that [form] really exists, while the speakers[thebuddhas]wouldintendthatallappearanceislikeadream, •
The covert intention in respect of attributes is exemplified as follows. In order that the essenceless abiding nature [of reality] may be known, [the buddhas] reveal all things to be essenceless. The three essenceless natures, namely, the imaginary, the dependent and the absolute, have previously been explained.
The covert intention in respect of antidotes is exemplified by the following words which were spoken with an intention directed towards those beings who would think that, "Sakyamuni is inferior to other teachers because he is smaller in body, shorter in life-span and so on":
At that time, I [Sakyamuni] became the Tathagata Vairocana.
In this way, the listener understands their buddha-bodies of form to be the same, while the speaker [Sakyamuni] intends that their provisions are equally perfect, that their attainments of the body of reality are equal, and that their deeds on behalf of living beings are equal. As it is said in the Treasury of the Abhidharma (Ch. 7, v. 34):
All buddhas are identical in their provisions, Their body of reality and their conduct
On behalf of beings,
But not so in their life-span,
Race and physical stature.
The covert intention with respect to interpretation refers to teachings given in a form which is extremely difficult to understand in order to pacify the faults of those who think:
This doctrine is inferior to others Because it is easy to understand.
For example, it is said in the Collection ofMeaningful Expressions (Ch. 33, v. 62):
He should kill his father and mother,
And if he destroys the king and the two purities, The country and its surroundings,
This man will become pure in nature.
Now, the father and mother are lust and acqUISItIOn because they
compound sarpsara. The king is the ground-of-all because this becomes
the support or ground of diverse propensities. The two purities are the
Brahmal). a view of mundane aggregates,217 and the view of those who
are conceited with respect to virtuous moral discipline and ascetic dis-
cipline. The country and its surroundings are the eight aggregates of
consciousness, along with the subject-object dichotomy of the inner
activity fields. If all these are destroyed and purified, one becomes a bUddha.
T,hevariouskindsofintentionandcovertintention[ofthescriptures] are Identical in essence. Yet they do differ in details. On the distinction ? etween the two, the translator [Ngok] Loden Sherap218 claims that implies that another meaning apart from the meaning thought
Y the speaker is understood by the listener from the speaker's words, and covert intention implies that the very meaning thought by the
222 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
speaker is [subsequently] understood by the listener. And it is said in the Exegetical Commentary on the Collection of the Greater Vehicle (A1ahayanasaytlgrahopanibandhana, T 4051):
Intention is not held to refer to apprehension by another party, but only to a determination in the mind. Covert inten- tion does refer to apprehension by another party.
These two are indeed known to be without contradiction. That which is partially explained with reference to something is intention, disregard- ing whether it is apprehended by another or not; and it is called intention because at times when it is questioned by others all incompletely [un- derstood] meanings still remain in the ground of the intention. That which is revealed in order to benefit others, relying somewhat on inti- mation, and in conformity with the perception of other persons is called
[the buddhas'] covert intention, because they understand the words of the speaker and, by entering thereafter [into the greater vehicle], now at last become receptive to the perfect understanding of other meanings and never turn to falsehood.
Such are the keys through which the scriptures are viewed. Since the profound texts possess many situations ofword, meaning, intention and purpose, it is extremely important to know that they are disclosed in this manner.
9 A Recapitulation of the Causal Vehicles
[121a. 4-121b. 1] Having outlined the overall meaning [of the causal vehicles], I shall recapitulate the meaning that is subsumed in their particular sections. It is said in the Tantra of the Secret Nucleus (Ch. 13, v. 2):
There are those of only partial realisation
And those who do not [fully] realise genuine reality.
Accordingly, the lesser vehicle confers only partial realisation of the approach to the truth of liberation; and the bodhisattva vehicle, while acting in accord with the approach to inconceivable liberation, does not [fully] confer realisation of the genuine reality because the meaning of the vehicle of indestructible reality (Vajrayana) is not understood therein. The former [the lesser vehicle or Hlnayana] includes both the pious attendants and the self-centred buddhas.
VEHICLE OF PIOUS A TTENDANTS
[121b. 1-124a. 6] Firstly, the vehicle of pious attendants is explained under the three headings ofessence, verbal definition and classifications. The essence is that with an intellect desirous of liberating itself from sarpsara one resorts to the means of realising selflessness with reference to the individual.
T. The verbal definition is that the [Sanskrit] sravaka is rendered [in ( Ibetan] as nyan-thos or pious attendant because it means both to listen and to hear attentively (thos-pa), while in one respect, it is so rendered as thos-sgrogs [or preacher of what has been attentively t eard] because, having attentively heard (thos-pa) one object [i. e. the
the pious attendant preaches (sgrags) to another.
. ThIrdly, [the vehicle of pious attendants] is classified according to topics, namely, its entrance, view, moral discipline, meditation, onduct and result. Concerning the entrance: The pious attendants,
224 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 225
being disillusioned by the suffering of sarpsara, enter through the four truths with the thought of aspiring towards their own peace and happi_ ness. As it is said in the Tantra ofthe Great Natural Arising ofAwareness:
Concerning the entrance, the four truths
Are the entrance for pious attendants in general.
Now the truth of suffering resembles a disease, the truth of its origi- nation resembles the cause of a disease, the truth of cessation resembles the happiness when one is freed from a disease, and the truth of the path resembles the medicine which is the antidote for a disease. There- fore:
Suffering is to be known,
Its origin is to be renounced, Cessation is to be obtained, And the path is to be relied on.
Therefore, the pious attendants enter by renouncing and accepting the causes and results to which the four truths refer.
Secondly, concerning the view: Selflessness with reference to the individual is realised [firstly] because the apprehended object which appears as coarse substances can be broken down and destroyed by an antidote or the intellect, [secondly] because the continuity of the ap- prehending subject which is the mind can be broken down by the three temporal dimensions, and [thirdly] because this coarse subject-object dichotomy has no independent existence apart from its mere relative appearance.
However, [the concept of] self with reference to phenomenal things is not understood because they hold that the substratum of indivisible atomic particles, which compose the objective appearance of coarse substances, cannot be destroyed by an antidote or by the intellect, and that the subjective mind is inseparable219 from the series of indivisible time moments. The subtle subject-object dichotomy is therefore held to be ultimately real. As it is said in the Garland of Views: A Collection of Esoteric Instructions:
All things are considered imaginary since they are exagger- ated and depreciated by eternalistic extremists and the like. The nihilist view of no origin and the views concerl1ing permanence and so forth are [considered] as non-existent as the snake which is perceived in place of a rope. Yet the indivisible atomic particles of the four gross elements, includ- ing the components, psychophysical bases and activity fields, and consciousness also, are viewed to have ultimate reality.
When [this view of the pious attendants] is classified, it is as KaWa Peltsek says in his SeventeenfoldAppearance ofthe Sequence ofthe View:
The pious attendants who consider merely phenomena Are both the Sautrantika and the Vaibhasika.
They dispute the nature of external
And agree that consciousness appears
As a series of time moments.
that though this coarse relative truth appears as
a aggre. gate In manner of an alpine meadow, ultimately it
conSIsts of mInute partIcles because indivisible atomic particles are
surrounded without intervening spaces. In his Turquoise Display, Nagar- . says·220
Concerning the relative, the central tenet is That these material substances composing the world
Are an association of atomic particles,
But that [undivided] they appear in the manner of an
alpine meadow.
[These coarse substances] are held to be compounded by the force or power of the active vital energy of sentient beings. Then:
Concerning the ultimate, consciousness is held To exist as a series of distinct time moments.
The Sautrantika, on the other hand, hold that indivisible atomic
are without cohesion but have no intervening spaces between
III the manner of a heap of grain. As the above text [the Turquoise Dzsplay] says:
Sautrantikas, concerning the atoms of relative appearance Hold them to form a single, compounded sensum. ' And they claim that ultimate reality is agreement of
consciousness [with its 0 bject].
Thus they are superior to the because they realise that the
conglomerate composed of atoms is indeed partless, and so are similar
Juna .
those who do not admit the existence of atoms on the grounds that t ey are not actually visible. 221
'. '.
d' h r '. one IS a pIOUS attendant If one VIews the subject-object
In sho t
lC otomy III relation to the self of phenomenal things to be ultimately
reaI and adh h "
' . eres to t e rejectIOn and acceptance of causes and results
by the four truths which refer to sarpsara and nirvana. As saId III the Sequence of the Path: .
If, without realising non-duality, Everything is viewed to exist substantially In terms of the four truths,
An? ? ne resorts to renunciation and non-renunciation, ThIS IS the level of the pious attendants.
226 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 227
Thirdly, concerning moral discipline, one should rely on the eight classes of priitimok$a vows, or particularly the supreme vows of a monk, because training which follows [the example of] the Buddha is essential. It says in the Treasury of the Abhidharma (Ch. 4, vv. 14-1S):
The eight classes [of vow] called pratimok$a Substantially refer to the four orders.
