The Tibetan system of Ati-Yoga/rDzogs Pa Chen Po has its origins in India and not in China.
This dissertation deals with the thesis put forth by both native Tibetan and Western scholars that the Ati-Yoga has its origins in China or is considerably influenced by Chinese Chan thought. The dissertation has three sections: History, Texts, and Doctrine. The methods used differ for each chapter; in Chapter I, there was used critical evaluation. In Chapter II, which mostly is translations, the texts were selected based on their bearing to the problem. In Chapter III, comparison and contrast was used.
In Chapter I, History, after some preliminary information to determine that Vairocana, who helped introduce the Ati-Yoga teachings into Tibet, was the most likely candidate for this study, there was presented a brief history of Tantra and an account of the early history of Ati-Yoga. Following this there was presented a resolution to some problems that came up in the early history as well as some problems in the hagiography of Vairocana. Finally, there is a translation of Vairocana's hagiography.
In Chapter II, Texts, after some preliminary information dealing with terminology, there are translations of: (1) A Selection from the Grub mTha rDzod by Klong Chen Pa, showing the structure of Ati-Yoga; (2) The Heart Sutra and Tantric Commentary showing the general relationship of Ati-Yoga with the Sutras; (3) The Root Tantra Without Birth Being the Great Sky Like Vajrasattva which shows the relationship of Ati-Yoga with the other levels of Tantra; and (4) The Precious Wheel of Disputation, which shows the relationship of Ati-Yoga with logic. The last three texts are either authored by or translated into Tibetan by Vairocana.
Chapter III, Doctrine, draws from the preceding information, and then compares it with Indian Tantric thought on a variety of topics. Further, it contrasts this information with the Chan school of Buddhism in the following subjects: the Alayavijnana, the Tathagatagarbha, no-thought, and sudden enlightenment.
Finally, the conclusion proves the thesis that the Ati-Yoga origins lie in India and not in China.
