A Brief Discourse on the Non-conflicting Essence of the Manifold Lineages of Buddhism

　　Khenpo Sodargye

　　Our sublime teacher, Buddha Shakyamuni, expounded numerous methods of Dharma practice, perse schools of teaching, and various paths to liberation, suitable for the respective capacities and aspirations of sentient beings. Although the distinct methods or practice rituals may vary in different traditions, all the teachings ultimately share the same core principle, for the masters of the different traditions are inseparable in essence. Padmasambhava of the Nyingma tradition, Je Tsongkhapa of the Gelug tradition, Jowo Atisha of the Kadam tradition, Dhakpowa of the Kagyu tradition and Kunga Gyaltsen of the Sakya tradition are all emanations of one. Various great masters have attested to this essential truth. The fourth Panchen, Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen, said:

　　The siddha Padmasambhava of supreme wisdom manifested as the Glorious Atisha and was incarnated as Tsongkhapa. In no one else but him, I take refuge.

　　The Second D_Lama, Gedun Gyatso, also declared:

　　Siddha Rigdzin Padmasambhava; Atisha crowned with five hundred ornaments; Buddha Vajradhara Tsongkhapa, dancing freely in different bodies, to you, I pay homage.

　　The embodiment of Manjushri, Gungthang Rinpoche, said, as well:

　　Padmasambhava, who brought Buddhism to the Land of Snows; Atisha, who diligently cultivated that very teaching; Tsongkhapa, who dispelled the adverse views against the Dharma; All three were nothing but one by scripture authority.

　　Biography of Padmasambhava indicates that:

　　Shakyamuni Buddha made an oracle that Tsongkhapa, the incarnation of Atisha, would appear in the mountains of Dokham. His emanation would grace Tibet with bliss.

　　The Unbiased History of Buddhism quotes Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol, who said:

　　In the early history of Tibetan Buddhism, the emanation of Shakyamuni Buddha,

　　Padmasambhava set alight the Dharma lamp; in the later history, he appeared as Jowo Atisha, who then manifested in many figures, one of whom was the virtuous teacher, Tsongkhapa.

　　In addition, a similar account, and further elaboration, can be found in A Brief History of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism by Setsang Lobsang Paldan. The great Thuken also confirmed the point in his book on wisdom:

　　Jowo Atisha, peerless Dhakpowa, and Dharma King Tsongkhapa, are all manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.

　　Pema Kathang, the Chronicle of Padma — a biography of Guru Rinpoche states:

　　Born at Sa”gya to his father named Manju and mother named Droma, Kunga Gyaltsen will be my incarnation to restore my holy palace.

　　These words predicted that Sakya Pandita would be the embodiment of Padmasambhava. Many Tibetan masters have testified that Sakya Pandita, Tsongkhapa and Longchenpa, all three are manifestations of the Bodhisattva Manjushri. Patrul Rinpoche affirmed:

　　The master of the five sciences, Sakya Pandita, the source of exoteric and esoteric instructions, Tsongkhapa, and the maestro of all the Dharma teachings, Longchenpa, I pay homage to these three emanations of Manjushri in the Land of Snows.

　　It is hereby demonstrated that Guru Rinpoche is no different from buddhas and bodhisattvas. Tertön Orgyen Lingpa describes in Pema Kathang:

　　Infinite Light Bodhisattva (Amitabha) of the Buddhafield of Bliss, Protector Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and the Lotus Born from Dhanakosha (Padmasambhava), though they appear in three different incarnations, their identity is inpisible.

　　The book further reveals:

　　King Samantabhadra of primordial expanse, Vajardhara of Akanishtha, Shakyamuni Buddha of Bodhgaya, all are inherently the Lotus Born himself.

　　The aforementioned citations make it evident that the masters of the various lineages are as one in essence. Furthermore, in the eyes of the Yog…

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