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The 9 ways of Bön according the Bön Buddha Tönpa Shenrab

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:01 am
by kalden yungdrung
Hello dear readers, :)

We have in Bön 3 versions about the 9 successive stages like taught by the Bön Buddha Tönpa Shenrab Miwoche. It is total different from the 9 ways used in the Nyingma system but both uses the number 9 in their system.

When we would see similarities with Nyingma and Bön regarding their system we could easily say that both traditions are based on:

- Sutra
- Tantra
- Dzogchen

Last mentioned Dzogchen is unique in this world and indeed the highest goal one can achieve.
Further a great and very rare happening that one can come in touch with these teachings.

- In Bön we know that Buddha Tönpa Shenrab did spread these dzogchen teachings.
- In Nyingma we know Garab Dorje or Prahevajra who did spread from Uddhiyana dzogchen

We have in Bön 3 dzogchen lineages:

- Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud
- A Khrid say A Tri
- Dzogchen

Sometimes is added the Dzogchen cyccle of teachings, the Yetri Thasel which was taught by Drenpa Namkha who would be the father of Guru Rinpoche. :o

But others mention a Drenpa Namkha as one of the 25 disciples of Guru rinpoche....
I guess there are different Drenpa Namkhas if we take in concideration the life span of Guru Rinpoche.
Will discuss this topic in the Nyingma forum one time :D

Best wishes with our practice
Kalden Yungdrung





Tönpa Shenrab taught his doctrines in 2 systems:

The first classification is called Thegpa Rimgu`i Bön (Theg-pa rim-dgu`i bon), the “Bön of 9 Successive Stages” or, as it is more commonly known, the “9 Ways of Bon,” of which there are 3 versions:

a) the Lhoter (lho-gter) or “Southern Treasure,”
b) the Jangter (byang-gter) or “Northern Treasure”
c) the Uter (dBu-gter) or “Central Treasure”.


The second classification is called Gozhi dzonga (sGo-bzhi mdzod-lnga),
“The Four Portals and the Treasury, the Fifth”:

According to the system of the lho-gter (Southern Treasure) the 9 Ways are:

1. Chashen thegpa (Phywa-gshen theg-pa), the Way of the Shen of Prediction, describes four different ways of prediction, by divination (mo), astrology (rtsis), ritual (gto) and examination of causes (dphyad).
2. Nangshen thegpa (sNang-gshen theg-pa), the Way of the Shen of Visible Manifestation, expounds the origin and nature of gods and demons living in this world and various methods of exorcism and ransom.
3. Trulshen thegpa (`Phrul-gshen theg-pa), the Way of the Shen of Magical Power, explains rites for disposing of adverse powers.
4. Sidshen thegpa (Srid-gshen theg-pa), the Way of the Shen of Existence, deals with the after-death state (bar-do) and with methods for guiding sentient beings towards liberation or at least towards a better rebirth.
5. Genyen thegpa (dGe-snyen theg-pa), the Way of Virtuous Lay Practitioners, guides those who apply the 10 virtues and 10 perfections.
6. Drangsong thegpa (Drang-srong theg-pa), the Way of the Sages, contains the rules of monastic discipline.
7. A-kar thegpa (A-dkar theg-pa), the Way of the White A, explains the practices and rituals of the higher Tantras.
8. Yeshen thegpa (Ye-gshen theg-pa), the Way of the Primordial Shen, stresses the need for a suitable teacher, place and occasion for Tantric practices, explains the mandala in greater detail as well as instructions for deity meditation.
9. Lamed thegpa (bLa-med theg-pa), the Unsurpassed Way, is concerned with the highest attainment through the path of Great Perfection (i.e., rDzogs-chen).


The second classification is called Gozhi dzonga (sGo-bzhi mdzod-lnga),
“The Four Portals and the Treasury, the Fifth”:

1. Chab-kar (Chab-dkar), the “White Waters”, contains spells and higher esoteric Tantric practices.
2. Chab-nag (Chab-nag), the “Black Waters”, consists of various rituals (healing, purificatory, magical, prognosticatory, divinatory, funerary, and ransom rituals).
3. Phenyul (“Phan-yul), the “Land of Phen”, explains rules for monks and nuns and laypeople and expounds philosophical doctrines.
4. Ponse (dPon-gsas), the “Masters Guide”, instructs on psycho-spiritual exercises and meditation practices of Great Perfection (rDzogs-chen).
5. Thothog (mTho-thog), the “Treasury”, subsumes the essential aspects of all 4 portals.


