The Changeless Nature

164 The Changeless Nature2. Ultimate Treatise: 'Ultimate' here means both later and deeper:— among all the explanatory texts of the mahayana, this is the ultimate becauseit shows the changeless continuity of the true nature throughout the stages ofground, path and fruition. It is therefore deeper then other texts which donot show this.— among the five teachings of Maitreya/Asanga, this is the fifth and thedeepest, pertaining to the 'absolute meaning'.— the Buddha's teachings to which this treatise relates are those of the thirdturning of the wheel of dharma, i. e. the deeper and later teachings concerningthe presence of the buddha essence in all beings.3. The changeless continuity: (Tib: rGyud Skt: tantra) means not onlycontinuity, but also changelessness. A river could be continuous but itsvolume, breadth and colour might change. The continuity of the true natureis a changeless continuity. This is because its intrinsic purity remains the samethroughout the stages of 'ground', 'path' and 'fruition'. 'The ground' is thebuddha-essence present in all beings but masked by incidental impurities.During 'the path' these are gradually removed and the natural purity of thebuddha-essence becomes progressively manifest. 'Fruition' is buddhahood,when the true nature is perfectly manifest after the total removal of impurities(see Chapter I, Point 9 - Inalterability). 'Tantra' in this context isnot a direct reference to the tantric teachings of the vajrayana since this textforms part of the sutrayana.(we are indebted to the Ven. Trangu Rinpoche for the explanations given innotes 2 and 3, as well as for his help in formulating the short English title ofthis book. )4. Vajra Point: 'Vajra' since the subject-matter of the book is like a vajra, beinginpenetrable (by ordinary knowledge); 'Points' because these point out(elucidate) the path and serve as points of support for the subject-matter.5. Buddha-Nature: the Tibetan word KHams, which could be rendered literallyas 'basic element' (of buddhahood), is a synonym for essence or nature.6. The Wise: this word has the meaning of bodhisattva throughout this text.The term 'bodhisattva' is applied in two ways: in the wider sense, it refers toanyone who has adopted the mentality of enlightenment (bodhicitta) i. e.taken the resolution to reach buddhahood for the sake of all beings. In amore specific sense, it refers to the 'great bodhisattvas* (mahabodhisattvas)— those who have a direct and definite understanding of voidness. Suchbodhisattvas are said to have reached the 'deep levels'. The latter sense is thatmost frequently intended in this work. Another term used for thesemahabodhisattvas is 'the deeply-realised' (Tib. 'Phags Pa), literally 'those whohave gone higher' (than the ordinary level of existence).7. The Victorious: one of the names given to the buddhas. Other names usedin this book are:The Great Victor: the one who has completely defeated the enemy — thenegative affects.The Tathagata: the one gone to 'thatness'; the 'thus gone'.The Sugata: the one gone to bliss.