“Ploughing Ashes vs. Ploughing a Field”: Studies of Lamrim Texts at Buddhist Monasteries

Abstract

The article discusses the role of lamrim texts in the curriculum of Buddhist monastic universities of the Gelug tradition. Texts of the lamrim genre in a concise manner describe the stages of the Buddhist path — development of one’s mind from the present supposedly deluded state to the omniscience of a Buddha — according to the canonic texts of the Mahayana tradition. Within such texts, the narration is typically based on the classifi cation of spiritual aspirants into three categories — persons of modest, medium and high scope — depending on their motivation of spiritual practices. Ever since the fi rst lamrim text “A Lamp for the Path to Awakening” was introduced to Tibet by the 11th century Indian pandita Jowo Atisha, lamrim texts have been extremely popular among followers of the Tibetan Buddhism, particularly among Gelug adherents. It is believed that the most famous and authoritative work of the genre, “Lamrim Chenmo” by Je Tsongkhapa, played a formative role in institutionalization of the Gelug tradition; it is also considered to be an encyclopedia of the Buddhist doctrine and practice in the interpretation of the Gelugpas. However, despite their popularity, none of the lamrim texts are included in the offi cial curriculum of Gelug monasteries. The author suggests an explanation that might help us have a closer look at some certain characteristics of Buddhist monastic education and the role it plays in lives of Buddhist practitioners; it will also help us define the role of the lamrim genre in the Tibetan Buddhist literature. The article provides a brief history of the development of the genre in Tibet and lists the most significant lamrim texts in the Gelug tradition. It is suggested that the importance of these texts is attributed not to the uniqueness of their contents or even its presentation but rather to the authority and influence their authors had in the religious and political life of Tibet. The article gives an overview of the curriculum of the three largest monastic universities of the Gelug tradition — Ganden, Drepung and Sera. It also discusses the latest changes introduced into the study program along with their reasons, as well as the prospects of including the lamrim texts in the study program at later stages.

Keywords

• lamrim
• monastic education
• monastic universities
• buddhist literature