Uttara Tantra a Treatise on Buddha Nature

Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications
Author: Thrangu Rinpoche
Language: English (A Translation of the Root Text and a Commentary on The Uttara Tantra Sastra of Maitreya and Asanga)
Edition: 2001
ISBN: 9788170306986
Pages: 220
Cover: Paperback
Dimensions: 22.5 cm x 14 cm
Weight: 260 gm

About the Book

The Uttara Tantra is one of the key texts in Mahayana Buddhism, establishing the concept that Buddha-nature exists within all sentient beings. This essence, which is the foundation for all beings’ potential to attain enlightenment, is often obscured by defilements, but the text provides insights into its nature and how it is concealed. The Uttara Tantra also outlines the qualities of a person once these obscurations are removed, providing a guide to Buddhahood.

Because understanding Buddha-nature is essential to the Mahayana path, this text is studied in monastic colleges across Tibet. However, the original root text, written by Maitreya Buddha, is written in a terse and subtle language, requiring the assistance of commentaries to fully grasp its meaning. This book provides an English translation of the 406 root verses of the Uttara Tantra and includes a detailed commentary by Thrangu Rinpoche, making this valuable text accessible to Western students.

Thrangu Rinpoche, known for his ability to explain complex Buddhist teachings in an understandable way, brings this profound text to Western audiences. With over 20 years of experience teaching in more than 25 countries, he provides clarity on the subtle language of the Uttara Tantra and its implications for practitioners on the path to enlightenment.

The book also features an extensive glossary of Tibetan terms, aiding readers in their understanding of the text and the Buddhist concepts it explores.

Foreword
The foreword outlines the evolution of Buddhist traditions over time, particularly the transition from the preservation of teachings in the early centuries to the development of the Mahayana tradition, which emphasized the bodhisattva path of compassion and the understanding of emptiness. The importance of Buddha-nature in Mahayana teachings is explored, as well as the pivotal role of the Uttara Tantra in understanding this concept. Written by Asanga with inspiration from the bodhisattva Maitreya, the Uttara Tantra emphasizes that all sentient beings possess the potential for Buddhahood through the presence of Buddha-nature.

The text is foundational in Tibetan Buddhist studies, where it is studied in great detail and memorized by students. Thrangu Rinpoche’s commentary on the text provides a practical guide for those who cannot access this monastic education in Tibet, offering Western students an opportunity to engage with the text in a meaningful way.