Toh 392The Secret Tantra of Gnosis
Pāli / Sanskrit:Jñānaguhyatantra
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Exposition of the Jñānaguhyatantra Sutra (The Sutra of Secret Gnosis)
Background
The Sutra of Secret Gnosis (Jñānaguhyatantra) is an important work belonging to the Tibetan Buddhist canon, composed during the development of Vajrayana tantra. This sutra is found within the Kangyur, specifically in the Tantras section, the supreme esoteric teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni for disciples of suitable capacity.
In the context of Tantra, “secret” (guhya) does not mean hidden or secret in a worldly sense. Rather, it refers to profound teachings that can only be received by those whose mental capacity is ready. “Gnosis” (jñāna) here is not ordinary knowledge, but penetrating wisdom (prajñapti-jñāna) or supreme contemplative wisdom, the direct recognition of the formless nature of all dharmas. This sutra represents the Yoga Tantra or Anuyoga tradition, emphasizing the unity of the object of visualization and the mind of the one who visualizes.
Main Content
The Sutra of Secret Gnosis reveals that the tantric path of practice is based on the principle of transformation (parivartana): impure notions and ordinary delusions are transformed into the wisdom and merit of the Buddhas. Unlike the active methods of practice of noble ones in the Mahayana, Tantra uses the very elements of human consciousness, delusion, desire, and ego, to build the foundation for liberation.
The central sections of the sutra teach supreme yoga, in which the practitioner focuses on: (1) visualizing sacred deities (devata), often great Buddhas of practice or Buddha Mothers, rather than merely contemplating within the mind; (2) managing subtle spiritual energy (prāna) through the channels (nadi) so that the sharp and lucid mind becomes free from dependence on scattered thoughts; (3) recognizing that everything visualized, from the temple to the deities, is a manifestation of mind and has no intrinsic nature (svabhāva-śūnyatā).
This sutra also points out that wisdom and skillful means (upaya) are two inseparable aspects of awakening.
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