|BookEssay=This commentary is a key source for teaching buddha-nature and the ''Gyü Lama'' in the Sakya tradition and was authored by the famous Sakya master [[Rongtön Sheja Kunrik]]. The book is an updated version of Bernert's dissertation, which includes an annotated translation of Rongtön's commentary on the fourth chapter of the ''Gyü Lama'' (''Ratnagotravibhāga'') and an analysis of Rongtön's position, which is a useful starting point for understanding the view of buddha-nature teachings from a Sakya perspective. Rongtön's view of buddha-nature follows the analytical tradition of [[Rngog blo ldan shes rab|Ngok Loden Sherab]], but is somewhat complex, and Bernert does a good job of presenting the complexities in his analysis.
*Preface and Acknowledgments ix
|BookToc=* {{i|Foreword|vii}}
*I - Translator's Introduction
* {{i|Preface and Acknowledgments|ix}}
*The Doctrine of Buddha-nature 1
* {{i|I - Translator's Introduction: The Doctrine of Buddha-nature|1}}
**Overview 1
** {{i|Overview|1}}
**Sources 4
** {{i|Sources|4}}
**The Sutras 4
*** {{i|The Sutras|4}}
**The Sastras 8
*** {{i|The Sastras|8}}
*The Ratnagotravibhaga 11
* {{i|The Ratnagotravibhaga|11}}
**The Text of the Ratnagotravibhaga 11
** {{i|The Text of the Ratnagotravibhaga|11}}
**The Question of the Authorship of the Ratnagotravibhaga 12
** {{i|The Question of the Authorship of the Ratnagotravibhaga|12}}
**The Ratnagotravibhaga in India 13
** {{i|The Ratnagotravibhaga in India|13}}
**The Ratnagotravibhaga in Tibet 15
** {{i|The Ratnagotravibhaga in Tibet|15}}
***The Analytical School of Loden Sherab 15
*** {{i|The Analytical School of Loden Sherab|15}}
***The Meditative School of Tsen Khaboche 19
*** {{i|The Meditative School of Tsen Khaboche|19}}
**Previous Studies and the Aim of the Present work 20
** {{i|Previous Studies and the Aim of the Present work|20}}
*Rongton and His Presentation of Buddha-nature 22
* {{i|Rongton and His Presentation of Buddha-nature|22}}
**A Brief Biography of Rongton Sheja Kiinrig 22
** {{i|A Brief Biography of Rongton Sheja Kiinrig|22}}
**Rongton's Presentation of Buddha-nature 23
** {{i|Rongton's Presentation of Buddha-nature|23}}
***Introduction 23
*** {{i|Introduction|23}}
***The Buddha Qualities and the Dharmakaya 26
*** {{i|The Buddha Qualities and the Dharmakaya|26}}
***The Dhatu as a Cause 28
*** {{i|The Dhatu as a Cause|28}}
***The Gotra and the Luminous Nature of the Mind 29
*** {{i|The Gotra and the Luminous Nature of the Mind|29}}
***Rongton and the Ratnagotravibhagavyakhya 33
*** {{i|Rongton and the Ratnagotravibhagavyakhya|33}}
***Summary 34
*** {{i|Summary|34}}
**Notes on the Translation 35
** {{i|Notes on the Translation|35}}
*II - Translation: An Extensive Exposition of the Dhatu AllSentientBeingsHaveBuddha-Nature 37
* {{i|II - Translation: An Extensive Exposition of the Dhatu: All Sentient Beings Have Buddha-Nature|37}}
*Determining the Dhatu by Means of a Tenfold Presentation 44
* {{i|Determining the Dhatu by Means of a Tenfold Presentation|44}}
**Essential nature and cause 44
** {{i|Essential nature and cause|44}}
**Result and function 50
** {{i|Result and function|50}}
**Connection 62
** {{i|Connection|62}}
**Manifestation 65
** {{i|Manifestation|65}}
**States 67
** {{i|States|67}}
**All-pervasiveness 69
** {{i|All-pervasiveness|69}}
**Immutability 71
** {{i|Immutability|71}}
**Inseparable qualities 97
** {{i|Inseparable qualities|97}}
*Summary 106
* {{i|Summary|106}}
*Appendix: Detailed Outline of the Commentary 107 Glossary 113 Tibetan Names and Places 125
* {{i|Appendix: Detailed Outline of the Commentary|107}}
As the most important canonical treatise on Buddha-nature, the Ratnagotravibhaga (also known as Uttaratantrasastra, Tib. rgyud bla ma) established the doctrinal foundations for the Mahayana philosophy of tathāgatagarbha, the doctrine according to which all sentient beings are either inherently buddhas or endowed with the potential for awakening. Among the most prominent Tibetan commentaries on this text figures that of the Sakya master Rongtön Sheja Künrig, a prolific writer who was active during the golden age of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. Refuting, on one hand, the notion that Buddha-nature is synonymous with mere emptiness, and on the other that the mind is inherently endowed with the Buddha qualities, Rongtön argues for an understanding of Buddha-nature that embraces both aspects of the nature of mind: cognizance and emptiness.
