Toh 1183Untitled
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Exposition of Yoga Tantra — Toh 1183
Background
Yoga Tantra is one of the four principal classifications of Tibetan Tantra, placed at the third level in the Tibetan hierarchical system of Tantra. This scripture was transmitted from Indian Dharma masters such as those of Nālandā and from Tibetan masters, in order to provide methods of practice that go beyond the lower Tantras.
Yoga Tantra is ranked higher than Kriyā (Action) Tantra and Charyā (Conduct) Tantra, but lower than Anuttarayoga (Unexcelled Yoga) Tantra. Like the other levels of Tantra, it is taught in the context of the bodhisattva path, with the ultimate aim of attaining Buddhahood in order to liberate all sentient beings from saṃsāra.
Practice according to Yoga Tantra requires a firm foundation in the Buddha Dharma, deep trust in the Teacher, and the fourfold root pledge of Tantra. It is the bridge between the basic Tantras and the most profound teachings of the Vajrayāna.
Main Content
Although the title has not been fully provided, Yoga Tantra in general focuses on the practice of yoga — not physical yoga, but yuganaddha, the union of wisdom and method (prajñā-upāya). At this level, the practitioner begins to work directly with mantra and mudrā (gesture-seal), but has not yet entered the most extraordinary methods of Anuttarayoga Tantra.
The principal practices include:
Meditation on the Divine Deity (Iṣṭa-devatā): The practitioner visualizes a Buddha or bodhisattva, step by step with increasing subtlety, combining arising (utpatti-krama) and completion (niṣpatti-krama).
Receiving the Four Roots: Yoga Tantra emphasizes the importance of observing the root commitment with the Tantric teacher, because the Teacher is the key that opens the door to these profound hidden teachings.
Generating the Bodhisattva Mind: The motivation for practice is for the benefit of all sentient beings, not for one’s own benefit.
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