Asanga was given five treatises from the Buddha Maitreya. Distinguishing Dharma from Dharmata was one of these texts. This text which is 1,400 years old and consists of 56 root verses is memorized and extensively studied by the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. This text is studied even today because it describes, first of all, dharmas or ordinary phenomena that we live in and how these dharmas leads us to suffering and confusion by explaining the origin, the characteristics, and our misconceptions about dharmas. The text then describes dharmata which is pure phenomena by giving its characteristics and explaining how we can develop our perception so we can begin to experience it.

This book is an important text also in understanding the MInd-only school and for understanding the Shentong view which aids us in the practice of Mahamudra and Dzogchen meditation.

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You can also purchase a paperback of this book on this website (under Books) for $ 19.00.