The Treasury of Knowledge Part VI: Book Six; Part 4
At the specific request of Choje Akong Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku dedicated nearly a decade to teaching Jamgön Kongtrül Lodro Thaye’s Treasury of Knowledge at Kagyu Samye Ling in Scotland.
In September 1998, Rinpoche gave his sixth collection of commentary teachings as part of the Autumn Study Course: continuing Book6 Part4’s discussion of Tantra/Varyayana; in parallel with Ken Holmes teaching on Asanga’s Uttara Tantra Sastra.
Rinpoche resumes his commentary on The Path of Vajrayana Methods/ How to Personally Practice Tantra, to facilitate complete liberation for oneself and others.
As such, Ringu Tulku’s teachings follow on from his 1997 talks which can be found here:
A helpful overview of this encyclopedic work can be found here:
https://www.shambhala.com/treasury-of-knowledge/
Rinpoche introduces Jamgon Kongtrul’s extraordinary encyclopedia in the first session, referencing The Three Trainings:
- Conduct/Ethics (Action);
- Meditation;
- Wisdom/understanding (View)
The wisdom of Jamgon Kongtrul’s Rime Non-Sectarian approach in providing the views and perspectives of many masters and approaches is explained.
The Tantric or Vajrayana Path in Buddhism is often referred to as the indestructible way of secret mantra, the essence of which is the indestructible union of:
- wisdom (understanding of emptiness) and
- skilful means/method (immutable great bliss).
The Vajrayana Path facilitates the removal of habitual tendencies through special skilful means, methods, and techniques more swiftly for people who are able to practice them.
At 31:00 Rinpoche begins to describe these skilful means through an Overview of 4 points:
- Initiations/Empowerments;
- Precepts/Samayas;
- Meditations;
- Putting Tantra into Practice.
An English translation of this text can be found here:
https://www.shambhala.com/treasury-of-knowledge-book-6-part-4.html
NB. Students following this text alongside Rinpoche, will find Ringu Tulku begin to discuss The Path, on page 201 in the 2005 Snow Lion Hardback English First Edition.
Christopher Banigan book cover art as per SnowLion/Shambhala. Photography & 1998 SL website design by Conrad Harvey.
During his September 1998 residency in Eskdalemuir, Ringu Tulku also gave a series of audience general discussion talks w/ Q&As, these will be posted separately.
