Toh 2681Untitled

Exposition of a Tantric Scripture of the Kangyur (Toh 2681)

Context

This scripture belongs to the Kangyur, the collection of the complete teachings of the Buddha preserved and transmitted through the Tibetan tradition. More specifically, it is found in the Tantras, the highest scriptures of Vajrayāna, the wondrous and profound tradition of the Buddhadharma taught by the Buddha to disciples of special faculties.

Unlike ordinary Mahāyāna scriptures taught openly, the tantric scriptures are protected by formal empowerment (abhiśeka). These scriptures emphasize direct practice, making use of the natural, untrained, innermost mind in order to attain liberation swiftly. The Kangyur consists of 108 volumes and is the foundation of all tantric schools: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug.

Toh 2681 is part of this immense collection of magnificent scriptures, reflecting the profound instructions that the Buddha bestowed upon bodhisattvas and deities.

Main Content

Although the title of the scripture has not yet been clearly determined, in the context of the Tantras of the Kangyur, scriptures in this section usually revolve around the core elements of Vajrayāna practice: deity yoga, strings of heart syllables (mantra), and the profound transformation of consciousness.

The tantric scriptures in the Kangyur often present the relationship between the dharmakāya, sambhogakāya, and nirmāṇakāya, the three bodies of the Buddha. They teach that this phenomenal world is an expression of the Buddha's mind, not objective matter. Deity yoga (yidam sādhana) is the method for recognizing oneself as an awakened deity and entering the realm of non-dual awareness.

These scriptures also emphasize the role of the Teacher (guru), the one who confers empowerment and gives direct guidance. In Tantra, the Teacher is regarded as an emanation of the Supreme Buddha Body, the Adamantine Master, who has the capacity to magnify the student's mind of direct insight.