What are the Kangyur and Tengyur?
In the Buddhist Tibetan tradition, the Kangyur and Tengyur are collections of sacred texts and commentaries that are considered authoritative sources of Buddhist teachings and philosophy.
The Kangyur
The Kangyur, which means “Translated Words,” is a collection of scriptures that contain the words of the Buddha himself, as well as teachings attributed to other enlightened beings. It includes sūtras (teachings of the Buddha), tantras (esoteric teachings), texts on discipline and ethics, and texts for recitation and practice. The Kangyur is divided into sections based on the type of teachings and is considered the primary, canonical source of Buddhist doctrine in Tibetan Buddhism.
The Tengyur
The Tengyur, which means “Translated Treatises,” is a vast collection of commentaries, treatises, manuals, and guides written by Indian Buddhist scholars and masters. It forms an indispensable complement to the Kangyur, as the texts of the Tengyur provide interpretations, explanations, and elaborations on the teachings found in the Kangyur. The range of subjects covered in the Tengyur is huge, including philosophy, ethics and discipline, meditation, ritual practices, linguistics, and much more. It too serves as a canonical source of Buddhist knowledge and is revered in Tibetan Buddhism for its scholarly and doctrinal authority.
Foundational, unique, and interwoven
Together, the Kangyur and Tengyur form the foundation of Buddhist study and practice in the Tibetan tradition. To refer to and cite their statements is seen as the indispensable basis for any newly composed text or teaching. Many of these texts are studied, memorized, and recited by monks, scholars, and practitioners as part of their spiritual training and quest for enlightenment. The Kangyur and Tengyur are essential repositories of knowledge, wisdom, and compassion, guiding followers on the path to liberation from suffering and the attainment of enlightenment.