Best wishes for our practice
Kalden Yungdrung

Re: The 9 ways of Bön according the Bön Buddha Tönpa Shenrab

Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 9:58 pm
by Blanko
Hello Kalden,

i have this question:
"Buddha Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche Tönpa Shenrab taught his doctrines in 2 systems"
How r these systems thought?

Is it possible to learn by retreats?
Does there excist books where the systems explained further?

Or is it only to learn by becoming geshe?

Bvd

Greetings Blanko

Re: The 9 ways of Bön according the Bön Buddha Tönpa Shenrab

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 4:16 pm
by kalden yungdrung
Blanko wrote:Hello Kalden,


I
s it possible to learn by retreats?
Does there excist books where the systems explained further?

Or is it only to learn by becoming geshe?

Tashi delek Bönkyab,

Sorry for my very late reply, but you would certainly know why this reply would be so late ..... :(

We can see Bön as:

Sutra
Tantra
Dzogchen.

If you are a starter you should practice and study first Sutra.
Then Tantra maybe and continue with Dzogchen, the crown on the 9 ways of Bön.

Further you realy have to practice the Ngöndro or preliminaries.
One never can built a castle on sand.

So a good foundation of concrete and steel that is for you , i guess a good case.

To become a Geshe that is for the most of westerns not possible.
But as a layman etc. one can sure become enlightened.

Mutsug Marro
KY

Re: The 9 ways of Bön according the Bön Buddha Tönpa Shenrab

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 8:31 pm
by kalden yungdrung
IN ADDITION:


Tashi delek

The best known system derives from the 'Southern Treasures' (Lho Gter), the gterma of a group of gter-stons, among whom Gshen-chen Kludga'
is the first and most prominent.

See also:
viewtopic.php?f=78&t=29068

======================

By Dan Martin:

A second set of Vehicles is associated with the Northern Treasures (Byang Gter), including the gter-ma of the 3 Nepalese Acharyas, among others.

According to it, the Vehicles are:

1. Snang-ldan.
2. Rang-ldan.
3. Bzhedldan.
4. Tho-tho.
5. Ya-tho.
6. Spyi-tho.
7. Lha-rtse.
8. Snang-rtse.
9. Yang-rtse.

Unlike the Southern and Central Treasures, these are divided up between:

- Outer (1-3),
- Inner (4-6)
- Secret (7-9) categories.

The third set of Vehicles is connected with the 'Central Treasures' (Dbus Gter), meaning mainly, although not exclusively, the Yer-rdzongma excavations. These are as listed with a brief, inadequate indication of their meaning added in parentheses:

1. Lha mi gzhan brten-gyi theg-pa (this-worldly).
2. Rang rtogs gshen-rab-pa-yi theg-pa (self-realization).
3. Thugs-rje-sems-dpa 'i theg-pa (compassionate being).
4. G.yung-drung-sems-dpa' spros med theg-pa (everlasting being).
5. Bya-ba gtsang spyod ye bon theg-pa (pure ritual practices).
6. Rnam-pa kun-ldan mngon-shes theg-pa (clairvoyance).
7. Dngos bskyed thugs-rje rol-pa 'i theg-pa (generation stage).
8. Shin-tu don-Jdan kun rdzogs theg-pa (completion stage).
9. Gsang-ba ye-rdzogs yang-rtse bla-med theg-pa (Great Perfection).

Re: The 9 ways of Bön according the Bön Buddha Tönpa Shenrab

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 8:59 am
by kalden yungdrung
The doctrines which were taught by Lord Shenrab are divided into 2 systems.

One classification is called Gozhi Dzonga (sgo bzhi mdzod lnga), 'The 4 Portals and the Treasury as 5th .'

These are:

1. Chabkar (chab dkar): 'White Waters': contains the esoteric or higher tantric practices.
2. Chabnag (chab nag): 'Black Waters': includes narratives and various rites, magic and ordinary rituals such as death, funeral, illness and ransom rituals.
3. Panyu I ( 'phan yul): 'The Land of Pan': explains the monastic rules and gives exposition of philosophical concepts.
4. Ponse (dpon gsas): 'The Lordly Guide': contains the Great Perfection practices (Dzogchen; rdzogs chen).
5. Totog (mtho thog): 'The Treasury': it comprises the essential aspects of all the 4 Portals.

The 2nd classification is called Tegpa Rimgui Bön (theg pa rim dgu 'i bon), 'The Bön of the 9 Successive Stages,' or simply 'The 9 Ways of Bön.'