Toh 3623Untitled

Exposition of the Tantric Scripture — Toh 3623

Background

This scripture is recorded in the Kangyur, Tangut, belonging to the collection of translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan during the brilliant period of translation from the eighth to the twelfth century. This is a scripture belonging to the Tantric system, specifically the Vajrayana tradition, where the Buddha Dharma is made public to monastics of deep capacity and a joyful aspiration to propagate the teachings.

In the Tantric context, scriptures and treatises are often not circulated publicly under their own names, but are referred to by catalogue number within the Kangyur. This reflects the principle of secrecy (guhya) in Tantra: these methods are transmitted directly from master to disciple through secret retreat discipline, rather than being publicly disseminated like Mahayana scriptures.

The Kangyur is the collection of the entire body of teachings taught by the Buddha Shakya Muni and other transcendent Buddhas, classified by Tibetans into many divisions. The Tantras section contains the most advanced materials for practice, aimed at the goal of awakening in a single lifetime through the cultivation of wisdom and absolute intelligence.

Main Content

Although the title of this scripture has not yet been fully translated, based on its position in the Kangyur (Toh 3623), this is a Tantric scripture related to practices involving mantra, symbols (yantra), or mandalas of transcendent deities.

In the Vajrayana tradition, Tantric scriptures usually teach three core aspects: (1) the establishment of a mind arising dependently from true reality; (2) rituals that orient the minds of sentient beings toward the goal of liberation; (3) methods of immediate transformational practice to transmute afflicted emotions into Buddha-wisdom.

This scripture, like other materials in the Tantras section, may include instructions on selecting the practice environment, establishing an altar, setting up protective boundaries with the master, and practicing visualization of deities according to a definite sequence.