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