‘Treasures’ (gter ma) and treasure-finders in Yungdrung Bön: a Tibetan tradition spanning a thousand years

Abstract

The Tibetan Bön religion, often called Yungdrung (‘Eternal’) Bön by its adherents, arose in Central Tibet at the same time as the ‘Latter Propagation’ (phyi dar) of Buddhism, i.e. in the 10th-11th century CE. In fact, it shares many traits with
the Latter Propagation, and may be viewed as part of a broader socio-religious movement in Tibet at the time.

An important element, shared by both these religions, is the appearance of ’Treasures’, texts (and to some extent objects) considered by their respective adherents to have been hidden in former centuries at a time when the religion was persecuted or when
the people of Tibet were not considered sufficiently spiritually mature to receive the texts. The Treasures are believed to have been brought to light by ’Treasure discoverers’ (gter ston), particularly gifted or divinely chosen individuals
who passed them on to their circle of disciples or patrons.

This talk will present an outline of the Yungdrung Bön ’Treasure’ tradition, a tradition which is still alive, thus spanning more than a thousand years. From origins which are different compared to those of Buddhist ’Treasures’, it has developed and diversified
over the centuries, ultimately becoming the most significant source of Yungdrung Bön canonical scriptures.

 

About the speaker

Per Kværne obtained MA in Sanskrit at the University of Oslo in 1970 and the Dr. philos. degree in 1974 (A Study of the Caryāgīti) at the same university. From 1975 to 2007, he was professor of History of Religions and Tibetan Studies at the University
of Oslo; he is now professor emeritus. His research has been focused on Tibetan studies, especially the post-11th century Bön religion.

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