Chapter - 08 Bon Po Religion - Jain Library

Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth - II
ways represent the Causal Vehicles (rgyu'i theg-pa), while those which follow are
known as the Fruitional Vehicles.
e. The Vehicle of the Primordial Bon of Pure Conduct and Ritual Activity (bya-ba
gtsangspyod ye bon gyi theg-pa): Focusing on ritual activity (bya-ba, Skt. kriya) and
purity of conduct, this vehicle corresponds to the Kriyatantrayana in the Nyingmapa
system. In terms of method, the Wisdom Being (ye-shes-pa) is invoked into one's
range of vision and treated as a great lord being petitioned by a humble servent, and
thereby the practitioner receives the knowledge (ye-shes) and the blessings (byinrlabs)
of the deity.
f. The Vehicle of the Clairvoyant Knowledge that possesses all of the aspects (rnam-par
kun-Idan mngon-shes kyi theg-pa): The focus is equally on external ritual action
and internal yoga practice. This vehicle corresponds to the Charyatantrayana in the
Nyingmapa system. Together with the practice of the ten Paramitas and the four
Recollections, the presence of the Wisdom being is invoked, but this time the deity
is regarded as an intimate friend rather than as a superior lord. These two vehicles
represent the Outer or Lower Tantras (phyi rgyud), while the vehicles that follow
represent the Inner or Higher Tantras (nang rgyud).
g. The Vehicle of Visibly Manifestating Compassion in terms of the Actual Generation
Process (dngos bskyed thugs-rje rol-pa'i theg-pa): This vehicle corresponds to the
Yoga Tantra and to a certain extent to the Mahayoga Tantra and the Anuttara Tantra
in the Buddhist system of classification for both the Nyingmapas and the Newer
Schools. Establishing oneself in the higher view of the Ultimate Truth and remaining
in the original condition of the Natural State, one engages in the Generation Process
(bskyed-rim) and transforms oneself into the meditation deity, thereby realizing the
qualities attributed to that manifestation of enlightened awareness.
h. The Vehicle wherein Everything is Completely Perfect and Exceedingly Meaningful (shin
tu don-Idan kun rdzogs kyi theg-pa): Becoming established in the Ultimate Truth and
the original condition of the Natural State as was the case above, here one places the
emphasis on the Perfection Process (rdzogs-rim) rather than the Generation Process
(bskyed-rim), so that Space and Awareness are realized to be inseparable (dbyings
rig dbyer-med). And particularly in terms of the meditation deity, the practitioner
comes to realize the gnosis or pristine awareness of the inseparability of bliss and
emptiness (bde stong ye-shes). This vehicle corresponds to the Mahayoga Tantra and
especially the Anuyoga Tantra classifications of the Nyingmapas.
i. The Unsurpassed Vehicle of the Highest Peak of the Primordial Great Perfection (ye
nas rdzogs-chen yang-rtse bla-med kyi theg-pa): This vehicle comprises the Dzogchen
teachings in terms of the Mind Series (sems-sde) which emphasize the awareness side
of the Natural State and the Space Series (klong-sde) which emphasize the emptiness
side, as well as the Secret Instruction Series (man-ngag sde) which emphasize their
inseparability.
On the Central Treasures, see John Myrdhin Reynolds, Yungdrung Bon: The Eternal
The Bon Po Traditions of Dzogchen
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