No More Learning

-how does this reconcile with the above statement of the twenty-four transits?
Both here and in the Personal Instruction, two elemental spheres in each nostril and two spheres of equal movement are explained. So in
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 245
regard to the two elemental spheres, there are twelve transits in right and left nostrils, and in regard to the other two elemental spheres, though there are no transits in the nostrils, the treatise's meaning is interpreted as refer- ring to twelve transit events of the elemental spheres. So, also the Libera- tion Drop Commentary [by Vitap? da] does not state that the treatise's intention is to explain there being twenty-four transits in each of the right and left nostrils.
Here one might imagine: "Well, if one allows the Revelation of the Hidden Intention system to be like that, the Vajra Rosary measure of the half session is not the same. To quote:
By the division of the session boundaries,
Then one will recite in conforming order;
In each session boundary, the vitalizing wind-energies Are discerned as controlled;
And by count of two thousand seven hundred
They should be fully incorporated
[In vajra recitation practice] .
And also, it is [not consistent] because it explains that there are two thou- sand seven hundred wind-energies in each session measure, and so there should be one thousand three hundred fifty in each half session. To quote again: [12la]
Those, through the application of enthusiasm, Gradually become eight sessions . . .
And therefore [it is inconsistent] because it states there to be sixteen half sessions in a day. "
[In response to this:] As for the meaning of the first quote, the Vajra Rosary here is talking about-having taken out six months for vajra reci- tation after completing the creation stage - such an above-stated measure of constructs about the wind-energies during the second month of the conforming order recitation, since the yog1nithrough purposeful control effort has made the wind-energies of a single day into eight equal seg-
ments. This is what is meant, and the statement does not apply to the movement of wind-energies in others not [having reached that stage]. As for the meaning of the second quote, it indicates [the wind-energies] radi- ating from the three channels, rasanti, lalanti, and dhati, and becoming the eight channels of the session at the heart center, and does not indicate
246 ? Brilliant Illumination ofthe Lamp
the measure of the duration of [ordinary] energy movements. And, as for the statement that the wind-energies of the four spheres moving in the nostrils abide each for half a time-period, it indicates the duration of wind-energies moving naturally in the occasions of basic time and path- time. Thus, a "half-session" in that context and the "half-period" of the two thousand seven hundred, though nominally similar, are different in
meaning.
Therefore, one should reconcile the "half-sessions" of the two Ex-
planatory Tantras and the explanation of the Nondual Triumph [Tantra], which is quoted in the Five Stages. In this regard, Lak? hmi, Kalden Drakpa. and Alarilka[kalasha] [all] said [words to the effect] that there arise eight sessions in the measure of the process of wind-energies, six- teen half sessions, with eight hours in each session, and a half hour of clear light free of inhalation and exhalation in each session. Thus in one day, four hours of clear transparence arise, and if one holds the mind on the drop during [12Ibl that time, the mental one-pointedness with the nature of clear light is produced. 77
While other Tantras of the Community literature do not explain the number of hours in a day, the Vajra Rosary states there to be sixty hours in a day,78 which does not mean that there are sixty-four hours in this system. In that Tantra "period" (dbyu gu) and "hour" (chu tshod) have similar meanings, and, as other Tantras talk of sixty-four "periods," if one tries to avoid contradictions between sixty and sixty-four, [one needs to know] the meaning of others' explanations of thirty-two hours and sixty-four periods. This Tantra differs in meaning from the above expla-
nations of both the Vajra Angel and the Four Seats, which [therefore] must be abandoned. Thus, as the time of half an hour free of respiration in the beginning of the session of movement in the nostril is refuted by not being perceived when it could be perceived, [such explanations] are not good. And if one thinks it refers to the Time Machine explanation of four empty petals in the sixty-four navel chakra petals, that is not the meaning.
77 This count would give 64 "hours" (Tib. chu tshocl) in a day, therefore the "hour" here is 22. 5 of Western "minutes" long.
78 In this case the "hours" of a 60 "hour" day would be 24 minutes long.
? Chapter V- Speech Isolation in General ? 247
The Vow Arisal says:
The wind-energies of the sixteen Transit factors happening in a day, Always in [one or both of the] nostrils, Truly move a half session each. 79
Thus it sets up sixteen half sessions per day and explains the sixteen tran- sits taught as moving in the nostrils in each half session; but this is not to be interpreted as the sixteen transit-arrivals in the left and right nostrils. For, in that Tantra, it explains the fire and wind sphere [wind-energies] as each moving [respectively] in the right and left nostril, and the earth and water sphere [wind-energies] as moving equally in both nostrils. Thus one should recognize eight transit arrivals in each of the right and left nostrils and (t22aJ eight elemental sphere transits, which do not transit the nostrils.
