When he was twelve years old, the great Sakyapa Lama Sachen Kunga Nyingpo spent six months in strict retreat doing the practice of Arya Manjushri and as a result, on one occasion he had a direct vision of the deity. The glorious Manjughosha, orange in color, was surrounded by a mass of brilliant light and seated resplendently upon a jeweled throne. He was displaying the mudra of teaching the Dharma, and was flanked on either side by two bodhisattvas. He spoke the following words:

“If you are attached to this life, you are not a true spiritual practitioner.
If you are attached to samsara, you do not have renunciation.
If you are attached to your own self-interest, you have no bodhichitta.
If there is grasping, you do not have the view.”

In this teaching, Rinpoche introduces us to the framework of studies and research taught in Buddhist universities like Dzongsar Institute, giving a detailed outline of the tenet systems, their pioneers and their great philosophical writings. Rinpoche explains how all these studies relate back to the reflection on the “four philosophical schools” that is recited every Sunday Chenrezi at Sakya Monastery, so is relevant to all who want a deeper understanding of the Sakya tradition’s rich academic heritage.