Ri-me Philosophy of Jamgon Kongtrul the Great (eBook)

Preface The first chapter, 'The Meaning of Ri-me,' describes the nonsectarian understanding and the manner in which Jamgn Kongtrul and other masters show that there are no fundamental contradictions among the Buddhist teachings that came to Tibet. The Ri-me approach is an inclusive one, recognizing the distinctions of the various lineages and teachings, while seeing them all as valid instructions that lead to the same ultimate understanding. This approach is not a new one. It is the foundation of all the teachings of the Buddha. Jamgn Kongtrul and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo reiterated and highlighted this principle and lived it themselves. This impartial appreciation of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism is exemplified in the life story of Jamgn Kongtrul the Great, which is the subject of chapter 2. Jamgn Kongtrul was a living example of a Ri-me master, and just by reading his biography one can come to understand the Ri-me philosophy. Jamgn Kongtrul, along with his teacher and colleague Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, are especially renowned for the way that they received, practiced, and preserved the teachings of all the main practice lineages of Tibet. Their collaboration in this effort is a highlight of this biography. With Khyentse's urging and support, Kongtrul compiled over ninety volumes in five large collections known as the Five Great Treasuries: the Treasury of Instructions, the Treasury of Kagyu Vajrayana Instructions, the Treasury of Knowledge, the Treasury of Precious Terma, and the Treasury of Vast Teachings. The most important of these collections for the Ri-me movement, the Treasury of Instructions, has eighteen volumes of teachings, which include all eight practice lineages. Not only did Kongtrul and Khyentse collect and preserve these teachings, but they practiced them and transmitted them to their students. Although Jamyang Khyentse was a great source of inspiration and encouragement, it was Jamgn Kongtrul who compiled the Five Great Treasuries, taught them many times, and got all of them published. The information in chapter 2 is drawn from Kongtrul's own autobiography, and from the account of Kongtrul's passing and funeral observances by his student Tashi Chphel. This chapter gives a clear overview of Kongtrul's most important relationships, writings, and activities. Chapter 3 covers the history of the teaching lineages of sutra and tantra in India and Tibet, and chapter 4 covers the history of the eight practice lineages and their introduction into Tibet from India. The sutra teachings focus on the Vinaya, Abhidharma, Pramana, Prajnaparamita, and Madhyamaka, the tantra teachings, as well as those of the eight practice lineages, cover a vast array of vajrayana scriptures and practices. Each of these lineages has its own authoritative texts, seminal founders, and representative masters, who continue to be revered in the Tibetan tradition. These chapters are presented in chronological order. One reason for giving these lineage histories is to show that the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha are the sole source of Tibetan Buddhism, and that the Tibetans also inherited the clarifications of the Buddha's teachings by great Indian masters whose knowledge and realization are undisputed. All the great charioteers who brought these teachings to Tibet were predicted by the Buddha, without question they were realized beings who had reached the level of the bodhisattva bhumis. A second reason for presenting the history is to make it clear that the Buddhist teachings brought to Tibet have not degenerated or been defiled or distorted in any...