[S hrilhara' s] Black Yamari [Tantra] commentary, Orgasmic Lumi- nance, explains as "eight day-times" and "eight night-times" the transits of wind-energies from one nostril to another, [the wind-energies] having stayed in either nostril for half a session; and Damtsig Dorjey and Muni- s hrialso accept that.
[VI. B. 3. b. ii. c'3'dTB"3"e"ii" - The way it transits from one petal and elemental sphere to another]
The Vow Arisal states:
The channels are thirty-two,
And four quarters of one session
Are [together] called "root" and "hour. " The measure of "day" and "night" periods
79 In this section on the wind-energy-control practices, Tsong Khapa frequently quotes the Vow Arisal Tantra, parts of which which have been beautifully translated from the Sanskrit by S. Tsuda, whose Sanskrit edition is cited in the footnotes to the Tibetan text edition. His English translation often differs from mine, as the Sanskrit and the Tibetan have some differences beyond English styles and terminologies. When those differences occur, I have followed the Tibetan Tsang Khapa is citing, as his commentary depends on that version. In some cases, Tsuda's interpretations have been of great help in understand-
ing the quite complex wind-energy-control systems in both texts.
? ? 248 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
Becomes sixty-four.
Half a "root," half an "hour," a "period" -
These are remembered as an eighth of a session. so
Astronomers make an eighth of a day the measure of a "session" [three Western hours]. So [a day has] an eight session duration, and, taking half a session as one "transit" [ninety minutes], [there are] sixteen transits, and, taking one quarter of a session as an "hour" [forty-five minutes (chu tshod)], thirty-two hours, and, taking a half an hour as a "period" [twenty- two and a half minutes], sixty-four periods. In the Vow Arisal Commen- tary, using the Bhasati81 mathematics, [the author] puts a hundred periods in a day, and he explains that the various astronomers make the length of
the period according to their own wish; and the same goes for the hours. Accordingly, in the Tantra, its states that for some, a day has thirty-two hours, for some sixty, and for others in each hour there is one period.
As for internal [time], as for [the claim that] 2,700 transit-arrivals move in each channel-petal of the heart center as the wind-energies of each session; and that each transit in one channel-petal [122bl of the throat-center consists of the I,350 wind-energies of each half session; and that the 675 wind-energies of a quarter of each heart center channel- petal moving in a single channel-petal of the crown as each hour; and the 337. 5 wind-energies of an eighth of each heart center channel as the wind-
energies of each period move in each channel petal of the navel center; and that the wind-energies of the channel petals of each center, navel, crown, throat, and heart, each is the double of the previous, and falls each to the latter-such is the Vow Arisal Commentary's explanation of the import of both the Hevajra and the Vow Arisal- with the Sheaf of Instructions also explaining that to be the meaning of the Hevajra.
As for through which of the three main channels the wind-energies of the four [element] mandalas move, the Vajra Rosary states:
Vitalizing and evacuative are made to move; Those two are clearly stated as the wind-energies
80 Tib. Thun, "session," seems to be 3 Western hours. "Transit" (Tib. 'pho ba) is 90 minutes. An "hour" (c:hu tshod) is 45 minutes, and a "period" (dbyu gu) is 22. 5 minutes.
81 An Indian astronomical system, the history of which I have not yet found.
? Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 249
Endowed with conceptualization. Two essences of body and speech, The lalanil and the rasanil - Avadhati the supreme channel,
In the center of those two, supreme of supreme. The energy which is devoid of conceptualizing, Always moving, all-pervading.
Thus, vitalizing and evacuative are said to be concept-generating wind- energies, and the energy entered in the dhati channel is said to be con- ceptuality negating energy:
The two conceptualizing wind-energies Thus having been cut off, then proceeds The great energy without conceptualizing, Having cut off body and speech vajras.
Thus, in cutting those two wind-energies, one cuts the body and speech vajras, it is said, thus the "two essences of body and speech" are the vitalizing and evacuative. Further, they are shown to move in the two channels. Thus this is the system wherein the vitalizing and evacuative are forced into the dhati channel by the power of yoga, and wherein they do not move in the dhati channel [ 123al except at the time of death. Again from the same text [the Vajra Rosary] :
The two conceptualizing wind-energies Emerge from the nostrils
Truly the sun and moon
Are made to move from within the hidden.
