Gongchig Explained

The Gongchig ("Single Intention" or "One Thought") is a book of commentary on the Buddha's teaching by Jigten Sumgon (1143–1217), the founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage who is believed to be the reincarnation of Nagarjuna. He taught the Dharma to several thousand students for forty years.

Composition

The Gongchig was written out by his heart disciple Won Sherab Jungne (1187–1241). It is a late summary of the Buddha's teachings, in which Jigten Sumgon laid out the path of the Buddha's teachings as well as actual practice.

The Gongchig is composed of 152 primary vajra statements with 46 supplemental vajra statements.Won Sherab Jungne arranged these vajra statements into eight chapters of varying length:

  1. Summary of the Key Points of the Wheel of Dharma (30 Statements)
  2. Summary of the essential points of the emergence in dependence (15 statements)
  3. Summary of the Essential Points of the Vinaya Pratimoksha (20 Statements)
  4. Summary of the Essential Points of the Bodhisattva Training (24 Statements)
  5. Summary of the knowledge holder of the secret mantra (28 statements)
  6. The special view, meditation and behavior (20 statements)
  7. The Resulting Ground of Buddhahood (15 Statements)
  8. Additional statements (46 statements)

English translations

Commentaries

Chennga Dorje Sherab (12–13th centuries) wrote two extensive commentaries collectively known as the Dorshema (rdor she ma, a contraction of the name Dorje Sherab):

References

Works cited

Further reading

External links