Rongtön Sheja Künrig (1376-1449) figures among the greatest teachers of the Sakya tradition. Particularly renowned for his commentaries on the Five Treatises of Maitreya, his vast erudition, and extensive teaching career made him one of the most influential masters for the scholastic lineages of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. This volume contains an annotated translation of Rongtön Chenpo’s commentary on the central chapter of this treatise (including the relevant stanzas of the root text), along with an extensive introduction to the historical development of this doctrine and an analysis of Rongtön’s position. (Source: Vajra Publications)
Citation
Bernert, Christian, trans. Perfect or Perfected? Rongtön on Buddha-Nature: A Commentary on the Fourth Chapter of the Ratnagotravibhāga (vv.1.27-95[a]). By Rongtön Sheja Künrig (rong ston shes bya kun rig). Kathmandu: Vajra Books, 2018.
Forewordvii
Preface and Acknowledgmentsix
I - Translator's Introduction: The Doctrine of Buddha-nature1
Overview1
Sources4
The Sutras4
The Sastras8
The Ratnagotravibhaga11
The Text of the Ratnagotravibhaga11
The Question of the Authorship of the Ratnagotravibhaga12
The Ratnagotravibhaga in India13
The Ratnagotravibhaga in Tibet15
The Analytical School of Loden Sherab15
The Meditative School of Tsen Khaboche19
Previous Studies and the Aim of the Present work20
Rongton and His Presentation of Buddha-nature22
A Brief Biography of Rongton Sheja Kiinrig22
Rongton's Presentation of Buddha-nature23
Introduction23
The Buddha Qualities and the Dharmakaya26
The Dhatu as a Cause28
The Gotra and the Luminous Nature of the Mind29
Rongton and the Ratnagotravibhagavyakhya33
Summary34
Notes on the Translation35
II - Translation: An Extensive Exposition of the Dhatu: All Sentient Beings Have Buddha-Nature37
Determining the Dhatu by Means of a Tenfold Presentation44
Essential nature and cause44
Result and function50
Connection62
Manifestation65
States67
All-pervasiveness69
Immutability71
Inseparable qualities97
Summary106
Appendix: Detailed Outline of the Commentary107
Glossary113
Tibetan Names and Places125
Bibliography129
Index137
This commentary is a key source for teaching buddha-nature and the Gyü Lama in the Sakya tradition and was authored by the famous Sakya master Rongtön Sheja Kunrik. The book is an updated version of Bernert's dissertation, which includes an annotated translation of Rongtön's commentary on the fourth chapter of the Gyü Lama (Ratnagotravibhāga) and an analysis of Rongtön's position, which is a useful starting point for understanding the view of buddha-nature teachings from a Sakya perspective. Rongtön's view of buddha-nature follows the analytical tradition of Ngok Loden Sherab, but is somewhat complex, and Bernert does a good job of presenting the complexities in his analysis.
G: Theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos legs par bshad pa. A detailed exegesis of the Uttaratantraśāstra (Ratnagotravibhāga) by Roṅ-ston Śes-bya-kun-rig. Reproduced from a rare manuscript from Jakhar Tshang. Gantok, 1979. This is a manuscript of ninety-six folios (192 pages) written in dbu med script.
LS: Theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos legs par bshad pa bzhugs so. In Rong ston bka' 'bum, vol. JA. Skye gdu mod: Gangs ljong rig rgyan gsung rab par khang, 2004. A modern printed edition of 100 folios (199 pages).
K: Theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos legs par bshad pa bzhugs so. In Theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos rtsal 'grel bzhugs so. Khreng tu'u (Chengdu): Si khron mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 1995. A book in wesstern format including a concise account of Maitreya's career, the root verses of the Ratnagotravibhaga, Rongtön's commentary, and its outline.