Since their titles vary, depending on the [adherent's]
sex,222
It is no error to differentiate [the four into eight]. Dependent on the vows which renounce Respectively five, eight, ten and all things that are
to be renounced 223
Are the lay vows (upasaka) and the vows of the
purificatory fast (upavasa),
The novitiate (srammJera) and the actual vows of
a monk (bhik$u).
Fourthly, concerning meditation, the same text says (Ch. 6, v. Sab):
One who abides in moral discipline And has studied and pondered
Should properly undertake meditation.
Relying in this way on the pure basis of moral discipline, one is required to study the pilaka of the pious attendants under [the guidance] of a spiritual benefactor. Then, the meaning that has been studied shoul? be pondered, and the meaning that has been pondered should be medI- tated upon.
Now, meditation initially requires that one makes the mind capable of action through tranquillity, which begins with meditation on ugliness as an antidote for attachment; and subsequently, one meditates with higher insight on the sixteen minor truths, four of which are differen- tiated in each of the four truths.
On this basis, one begins with renunciation by perceiving the ing emotions of the three realms, and then the mode of is effected in a succession of sixteen moments of pristine cogmtlOn. The sixteen minor truths are the four which are aspects of the truth of suffering, namely, impermanence, suffering, emptiness and selfless- ness; the four which are aspects of the truth of namelY,
causal basis, origin, production and condition; the four whIch are
pects of the truth of cessation, namely, cessation, quiescence, excellence
e and disillusionment with samara; and the four which are aspects of th
. 0f truth of the path, namely, the path, reason, attainment and the . act
becoming disillusioned with sarpsara; sixteen in all. Then, the SIxteen moments of pristine cognition are the perception of the doctrine (dhar-
a majiiiina), receptiveness to the perception of the doctrine (dharm -
"fiiinak$anti), the after-effect of this perception (anvayajfiiina) and recep- {iveness to the after-effect of this perception (anvayajiianak$anti), as
they apply to each of the four truths, making sixteen in all.
Fifth, concerning their conduct: Pious attendants perform acts which emphasise their own benefit by abiding in the twelve ascetic virtues.
It says in the Turquoise Display:
Their conduct is exclusively for their own benefit.
Sixth, as for the result: Pious attendants obtain the provisional results of entering the stream [to nirvaI). a], of being tied to a single rebirth and ofnot returning [to sarpsara]. And then, as the culmination, they become arhats either with or without a residue, who are endowed with the twofold pristine cognition, which perceives the cessation [of corruption] and perceives that it is not recreated.
There is also an enumeration of eight results when each of these four is distinguished according to those who enter it and those who are firmly established in it. It is said that there are four pairs of sacred beings with reference to the ground of this classification, and eight kinds of individual [pious attendant] with reference to the properties so classified. Of these, the Tantra of the Extensive Magical Net says:
One who is well pacified by training
In the sixteen-faceted pristine cognition,
Which understands the meaning,
And is well renounced in respect of the four truths, And who has been trained through the succession of
[results],
Such as entering the stream,
Proceeds to the level on which the enemy, Conflicting emotion, is pacified.
VEHICLE OF SELF-CENTRED BUDDHAS
[124a. 6-127a. 2] Secondly, the vehicle of self-centred buddhas is also classified under three headings of essence, verbal definition and classifi- cation. The essence is that, without relying on a master, during one's final life in the world, one meditates on the path of dependent origination as a means for attaining manifest enlightenment, through the realisation of one-and-a-half parts of [the concept of] selflessness. 224
Secondly, the verbal definition: The [Sanskrit] pratyekabuddha is fhendered as self-centred buddha [Tib. rang-rgyal] because it implies
t atone' l' h "
. s own en Ig tenment IS realised by oneself. The enlightenment
IS attained individually, that is, for oneself alone.
h Thirdly, there are six classifications as above, of which the first is
t
e entrance. The Tantra ofthe Great Natural Arising ofAwareness says:
228
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 229
The entrance is through the twelvefold dependent origina- tion.
In this way, a self-centred buddha enters through the twelve modes of dependent origination. As for dependent origination, it says in the Heruka Galpo:
The doctrine of self-centred buddhas,
In order to purify the
Includes the doctrines of outer and inner Dependent origination.
Accordingly, the twelve modes of dependent origination are both out- ward and inward.
If one were to ask in what way these [twelve] revolve, the outward dependent origination [of physical elements] revolves quantitatively, and the inward dependent origination revolves as propensities in non- corporeal beings and concretely in respect of corporeal beings.
Concerning the procedure for entering therein: In general a self-
centred buddha of the highest acumen, in the [solitary] manner of a
rhinoceros, has accumulated the path of provisions over a period of
one hundred aeons. One of mediocre acumen and great conduct in
respect of the provisions has accumulated the provisions as far as the
J 25
middling degree of receptiveness (bzod- bringi over a hundred human lives. And one who is of inferior acumen and low in conduct relating to the provisions has accumulated the provisions subsumed by the fifteenth moment [of pristine cognition] on the path of insight over thirteen human lives. Knowing that there is no chance of attaining enlightenment on this basis [alone], with prayers of aspiration they take birth in a world which is entirely unoccupied by buddhas and pious attendants. As the Root Stanzas on the Madhyamaka (Ch. 18, v. 12) says:
If buddhas do not emerge
And pious attendants have ceased to be,
The pristine cognition of the self-centred buddha Is well developed without support.
On this basis and without preceptor or master, [the would-be self- centred buddhas] become natural monks. Going to a charnel ground, they become disillusioned with sarp. sara immediately after seeing bones, and when they investigate the source from which these bone originated, it is realised that they originated from old age and death that these in turn originated from birth, and in this way it is gradually: realised that the root of sarp. sara is ignorance. Then, wondering hoW to attain liberation from this, they enter by realising the trend in which dependent origination is reversed, namely, that if ignorance is
abolished, habitual tendencies cease and so on down to the cessation of old age and death.
Secondly, in their view [the self-centred buddhas] are similar to the piouS who to the individual, but in addItIon they realIse that the mdivisible atomIC particles which are the objective aspect of selfhood as it relates to phenomena do not independently exist. However, since they still regard the time moments forming the subjective mind to be ultimately real, and hold that the cause and result of sarp. sara and nirva1)a are found in dependent origi- nation, they are said to be realised in one-and-a-half parts of what is implied by selflessness. It says in the Ornament ofEmergent Realisation (Ch. 2, v. 8):
Since they renounce the idea of objects,
And since they do not renounce the subject,
One must know the path genuinely subsumed therein Is that of a rhinoceros-like recipient.
And in the Sequence of the View:
Similarly, the vehicle of the self-centred buddhas Concerns the mere illusion of the twelve outer
[links of dependent origination];
It is superior in holding atoms not to exist In any spatial dimension,226
But agrees that consciousness
Is a series of time moments.
So also in the Sequence of the Path:
If one does not perceive deeds and all the conflicting emotions
To be in fact sameness,
And entirely clings to the cause and result of
dependent origination,
This is the level of the self-centred buddhas.
this: object, contradicts t. he passage from the Thirty erses (Trzrrzszkakarzka, T 4055, v. 28d) WhICh says:
If there is no object, there is no subject.
! here is, however, no flaw. This passage explains that, if that which
IS by direct perception is realised to have no independent eXIstence th b· . 1 .
I . ' e su Ject IS a so necessanly understood [in the same way]. il ht. hlS [vehicle], on the other hand, it is said that the object is realised
toave . d d .
a no Ill. epen ent eXIstence because objects which conceptually
a to the mtellect are realised to be without independent existence,
because during such realisation, the ignorance which has become e root of the three poisons is reversed. 227
230 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 231
Thirdly, in moral discipline, [the self-centred buddhas] are to the pious attendants. It says in the Miraculous Key ofFurther Dzscern- ment (yang-'byed-'phrul-gyi Ide-mig, NGB Vol. 2):
The limits which pious attendants
And self-centred buddhas sustain
Are the two hundred and fifty disciplines of the Vinaya.
Fourth, on meditation, the Yogacara Level says:
It should be known to be just like that of the pious attendants,
Because these two are similar in the nature of their paths.
Despite this claim that the [self-centred buddhas] meditate on the path referring to the piJaka of the pious attendants, masters of the past have said that in the SzUra which Dispels the Grief of Ajatasatru (Ajatasat- rukaukrtyavinodanasutra, T 216) the piJaka of the are briefly and distinctly explained in contrast to the pIJaka of the pIOUS attendants. Also, in other texts, such as the Ornament of Emergent Realisation and its commentaries [Abhisamayalarrzkaravrtti, etc. T 3787- 9, 3791, 3793-6], their path is claimed to differ from that of the attendants. This is because, over and above the sixteen moments begm-
ning with impermanence such as apply to the four truths, centred buddhas] obstruct the trend in which dependent ongmatIon arises and meditate in the correct order on the twelve [antidotes], that is, the emptinesses belonging to the trend in which it
Fifth, in conduct, [the self-centred buddhas] commUnIcate WIth those who require training through symbolic gestures, which are through the miraculous abilities of their bodies, and without teachmg the doctrine by their speech. It says in the Ornament ofEmergent Real- isation (Ch. 2, v. 7):
To those respective persons
Who require training,
Whatever they wish to hear,
The respective meanings just appear, Without even a sound being uttered.
