Meditation: Svatantrika Approach

Third in a series of meditations based upon my interpretation of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche's

"Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness."

1. Conceptual
Taking Refuge & Arousing Bodhicitta

Focus: "All phenomena (outer appearing objects and inner mental phenomena) are empty of essence."

Implications to date:
Shravaka = "no inherent self,"
Cittamatra = "no inherent other,"
Svatantrika = "merely mind streams of empty moments of consciousness"

Methods:
1) "neither single, nor multiple" and
2) "merely dependent arising"

Vehicle: Mahayana/Bodhisattvayana (Relieving the suffering of all)
Branch: Madhyamaka (Middle Way)
Sub-Type-1: Rangtong (Self-Empty)
Sub-Type-2: Svatantrika (Refuting self-nature of phenomena, Espousing "emptiness.")

Exponent: Bhavaviveka's interpretation of Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka, "Middle Way System."

Phase #1: Dreams - "All dharmas are emptiness."

Note: See all 18 elements (6-sense organs, 6-sense objects, and 6-consciousnesses.)

Phase #2: Using listening and reflection examine the "emptiness" of all inner and outer phenomena

Note: See Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's "The Sun of Wisdom [ISBN 1-57062-999-4 (PBK.)]" for a quick introduction to Nagarjuna's method of demonstrating 27 common concepts being conceptual fabrications in "The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way."

2. Non-Conceptual
Now sit in "emptiness meditation, free of conceptual contrivance"
cf. "Naked Awareness; Calm Abiding"

3. Conceptual
Sealing the Merit with Emptiness

Note: All errors in this interpretation are mine! Please see the original for study. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's "Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness" is obtainable as - [ISBN 1-877294-01-2].