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.