Ken Holmes

Maitreyanātha

Rinpoche Thrangu

These works, transmitted from Arya Maitreya - the fifth and future Buddha of this fortunate age - to Arya Asanga some time in the third century, comprise one of the major foundations of Mahayana Buddhism, the unbroken transmission and practice of which continues today. The focus of this text is the Prajnaparamita teachings. There are two main ways of approaching the meaning of the Prajnaparamita, the direct and indirect approach, with both approaches revealing the meaning of emptiness. Many students these days are familiar with the direct approach to understanding emptiness as shown in texts such as those by Nagarjuna. However, the indirect approach is perhaps less familiar and is what Maitreya is focussing on in this text. The indirect approach to emptiness reveals the hidden meaning of the Prajnaparamita sutras by examining the five paths and spiritual levels. Through this approach one understands how emptiness is realized, how this wisdom is developed and what is removed by this wisdom. Maitreya received the full transmission and meaning of these teachings directly from the Buddha and is therefore able to convey the meaning clearly and directly for us. This was his main motivation for composing this particular work and also that by understanding the Prajnaparamita teachings beings would be able to accomplish Buddhahood.

Maitreya's The Ornament of Clear Realization

玄奘

瑜伽師地論

Āryavimuktiṣeṇa

Arya Vimuktisena

Maitreya's Abhisamayalamkara is the most widely studied book in Tibet, where it was brought from India many centuries ago. It is used in all the monasteries to teach the path to Buddhahood, in accordance with the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras. It teaches this in outline form, so it requires a commentary to be understood. The oldest extant commentary is Arya Vimuktisena's Vrtti. Haribhadra, the most influential Indian commentator, drew upon this to write his Aloka. Virtually all of the many famous Tibetan teachers who wrote their own commentaries on the Abhisamayalamkara relied on Haribhadra as their primary source. This is the third of four volumes.

Abhisamayalamkara With Vrtti and Aloka - Vol. 3

Haribhadra

Maitreya's Abhisamayalamkara is the most widely studied book in Tibet, where it was brought from India many centuries ago. It is used in all the monasteries to teach the path to Buddhahood, in accordance with the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras. It teaches this in outline form, so it requires a commentary to be understood. The oldest extant commentary is Arya Vimuktisena's Vrtti. Haribhadra, the most influential Indian commentator, drew upon this to write his Aloka. Virtually all of the many famous Tibetan teachers who wrote their own commentaries on the Abhisamayalamkara relied on Haribhadra as their primary source. This is the first of four volumes.

Maitreyanātha

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