The Tibetan expression phyogs/ris med (“impartial”) and its variations have come to describe a Tibetan Buddhist revival in 19th century Khams with E. Gene Smith’s translation as “nonsectarian.” In an effort to avoid both naïve idealism and naïve realism, this paper argues that so-called non-sectarianism in Tibet, as a ethical attitude and social response to the limitations inherent to the institutionalization of Buddhist traditions, draws its inspiration from a more fundamental and inner Buddhist value: impartiality. While this represents a core element of the teachings of the historical Buddha, it is not only descriptive of the state of the sage but also prescriptive for the aspirants to freedom and wisdom. In this way, such a prescription is actually deeply rooted in the exercises of contemplation, with major psychological and epistemological implications. This fact is illustrated here by showing how the terms phyogs/ris med play actually an important role in the phenomenological descriptions and injunctions of Tibetan contemplative lineages and literature, with special reference to the Great Perfection (rDzogs chen). If a distinctive feature of the general history of Buddhism has been the periodic revivals of the ideal of contemplative life and impartiality, in Tibet, the Great Perfection, emphasizing direct perception and instantaneous realization of an all-encompassing state, represented a major resource for the eclectic luminaries of 19th century Khams, empowering their vast activity of revitalization of Tibetan traditions.
目次
Introduction: Impartiality and the History of Buddhism The Terms phyogs/ris med in the History of Tibetan Buddhism 129 The Notion of Impartiality in East and West 130 The Founding Gesture of the Historical Buddha: Impartiality in the Aṭṭhakavagga 132 Features of the Historical Development of Buddhism: Ideals and Their Periodic Revivals 133 Phyogs/ris med as Tibetan Contemplative Terms and Ideals 135 I. The “Impartial” (ris med) Approach in Tibet 135 II. The Terms phyogs/ris med in Tibetan (Indic) Canonical Literature 138 III. Impartiality in the Soteriology of the Great Perfection: an Analysis of the Treasury of the Dharmadhātu 143 (a) Indeterminate/Infinite Space 144 (b) Timeless Presence 144 (c) Equanimity 145 (d) Ultimate Fortress 145 (e) Non-Duality 146 (f) Beyond Oppositions or Extremes 146 (g) Continuous Contemplation 147 (h) Shining Infinitely 147 (i) The Perspective of the Totality or the Unique Sphere (thig le nyag gcig) 148 (j) The Central Question of rDzogs chen Soteriology 148 Conclusion: The Inspirational Power of the Great Perfection 149 ABSTRACT 152 REFERENCES 152 Indian Sources (with Chinese and/or Tibetan Translations) 152 Tibetan Sources 153 Academic Studies 154
