INTRODUCTION TO THE MAJOR BUDDHIST TEXTS STUDIED IN LOSELING COLLEGE
The teachings of the Buddha, in general, and the teachings of the Perfection Vehicle (Paramitayana), in particular, are studied in this monastic college. The root texts of the five major Buddhist texts, their commentaries and commentary’s commentaries of the two famous refounders: Nagarjuna and Asanga, and other great Indian masters, which has been translated into Tibetan. These are studied in accordance with the monks’ mental dispositions. Basically the students need to study the Tibetan commentaries of Lama Tsongkhapa and his two main disciples. To enter the gateway and to find the treasure of these scriptural teachings, the students need to use the keys of Panchen Sonam Dakpa’s fourteen volumes of works.
The fourteen volumes are: General Explanation of the Tantrapitaka, Guidance Manual on the Generation and Completion Stages of Guhyasamaja, General Meaning of Prajnaparamita, Final Analysis of Prajnaparamita, General Meaning of Madhyamika, Final Analysis of Madhyamika, Final Analysis of Vinaya, General Meaning of Abhidharmakosha, Commentary on Asanga’s Compendium of Abhidharma (Abhidharmasamuccaya), Illuminating the Thought of Pramanavartikakarika, Religious History of Old and New Kadam Tradition, Vinaya History, New Red Annals, Root Text Commentary to Prajnaparamita and Elegant Teachings of Geden: Bouquet of White Lotus.
From these volumes the students of this monastic college study these works: General Meaning of Prajnaparamita, Final Analysis of Prajnaparamita, General Meaning of Madhyamika, Final Analysis of Madhyamika, Final Analysis of Vinaya, General Meaning of Abhidharmakosha and Illuminating the Thought of Pramanavartikakarika. General Meaning of Prajnaparamita clearly explains all the difficult points in Gyaltsab Je’s commentary on Abhisamayalamkara entitled Ornament of Essential Explanation. It clearly explains Abhisamayalamkara in conjunction with the sutras. The textual meaning of each context is explained based on the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa and his two main disciples, Abhidharmakosha, Abhidharmasamuccaya, Clear Meaning etc. In short, it elucidates the hidden meanings of the stages of clear realizations. Final Analysis of Prajnaparamita clarifies the hidden meaning of the stages of clear realization through logical approach by refuting other’s assertions, establishing one’s own assertions and dispelling objections with respect to one’s own assertions.
General Meaning of Madhyamika clearly explains the difficult points in Lama Tsongkhapa’s Illuminating the Thought of Madhyamika. The general meaning of the stages of the path of the profound Middle Way philosophy is elucidated with scriptural citations and logical reasoning. Final Analysis of Madhyamika has less scriptural citations and it elucidates the meaning of the Middle Way philosophy through a logical approach by refuting other’s assertions, establishing one’s own assertions and dispelling objections with respect to one’s own assertions.
Illuminating the Thought of Pramanavartikakarika clearly unties all the meshes of difficult points found in Gyaltsab Je’s Clarifying the Path to Liberation. Thus it became like an eye for future disciples. It contains more detail and marks clearer lines between philosophical ideas, without redundancy, and important points are clearly highlighted. Thus, it helps to build a clear and healthy understanding of the Pramanavartikakarika text.
Final Analysis of Vinaya elucidates the thought of Omniscient Gedun Drupa based on his commentary of Vinaya entitled Precious Garland and it also clarifies the difficult points found in Kunkhen Tsonawa’s commentary on Vinaya.
General Meaning of Abhidharmakosha also elucidates the thought of Omniscient Gedun Drupa based on his commentary of Abhidharmakosha entitled Clarifying the Path to Liberation. It is easy to understand and has extensive scriptural citations and logical reasoning as well.
Root Text Commentary of Prajnaparamita is a word for word commentary on Abhisamayalamkara, which is clear and easy to understand.
The fourteen volumes are: General Explanation of the Tantrapitaka, Guidance Manual on the Generation and Completion Stages of Guhyasamaja, General Meaning of Prajnaparamita, Final Analysis of Prajnaparamita, General Meaning of Madhyamika, Final Analysis of Madhyamika, Final Analysis of Vinaya, General Meaning of Abhidharmakosha, Commentary on Asanga’s Compendium of Abhidharma (Abhidharmasamuccaya), Illuminating the Thought of Pramanavartikakarika, Religious History of Old and New Kadam Tradition, Vinaya History, New Red Annals, Root Text Commentary to Prajnaparamita and Elegant Teachings of Geden: Bouquet of White Lotus.
From these volumes the students of this monastic college study these works: General Meaning of Prajnaparamita, Final Analysis of Prajnaparamita, General Meaning of Madhyamika, Final Analysis of Madhyamika, Final Analysis of Vinaya, General Meaning of Abhidharmakosha and Illuminating the Thought of Pramanavartikakarika. General Meaning of Prajnaparamita clearly explains all the difficult points in Gyaltsab Je’s commentary on Abhisamayalamkara entitled Ornament of Essential Explanation. It clearly explains Abhisamayalamkara in conjunction with the sutras. The textual meaning of each context is explained based on the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa and his two main disciples, Abhidharmakosha, Abhidharmasamuccaya, Clear Meaning etc. In short, it elucidates the hidden meanings of the stages of clear realizations. Final Analysis of Prajnaparamita clarifies the hidden meaning of the stages of clear realization through logical approach by refuting other’s assertions, establishing one’s own assertions and dispelling objections with respect to one’s own assertions.
General Meaning of Madhyamika clearly explains the difficult points in Lama Tsongkhapa’s Illuminating the Thought of Madhyamika. The general meaning of the stages of the path of the profound Middle Way philosophy is elucidated with scriptural citations and logical reasoning. Final Analysis of Madhyamika has less scriptural citations and it elucidates the meaning of the Middle Way philosophy through a logical approach by refuting other’s assertions, establishing one’s own assertions and dispelling objections with respect to one’s own assertions.
Illuminating the Thought of Pramanavartikakarika clearly unties all the meshes of difficult points found in Gyaltsab Je’s Clarifying the Path to Liberation. Thus it became like an eye for future disciples. It contains more detail and marks clearer lines between philosophical ideas, without redundancy, and important points are clearly highlighted. Thus, it helps to build a clear and healthy understanding of the Pramanavartikakarika text.
Final Analysis of Vinaya elucidates the thought of Omniscient Gedun Drupa based on his commentary of Vinaya entitled Precious Garland and it also clarifies the difficult points found in Kunkhen Tsonawa’s commentary on Vinaya.
General Meaning of Abhidharmakosha also elucidates the thought of Omniscient Gedun Drupa based on his commentary of Abhidharmakosha entitled Clarifying the Path to Liberation. It is easy to understand and has extensive scriptural citations and logical reasoning as well.
Root Text Commentary of Prajnaparamita is a word for word commentary on Abhisamayalamkara, which is clear and easy to understand.