This is also stated, so those two move from within the sun rasanli and moon lalanli; so in this system, it cannot be presented that one can make them move in the central channel by equalizing their moving.
Although there is no clear explanation about the metabolic and the ascending wind-energies, those two also move from the two rasanli and lalana. Thus, in moving from the rasanli and lalanli, there are both alter- nating and simultaneous movings. When the fire [ascending] and meta- bolic move as the principal energy, they move from rasanli and lalanli one by one, and when the vitalizing and evacuative wind-energies move
as principal wind-energies, they move simultaneously from the rasanli
250 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
and /a/ana together. When [any of them] move as subordinate wind- energies, there is no definite [pattern].
As for the transiting from one energy elemental sphere to another; in terms of the major elemental spheres, there are six transit arrivals in each in a day, making twenty-four, and in terms of the minor [elemental spheres] , in each of the previous six transit-arrivals there are four [minor transit-arrivals], making ninety-six; such is the system of the Community
Explanatory Tantras. As for the system of the Vow Arisal, one must take it that there are sixty-four minor elemental sphere [transits], and so the commentary's explanation of there being ninety-six is out of context. The Revelation of the Hidden Intention states that the transit measure of each of the wind-energies of the four elemental spheres is nine hundred alike. The Vajra Rosary, the Vow Arisal and the Personal Instruction explain that two elemental spheres are in each nostril and two in both nostrils equally, hence, 1 123bl the wind-energies of the two movings in each nostril alone are able [to account] for half a day's wind-energies, and the wind- energies moving in both nostrils equally account for the other half. That being so. as the equal moving from the two nostrils and the individual nostril moving are equal in time, the way of counting each as a nine hun- dred set of equal moving must be interpreted as indicating one cycle of inhalation and exhalation as one energy together. So one must reflect criti- cally as to whether one must employ a different method of counting when
dealing with the wind-energies moving from each nostril individually. Thus, the equal moving of the two wind-energies of left and right, when their degree of force, is similar being short in duration, while equal moving of alternating strength and weakness seeems to take longer dura-
tion; so both of them are considered as equally moving. As for the way of equal moving in the transit- interval from the right to the left, as the right energy becomes weaker, in the interval when it is not manifest as just that, the moving in the left comes somewhat weakly, and it is held from that; and when its moving [in the left] becomes a little stronger, the right becomes proportionately weaker. with finally even the subtlest moving ceasing, at exactly which time the left begins to move alone. The transit from the left to the right is just similar. So, though it is a case of the
energy newly moving actually in a nostril where previously there was no energy moving, there are both transited and untransited wind-energies which were actually previously moving.
Chapter V- Speech Isolation in General ? 25 1
If one wonders here, "Well, but then, according to the Community Explanatory Tantras, in half the wind-energies of a day there are twelve nostril transits and, according to the Vow Arisal there are eight, and accord- ing to the Time Machine, not counting six hundred seventy-five [wind- energies] , there are twelve l 1 24al nostril transits in the wind-energies of a day taken as a whole-so how do we understand whether or not there are contradictions? "
Here one should take these [diffef rent countings] as non-contradictory, since stated in terms of [the needs of particular] disciples, by setting apart the explanations of that Community system elucidated by the Personal
Instruction ofManjushrr and by the Noble father and sons, and by seeing how the Vow Arisal explanation seems to be the import of that Tantra; so the meanings of those references are not properly explained as the same. And as it seems difficult to make a difference saying that that "in regard to the wind-energies moving in the nostrils, this system is established by experience and that other is not so established. "
Granted that other such [apparent] inconsistencies indeed seem to be there in the literature on the channels and wind-energies etc. , if you know what is necessary to determine their meanings, when you pene- trate the vital points in the body, you concentrate the evolutionary wind- energies in the dhati channel and dissolve them, which generates great bliss which is united with voidness. In all those systems, it seems that this is taken as the essence of the path; and so those [differences of
numbering, etc. ] do not become a condition for disagreement about the vital points of the path.
Though Kalden Drakpa explains that the fire energy of the right nostril moves at the beginning of a day, the Vow Arisal states that:
From the first day of the white fortnight Beginning to move in the moon [channel] For three days in a half session.
Then total moving in the sun [channel]
[For three days] as long as energy [lasts, and so on] Until the fifteenth day of the white fortnight.
