Toh 1917Untitled

Exposition of the Tantra Scripture — Toh 1917

Background

The scripture Toh 1917 is part of the Kangyur, a collection of Tantric scriptures translated from Sanskrit into Tibetan. In the Vajrayana tradition, these esoteric scriptures are classified according to different classes of Tantra: Kriya (Action) Tantra, Charya (Conduct) Tantra, Yoga Tantra, and Anuttara Yoga Tantra (Highest Yoga Tantra).

The scriptures of the Tantra section are not universal sermons like ordinary Mahayana sutras, but detailed instructions on the practice of transforming consciousness through Tantric methods. They require that the student have received the consecrations (abhiseka) from a qualified master and possess a firm foundation in the ethics of the bodhisattva path.

The appearance of the Kangyur in Tibet from the eighth century onward was the result of the process of translating and maintaining the esoteric teachings from India. These scriptures are regarded as direct teachings from the Buddha in various forms of manifestation, especially through yidam devatas (deities of practice) and Tathagatas in other dimensions of reality.

Main Contents

The specific contents of the scripture Toh 1917 have not been fully provided in the descriptive information. However, based on the context of the Kangyur Tantra section, scriptures of this type usually include:

First, instructions on the practice of meditation (dhyana) related to imagination and transformation. The practitioner is instructed to visualize protective deities or Buddhas in specific action forms (mudra), with different functions in the course of training.

Second, mantras and mystical formulas are presented, each possessing its own power to activate profound energies of consciousness. The Sanskrit syllables are translated or preserved as they are in order to maintain their sonic power (nada).

Third, instructions on working with life-energy (prana) in the body according to the system of the “three channels” (nadi) and the energy centers (chakra). This is the core of Yoga Tantra, where the process of liberation is accomplished through the control and transformation of life-energy.