And in the Turquoise Display:
By conduct that is the miraculous ability of their bodies,
They variously act on behalf of others.
Sixth as for the result, the self-centred buddha of sharp acumen who in solitude like a rhinoceros, after perfecting the five in a single sitting, becomes manifest, through the supreme bliss of hIS
purpose, as an arhat who is conscious that the cessation [of corruption] has come about and that it will not be recreated. The Treasury of the Abhidhanna (Ch. 6, v. 24) says:
The Teacher and the self-centred buddha, similar to a rhinoceros,
Become entirely enlightened on the sole basis of the final contemplation,
And, before that, they are in accord with liberation.
Those of greater and lesser conduct with respect to the provisions, who flock together in the manner of parrots, respectively make manifest the first four and the first three paths. 228
Again, on the subject of these self-centred buddhas, the Extensive Magical Net says:
Knowing outer and inner dependent origination [To be] in the manner of an illusion and a mirage, They thoroughly penetrate substantial forms
without impediment,
They become realised through intrinsic awareness,
untaught by a spiritual benefactor,
And, with supreme bliss of purpose, proceed to an enlightened level.
VEHICLE OF
BODHISA TTV AS
[l27a. 2-131b. 2] The latter of the causal vehicles, the vehicle of bodhisattvas, is explained under two headings: its superiority over the lesser vehicle and the particular nature of this sublime vehicle. First, [the bodhisattva] is superior through an ability to realise the two kinds ? fselflessness as the fundamental nature by means of great discriminat- Ive awareness, and an ability to act exclusively on behalf of others by of great compassion. This is because these qualities are absent III the lesser vehicle. As stated in the Tantm of the Army of Pristine
Cognition (ye-shes rnam-par bkod-pa'i rgyud):
That which refers to sentient beings with compassion
And pervades the expanse of reality with discriminative awareness
Is explained to be the greater vehicle. The others are its opposite.
And the master Aro [Yeshe Jungnef29 has said:
The distinguishing features of the vehicles are Exclusively discriminative awareness and compassion;
232
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 233
The distinction between the vehicles is made
In accordance with their greater or lesser extent.
And in the Verse Summation of the Transcendental Perfection of Dis- criminative Awareness:
One who has no skilful means
And is without discriminative awareness
Falls into the position of the pious attendants.
Secondly, the vehicle of bodhisattvas endowed with this particularly superior doctrine is explained under the three headings of essence, verbal definition and classification. The essence is that one realises all things to be without self and then firmly resorts to the means of perform- ing great benefits on behalf of others through great compassion.
As to the verbal definition, a bodhisattva [spiritual warrior set on enlightenment]23o is so called because the [Sanskrit] bodhisattva indicates one who is totally unafraid to attain the unsurpassed enlightenment by means of great mental power.
Thirdly, among the six aforementioned classifications, first the en- trance is effected through the two truths. The Tantra of the Great Natural Arising of Awareness says:
The vehicle of the bodhisattvas
Is entered through the two truths.
According to the texts of the Madhyamika, after the intellect, which perceives unanalysed and unexamined appearances to be without real essence in the manner of an illusion despite their appearance, has been grasped by the enlightened mind of loving kindness and compassion, [a bodhisattva] enters the relative truth by inducing virtue and opposing non-virtue. But when the abiding nature of ultimate, fundamental re- ality is known to be free from conceptual elaborations, the bodhisattva enters by means of the coalescence [of the two truths].
Concerning the two truths, the Heruka Galpo says: The doctrine revealed by the buddhas
Is genuinely gathered in the two truths.
Now, the extent of the knowable which forms the ground of this clas- sification is polarised between the apparitional mode or relative truth, and the abiding mode or ultimate truth. Therefore, the same text says:
In the appearances which form the knowable alone, The scope of the two truths indeed exists.
Of these, the relative truth refers to the symbolic apparition of reality which is the object perceived by the intellect. As [the Heruka GaZpoJ again says:
Deception and objectification of the intellect
Are the general characteristics of relative appearances.
Then, when classified, there is the correct relative which is causally effective in terms of phenomenal appearance, as when a man appears as a man, and the erroneous relative which is causally ineffective in terms of phenomenal appearance, as when a cairn of stones appears as a man. From the same text:
The divisions of relative appearance
Are called the correct and the erroneous relative. The characteristics of each should be well explained: The erroneous one is causally ineffective
In terms of what appears,
And the correct one is causally effective
In terms of what appears.
And also from the Analysis ofthe Two Truths (Satyadvayavibhangaktirikti, T 3881, v. 12):
Since they are similarly apparent
And since they are respectively
Causally effective and ineffective,
The classification of the correct and erroneous Relative has been made.
The ultimate truth, on the other hand, is free from all conceptual elaborations, as it is said in the Heruka Galpo:
Ultimate reality is characteristically Free from all conceptual elaborations.
And in ]etari'sAnalysis ofthe Sugata's Texts (Sugatamatavibhangaktirikti T 3899): '
Neither is it being, non-being,
Or neither being nor non-being,
Nor indeed an embodiment of them both
But it is genuinely liberated from the fou; extremes.
classified, there is the ultimate truth with synonyms which is
partIally free from conceptual elaboration, and the ultimate truth with-
O;:t synonyms which is free from all conceptual elaboration. As the eruka Galpo says:
Its are the ultimate truth with synonyms, And that WIthout synonyms which is free from the eight
extremes.
Then, one might ask, are these two truths the same or different? They
234 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
are identical in their nature but different in their aspects, conventionally similar to the moon and the reflections of the moon in water, respec- tively. It says in the Commentary on Enlightened Mind (Bodhicitta- vivara1J,a, T 1800, v. 57):
Just as molasses is naturally sweet And fire is naturally hot,
The nature of all things
Similarly abides in emptiness.
Yet the ultimate reality can be expressed as neither an identity nor a difference. The Dialogue with Maitreya (MaitreyapariPfcchii, T 85-6)
says:
The expanse, which cannot be expressed through the bolic forms of habitual tendencies, is not this at all, and It is not anything else.
The Prasangika do not claim that the ultimate reality referred to by synonyms, which lies within the range of the dualising intellect or consciousness, is conclusive other than as a provisional introduction. They do, however, say that the coalescent ultimate reality without synonyms, which is within the range of the genuine pristine cognition of individual intuitive awareness, is the unique ultimate truth, charac- terised as the ineffable, unthinkable and inexpressible perfection of discriminative awareness.
The proponents of extrinsic emptiness, in the same way, convention- ally assign consciousness and its objects to the deceptive, false, relative appearance, making them as false on the conventional level as lightning and clouds. Yet they assign pristine cognition and its objects to the ultimate truth by virtue of their infallible conclusive reality, which is free from conditions to be clarified and established because it is perman- ent, steadfast and unchanging.
Therefore, when one meditates [according to these two kinds of Madhyamaka], they are found to make the same essential point. When the pristine cognition or ultimate reality experienced during sublime meditative equipoise according to the greater vehicle, which the a11- knowing great Longcenpa expressed within our own [Nyingma] tradi- tion, is objectified, it is impossible for conceptual elaborations such as the postures of clinging to explicit negation and implicitly affirmative negation to exist therein, regardless of the concepts of being and non- being upheld by philosophical systems.
There is no philosophical system to be upheld during this great sameness, which is a coalescence free from conceptual activity. How- ever, when the aftermath of that meditative equipoise is conventionally objectified, the structure of the ground, path and result and so forth is differentiated in accordance with quotations from the authentic liter- ary transmissions.
This essential point which is indubitably upheld is not contradicted in either of the two kinds of Madhyamaka [for the following twO reasons]. Firstly, both of them refute all signs and ideas of conceptual
elaboration, including being and non-being, in relation to the experience of meditative equipoise or the investigation of the truth, and afterwards are determined and balanced in a great sameness free from conceptual elaborations, without conditions to be clarified or established. Secondly, they both differentiate and uphold the two truths professed according to their respective philosophical systems in the situation of the relative or conventional truth during the aftermath ofthat meditative absorption. One should not, therefore, be exhausted by the conceptual elaboration of and proof, pursuing mere words instead of relying on their meanmg.
One who is attracted and adheres to any agreeable standpoint concern- ing appearances and emptiness cannot reverse the evil view of clinging to extremes. This is why the expanse of reality, the conclusive ultimate truth without synonyms in which appearances and emptiness are coalesced, should be well established as sameness throughout the extent of existence and quiescence.
The mode of establishing this [sameness] is also taught in the eighteenth chapter of [Longcenpa's] Wish-fulfilling Treasury. Accord- ingly, though all relative things that conventionally appear are non-exist- ent in fact, bewildering apparitions appear by the power of the bewil- derment of propensities, without past, without future, without existence during the present interval between them. However, these are empty forms which have never existed in reality, like the combed-out hairs that appear to the vision of one drugged by datura. Appearances and emptiness are not differentiated because the ground that differentiates between appearances and emptiness has ceased to exist, and attributes such as the naturally radiant buddha-body and pristine cognition of ultimate reality are free from the flux of the three times. For they are an uncorrupted expanse and original sameness, neither different nor distinct by nature.
