Difference between revisions of "Five Perfections"

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*The perfect '''teaching''' ([[chos phun sum tshogs pa]])
 
*The perfect '''teaching''' ([[chos phun sum tshogs pa]])
 
*The perfect '''time''' ([[dus phun sum tshogs pa]])
 
*The perfect '''time''' ([[dus phun sum tshogs pa]])
 
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*These five attributes characterize the sambhogakaya realms. [[RY]]
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*Though these five attributes most often characterize the [[Sambhogakaya]] realms, they are also used at auspicious events to eulogize and uplift people's spirit. See also [[Five Certainties]] ([[nges pa lnga]]). [[RY]]
 
 
 
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The five perfections are a common principle in both the [[Sutra]] and [[Tantra]] teachings. Though they are presented in a variety of contexts, they are most commonly used to demonstrate the various elements present when Buddhist teachings are being transmitted. To give one example, in the following passage [[Longchenpa]] explains how the five perfections relate to the teachings given by [[Dharmakaya]] buddhas. He writes:
 
The five perfections are a common principle in both the [[Sutra]] and [[Tantra]] teachings. Though they are presented in a variety of contexts, they are most commonly used to demonstrate the various elements present when Buddhist teachings are being transmitted. To give one example, in the following passage [[Longchenpa]] explains how the five perfections relate to the teachings given by [[Dharmakaya]] buddhas. He writes:
  
"The dharmakāya teachers as well, all those who dwell in the realization of the combined three kāyas, which are beyond meeting and parting, also experience the perfect enjoyment of the five perfections. The perfect place is the completely pure basic space of reality, which is infinite and uninvolved with any conceptual reference points. In this basic space, the perfect teacher, [[Samantabhadra]], spontaneously enacts the entire range natural activities. His perfect retinue consists of the perfect enjoyment of the apparent aspect of the [[kāya]]s and [[wisdom]]s, which are none other than Samantabhadra himself, as well as the infinite number of [[vajra holder]]s that spontaneously appear from his expressive potential. To this retinue, he teaches the perfect teaching—the vajra nature of reality itself. Said differently, the perfect teaching is the great realization of innate luminosity, which has not been conditioned by anyone whatsoever. The perfect time is the pure witnessing of reality itself. Hence, this teaching transcends words and letters, arising naturally of its own accord."
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"The dharmakāya teachers as well, all those who dwell in the realization of the combined three kāyas, which are beyond meeting and parting, also experience the perfect enjoyment of the five perfections. The perfect place is the completely pure basic space of reality, which is infinite and uninvolved with any conceptual reference points. In this basic space, the perfect teacher, [[Samantabhadra]], spontaneously enacts the entire range of natural activities. His perfect retinue consists of the perfect enjoyment of the apparent aspect of the [[kaya]]s and [[wisdom]]s, which are none other than [[Samantabhadra]] himself, as well as the infinite number of [[Vajra-holder]]s which spontaneously appear from this expressive potential. To this retinue, he teaches the perfect teaching — the vajra nature of reality itself. Said differently, the perfect teaching is the great realization of innate luminosity, which has not been conditioned by anyone whatsoever. The perfect time is the pure witnessing of reality itself. Hence, this teaching transcends words and letters, arising naturally of its own accord."
  
-Translated from ''[[zab don rgya mtsho' sprin]]'', p. 39 [[CJD]]
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-Translated from ''[[zab don]] [[rgya mtsho]] [[sprin]]'', p. 39 [[CJD]]

Latest revision as of 18:21, 20 October 2009

The Five Perfections (phun sum tshogs pa lnga).




The five perfections are a common principle in both the Sutra and Tantra teachings. Though they are presented in a variety of contexts, they are most commonly used to demonstrate the various elements present when Buddhist teachings are being transmitted. To give one example, in the following passage Longchenpa explains how the five perfections relate to the teachings given by Dharmakaya buddhas. He writes:

"The dharmakāya teachers as well, all those who dwell in the realization of the combined three kāyas, which are beyond meeting and parting, also experience the perfect enjoyment of the five perfections. The perfect place is the completely pure basic space of reality, which is infinite and uninvolved with any conceptual reference points. In this basic space, the perfect teacher, Samantabhadra, spontaneously enacts the entire range of natural activities. His perfect retinue consists of the perfect enjoyment of the apparent aspect of the kayas and wisdoms, which are none other than Samantabhadra himself, as well as the infinite number of Vajra-holders which spontaneously appear from this expressive potential. To this retinue, he teaches the perfect teaching — the vajra nature of reality itself. Said differently, the perfect teaching is the great realization of innate luminosity, which has not been conditioned by anyone whatsoever. The perfect time is the pure witnessing of reality itself. Hence, this teaching transcends words and letters, arising naturally of its own accord."

-Translated from zab don rgya mtsho sprin, p. 39 CJD