Tathagatagarbha — Buddha Nature — is a central concept of Mahayana Buddhism crucial to all the living practice traditions of Tibetan and Zen Buddhism. Its relationship to the concept of emptiness has been a subject of controversy for seven hundred years. Dr. Hookam's work investigates the divergent interpretations of these concepts and the way the Tibetan tradition is resolving them. In particular she does this with reference to the only surviving Indian commentary on the Tathagatagarbha doctrine, the Ratnagotravibhaga. This text addresses itself directly to the issue of how to relate the doctrine of emptiness (the illusory nature of the world) to that of the truly existing, changeless Absolute (the Buddha Nature). This is the first work by a Western writer to present an analysis of the Shentong tradition based on previously untranslated sources. The Shentong view rests on meditative experience that is inaccessible to the conceptualizing mind. It is deeply rooted in the sutra tradition of Indian Buddhism and is central to an understanding of the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions and Tantric practice among Kagyupas and Hyingmapas.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Yogin Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's Spontaneous Verses on the Subject of Rangtong and Shentong 1: General Introduction The Omniscient Dolpopa's Prayer that Unties the Vajra Word Knots Section One—The Issues 2: Introduction to the Rangtong-Shentong Distinction 2.1 The Origin and Significance of Buddhist Commentarial Traditions 2.2 The Rangtong/Shentong Distinction 2.3 The Meaning of Rangtong 2.4 The Meaning of Shentong 2.5 The Importance of the Rangtong-Shentong Distinction 3: Emptiness from the Shentong Point of View 3.1 Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness 3.2 The Final Stage—Shentong (Yogacara Madhyamaka) 3.3 No Shentong Without a Proper Understanding of Rangtong 3.4 Problems of Definitions of Terms 4: The Shentong View of Absolute Reality 4.1 Buddhajnana 4.2 Inseparable Qualities i. Inseparable Qualities of the Dharmakaya ii. The Concept of Uncompoundedness iii. Inseparability and the Spontaneous Existence of the Buddha Qualities 4.3 Buddha Activity 5: Means of Apprehending Absolute Reality 5.1 Faith i. Faith and Buddhajnana ii. Faith and Direct Experience iii. Direct Experience as Valid Cognition 5.2 Non-conceptuality (nisprapanca) i. Nisprapanca as Awareness Experienced in Meditation ii. Nisprapanca as Freedom from Extremes iii. Nisprapanca as Non-conceptuality in the RGV [1.9] iv. Nisprapanca in the Tantras 5.3 The Two Realities and the Two Visions i. Satya ii. Paramarthasatya iii. Samvrtisatya iv. Ultimate Reality is not Dependent Arising v. Own Nature and Other Nature (Svabhava and Parabhava ) vi. The Two Realities Inseparable vii. The Two Senses of Manifestation and Emptiness viii. The Importance of the Distinction ix. The Relationship Between the Two Realities x. The Two Visions—Precisely What Is and the Extent of What Is (Yathavadbhavikata and Yavadbhavikata ) 6: The Nature of Beings 6.1 Base, Path and Fruit 6.2 Tathagatagarbha i. The Shentong and Rangtong Approaches Compared ii. The Term "Tathagatagarbha" 6.3 Self 6.4 Gotra i. The 'Cut-off' Gotra and the Three Yanas ii. Gotra as both Cause and Emptiness 7: The Third Dharmacakra: Neyartha or Nitartha 7.1 The Third Dharmacakra i. The Three Dharmacakras ii. The Third Dharmacakra as Nitartha iii. Kongtrul's Distinction Between the Two Kinds of Nitartha Sutra of the Third Dharmacakra iv. Dolpopa's Analysis v. The Third Dharmacakra is Not Cittamatra 7.2 Neyartha and Nitartha i. Rangtong Explanations of Neyartha and Nitartha ii. The Terms "Neyartha" and "Nitartha" iii. The Ratnagotravibhaga —Neyartha or Nitartha? Section Two—Historical Background 8: The Shentong Tradition 8.1 The Jonangpas i. The Jonangpa Lineage ii. Some Opponents and Supporters of Shentong iii. The Mountain Dharma—Ocean of Nitartha (Ri chos nges don rgya mtsho, RC) iv. Comparison With Later Shentongpas v. The Essence of the Controversy vi. Shentong is Secret Oral Instruction 8.2 Sources of Shentong i. The Tibetan Inheritance ii. Some of Dolpopa's Indian Sources of Shentong iii. Other Views on the Indian Sources of Shentong iv. The Brhattika v. Nagarjuna's Stotra and Karikas vi. How Shentong Relates to Later Developments of Buddhism in India vii. The Term "Great Madhyamaka" viii. Tantric Shentong 8.3 Kongtrul and the Rimay Tradition i. Kongtrul ii. The Rimay Tradition 9: Traditions of Interpretation of the RGV and RGVV 9.1 Introduction to the Ratnagotravibhaga and Ratnagotravibhagavyakhya and Associated Traditions. i. Authorship and Rediscovery ii. Maitreya iii. The Importance of the Maitreya-Asanga Connection iv. The RGV as a Synthesis of the Tathagatagarbha Sutras and the Prajnaparamita Sutras v. The Vyakhya (RGVV) vi. Transmission to Tibet 9.2 Matters Arising from the Introduction to Kongtrul's Commentary on the RGV. i. The Two Tibetan Transmission Lineages of the RGV ii. Questions Arising from Kongtrul's Commentary iii. Other Commentators Not Mentioned in the Initial Praises iv. Gampopa and the Sutra and Tantra Mahamudra v. Rangjung Dorje and the Mahamudra-Dzogchen Synthesis Section Three—A Shentong Interpretation of the RGV and RGVV and a Translation of Kongtru!'s Introduction to His RGV Commentary 10: A Shentong Interpretation of the RGV and RGVV—A Paraphrase With Comments 10.1 The Title and its Implications 10.2 General Introduction to the Seven Vajra Bases 10.3 Vajra Bases 1–3: The Three Jewels 10.4 Vajra Base 4: The Dhatu (Element) Causes and Conditions for Purification The Four Paradoxes The Three Reasons The Element Arranged in Ten Points The Nine Examples The Essence of the Doctrine The Purpose of the Instruction 10.5 Vajra Base 5: Enlightenment 10.6 Vajra Base 6: Qualities 10.7 Vajra Base 7: Activity 10.8 The Benefits 11: Translation of the Introduction to Kongtrul's RGV Commentary 12: Conclusion Appendix 1: Works by Western Scholars Appendix 2: Prakrtisunyata, Svabhavasunyata and Parabhavasunyata in Rangtong and Shentong Terms Appendix 3: Further Details on the Three Svabhava and the Three Kinds of Emptiness as Found in the SNS Appendix 4: The Sandhinirmocanasutra: Résumé Appendix 5: Some Points of Comparison Between Rangtong Commentators on RGV Appendix 6: The Five Dharmas of Maitreya Abbreviations Notes Conventions Used Glossary of Terms Bibliography Index