The Five Great Treasures

Jamgön Kongtrul the Great

The Five Great Treasures (Wyl. mdzod chen lnga) — Jamgön Kongtrul the Great (1813-1899) is widely known for synthesizing the knowledge and experience of the many lineages of Buddhism in Tibet. This synthesis is recorded in ‘The Five Great Treasures‘:

1. The Treasury of Encyclopedic Knowledge, which brilliantly reveals the ground, path and fruition for the whole of sutra and mantra, from the paths of the common sciences all the way up to Dzogchen Atiyoga, which is the culmination of the nine vehicles in the uncommon approach.

2. The Treasury of Precious Instructions, which is a compilation of the most profound maturing empowerments and liberating instructions belonging to the eight great chariots of the practice lineage.

3. The Treasury of Kagyü Mantras, which is a compendium of mandala rituals, maturing empowerments and liberating instructions, such as Yangdak, Vajrakilaya and Yamantaka from the Nyingma kama, and the tantra cycles from the new translation lineages of Marpa and Ngok.

4. The Treasury of Precious Termas, which distills the quintessence of an ocean of profound termas within the Nyingma school.

5. a) The Uncommon Treasury, which contains the unique secret treasures of his own profound terma revelations.

b) The Treasury of Extensive Teachings, which includes various related works, such as praises and advice, as well as compositions on medicine, science and so on.