Toh 763Black Lohatuṇḍa

The Scripture of Black Lohatunda (Krishnayauṣṭha)

Background

The Scripture of Black Lohatunda is a scripture belonging to the Northern Tibetan canon (Kangyur), within the system of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. This work is recorded as Toh 763 in the catalog of the Tibetan Collection of Scriptures, reflecting the preservation and transmission of the Buddha’s teachings through the Buddhist traditions of North Asia.

In the Mahayana context, this scripture belongs to a line of tradition that emphasizes universal compassion and awakening for all beings. Lohatunda (or Loha-munda) in Sanskrit and Pali refers to an entity or force with a metallic quality, connected with elements of color, hardness, or power. The adjective “black” (krishna) evokes dark or concealed aspects, or things that need to be illuminated through the understanding of the Buddha Dharma.

Main Content

The Scripture of Black Lohatunda concerns teachings on forces, entities, or states of mind that have the quality of covering over or obstructing awakening. In the Tibetan Mahayana tradition, scriptures of this type often address ignorance (avidya), inner obstacles, and liberating means (upaya).

Although the specific content of this scripture has not yet been fully translated in currently available popular materials, based on the context of the Northern Tibetan canon, this scripture may teach about:

First, the nature of the spiritual obstacles that beings encounter on the path of practice. These obstacles are envisioned as “black” forces, that is, things that cover over and dim the light of wisdom (prajna).

Second, the method of transforming these forces through compassion, insight, and orientation toward the bodhisattva path (bodhisattva-carya). In the Mahayana, nothing is completely evil or beyond redemption; all phenomena can be transformed into means of awakening.