DOI: 10.7256/2454-0757.2022.12.39458

Abstract: The article is devoted to the Tibetan-language work of the modern Tibetan master Geshe Tupten Pelsang "Compilation of Sutras for the synthesis of the path to Enlightenment with reference to the topics set forth in the Great Lamrim" (lam rim chen mo'i sa bcad kyi zur rgyan mdo btus lam sgrig). It is established that this is the first Roman (extra-sectarian) Lamrim based solely on excerpts from the Word of the Buddha (Kangyur) and does not use a set of Buddhist shastras ‒ Tengyur. There are various texts that bring together the instructions transmitted by Shakyamuni Buddha. It is determined that in this case such kind of genre as anthology (btus-pa) is considered. It is a thematic selection and bringing in a certain order of quotations of the Word of the Buddha, but at the same time expresses a certain opinion and creativity of the author himself. At the same time, it was revealed that the work is based on a structural presentation of the stages of the path to enlightenment according to the "Big Lamrim" of Je Tsongkhapa. It is determined that the author does not derive the justification of the correctness of the provisions of the lamrim (step-by-step path) from logical argumentation, but conducts it by fully quoting a canon that is appropriate in the meaning of a part of the text. The source editions for citation are the Kangyur editions of Nartang (snar-thang) and Derge (sde-dge).

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8744.2021.6.36985

Abstract: This article examines the system of education in the philosophical college of Drepung Loseling Monastic University (India), introduces into the scientific discourse a full list of subjects and titles of the texts with their identification by the collected works of Indian and Tibetan authors posted on the digital platform TBRC (Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center). The primary sources and commentarial literature are determined. The learning process begins with the preliminary study of logic and epistemology, proceeding with the five great treatises that are core of the curriculum. The article combines classical textual approach and contextual analysis, with consideration of the Buddhist commentarial tradition; as well as methods of analytical comparison, structural and content classification. The novelty of this research lies in introduction into the scientific discourse of the previously unexplored system of education and its study guides. It is established that the monastery relies on the study guides compiled by Panchen Sonam Drakpa, as well as other prominent Tibetan authors – Je Tsongkhapa, Gendun Drub and Sherab Sangpo. The main method for digesting the material is the debates. Although with immigration of the Tibetans to India and reestablishment of Loseling College the curriculum structure was preserved, there are also innovations due to adding several grades and classes on the grammar and history of the Gelug School.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-8744.2019.6.31801

Abstract: The subject of this research is the history of establishment of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics and the system of Buddhist education therein. The author provides a compendium of topics, as well as titles of the texts identifies by the collection of Tibetan texts published in the digital resource Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center. The fundamental sources and commentarial literature are determined. It reveals the prospects for profound study of the Gelug tradition common in the countries of Trans-Himalayan region. Mongolia, Russia (Buryatia, Kalmykia, Tyva). The author determines the specificity of extra-sectoral teaching of Buddhism and the peculiarity of tantric education in the context of philosophical curriculum. Methodology combines the classical textological approach and contextual analysis, taking into account the Buddhist commentarial tradition. For solving the set tasks, the author applies textological methods for precise description of the structure of education. The novelty of this research is defined by introducing into the scientific discourse of the previously unstudied system of education and textbooks essential for obtaining the Rime Geshe degree in Buddhism, which curriculum included not only Gelug texts, but also two other traditions of Tibetan Buddhism – Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya. This is the only institute offering the education of such type. This allows its graduates to act as interpreters of verbal teachings, as well as texts of all traditions of the Tibetan Buddhism. The research carries special value for developing a curriculum of Buddhist education in secular educational institutions.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-868X.2017.11.21329

Abstract: The article is devoted to the study of the Tibetan xylograph, the content of which belongs to the Lamrim category (gradual path), under the name «Myur-lam», authored by the Second Panchen Lama, Losang Yeshe. This article aims to give a source-study description of the text, its composition and analysis on the example of the identified structure. The work of Panchen Lama is one of the most important sources of Tibetan Buddhism, the tradition of which has spread in the past in the Trans-Himalayan region, Mongolia, Russia (Buryatia, Kalmykia, Tuva), and is now widely distributed around the world. Work is part of the so-called root texts of Tibetan Buddhism, which determine the philosophical and religious content of the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism. Especially significant, this text is for the Gelug school, traditional for Mongolia and Russia. When working with the source, a combination of the classical textological approach and contextual and hermeneutic analysis, taking into account the Buddhist commentary tradition, was used. Methods of comparative historical analysis, methods of specific description of texts, analytical comparison, and their structural and substantive classification were also used. A textual analysis of the introduction from the introductory quatrains, provides information about the teachers of the line of continuity of these instructions. This allows concluding that the author, through the guidance of teachers, significant for the tradition of Lamrim in general and in particular for this type of commentary on Lamrim, demonstrated the instructions contained in his text, the holders of which they were. The history of constituting the text is presented. Particular attention is paid to the description of the structural composition of the work. It is noted here that the author of the text compiled the themes for meditation on Lamrim into a special structure, allowing the fastest possible achievement of the goal of these meditations. This principle of constructing the material emphasizes the special, practical orientation of the text.

DOI: 10.7256/2409-868X.2016.5.20313

Abstract: The subject of this research is the figure of Panchen Lama II Lobsang Yeshe (1663-1737), the second of the highest hierarchs of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as his written heritage which is referred in its genre to the Buddhist texts – Gsung-'bum. This topic until present has not been a subject of examination in the Western and Russian Buddhology. This work sets a goal to fulfill such gap, as well as give characteristics to the figure and activity of Panchen Lama II based on the original Tibetan sources. The main stages of his biography along with the texts that belong to the tradition of Lamrim (“stages of the path”) are being described. The scientific novelty is defined by the subject of the research. The author makes an attempt to understand the role of Panchen Lama II in the strengthening of independence of the Buddhist civilization of Tibet and Tibetan statehood. For the first time the biography and overview of Panchen Lama’s heritage is being presented: the author describes the compilation of his works, analyzes its content, and determines the landmark compositions. All of this characterizes the author as a highly qualified multifaceted master of the Tibetan Buddhism.