In the first part, we discussed some of the main authors in the first to the fourth (1st – 4th) levels of the Shedra.
Upper Sutras (Levels 5 – 6)
(Why are these two levels called Upper Sutras? Read: Topics of the Shedra)
Level 5:
Lord Maitreya Buddha
Lord Maitreya’s two teachings, “Sublime Continuum on the Mahayana Vehicle” and “The Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras“, are taught here.
Lord Maitreya is the Buddha after Buddha Shakyamuni, the fifth Buddha amongst the 1000 Buddhas of this Fortunate Eon.
Asanga, the brother of Vasubhandu, had a vision of Maitreya after practicing Maitreya Buddha for 12 years. He was brought to Tushita Heaven. There, he recorded the teachings of Lord Maitreya and brought them back to the human world. These two teachings are two of the “Five Treatises of Maitreya” wrtten by Asanga.
Mipham Rinpoche and Khenpo Shenga wrote commentaries on these two main texts. Mipham Rinpoche’s texts are called “Lion’s Roar” and “Feast of Abrosia of the Great Vehicle“.
The Treatise of Valid Cognition of Dharmakirti is also continued here. Mipham Rinpoche also wrote a commentary on this – “Treasury of Illustrious Saying“.
Level 6:
Lord Maitreya
Maitreya’s third writing, “Ornament of Clear Realization“, is taught here.
This is clarified by two writings – “Elucidation on the Ornament of Clear Realization” by Patrul Rinpoche and “Clear Meaning” by Haribhadra.
Acharya Dharmakirti’s “Treatise on Valid Cognition”, about logic, is continued here. It is now the 3rd Chapter that is being discussed. Mipham Rinpoche‘s Illustrious Sayings – 3rd Chapter, is also discussed alongside.
Tantras (Levels 7 – 9)
Level 7:
Acharya Guna-prabha
Wrote the Verses on Vinaya Discipline
Acharya is an Indian Pandita, and the one of the two Supreme Ones. This writing clarified the Vinaya, the rules of discipline for monks and nuns.
Needless to say, this part can only be taught to individuals who have taken the Gelong vows, the highest monastic vow amongst the different sets of vows for humans.
Jikme Lingpa (1729 – 1798)
Wrote Treasury of Good Qualities.
Jikme Lingpa is the revealer of the Longchen Nyingtik body of teachings. He is a scholar, poet, meditator. He also wrote a nine-volume history of the Nyingma School, amongst many other works.
The Treasury of Good Qualities talks about the Dharma in general – Sutra and Tantra sections. It contains the Four Mind Turnings up to the Nyingma School’s 9th Vehicle.
Dilgo Khyentse once said, “To study this text alone is enough to understand the entire Buddhadharma”. It is only taught in the 7th level because it contains Tantra, not understandable in the basic levels.
Khenpo Nueden (19th to 20th Century)
Wrote the Esoteric Doctrine of Condensed Divine Thoughts.
It is a commentary on the Abhiprayasamaja Tantra.
Khenpo is a student of many recent 20th century masters, such as Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, Khenpo Ngaga, Khenpo Kunpal. He also wrote a beloved commentary on Mipham Rinpoche’s Gateway to Knowledge.
Acharya Dharmakirti‘s Treatise on Valid Cognition, last of the four chapters, is discussed here. It is accompanied by Mipham Rinpoche’s commentary on valid cognition, Illustrious Sayings.
Khenpo Shenga‘s commentary, Tree of White Lotus, on Treasury of Good Qualities, is discussed here.
Level 8:
Acharya Guna-prabha
Acharya’s Treatise on the Vinaya – lower section. This is now about the Gelongma vows, the highest monastic vows for women.
Rongzom Mahapandita (1012 – 1088)
Wrote the text, Establishing Appearance as Divinity.
He is said to be the last translator of the Ancient Translations Period. He translated many works on tantra, some of which are still found in the Kangyur. His other famous writing is the Jewel Commentary, a commentary on the Secret Essence (Guhyagharba) Tantra.
Guru Rinpoche
Wrote the Rosary of Instructions on the Views
Guru Rinpoche is the most excellent Vajrayana practitioner. Also known as the Second Buddha in Tibet. Built Tibet’s first Buddhist monastery, Samye.
Longchenpa (1308 – 1364)
Wrote the Treasury of Wish fulfilling Gems and its commentary, White Lotus
Longchenpa is one of the most brilliant master of the Nyingma school. At such an early part of history (14th Century), he wrote the Seven Treasuries, to systematize the Nyingma teachings. Longchenpa started as a scholar. Then, he followed the nomad camp of Rigzin Kumaraja for two years.
There he underwent two years of tremendous hardship with the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, as students of Rigzin Kumaraja. He received all the teachings of Dzogchen during this time. He also wrote a self-commentary on the Treasury of Wishfulling Gems, called White Lotus, that is also studied in level 8.
Dodrup Tenpai Nyima
Wrote Key To The Treasury. Introduces the Guhyagarbha Tantra.
Level 9:
Longchenpa
Wrote Relaxing in the Reality of Mind and The Trilogy of Self Liberation
Mipham Rinpoche
Wrote The Heart of Accomplishment
Jikme Lingpa
Wrote The Steps to Akanistha Heaven. On Development Stage of Meditation
Patrul Rinpoche
Wrote The Instructions on the Four Rivets of Meditation