The 9 ways of Bön according the Bön Buddha Tönpa Shenrab
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:01 am
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.
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
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
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.
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
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