Though the abhidharma is recognized as one of the major topics of the Buddhist teachings, up until now there have been few translations of any of the great texts on it available in a Western language. This book contains a translation of one of the greatest presentations of abhidharma in any tradition, Vasubandhu's Verses on the Treasury of Abhidharma, along with the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje's clear and concise explanation of it, Youthful Play. Taken together, these two works give a thorough explanation of the abhidharma of the Foundation vehicle as taught in the northern Buddhist traditions that spread to Tibet as well as to China and other East Asian countries. Indeed, this text will be helpful for those studying the abhidharma of all traditions.

This book gives thorough explanations of all the fundamental concepts and terms found in the Buddhist teachings. Beginning from the aggregates, sense bases, and elements, it presents the nature of the phenomena we experience, describes the karma and afflictions that create suffering, and shows the factors of the path that leads to liberation. In this way, it is like an encyclopedia of Buddhism that thoroughly explains the the meaning of the many different technical terms found in the sutras, vinaya, and other Buddhist teachings if you are wondering what something you have read in a Buddhist text really means, there is a good chance it is explained in this book. It thus provides an invaluable aid to students who want to deepen their understanding not only of the abhidharma but of all the Buddhist teachings.

Hardcover, 663 Pages, 2012

Vasubandhu (fourth century ce) took ordination at Nalanda Monastery at a young age and studied the Foundation Vehicle teachings. He then went to Kashmir where he mastered the philosophies of many different Buddhist and non-Buddhist schools before returning to Magadha and studying the Great Vehicle from his elder brother Asanga. He had thousands of students and was one of the most prolific Buddhist authors in ancient India; many of his works are preserved in the Tibetan Tengyur.

 

The Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje (1556 - 1603) is best known as the author of Pointing Out the Dharmakaya and other texts on the practice of mahamudra, he also wrote several commentaries on philosophy that are noted for being clear and easy for new students, including this text as well as Feast for the Fortunate, a commentary on madhyamika philosophy. He spent most of his life traveling throughout Tibet in the Great Encampment, practicing meditation, teaching the Dharma, and helping sentient beings wherever he went.

 

David Karma Choephel studied Buddhist philosophy at the Varja Vidya Institute in Namo Buddha, Nepal, and Sarnath, India. He currently serves as Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoches main English-language translator, and also translates for the Gyalwang Karmapa and the Kagyu Monlam. His published translations include Ngondro for Our Current Day by the Gyalwang Karmapa and Heart of the Dharma by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, both published by KTD Publications, and Vivid Awareness: The Mind Instructions of Khenpo Gangshar by Thrangu Rinpoche, published by Shambhala Publications.

	Contents: Jewels from the Treasury: Vasubandhu's Verses on the Treasury of Abhidharma and the Commentary Youthful Play by the Ninth Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje
	Foreword Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche	vii
	Translators Introduction	ix
	A Note on the Translation of the Root Verses	xv
	Acknowledgments	xvii
	Verses on the Treasury of Abhidharma
	First Area: Teachings on the Elements	3
	Second Area: Teachings on the Faculties	11
	Third Area: Teachings on the World	21
	Fourth Area: Teachings on Karma	35
	Fifth Area: Teaching on the Kernels	53
	Sixth Area: Teachings on the Paths and Individuals	63
	Seventh Area: Teachings on Wisdom	75
	Eighth Area: Teachings on the Absorptions	83
	Youthful Play: An Explanation of the Treasury of Abhidharma
	First Area: Teachings on the Elements	93
	Second Area: Teachings on the Faculties	145
	Third Area: Teachings on the World	215
	Fourth Area: Teachings on Karma	293
	Fifth Area: Teachings on the Kernels	389
	Sixth Area: Teachings on the Paths and Individuals	433
	Seventh Area: Teachings on Wisdom	497
	Eighth Area: Teachings on the Absorptions	543
	Appendix A: English Equivalents of Tibetan Terms	587
	Appendix B: English Equivalents of Sanskrit Terms	595
	Notes	601
	Index	625