Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s5.t12.2

v1.c7.s5.t12.2

Byang chublam sgron is a classic treatise written by sage Atīsha in Ngari district of Tibet in the year of 1043 as per requested by lha bla ma byang chub vod. The entire book consists of 69-and-a-half Odes. This theory divides human beings into three levels of upper, middle and lower, according to the temperaments of all living creatures in the world, thus put forward the theory of "skyes-bu gsum”. All those who seek through all means in reincarnation for their own benefits only and not consider the others are called lower man. All those who reject reincarnation and wish to get out from karma influence, however are still restricted as seeking for their own benefit only, not able to help liberate others are called middle man. All those who cut off all their own bitterness, and pledge to cut bitterness of all living creatures, are called upper man.