The Origin of Bon part 3 by Olmo Lungring

A SHORT HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF THE BON RELIGION

THE FOUNDER AND HIS TEACHINGS:

PART THREE

The doctrines which were taught by Lord Shenrab and recorded in these three accounts are divided into two systems. One classification is called Gozhi

Dzonga (sGo-bzhi mdzod-lnga): "The Four Portals and the Treasury as Fifth".

These are:

1) Chabkar (Chab-dkar): White Waters; it contains the esoteric or higher tantric practices.

2) Chabnag (Chab-nag): Black Waters; includes narratives and various rites, magic and ordinary.

3) Phanyul ('Phan-yul): The Land of Phan: explains the monastic rules and gives exposition of philosophical concepts.

4) Ponse (dPon-yul): The Lordly Guide; it contains the Great

Perfection practices (rDzogs-chen).

5) Thothog (mTho-thog): The Treasury; it comprises the essential aspects of all the Four Portals.

The second classification is called Thegpa Rimgu'i Bon (Theg-pa-rim-dgu'i

Bon), "The Bon of the Nine Successive Stages [or simply] 'The Nine Ways of

Bon'". The first four are the cause (rGyud-kyi theg-pa) the next four are the ways of result ('Bras-bu'i theg-pa) and the ninth is the Great

Perfection (rDzogs-chen). Examined individually their subject matters are as follows:

1) The Way of the Shen of Prediction: Mo (prediction), rTsis (astrology) gTo (ritual) and dPhyad (examination of causes).

2) The way of the Shen of the Visual World: nature and origin of entities.

3) The Way of the Shen of Illusion: For disposing of adverse powers.

4) The Way of the Shen of Existence: Bardo and guiding one through death.

5) The Way of the Virtuous Followers: Guides those who follow this path.

6) The Way of the Monkhood: Rules of monastic discipline.

7) The Way of Pure Sound: Higher tantric practice, ritual and mandala.

8) The Way of the Primeval Shen: Matters of practice and behaviour.

9) The Supreme Way: Attainment of rDzogs-chen, the Great Perfection.