One should know that even the two truths designated by the intellect
are of a supremely pure, indivisible sameness, throughout the extent
of existence and quiescence, because they are merely names and words,
not existing independently in reality. As the text [Wish-fulfilling Treas- ury] says:
Since it is beyond the interrupted and classified objects of relative appearance,
And transcends the two designated truths, All elaboration is pacified.
The indivisible truth is neither proven nor
disproven;
Since, in the expanse, appearances and emptiness
are naturally without duality,
This truth is also said to be indivisible.
210 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
And when the two truths are allocated through their abiding and appari- tional natures, which depend on the universal logic of conventions, the text says:
Thus all things of sarpsara which are bewildering appearances
Are the relative truth because they are false and fallacious.
The reality of nirvat:la which is profound, calm inner radiance,
Is held to be the ultimate truth of unchanging natural expression.
So it is that, after precedence has been given to the establishment of the two truths as an indivisible great sameness without conceptual elaborations, as described above, the objects and subjects, in which the abiding and apparitional modes are in total harmony, are then both allocated to the ultimate reality, and the objects and subjects in which the abiding and apparitional modes are in a state of disharmony, are both allocated to relative appearances. This determination should be made according to their infallibility in conventional terms; otherwise, the whole structure of conventional truth would be deranged, because one would not know whether the apprehension of a conch-shell as white or yellow would be veracious.
It is appropriate, therefore, that all things of nirvat:la attained through the power of the abiding and apparitional modes in harmony be assigned to the ultimate reality, and all things of sarpsara which originate through the power of their disharmony, to the relative appearance. If scrutinised according to conventional analysis, all the apparitions of buddha-body and pristine cognition are uncreated by the bewilderment of deeds and
defilements, and are proven to be true and not fallacious because they originate from the power of genuine pristine cognition, and are unpol- luted by obscurations. The things of sarpsara, on the other hand, are said not to be true because they are the opposite. Their respective truth and falsehood is proven by the logic which conventionally analyses them to be fallacious or not. In this respect, the subject in which the abiding and apparitional modes are in harmony is called pristine cog- nition because it is without the dichotomy of apprehending subject and apprehended object. The subject which apprehends them as dishar- mony is called consciousness because it is endowed with the dichotomy . of subject and object. The object of which the abiding and apparitional modes are in harmony is reliable because it is never reversed by reve- lations of invalid cognition. To give a mundane example: It resembles the intellect which apprehends a rope as a rope. The object of which the abiding and apparitional modes are disharmonious, on the other hand, is not reliable because, like the intellect which apprehends a rope
as s? ake, it is. reversed on perceived as an invalid cognition. ThIs IS expressed In the Sutra Revealed by Aksayamati (Ak$ayamatzmrdesasutra, T 175) when it says: .
Pristine cognition is permanent And consciousness is impermanent.
In this way, this expanse and non-dual pristine cognition are perman- ent because they are no different from reality. The Sutra ofthe Arrayed Bouquet says:
Though a multitude of world systems, Inconceivable in number, have been incinerated, The sky remains undestroyed:
Such is the naturally present pristine cognition.
And in Tantra of the Supreme Radiance of Truth without Conceptual ElaboratlOns (spros-bral don-gsal chen-po'i rgyud, NGB Vo1. 6):
In all the tantras and transmissions I have revealed When the words "unchanging" and And "like indestructible reality" are expressed,
of the naturally present, pure,
pnstIne cognItIon.
An? the Commentary on the Nucleus of Indestructible Reality [rdo-rye
snymg- grel, T2515; or the Cammentary(onHevajra) by Vajragarbha, T1180]:
Just as, though a vase has been destroyed,
T. he. space [within] remains undamaged, though the mind has been destroyed, PnstIne cognition remains undamaged.
[in the Eulogy to the Expanse of Reality, vv. 20-1] the sublime Nagafjuna has said:
As cloth that may be purified by fire,
When soiled with various stains,
Is placed in the midst of fire
The stains are burnt, but no; the cloth,
So, too, when the mind that is inner radiance Possesses stains such as attachment
These burnt by the fire of pristine cognition, But not so its Inner radiance. 21o
Two Truths according to Great Madh)Iamaka 211
ce reference to this apparition of reality, though creation and d SSatIOn are indeed ostensible, they cannot harm the ultimate unbewil
h···· ,- ap :. menta nature w lch IS reahty itself, because they are
ered funda I
pantIOna1 modes' I ' h b .
ex In re atIOn to t e ewlldered consciousness. For th though space ostensibly expands and contracts depending on e SIze of the] vessel, it cannot be proven that space is compounded
212 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
and impermanent. In its own essence, this reality or pristine cognition possesses four enlightened attributes of hidden meaning beyond the range of the childish intellects of inhibited perception. Namely, it is pure because it is originally uncovered by minute blemishes, permanent because it is naturally without change, blissful because it is never oppres- sed by suffering, and true self because it pervades all sarpsara and
nirvaI). a and pacifies elaborate concepts of self and selflessness. The lord Maitreya has said in the Supreme Continuum ofthe Greater Vehicle
(Ch. 1, v. 35):
Owing to its purity, self, bliss and permanence,
The transcendental perfection of enlightened attributes
is the result.
And in the Litany of the Names of Maiijusn (v. 46) accordingly:
Purest of the pure by nature,
It is beginninglessly
The self free from elaborations.
Furthermore, all the outer and inner phenomena subsumed by the components, psychophysical bases and activity fields are apparitions which arise from reality, and yet, by the power of its natural purity, with reference to the conclusive abiding mode, they do not stray from the natural sameness of the Original Buddha [Samantabhadra] and are
of the nature of the buddha-body and pristine cognition. They are seen as such by the conclusive buddha-eye which is free from all obscura- tions. Therefore it says in the Satra of the Arrayed Bouquet:
Those who well abide in natural sameness With respect to self and sentient beings, And are dynamic and non-acquisitive, Are said to be the sugatas.
With purity of form and feeling,
Of perception, consciousness and attention, The countless tathagatas
Become the supreme sages.
And in the Kalacakra Tantra:
Sentient beings are buddhas. There are no other great buddhas In this world system.
And in the Tantra of the Secret Nucleus (Ch. 2, v. 4):
Emaho! The chiliocosms ofthe ten directions are originally
void.
The three spheres of existence are. pure buddha-fields.
The reality of the five impurities is the blissful abode.
The reality of the five components is the perfect Buddha. Since he possesses the nucleus of all that is supreme, The Conqueror does not search elsewhere for the doctrine. A doctrine which is said to be other than that,
Though searched for, is not found by the Conqueror.
If one were, on the other hand, to think that the Buddha would not even speak of the characteristic bases of suffering and its origin, such as the components, he does, by dint of necessity. As Maitreya says:211
Self is revealed,
And selflessness is also taught. The conquerors reveal both self And the total absence of self.
Accordingly, while buddhas have no thought of self, it is not contradic- tory, as known in the greater vehicle as a whole, for them to enter into the mundane consensus that speaks of an ego and its possessions, or to perceive that a personal self, though not really existing, appears as such to the childish. Although they perceive phenomenal existence as buddha-body and pristine cognition, it is not contradictory for them to teach in that way having seen that ostensible suffering and its origin are unimpeded in the face of the impure bewilderment of sentient beings.
It is similarly not proven that, if sentient beings are buddhas, a buddha implicitly suffers when a sentient being suffers in the hells and so forth. There is no flaw because ultimately sarpsara does not exist, an? one who is born therein, in the relative apparitional mode, not beIng a buddha whose obscurations have been purified, experiences ? ewildering dream-like appearances by the power of obscuration which Inheres in one's own mind. In the abiding mode, on the other hand suffering and so forth do not exist. It says in the Tantra ofthe Extensiv; Magical Net:
If there is no understanding of intrinsic awareness or genuine perception,
The field of SukhavatI212 is even seen as a state of evil existence.
If the truth which is equivalent to the supreme of vehicles is realised,
Even states of evil existence are and
,should know,that t? ese two [modes] are exclusively by
lOgIC of conventIOn, SInce all the appearances of Impure samsara
areb 'ld ' .
eWI enng appearances which do not correspond to [the buddhas']
per ' ,
b CeptIOn, all the appearances of pure mrval)a such as the buddha-
Two Tntths according to Great Madhyamaka 213
ody and pnstIne cogmtIOn are unbewildered.
214 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Two Truths according to Great Madhyamaka 215
Now, concerning all these appearances of impure sarpsara, including the hells which appear to one's own bewildered perception by the power of having an evil mind, it is said in the Introduction to the Conduct of a Bodhisattva (Ch. 5, vv. 7-8):
Who made the [hellish] core of molten iron? Whence originated these infernos?
The Sage has said that all these
Are [products of] an evil mind.
