Toh 1277Untitled

Exposition of Scripture Toh 1277 — The Vajrayana Tantric Tradition

Context

This scripture belongs to the Kangyur, the Tantra division of Tibetan Buddhism, within the Vajrayana system. According to the Tibetan tradition, Vajrayana Tantra is the highest stage of the Buddhist Dharma, containing swift Dharma methods for transforming consciousness and attaining Buddhahood in a single lifetime. The Kangyur was compiled under the direction of eminent forebears of the Buddhist Dharma in order to preserve and transmit the most accurate translations from Sanskrit into Tibetan.

Although the title of the scripture has not been fully translated, it belongs to the Tantric scriptures connected with mandala practice, mantra, sadhana, or Dharma methods oriented toward nonconceptual wisdom. These scriptures are often orally transmitted from teacher to student in the context of secret Dharma instruction and are regarded as the supreme secret of Vajrayana.

Main Content

According to the typical structure of Tantric scriptures in the Kangyur, this scripture instructs in core matters concerning oneself as the deity, the yidam, the beginningless mind of equality, shunyata, and the transformative power of sound, image, and concept. The aim is to help the practitioner overcome two mental obscurations: ignorance, avidya, and conceptual discrimination, vikalpa.

Tantric scriptures often begin by establishing a sacred space, the mandala, where the practitioner visualizes himself or herself together with Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Then, through wise concentration on the selfless nature of all dharmas, dharmashunyata, the practitioner develops fresh strength of mind. Dharanis are repeated not to accumulate merit in a linear way, but to cultivate luminous, nonconceptual presence.

The nature of Vajrayana lies in the fact that it does not separate nirvana from samsara: night and day, sensual bliss and purity, are all manifestations of Buddha wisdom.