The Mahayanottaratantra Shastra also known as ‘Gyu Lama’ is ‘Treatise on the Sublime Continium’.

A commentary on Buddha Nature using Seven Vajra Points

1.Buddha
2.Dharma
3.Sangha
4.Buddha Nature
5.Enlightenment
6.Enlightened Qualities of Buddhahood
7.Enlightened Activity of Buddhas

A SUMMARY
by Maggy Jones

Part 1

I shall be teaching on the Mahayana Uttaratantra Shasta (Sanskrit) or Gyud Lama (Tibetan) and also on Chenrezig. Gyud Lama is one of the most important texts and is considered to be the link between the sutras and tantras. It is the last text one would study in the shedra and is studied for 1 year. The 5 wrong ways of receiving teachings. Explanation of the title. Buddha taught different teachings according to the students. Explanation of the 3 wheels of Dharma. Buddha Nature, luminosity arises out of shunyata. The three forms of teachings by the Buddha. Q & A

Part 2

This text is part of the Five Texts of Maitreya. C. 3rd CE. A devout lady in Peshawar to fulfil her commitment to dharma had 2 sons, Asanga and Vasubhandu. Asanga vowed to go on pilgrimage until he saw Maitreya. After many strange encounters Maitreya finally appeared. Asanga is the chief exponent of Buddha Nature. Explanation of various Indian masters, lineages and the transmission to Tibet. This text links sutra with tantra. But the significance of the Translator’s homage links this text to the sutras.

The seven Vajra Points. 1. Buddha; 2. Dharma; 3. Sangha; (in 2 parts, 1st Cause and 2nd Result + explanations). 4. Buddha Nature; 5. Enlightenment; 6. Qualities of Buddha Nature; 7. Buddha Activity. Rinpoche explains these. All beings have the potential to be Buddha, the text explains how. Q & A

Part 3

Vajra Point 1: The Buddha. There are many Buddhas. Buddha Nature is very difficult to explain. In its nature it is uncreated. It was, is, and always will be there. You can understand it, but it is beyond concept. It cannot be given or obtained from outside. To become a Buddha you have to realise it for yourself. A Buddha 1st understands the nature of all things and 2nd understands the causes of everything 3rd has unconditional, limitless, love. A Buddha has the ability to show the path to other beings and help them towards enlightenment. Q & A

Part 4

Vajra Point 2: Dharma. In this context Dharma means something that prevents you from wrong-doing and is true, and beneficial. There are two aspects: the teachings – the dharma of statement; and your own practice – the dharma of realisation.

The dharma of statement includes the teachings of the Buddha and the commentaries. The dharma of realisation, according to Asanga, is the “real dharma”; the cessation of suffering and the path. The final reality is beyond the four extremes. It is called 1. Inconceivable 2. Beyond Examination; 3. Non-conceptual or non-dual. Our concepts lie within the four extremes; we must go beyond concepts. Further explanations of these three and the dualistic view. The mind poisons cease when we abandon our concepts and then “perfect peace”.

The third aspect is purity, clarity, and remedial power. The Dharma is 1. Inconceivable; 2. Non-dual; 3. Concept-free; and it has: 4. Purity; 5. Clarity, 6. Remedial power. By following this path obscurations clear and one realises the cessation. Q & A

Part 5

Vajra Point 3: The Sangha “Sangha” has two aspects: cause and fruition. “Refuge” is “cause”. The Sangha is the companions with whom we practise. Our concepts of Dharma have come through the lineage of Buddha’s students. We take Refuge with the Sangha because they are our contact with the Buddha.

The Sangha here are the ultimate Sangha, the “refuge of resolution”. It has 2 qualities; knowledge and realisation. The Buddha’s attainment was complete, for others it is a gradual process. Buddha is included in Sangha

The quality of knowledge has three aspects: knowing the true nature i.e. the Two Truths; seeing the ultimate reality; and the perfection of inner wisdom. The third emphasises Buddha Nature. This classifies the teaching as “Mahayana” or “Bodhisattvayana”.

The quality of liberation also has 3 aspects – freedom from kleshas, dualistic perception; and inferior use. Explanation of the yanas and their understandings of the first three Vajra Points. Only the Buddha is the Ultimate Refuge. Q & A

Part 6

Vajra Point 3 (Cont.). The 3 Jewels have 6 qualities: 1. Very rare 2. Very precious (?) 3. Always Powerful 4. Ornaments of the world 5. Best possible thing in the world 6. Changeless by nature. Explanation of these. Vajra Points 4 – 7 are the means to achieve them.

Vajra Point 4. Buddha Nature, The qualities of a Buddha are made manifest to us. If we were not aware of these we would not strive for Nirvana. Innate in us is a quest for freedom, which leads us to search for true liberation. 10 different ways of achieving Buddha Nature. Rinpoche lists these and explains. We need to reject ego clinging and cultivate devotion to recognise Buddha Nature. As long as we retain fear of samsara we will not realise our true nature.

Vajra Point 5 ?

Vajra Point 6. Qualities of Buddha Nature: Two examples, 1st The Ocean 2nd A Map. Many names for the essence of Buddha Nature. Every being has Buddha Nature – the quality of a Buddha but they are not seen because of misconceptions. Reasons why we do not perceive our Buddha Nature. Mahayana view of the 3 turnings of the wheel of Dharma. 3 Reasons why all beings have Buddha Nature. This cannot be “attained” but must be “realised” from within. Q & A

Part 7

We have gone through the first three Vajra Points and now we come to Vajra Point 4, Buddha Nature or Buddha potential. This is presented here in 10 different ways (Explanation of these 10). 1. It has the purity of a jewel, of space, and of water. These can be temporarily defiled but their intrinsically pure nature stays – like our Buddha Nature. The Buddha nature is also powerful. 2. The 4 reasons we don’t recognise it – ego-clinging is the all-pervasive cause. As long as we fear samsara we will never be free; we break this with meditation, samadhi. Those who realise Buddha Nature live neither in samsara or nirvana. Q & A

Part 8

Vajra Point 4, Buddha Nature or Buddha potential. Two important stanzas; 1. the basic teaching Explanation.. This verse states the whole view of Mahayana Buddhism. The 2nd stanza presents the philosophy of Shentong philosophy, empty of others; Rangtong philosophy is empty of self. Further explanation of Shentong and Rangtong.

The purpose of teaching Buddha Nature. Some misunderstanding from the turning of the Wheel. Buddha’s 5 reasonings – to emphasise the need for view of shunyata, compassion and good conduct; to emphasise that anyone can achiever enlightenment; a clear explanation of the whole; to dispel the cherishing of self.

End of the teaching on Uttaratantra Shastra, Buddha Nature. Q & A