The Five Great Scriptures

Five Great Scriptures or texts are studied in the Monastery. They are
(1) Abhidharma Kosha by Basubandu,
(2) Parmanavartika by Dharmakriti,
(3) Abhisamaya Alamkara by Maitreya Buddha,
(4) Madhyamika by Chandrakridi,
(5) Vinaya (Root Sutra) by Buddha Shakyamuni and also commentaries by other Indian and Tibetan masters.

“Abhidharma Kosha ” has eight chapters. The first chapter explains about the elements; the Second chapter is about the faculties; the Third chapter is on the Universe and sentient beings dwelling in it; the Fourth chapter is on Karma; the Fifth is about afflictive emotions; the Sixth is on the Buddhist paths and persons engaging in those paths; the Seventh talks about Exalted Wisdom and Buddha’s qualities; the final Eighth chapter explains about the concentrations and so on. All these explanations are according to the Vaibashika system (one of the four main schools of Buddhist Philosophy).

“Parmanavartika” has four chapters. It explains mainly about mind and its functions, past and future lives, valid and invalid cognitions/persons, direct and inferential cognitions, the Four Noble Truths, love, compassion, the basis, the path and its results according to the Sautrantika (Sutra school) and Cittamatra (Mind only school), but mainly acccording to the Cittamatra School.

“Abhisamaya Alamkara” has eight chapters. It explains about Mind and its functions, valid and invalid cognitions, direct and inferential cognitions, the Four Noble Truths, love, compassion, Bodhicitta, the Six Perfections, Five paths, Ten Bhumis (grounds), qualities of the Buddhas and spiritual teachers etc. In brief it is about the Basis which is the ” two truths”, Path which is the “method and wisdom”, Result which is the “two kayas”, emphasizing more on the method side. This scripture explains mainly according to the Svatantrika Madhyamika (Autonomous Middle way school).

“Madhyamika” has ten chapters. It explains about love, compassion, Bodhicitta, Two and Four Truths, Five paths, Ten bhumis, Six perfections and the qualities of Bodhisattavas and Buddhas in great detail. Particularly about Emptiness, Interdependence as well as the wisdom realizing emptiness in every detail. In summary, it is about the Basis which is the “two truths”, Path which is the “method and wisdom” and Result which is the “two kayas”, emphasizing more on the wisdom side. This scripture explains mainly according to the Prasangika Madhyamik (Consequences Middle way School).

“Vinaya” explains about all the eight Pratimoksha vows, Yarne ( monk’s summer retreat) Gaye ( break after the retreat ) and Sojong ( restoring and purifying ceremony). All the things that ordained ones should avoid and things that one should practice.