The intentions of the siitras and the tantras agree that the pure array of the buddhas' fields and bodies and so forth appears through the purity of one's own mind. This can also be known from the debate between Brahma Sikhin and Sariputra concerning the purity of this field [which contains our own world]. 213
It is said particularly in the tantrapiraka of the unsurpassed way of
mantras that [the buddha-bodies and fields] originate through the purity
of the internal structure of the energy channels, currents and seminal
points and of mind-as-such. Therefore, while all things are not truly
existent apart from being mere labels designated by the ideas of one's
own mind, the infallibility with which these very objects designated by
thought appear in circumstances dependent on different intellects, is
called proof by the logic of convention. Not one of us at the present
time, who has gathered the appropriate deeds and awakened to the
appropriate propensities, can contradict in the case of fire, for example,
the statement that fire is hot, since it is validly proven that the nature
of fire does appear to be hot; and the same would appear to be true
for virtue, evil and the like. Ultimately, however, no such one-sided
determination can be made. This is known because fire does not appear
214
to be hot to the creature Agnisud
powered beings can display various emanations and transformations of substances.
It is said [in the Collection ofthe Greater Vehicle, Ch. 8, para. 20, v. a]: Since a single substance is differentiated by minds,
It appears to be non-existent in reality.
Therefore, on thorough scrutiny, when this, one's own unique body, is observed by the organisms within it, by vultures without, by those who desire it and those who do not, by oneself and others, and by many such enemies and friends, it is said to be seen and in different ways - as a dwelling place, as food, as purity or impunty, as the possession of oneself or of another, as ugliness, beauty or an object of indifference and so on. If it is perceived by sublime beings the
Then, if scrutinised even further, when one searches for that which is called the body, it can be known by penetrating analysis even now that it is not an object of reference and that it does not inherently exist even to the extent of the minutest atomic particle. Therefore, when this [analysis] is applied to all outer and inner phenomena, including the bodies of others, they can be established to be without independent exist- ence. In ultimate reality, all things should be known as the great same-
ness of reality, naturally without divisions and [the need for] clarifica- tions. Conventionally, however, one ought to ascertain that the phenomena which appear to ordinary sentient beings at the present time are false in comparison with those which appear in the face of that [ulti- mate reality], because they are impure, bewildered appearances. One also ought to ascertain that even the appearances [discerned by] bodhisattvas on the path are impotent in the face of that [ultimate real-
ity], because there is a pure basis for perception which is progressively higher than theirs. The abiding mode is conclusively proven because nothing is to be gained beyond the perception of the conclusive buddha level. In short, the goal of that which is expressed is inexpressible, the goal of ideas is non-conceptualising, the goal of consciousness is pristine cognition, and the goal of the apparition of reality is reality itself. There- fore, the inconceivable pristine cognition that is reality is a great purity
of natural expression, transcending the symbolic range of the subject- object dichotomy.
However, if one were to object that there would then be no point in on the path, this is not the case. Since sentient beings medItate on the path in order to purify these bewildering appearances which arise suddenly as in a dream through their lack of realisation, and the propensities of the bewildering thoughts which cling to them, there need be no clinging to the idea that the doctrines of the path and result are truly existent. It is as when a sorceror removes fears on the
path by an army of his emanations, or when a phlegmatic eye disease IS cured.
Therefore, with reference to the conclusion that is to be realised all thO ,
. mgs subsumed by the relative and ultimate truths should be estab- lIshed as naturally indivisible, in the"great pure sameness free from Conceptual elaborations, the original natural expression of the buddhas.
Yet one should not be attracted to or fall into any elaborate viewpoint
.
Rely not upon individuals but upon the doctrine,
Rely not upon words but upon their meaning,
,
body is said to be without independent existence and so forth, and on the . h1
conclusive buddha level it is said that the pure physical component IS t essence ofVairocana. Statements ofthis kind are not contradictory.
e '
and so forth, and because em-
regard' d l' .
mg. ua IStlC concepts such as being and non-being, appearance
'.
h' . . ss, or punty an Impunty, as are partially appraised by
and emptlne . d
C 11diSh mtellects of inhibited vision.
To sum up, the Transcendent Lord has said:
Rely not upon the provisional but the definitive meaning
216 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Rely not upon consciousness but upon pristine cognition.
This is why, in the context of the abiding mode of the two truths which are to be known, the result is incontrovertibly appraised by the logic of scriptural authority, reason and esoteric instructions. One should know that the entire intention of the sutras and the tantras, which are the scriptures of the Tathagata, is subsumed in a single nucleus, just as butter is condensed from milk, and cream from butter, so that the climax of the philosophical systems, according to the causal vehicle of dialectics, is this Great Madhyamaka, supreme among vehicles. Its meaning is revealed in the texts of Maitreya, such as the Supreme Continuum of the Greater Vehicle, and in the sublime Nagarjuna's Col- lection ofEulogies, which subsume the essence of the definiJive meaning of both the intermediate and final promulgations of the transmitted precepts.
It says in the Sutra of the Descent to Lahka (Ch. 6, v. S):
In the five doctrines and three essential natures, In the eight aggregates of consciousness
And in the two kinds of selflessness,
The entire greater vehicle is subsumed.
And in the Intermediate Mother:
Maitreya, regard any imaginary form as not substantially
existent. One might regard any conceptualised form as sub- stantially existent because thoughts exist substantially, but do not confer independent status upon it. Then you should regard the very form of reality as being disclosed by ultimate reality, for it is neither substantially existent nor non- existent.
8 ! (ey to the Appraisal of Causal Vehicle Texts
215
[116b. 3] Having distinguished between the relative truth or apparitional nature, and the ultimate truth or abiding nature, the definitive order of the precious treasure store of the true doctrine that is to be appraised has been established. The precious key to its appraisal is structured in two parts, of which the first concerns the provisional and definitive meanmgs.
THE PROVISIONAL AND DEFINITIVE MEANING OF THE TRUE DOCTRINE
[116b. 3-118a. 2] The reality of all things, the expanse of just what is, the inner radiant intention of mind-as-such, which is of the essence of space, naturally pure and unchanging, beyond creation, cessation and duration, is the definitive meaning; and all the transmitted precepts and treatises which reveal it are subsumed within the definitive meaning. All the apparitions of reality that appear, dream-like and manifesting as the diverse, successive forms such as those of creation, cessation, coming and going, purity and impurity, components, psychophysical and activity fields, which are all appraised and exaggeratedly IndIcated by a succession of words, thoughts and expressions, are called theyrovisional meaning; and all the transmitted precepts and treatises whIch reveal them are subsumed within the relative truth. For example, those which boast in word, expression and thought that mind-as-such rese:nbles space are relative, whereas the fundamental nature ofultimate being the definitive meaning, is genuine. Such is said in the
Tulogy to the Inconceivable Madhyamaka (Madhyamakacintyastava, 1128, vv. S6c-S7c):
The emptiness of all things
Is indeed revealed as the definitive meaning. That in which creation, cessation and so on,
218 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
And living beings, life itself and so on are revealed, Is the relative truth of provisional meaning.
The Sublime Sutra of the King of Contemplation says:
As spoken by the Teacher, the Sugata,
Know the details of the siltras of definitive meaning; All doctrines which teach of sentient beings, Individuals2I6 or creatures
Should be known as the provisional meaning.
And in the Sublime Sutra Revealed by
If one asks what are the siltras of definitive meaning and what are the siltras of provisional meaning, those siltras " which are taught in order that one might enter the path are called the provisional meaning, and those siltras which are taught in order that one might enter the result are called the definitive meaning. Those siltras which teach of self, sentient beings, life itself, creatures, individuals, personalities, per- sonal selves, actors, subjects of sensation, explanations ac- cording to diverse terms, and of that which is not a possessor
as a possessor, are called the provisional meaning. The siltras which teach of emptiness, of that which is signless, aspira- tionless, not manifestly conditioned, uncreated, unorigi- nated, insubstantial, without self, without sentient beings, without life itself, without individuals, without a possessor and without any properties even as far as the approach to liberation, are called the definitive meaning. This text is said to rely on the siltras of definitive meaning, but not to rely on the siltras of provisional meaning.
In short, the fundamental abiding nature and the siltras which reveal it are said to be the definitive meaning and its siltras, while all those doctrines which guide the intellect of sentient beings by many methods to the means of entering that fundamental nature, and reveal the impure bewilderment, its classifications and so on, are called the provisional meaning and the doctrine of the provisional meaning.
THE INTENTION AND COVERT INTENTION OF THE TRUE DOCTRINE
[l18a. 2-121a. 4] The second part concerns the [buddhas'] intention (dgongs-pa, Skt. abhipraya) and covert intention (ldem-dgongs, Skt. abhisandhi). The former, intention, applies to those teachings which are included within slightly exaggerated explanations and reveal indirect
Key to Causal Vehicle Texts 219 methods and purposes. The Ornament ofthe Sutras ofthe Greater Vehicle
(Ch. 12, v. 18) says:
Passages directed towards sameness and other meanings,
And similarly towards other times,
And towards the thoughts of individuals
Should be known as the four kinds of intention.
Accordingly, the [buddhas'] intention is directed towards sameness, as is exemplified in the following words spoken with an intention directed towards the sameness of the body of reality:
At that time, I became the Tathagata Vipasyin.
