A translation of the Root Text and a Commentary on the Uttara Tantra Sastra of Maitreya and Asanga

The Uttara Tantra is one of the main texts of the Mahayana path. It establishes that there is Buddha-nature in all sentient beings. It is the presence of this essence which makes it possible for all sentient beings, without a single exception, to eventually achieve enlightenment.

This essence, however, does not simply manifest in ordinary beings because it is covered up by the defilements. The Uttara Tantra goes into detail showing what this essence is and how it is covered up. It also discusses the qualities of a person when all the obscurations are removed so the Uttara Tantra is also a guide to Buddhahood.

Because the understanding of Buddha-nature is essential for the understanding of the Mahayana path, this text is studied in monastic colleges of all sects in Tibet. However, the root text written by the Maitreya Buddha was written in an extremely terse and subtle language so that the Uttara Tantra is almost always accompanied by a commentary by a lama.

This book provides a translation of the original 406 root verses of the Uttara Tantra as well as a commentary by Thrangu Rinpoche allowing this valuable text to be accessible to Western students. The book also includes an extensive Glossary and Glossary of Tibetan terms.

The Uttara Tantra: A Treatise on Buddha Nature, A Translation of the Root Text and a Commentary on The Uttra Tantra Sastra of Maitreya and Asanga, Thrangu Rinpoche, Tranlsated by Ken and Katia Holmes, Paperback, Sri Satguru Publications, 220 pages, $22.00

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master known for his deep compassion and the clarity of his teachings. He was selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to serve as the principal tutor to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Oryen Trinley Dorje.

Thrangu Rinpoche is a full holder and teacher of the Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. He founded the Namo Buddha retreat center in Nepal, has established two shedras (monastic universities) in Nepal and India, and serves as Abbot of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. He also built Tara Abbey, where nuns receive a full dharma education qualifying them to become khenpos or teachers. Thrangu Rinpoche teaches extensively throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. He has centers in Maine and California, and is building the Vajra Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado.

Foreword

1. An introduction to the Uttara Tantra
2. The Buddha
3. The Dharma
4. The Sangha
5. An introduction to Book II: The last four vajra points
6. Buddha nature : the ten aspects
7. Buddha nature II : the nine examples
8. Enlightenment
9. The qualities of Buddhahood
10. Buddha activity
11. The benefits of the text

Glossary

Appendix