Mipam On Buddha-nature: The Ground Of The Nyingma Tradition

Mipam on Buddha-Nature The Ground of the Nyingma Tradition D O U G L A S S. D U C K W O R T H MIPAM ON BUDDHA-NATURE M IPAM ON B UDDHA -N ATURE The Ground of the Nyingma Tradition Douglas S. Duckworth STATE UNIVERSIT Y OF NEW YORK PRESS Published by State University of New York Press, Albany © 2008 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, contact State University of New York Press, Albany, NY www.sunypress.edu Production by Ryan Morris Marketing by Michael Campochiaro Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Duckworth, Douglas S., 1971– Mipam on Buddha-nature : the ground of the Nyingma tradition / Douglas S. Duckworth. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7914-7521-8 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Mi-pham-rgya-mtsho, ’Jam-mgon ’Ju, 1846-1912. 2. Rñin-ma-pa (Sect)—Doctrines. 3. Madhyamika (Buddhism) 4. Buddhahood. I. Title. BQ972.I457D83 2008 294.3'420423—dc22 2007037662 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 C ONTENTS Preface ix Introduction Presence and Absence Historical Survey Monastic Education and the Nonsectarian Movement Life and Works of Mipam Summary of Contents The End of the Beginning xi xii xvii xx xxiii xxviii xxxii Chapter 1. Buddha-Nature and the Unity of the Two Truths Introduction Mipam’s Synthesis Two Truths Buddha-Nature as the Unity of Appearance and Emptiness Buddha-Nature as the Definitive Meaning Conclusion 1 1 4 6 13 20 26 Chapter 2. Middle Way of Prāsan˙gika and Yogācāra Introduction Svātantrika-Prāsan˙gika 27 27 28 v vi CONTENTS Dialectical Ascent Foundations of Yogācāra Prāsan˙gika versus Yogācāra Conclusion Chapter 3. The Present Absence Introduction Other-Emptiness in the Jonang Other-Emptiness and the Nyingma: Lochen Dharmaśrī Another Emptiness? Emptiness of Self/Other Phenomena and Suchness De/limiting Emptiness Emptiness as the Unity of Appearance and Emptiness Conclusion 39 45 51 53 55 55 57 66 71 73 81 85 91 Chapter 4. Buddha-Nature and the Ground of the Great Perfection Introduction Distinguishing the Views on Buddha-Nature Buddha-Nature as Heritage, Buddha-Nature as the Ground Appearance and Reality Conclusion 93 93 94 99 107 114 Chapter 5. The Indivisible Ground and Fruition Introduction Establishing Buddha-Nature: The Immanent Buddha Establishing Appearances as Divine Buddha-Nature and a Difference Between Sūtra and Mantra Conclusion 117 117 118 124 131 139 Conclusion 141 Contents Translations of Primary Texts Appendix 1. Lion’s Roar: Exposition of Buddha-Nature Stating Other Traditions Presenting Our Authentic Tradition The Meaning of the First Verse “Because the body of the perfect Buddha is radiant” The Meaning of the Second Verse “Because thusness is indivisible” The Meaning of the Third Verse “Because of possessing heritage” Refuting the View that [the Basic Element] Is Truly Established and Not Empty Refuting the View that [the Basic Element] Is a Void Emptiness Refuting the Apprehension of [the Basic Element] as Impermanent and Conditioned Appendix 2. Notes on the Essential Points of [Mipam’s] Exposition [of Buddha-Nature] vii 145 147 149 153 153 159