The Treasury of Knowledge, Book 6, Part 4: Systems of Buddhist Tantra (Bk. 6, Pt. 4)

585 Pages·2005·1.94 MB·English

by  Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye

CHAPTER TITLE (cid:1) 1
The Treasury of Knowledge
Book Six, Part Four:
Systems of Buddhist Tantra
The Indestructible Way of Secret Mantra
(cid:1)
2 FOREWORD
The publication of this work has been made possible through
the generous support of the Tsadra Foundation.
CHAPTER TITLE (cid:1) 3
The Treasury of Knowledge
Book Six, Part Four:
Systems of Buddhist Tantra
The Indestructible Way of Secret Mantra
Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé
KALU RINPOCHÉ TRANSLATION GROUP
under the direction of Venerable Bokar Rinpoché
This volume
translated by Elio Guarisco and Ingrid McLeod,
introduced and annotated by Elio Guarisco,
and edited by Ingrid McLeod
Snow Lion Publications
Ithaca, New York
Boulder, Colorado
(cid:1)
4 FOREWORD
Snow Lion Publications
P.O. Box 6483
Ithaca, New York 14851 USA
607-273-8519
www.snowlionpub.com
Copyright © 2005 Kalu Rinpoché
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced by any means
without prior written permission from the publisher.
Printed in Canada on acid-free recycled paper.
ISBN 1-55939-210-X
ISBN 978-1-55939-210-X
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Koº-sprul Blo-gros-mtha’-yas, 1813-1899.
[ões bya mtha yas pai rgya mtsho. English. Selections]
The treasury of knowledge : book six, part four: Systems of Buddhist
Tantra / Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé ; translated by Elio Guarisco and
Ingrid McLeod ; edited by Ingrid McLeod.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-55939-210-X (alk. paper)
1. Koº-sprul Blo-gros-mtha’-yas, 1813-1899. ões bya kun khyab. 2. Tantric
Buddhism—Doctrines. 3. Buddhism—China—Tibet. I. Guarisco, Elio,
1954- II. McLeod, Ingrid, 1946- III. Title.
BQ8918.2.K66213 2005
294.3’420425—dc22 2004028721
CHAPTER TITLE (cid:1) 5
CONTENTS
FOREWORD by Bokar Rinpoché 7
INTRODUCTION by Elio Guarisco 11
ROOT TEXT: SYSTEMS OF BUDDHIST TANTRA:
THE INDESTRUCTIBLE WAY OF SECRET MANTRA 57
1 THE NATURE OF TANTRA 71
2 THE DIVISIONS OF TANTRA 89
3 ACTION TANTRA 99
4 CONDUCT TANTRA 115
5 YOGA TANTRA 127
6 HIGHEST YOGA TANTRA 141
7 THE CAUSAL CONTINUUM 149
8 THE NATURE OF MIND 153
9 THE NATURE OF THE BODY 169
10 SYMBOLS FOR THE CAUSAL CONTINUUM 187
11 THE PATH 201
12 INITIATION 217
13 CONTEMPLATION 239
14 THE RESULTANT PHASE OF COMPLETION AND THE RESULTANT
CONTINUUM 249
15 TANTRIC SCRIPTURES 273
16 EXPOSITION METHODS 279
(cid:1)
6 FOREWORD
17 THE WAYS OF THE ANCIENT TRADITION 301
18 MAHAYOGA 311
19 ANUYOGA AND ATIYOGA 329
20 TANTRIC SCRIPTURES AND EXPOSITION METHODS 349
APPENDIX: OUTLINE OF THE TEXT 359
ABBREVIATIONS 369
NOTES 373
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF WORKS CITED BY THE AUTHOR 523
REFERENCE BIBLIOGRAPHY 541
INDEX 555
CHAPTER TITLE (cid:1) 7
FOREWORD
The translation group Dragyur Dzamling Kunkhyab founded by Vener-
able Kalu Rinpoché has recently completed the translation into English
of the fourth chapter of Book Six of the Encompassment of All Knowledge
(Shes bya kun khyab), a major treatise authored by Jamgön Kongtrul
Lodrö Tayé. This particular chapter presents the complete system of the
indestructible way (vajrayåna) of secret mantra. The publication of this
work is greatly needed and will be very helpful to all who are currently
studying or doing research in the Tibetan traditions of Buddhism.
Buddha, the teacher, taught innumerable spiritual methods to guide
sentient beings on the path to freedom. Fortunate ones with acute intel-
ligence practice the heart of these teachings, the indestructible way of
secret mantra. This way has many special qualities. It is superior to the
path of the sutras, includes many methods of practice, does not involve
hardships, and is clear, direct, and enjoyable.
This book brings together, in their depth and breadth, the essential
points of the four sets of tantra comprised by the indestructible way of
secret mantra. It describes the classification of practices, the initiations
that provide entry, the vows and commitments, the two phases of prac-
tice, the forms of conduct, and the standard and special attainments.
First, by appreciating and understanding just what is contained here,
you will, so to speak, have an eye that sees the profound significance of
the tantras of secret mantra. Then, you will be inspired by faith and
appreciation for the indestructible way. Through study you come to
understand the nature of being. Through reflection you find conviction
in that understanding. Through meditation, you initially cultivate a si-
militude of that understanding, and finally, by joining direct under-
standing and cultivation, you have actual experience of how things are.
You then traverse the paths and levels to attain the awakened state of
Vajradhara.
(cid:1)
8 FOREWORD
This is why this translation is both necessary and worthwhile. Every-
one interested in these matters should study and practice what is in it.
Through the virtuous activities of those who translated the text and
those who provided financial support, may all beings together attain the
awakened state of Vajradhara.
Bokar Trulku Rinpoché
Bokar Ngedhon Choekhor Ling
Mirik, India
15 July 2002
CHAPTER TITLE (cid:1) 9