Rinpoche continued his teaching on Gyud Lama (Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra), the important treatise on Buddha Nature by Arya Maitreya and Asanga.

In these three sessions Rinpoche explained and commented on the 3rd Vajra point, Sangha.

The English translation Rinpoche used was from Buddha Nature. The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra.

Audio files are with French translation.

A SUMMARY 
by Maggy Jones

Part 1

The 7 Vajra Points. 1. Buddha. What is a Buddha? 1.1 The “historical Buddha”, Prince Siddartha c. 500 BCE who searched for the answer to unhappiness. He gave the teachings and students passed them on, creating the lineage. 1.2 There are Buddhas everywhere in all times and all dimensions. 1.3 People who have developed their wisdom and compassion to an ultimate point. 1.4  Possess the “understanding” the experience the realisation. You don’t “become” a Buddha – you just realise that you have been one all the time. You have the wisdom, the compassion, and the power to help. The qualities are summarised as accomplishments to help 1. Yourself and 2. Other beings.

Part 2

3.  Sangha There is the “Arya” (enlightened) Sangha with whom we take Refuge,  and “ordinary” Sangha – our fellow travellers. 

Arya Sangha View, meditation and action are the 3 trainings. Right View is most important. An intellectual understanding of interdependence must be replaced with experiential understanding. Look at your mind as that is where the experience starts. Everything you experience is “there” but “not there” – it has no solid existence; “know” this and you will be totally at peace because nothing can disturb you. You are now liberated except for a few minor obstacles. This is 1^st Bhumi and you will not slip back. “Wanting” to  have the positive means you have attachment and aversion and are still in samsara.   Q & A

Part 3

1. Why are there 3 Refuges? 2. What is the ultimate Refuge? 3. What does Kunchog really mean? 

The Refuges are the Buddha, his teachings and his disciples. Story of Shariputra and Maudgalyāyana . The teachings were the experiences of the Buddha. The Sangha are those who actually study, listen and practice the teachings. 

For the Pratyekabuddhas the dharma is the most important – they find their way without a teacher.  

The main focus of the Shravakayana is the Sangha; they take precepts and teachings from Sangha. 3 different roads, 3 Yanas. The Ultimate Refuge is the Buddha. The other 2 Refuges are important but incomplete on their own and subject to change. Buddha contains everything. Explanation of Kunchog. Q & A 

The 7 Vajra Points  1. Buddha 2. Dharma 3. Sangha 4. Buddha Nature 5. Enlightenment 6. Qualities of Buddhahood or “enlightened” qualities 7. Buddha or “enlightened” activity