When this intention is directed towards other meanings it is exemplified by the following words which were spoken with an intention directed towards the three essenceless natures:
All things are without essence.
Now, the imaginary is without essence in respect of attributes, because in truth it definitely does not exist. The dependent is without essence in respect of creation, because creation from the four alternative limits does not exist: Things are not created from themselves because both that which was created and creation itself consist of instantaneous time moments, which renders them mutually exclusive substances. Nor are things created from something else, because the specific characteristics of that something else do not, on analysis, exist. Then, things are not created from both [themselves and other causes], because they are mutually exclusive substances; and, [finally], without a cause, creation is impossible. The creation of whatever is apparitional and so forth instantly appears inasmuch as it is dependently originated, in the man- ner of a mere dream or illusion. Such is said in the Sutra o/the Adornment of Pristine Cognition's Appearance from:
MafijusrI, dreams appear but do not exist. Similarly all things, too, appear but do not exist.
down to:
They are illusory, like a mirage, a castle in the sky, the moon in water, a reflected image and an emanation.
b Then, the absolute is without essence in respect of ultimate reality . therein [the views that] ultimate reality exists, or that the self Impure, and other such conceptual elaborations are essenceless. Such IS said in the Sutra which Decisively Reveals the Intention:
With an intention directed towards essencelessness of attri-
220 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Key to Causal Vehicle Texts 221
butes, essencelessness of creation and essencelessness of ul- timate reality, I reveal all things to be without essence.
The [buddhas'] intention is also directed towards other times, as exem- exemplified in the words:
By merely grasping the name of the Tathagata Vimalacan- draprabha, you will attain buddhahood.
Although buddhahood is not attained by that alone, [the intention is that] one who has accumulated many provisions in the past will at some time become a buddha.
The intention directed towards the thoughts of individuals is exemplified by [the buddhas'] downgrading of moral discipline and praise of liberality in the presence of certain individuals who are con- ceited with respect to their own moral discipline.
Secondly, concerning the covert intention: It is explained that in order to induce another party, who delights in any view whatsoever, to enter into the correct path or meaning, [the buddhas] adopt a style conforming to the needs of that person by relying somewhat on that one's vocabulary and mannerisms, but their meaning does not so con- form. It is said in the Ornament of the Sutras of the Greater Vehicle (Ch. 12, vv. 16-17):
The covert intention in respect of entry,
And, in addition, the covert intention in respect of
attributes,
The covert intention in respect of antidotes,
And the covert intention in respect of interpretation, Directed respectively towards pious attendants
and the essence,
And similarly towards the discipline of faults, And towards profundity of expression,
Are the four kinds of covert intention.
The covert intention in respect of entry is illustrated as follows. In order that certain members of the family of the pious attendants who have not entered the greater vehicle out of fear of emptiness may so enter, [the buddhas] would say that form does exist therein, and thereby the listener would enter assuming that [form] really exists, while the speakers[thebuddhas]wouldintendthatallappearanceislikeadream, •
The covert intention in respect of attributes is exemplified as follows. In order that the essenceless abiding nature [of reality] may be known, [the buddhas] reveal all things to be essenceless. The three essenceless natures, namely, the imaginary, the dependent and the absolute, have previously been explained.
The covert intention in respect of antidotes is exemplified by the following words which were spoken with an intention directed towards those beings who would think that, "Sakyamuni is inferior to other teachers because he is smaller in body, shorter in life-span and so on":
At that time, I [Sakyamuni] became the Tathagata Vairocana.
In this way, the listener understands their buddha-bodies of form to be the same, while the speaker [Sakyamuni] intends that their provisions are equally perfect, that their attainments of the body of reality are equal, and that their deeds on behalf of living beings are equal. As it is said in the Treasury of the Abhidharma (Ch. 7, v. 34):
All buddhas are identical in their provisions, Their body of reality and their conduct
On behalf of beings,
But not so in their life-span,
Race and physical stature.
The covert intention with respect to interpretation refers to teachings given in a form which is extremely difficult to understand in order to pacify the faults of those who think:
This doctrine is inferior to others Because it is easy to understand.
For example, it is said in the Collection ofMeaningful Expressions (Ch. 33, v. 62):
He should kill his father and mother,
And if he destroys the king and the two purities, The country and its surroundings,
This man will become pure in nature.
Now, the father and mother are lust and acqUISItIOn because they
compound sarpsara. The king is the ground-of-all because this becomes
the support or ground of diverse propensities. The two purities are the
Brahmal). a view of mundane aggregates,217 and the view of those who
are conceited with respect to virtuous moral discipline and ascetic dis-
cipline. The country and its surroundings are the eight aggregates of
consciousness, along with the subject-object dichotomy of the inner
activity fields. If all these are destroyed and purified, one becomes a bUddha.
T,hevariouskindsofintentionandcovertintention[ofthescriptures] are Identical in essence. Yet they do differ in details. On the distinction ? etween the two, the translator [Ngok] Loden Sherap218 claims that implies that another meaning apart from the meaning thought
Y the speaker is understood by the listener from the speaker's words, and covert intention implies that the very meaning thought by the
222 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
speaker is [subsequently] understood by the listener. And it is said in the Exegetical Commentary on the Collection of the Greater Vehicle (A1ahayanasaytlgrahopanibandhana, T 4051):
Intention is not held to refer to apprehension by another party, but only to a determination in the mind. Covert inten- tion does refer to apprehension by another party.
These two are indeed known to be without contradiction. That which is partially explained with reference to something is intention, disregard- ing whether it is apprehended by another or not; and it is called intention because at times when it is questioned by others all incompletely [un- derstood] meanings still remain in the ground of the intention. That which is revealed in order to benefit others, relying somewhat on inti- mation, and in conformity with the perception of other persons is called
[the buddhas'] covert intention, because they understand the words of the speaker and, by entering thereafter [into the greater vehicle], now at last become receptive to the perfect understanding of other meanings and never turn to falsehood.
Such are the keys through which the scriptures are viewed. Since the profound texts possess many situations ofword, meaning, intention and purpose, it is extremely important to know that they are disclosed in this manner.
9 A Recapitulation of the Causal Vehicles
[121a. 4-121b. 1] Having outlined the overall meaning [of the causal vehicles], I shall recapitulate the meaning that is subsumed in their particular sections. It is said in the Tantra of the Secret Nucleus (Ch. 13, v. 2):
There are those of only partial realisation
And those who do not [fully] realise genuine reality.
Accordingly, the lesser vehicle confers only partial realisation of the approach to the truth of liberation; and the bodhisattva vehicle, while acting in accord with the approach to inconceivable liberation, does not [fully] confer realisation of the genuine reality because the meaning of the vehicle of indestructible reality (Vajrayana) is not understood therein. The former [the lesser vehicle or Hlnayana] includes both the pious attendants and the self-centred buddhas.
VEHICLE OF PIOUS A TTENDANTS
[121b. 1-124a. 6] Firstly, the vehicle of pious attendants is explained under the three headings ofessence, verbal definition and classifications. The essence is that with an intellect desirous of liberating itself from sarpsara one resorts to the means of realising selflessness with reference to the individual.
T. The verbal definition is that the [Sanskrit] sravaka is rendered [in ( Ibetan] as nyan-thos or pious attendant because it means both to listen and to hear attentively (thos-pa), while in one respect, it is so rendered as thos-sgrogs [or preacher of what has been attentively t eard] because, having attentively heard (thos-pa) one object [i. e. the
the pious attendant preaches (sgrags) to another.
. ThIrdly, [the vehicle of pious attendants] is classified according to topics, namely, its entrance, view, moral discipline, meditation, onduct and result. Concerning the entrance: The pious attendants,
224 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 225
being disillusioned by the suffering of sarpsara, enter through the four truths with the thought of aspiring towards their own peace and happi_ ness. As it is said in the Tantra ofthe Great Natural Arising ofAwareness:
Concerning the entrance, the four truths
Are the entrance for pious attendants in general.
Now the truth of suffering resembles a disease, the truth of its origi- nation resembles the cause of a disease, the truth of cessation resembles the happiness when one is freed from a disease, and the truth of the path resembles the medicine which is the antidote for a disease. There- fore:
Suffering is to be known,
Its origin is to be renounced, Cessation is to be obtained, And the path is to be relied on.
Therefore, the pious attendants enter by renouncing and accepting the causes and results to which the four truths refer.
Secondly, concerning the view: Selflessness with reference to the individual is realised [firstly] because the apprehended object which appears as coarse substances can be broken down and destroyed by an antidote or the intellect, [secondly] because the continuity of the ap- prehending subject which is the mind can be broken down by the three temporal dimensions, and [thirdly] because this coarse subject-object dichotomy has no independent existence apart from its mere relative appearance.
