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.