However, [the concept of] self with reference to phenomenal things is not understood because they hold that the substratum of indivisible atomic particles, which compose the objective appearance of coarse substances, cannot be destroyed by an antidote or by the intellect, and that the subjective mind is inseparable219 from the series of indivisible time moments. The subtle subject-object dichotomy is therefore held to be ultimately real. As it is said in the Garland of Views: A Collection of Esoteric Instructions:
All things are considered imaginary since they are exagger- ated and depreciated by eternalistic extremists and the like. The nihilist view of no origin and the views concerl1ing permanence and so forth are [considered] as non-existent as the snake which is perceived in place of a rope. Yet the indivisible atomic particles of the four gross elements, includ- ing the components, psychophysical bases and activity fields, and consciousness also, are viewed to have ultimate reality.
When [this view of the pious attendants] is classified, it is as KaWa Peltsek says in his SeventeenfoldAppearance ofthe Sequence ofthe View:
The pious attendants who consider merely phenomena Are both the Sautrantika and the Vaibhasika.
They dispute the nature of external
And agree that consciousness appears
As a series of time moments.
that though this coarse relative truth appears as
a aggre. gate In manner of an alpine meadow, ultimately it
conSIsts of mInute partIcles because indivisible atomic particles are
surrounded without intervening spaces. In his Turquoise Display, Nagar- . says·220
Concerning the relative, the central tenet is That these material substances composing the world
Are an association of atomic particles,
But that [undivided] they appear in the manner of an
alpine meadow.
[These coarse substances] are held to be compounded by the force or power of the active vital energy of sentient beings. Then:
Concerning the ultimate, consciousness is held To exist as a series of distinct time moments.
The Sautrantika, on the other hand, hold that indivisible atomic
are without cohesion but have no intervening spaces between
III the manner of a heap of grain. As the above text [the Turquoise Dzsplay] says:
Sautrantikas, concerning the atoms of relative appearance Hold them to form a single, compounded sensum. ' And they claim that ultimate reality is agreement of
consciousness [with its 0 bject].
Thus they are superior to the because they realise that the
conglomerate composed of atoms is indeed partless, and so are similar
Juna .
those who do not admit the existence of atoms on the grounds that t ey are not actually visible. 221
'. '.
d' h r '. one IS a pIOUS attendant If one VIews the subject-object
In sho t
lC otomy III relation to the self of phenomenal things to be ultimately
reaI and adh h "
' . eres to t e rejectIOn and acceptance of causes and results
by the four truths which refer to sarpsara and nirvana. As saId III the Sequence of the Path: .
If, without realising non-duality, Everything is viewed to exist substantially In terms of the four truths,
An? ? ne resorts to renunciation and non-renunciation, ThIS IS the level of the pious attendants.
226 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 227
Thirdly, concerning moral discipline, one should rely on the eight classes of priitimok$a vows, or particularly the supreme vows of a monk, because training which follows [the example of] the Buddha is essential. It says in the Treasury of the Abhidharma (Ch. 4, vv. 14-1S):
The eight classes [of vow] called pratimok$a Substantially refer to the four orders.
Since their titles vary, depending on the [adherent's]
sex,222
It is no error to differentiate [the four into eight]. Dependent on the vows which renounce Respectively five, eight, ten and all things that are
to be renounced 223
Are the lay vows (upasaka) and the vows of the
purificatory fast (upavasa),
The novitiate (srammJera) and the actual vows of
a monk (bhik$u).
Fourthly, concerning meditation, the same text says (Ch. 6, v. Sab):
One who abides in moral discipline And has studied and pondered
Should properly undertake meditation.
Relying in this way on the pure basis of moral discipline, one is required to study the pilaka of the pious attendants under [the guidance] of a spiritual benefactor. Then, the meaning that has been studied shoul? be pondered, and the meaning that has been pondered should be medI- tated upon.
Now, meditation initially requires that one makes the mind capable of action through tranquillity, which begins with meditation on ugliness as an antidote for attachment; and subsequently, one meditates with higher insight on the sixteen minor truths, four of which are differen- tiated in each of the four truths.
On this basis, one begins with renunciation by perceiving the ing emotions of the three realms, and then the mode of is effected in a succession of sixteen moments of pristine cogmtlOn. The sixteen minor truths are the four which are aspects of the truth of suffering, namely, impermanence, suffering, emptiness and selfless- ness; the four which are aspects of the truth of namelY,
causal basis, origin, production and condition; the four whIch are
pects of the truth of cessation, namely, cessation, quiescence, excellence
e and disillusionment with samara; and the four which are aspects of th
. 0f truth of the path, namely, the path, reason, attainment and the . act
becoming disillusioned with sarpsara; sixteen in all. Then, the SIxteen moments of pristine cognition are the perception of the doctrine (dhar-
a majiiiina), receptiveness to the perception of the doctrine (dharm -
"fiiinak$anti), the after-effect of this perception (anvayajfiiina) and recep- {iveness to the after-effect of this perception (anvayajiianak$anti), as
they apply to each of the four truths, making sixteen in all.
Fifth, concerning their conduct: Pious attendants perform acts which emphasise their own benefit by abiding in the twelve ascetic virtues.
It says in the Turquoise Display:
Their conduct is exclusively for their own benefit.
Sixth, as for the result: Pious attendants obtain the provisional results of entering the stream [to nirvaI). a], of being tied to a single rebirth and ofnot returning [to sarpsara]. And then, as the culmination, they become arhats either with or without a residue, who are endowed with the twofold pristine cognition, which perceives the cessation [of corruption] and perceives that it is not recreated.
There is also an enumeration of eight results when each of these four is distinguished according to those who enter it and those who are firmly established in it. It is said that there are four pairs of sacred beings with reference to the ground of this classification, and eight kinds of individual [pious attendant] with reference to the properties so classified. Of these, the Tantra of the Extensive Magical Net says:
One who is well pacified by training
In the sixteen-faceted pristine cognition,
Which understands the meaning,
And is well renounced in respect of the four truths, And who has been trained through the succession of
[results],
Such as entering the stream,
Proceeds to the level on which the enemy, Conflicting emotion, is pacified.
VEHICLE OF SELF-CENTRED BUDDHAS
[124a. 6-127a. 2] Secondly, the vehicle of self-centred buddhas is also classified under three headings of essence, verbal definition and classifi- cation. The essence is that, without relying on a master, during one's final life in the world, one meditates on the path of dependent origination as a means for attaining manifest enlightenment, through the realisation of one-and-a-half parts of [the concept of] selflessness. 224
Secondly, the verbal definition: The [Sanskrit] pratyekabuddha is fhendered as self-centred buddha [Tib. rang-rgyal] because it implies
t atone' l' h "
. s own en Ig tenment IS realised by oneself. The enlightenment
IS attained individually, that is, for oneself alone.
h Thirdly, there are six classifications as above, of which the first is
t
e entrance. The Tantra ofthe Great Natural Arising ofAwareness says:
228
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 229
The entrance is through the twelvefold dependent origina- tion.
In this way, a self-centred buddha enters through the twelve modes of dependent origination. As for dependent origination, it says in the Heruka Galpo:
The doctrine of self-centred buddhas,
In order to purify the
Includes the doctrines of outer and inner Dependent origination.
Accordingly, the twelve modes of dependent origination are both out- ward and inward.
If one were to ask in what way these [twelve] revolve, the outward dependent origination [of physical elements] revolves quantitatively, and the inward dependent origination revolves as propensities in non- corporeal beings and concretely in respect of corporeal beings.
Concerning the procedure for entering therein: In general a self-
centred buddha of the highest acumen, in the [solitary] manner of a
rhinoceros, has accumulated the path of provisions over a period of
one hundred aeons. One of mediocre acumen and great conduct in
respect of the provisions has accumulated the provisions as far as the
J 25
middling degree of receptiveness (bzod- bringi over a hundred human lives. And one who is of inferior acumen and low in conduct relating to the provisions has accumulated the provisions subsumed by the fifteenth moment [of pristine cognition] on the path of insight over thirteen human lives. Knowing that there is no chance of attaining enlightenment on this basis [alone], with prayers of aspiration they take birth in a world which is entirely unoccupied by buddhas and pious attendants. As the Root Stanzas on the Madhyamaka (Ch. 18, v. 12) says:
If buddhas do not emerge
And pious attendants have ceased to be,
The pristine cognition of the self-centred buddha Is well developed without support.
On this basis and without preceptor or master, [the would-be self- centred buddhas] become natural monks. Going to a charnel ground, they become disillusioned with sarp. sara immediately after seeing bones, and when they investigate the source from which these bone originated, it is realised that they originated from old age and death that these in turn originated from birth, and in this way it is gradually: realised that the root of sarp. sara is ignorance. Then, wondering hoW to attain liberation from this, they enter by realising the trend in which dependent origination is reversed, namely, that if ignorance is
abolished, habitual tendencies cease and so on down to the cessation of old age and death.
Secondly, in their view [the self-centred buddhas] are similar to the piouS who to the individual, but in addItIon they realIse that the mdivisible atomIC particles which are the objective aspect of selfhood as it relates to phenomena do not independently exist. However, since they still regard the time moments forming the subjective mind to be ultimately real, and hold that the cause and result of sarp. sara and nirva1)a are found in dependent origi- nation, they are said to be realised in one-and-a-half parts of what is implied by selflessness. It says in the Ornament ofEmergent Realisation (Ch. 2, v. 8):
Since they renounce the idea of objects,
And since they do not renounce the subject,
One must know the path genuinely subsumed therein Is that of a rhinoceros-like recipient.
And in the Sequence of the View:
Similarly, the vehicle of the self-centred buddhas Concerns the mere illusion of the twelve outer
[links of dependent origination];
It is superior in holding atoms not to exist In any spatial dimension,226
But agrees that consciousness
Is a series of time moments.
So also in the Sequence of the Path:
If one does not perceive deeds and all the conflicting emotions
To be in fact sameness,
And entirely clings to the cause and result of
dependent origination,
This is the level of the self-centred buddhas.
this: object, contradicts t. he passage from the Thirty erses (Trzrrzszkakarzka, T 4055, v. 28d) WhICh says:
If there is no object, there is no subject.
! here is, however, no flaw. This passage explains that, if that which
IS by direct perception is realised to have no independent eXIstence th b· . 1 .
I . ' e su Ject IS a so necessanly understood [in the same way]. il ht. hlS [vehicle], on the other hand, it is said that the object is realised
toave . d d .
a no Ill. epen ent eXIstence because objects which conceptually
a to the mtellect are realised to be without independent existence,
because during such realisation, the ignorance which has become e root of the three poisons is reversed. 227
230 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 231
Thirdly, in moral discipline, [the self-centred buddhas] are to the pious attendants. It says in the Miraculous Key ofFurther Dzscern- ment (yang-'byed-'phrul-gyi Ide-mig, NGB Vol. 2):
The limits which pious attendants
And self-centred buddhas sustain
Are the two hundred and fifty disciplines of the Vinaya.
Fourth, on meditation, the Yogacara Level says:
It should be known to be just like that of the pious attendants,
Because these two are similar in the nature of their paths.
Despite this claim that the [self-centred buddhas] meditate on the path referring to the piJaka of the pious attendants, masters of the past have said that in the SzUra which Dispels the Grief of Ajatasatru (Ajatasat- rukaukrtyavinodanasutra, T 216) the piJaka of the are briefly and distinctly explained in contrast to the pIJaka of the pIOUS attendants. Also, in other texts, such as the Ornament of Emergent Realisation and its commentaries [Abhisamayalarrzkaravrtti, etc. T 3787- 9, 3791, 3793-6], their path is claimed to differ from that of the attendants. This is because, over and above the sixteen moments begm-
ning with impermanence such as apply to the four truths, centred buddhas] obstruct the trend in which dependent ongmatIon arises and meditate in the correct order on the twelve [antidotes], that is, the emptinesses belonging to the trend in which it
Fifth, in conduct, [the self-centred buddhas] commUnIcate WIth those who require training through symbolic gestures, which are through the miraculous abilities of their bodies, and without teachmg the doctrine by their speech. It says in the Ornament ofEmergent Real- isation (Ch. 2, v. 7):
To those respective persons
Who require training,
Whatever they wish to hear,
The respective meanings just appear, Without even a sound being uttered.
And in the Turquoise Display:
By conduct that is the miraculous ability of their bodies,
They variously act on behalf of others.
Sixth as for the result, the self-centred buddha of sharp acumen who in solitude like a rhinoceros, after perfecting the five in a single sitting, becomes manifest, through the supreme bliss of hIS
purpose, as an arhat who is conscious that the cessation [of corruption] has come about and that it will not be recreated. The Treasury of the Abhidhanna (Ch. 6, v. 24) says:
The Teacher and the self-centred buddha, similar to a rhinoceros,
Become entirely enlightened on the sole basis of the final contemplation,
And, before that, they are in accord with liberation.
Those of greater and lesser conduct with respect to the provisions, who flock together in the manner of parrots, respectively make manifest the first four and the first three paths. 228
Again, on the subject of these self-centred buddhas, the Extensive Magical Net says:
Knowing outer and inner dependent origination [To be] in the manner of an illusion and a mirage, They thoroughly penetrate substantial forms
without impediment,
They become realised through intrinsic awareness,
untaught by a spiritual benefactor,
And, with supreme bliss of purpose, proceed to an enlightened level.
VEHICLE OF
BODHISA TTV AS
[l27a. 2-131b. 2] The latter of the causal vehicles, the vehicle of bodhisattvas, is explained under two headings: its superiority over the lesser vehicle and the particular nature of this sublime vehicle. First, [the bodhisattva] is superior through an ability to realise the two kinds ? fselflessness as the fundamental nature by means of great discriminat- Ive awareness, and an ability to act exclusively on behalf of others by of great compassion. This is because these qualities are absent III the lesser vehicle. As stated in the Tantm of the Army of Pristine
Cognition (ye-shes rnam-par bkod-pa'i rgyud):
That which refers to sentient beings with compassion
And pervades the expanse of reality with discriminative awareness
Is explained to be the greater vehicle. The others are its opposite.
And the master Aro [Yeshe Jungnef29 has said:
The distinguishing features of the vehicles are Exclusively discriminative awareness and compassion;
232
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
Recapitulation ofCausal Vehicles 233
The distinction between the vehicles is made
In accordance with their greater or lesser extent.
And in the Verse Summation of the Transcendental Perfection of Dis- criminative Awareness:
One who has no skilful means
And is without discriminative awareness
Falls into the position of the pious attendants.
Secondly, the vehicle of bodhisattvas endowed with this particularly superior doctrine is explained under the three headings of essence, verbal definition and classification. The essence is that one realises all things to be without self and then firmly resorts to the means of perform- ing great benefits on behalf of others through great compassion.
As to the verbal definition, a bodhisattva [spiritual warrior set on enlightenment]23o is so called because the [Sanskrit] bodhisattva indicates one who is totally unafraid to attain the unsurpassed enlightenment by means of great mental power.
Thirdly, among the six aforementioned classifications, first the en- trance is effected through the two truths. The Tantra of the Great Natural Arising of Awareness says:
The vehicle of the bodhisattvas
Is entered through the two truths.
According to the texts of the Madhyamika, after the intellect, which perceives unanalysed and unexamined appearances to be without real essence in the manner of an illusion despite their appearance, has been grasped by the enlightened mind of loving kindness and compassion, [a bodhisattva] enters the relative truth by inducing virtue and opposing non-virtue. But when the abiding nature of ultimate, fundamental re- ality is known to be free from conceptual elaborations, the bodhisattva enters by means of the coalescence [of the two truths].
Concerning the two truths, the Heruka Galpo says: The doctrine revealed by the buddhas
Is genuinely gathered in the two truths.
Now, the extent of the knowable which forms the ground of this clas- sification is polarised between the apparitional mode or relative truth, and the abiding mode or ultimate truth. Therefore, the same text says:
In the appearances which form the knowable alone, The scope of the two truths indeed exists.
Of these, the relative truth refers to the symbolic apparition of reality which is the object perceived by the intellect. As [the Heruka GaZpoJ again says:
Deception and objectification of the intellect
Are the general characteristics of relative appearances.
Then, when classified, there is the correct relative which is causally effective in terms of phenomenal appearance, as when a man appears as a man, and the erroneous relative which is causally ineffective in terms of phenomenal appearance, as when a cairn of stones appears as a man. From the same text:
The divisions of relative appearance
Are called the correct and the erroneous relative. The characteristics of each should be well explained: The erroneous one is causally ineffective
In terms of what appears,
And the correct one is causally effective
In terms of what appears.
And also from the Analysis ofthe Two Truths (Satyadvayavibhangaktirikti, T 3881, v. 12):
Since they are similarly apparent
And since they are respectively
Causally effective and ineffective,
The classification of the correct and erroneous Relative has been made.
The ultimate truth, on the other hand, is free from all conceptual elaborations, as it is said in the Heruka Galpo:
Ultimate reality is characteristically Free from all conceptual elaborations.
And in ]etari'sAnalysis ofthe Sugata's Texts (Sugatamatavibhangaktirikti T 3899): '
Neither is it being, non-being,
Or neither being nor non-being,
Nor indeed an embodiment of them both
But it is genuinely liberated from the fou; extremes.
classified, there is the ultimate truth with synonyms which is
partIally free from conceptual elaboration, and the ultimate truth with-
O;:t synonyms which is free from all conceptual elaboration. As the eruka Galpo says:
Its are the ultimate truth with synonyms, And that WIthout synonyms which is free from the eight
extremes.
Then, one might ask, are these two truths the same or different? They
234 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofDialectics
are identical in their nature but different in their aspects, conventionally similar to the moon and the reflections of the moon in water, respec- tively. It says in the Commentary on Enlightened Mind (Bodhicitta- vivara1J,a, T 1800, v. 57):
Just as molasses is naturally sweet And fire is naturally hot,
The nature of all things
Similarly abides in emptiness.
Yet the ultimate reality can be expressed as neither an identity nor a difference. The Dialogue with Maitreya (MaitreyapariPfcchii, T 85-6)
says:
The expanse, which cannot be expressed through the bolic forms of habitual tendencies, is not this at all, and It is not anything else.