From the first day of the dark fortnight
Beginning, one says one moves in the morning
For three days in the sun (channel),
[And so on]until the fifteenth (dark] day. . .
252 ? Brilliant Illumination ofthe Lamp
But this also is not contradictory. [ l 24bJ "Moving in the moon" means from the left nostril. and "moving in the sun" means from the right nos- tril. "Day" means from sunrise to sunset, and "night" means from sunset to sunrise. The SheafofInstructions says that "beginning moving" means pre-dawn twilight.
That wind-energy sign of the pattern of first moving of the waning period is six days, and one [waning] phase is a fortnight, and two phases is two fortnights, and three phases is three fortnights. If the order is reversed, some problems arise, concerning which the same text [Vow Arisal] states:
In one, two, three, four, five,
And six days, reversing, from that,
If the wind-energy moves wrongly, Then a great argument will happen. From one fortnight of moving wrongly, Great illness originates.
From two fortnights of moving wrongly, Beloved relatives will decline.
Three fortnights of moving wrongly, One will die in six months.
Although in regard to death signs, there is much else stated, there is no error in explaining as a death sign the mistaking of the wind-energy signs of balancing elements; if that happens, it is said one should perform inner and outer death-averting rituals.
As for the way in which benefits and problems arise during the moving of whichever of the major element wind-energies, the Vow Arisal states:
By the earth [wind-energies], there is dominion,
By water [wind-energies], aims are truly fulfilled.
When the fire wind-energies move,
There is thirst, hunger, poison, suffering, illness,
And all activities become ruined.
So said supreme Vajradhara.
By wind [wind-energies], arguments, fatigue, confusion, Loss of wealth, and addictions overwhelm.
Earth [wind-energies] bring wealth and grain and so on,
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 253
Profit is gained and collected.
By water wind-energies moving, l l 25ol Desired accomplishments are all performed, So the supreme application of that
Is what Vajrasattva mainly declared.
during wind-energies moving from the nostrils individually and equally from both:
[Wind-energies] with wisdom nature are highly praised
To conquer poison etc. , for abundance,
And to create glory and good fortune.
Always the power of glorious compassion [wind-energies] Wins battles, plays games, and feasts ;
For cutting and breathing,
And in work of cooking and making,
The compassionate [wind-energies] are highly praised. Further, those of both natures, the Vajra-holders, Should be known as doubtful,
Indeterminate as virtuous or nonvirtuous,
By the knowing of wind-energies, this is an example.
"With wisdom nature" means those moving from the left nostril alone, and "having compassion nature" means those moving from the right nos- tril alone; "having both natures" means the time when wind-energies move from both nostrils equally. In the commentary the import of the above is explained to be that the wind-energy a yogi/ni should practice by performing the activities of growth during the earth energy moving, of peace during the water energy [moving], of terror during the fire energy [moving], and of expelling fierce qualities and so forth during the wind
energy [moving].
The Master Shridhara explained [in his Orgasmic Luminance] that
one should act according to the statement about virtuous and nonvirtuous actions, going and coming, and so on:
In earth and water wind-energies, virtuous actions, In fire and wind wind-energies, the dark side;
One should truly know the moon,
In sharp light it is medium.
The same text [Vow Arisal ] also mentions what should be done
254 ? Brilliant Illumination ofthe Lamp
If one does nonvirtue in the day [breath],
It definitely brings death;
That same, if it happens in the moon-[time], It does not bring extreme suffering.
Here, "moon" means the time of the moving of the energy of the left. (llSbJ "Sharp light" means the time of the energy of the right, the energy of the sun. At that time, if one does terrific activities, it brings death- that is, the activities are accomplished. In short, gentle activities of peace and so on, if done during earth and water wind-energies, are good; and they are unhappy if done at time of fire and wind wind-energies. They are good if done during left nostril wind-energies; and medium if done during right nostril wind-energies. And when one performs terrific activi-
ties, it is the reverse of the above.
The four wind-energies are explained by S hrilhara as the minor
elements. Further, if your wind-energies are moving through the ali" [vowels], the left, and the requester's are moving from the kali [conso- nants], the right, when you are requested [about something], or vice versa, the aim is not accomplished. If both [energy circulations] are cor- responding, that aim is accomplished. And if one is requested when both are moving from both, then whether the goal is achieved or not is indeter- minate. And if your own energy is being inhaled within and another makes a request and one begins the activity, it is good; and bad if it happens while one exhales; and indeterminate if it happens when one is
holding the breath within. From the same text [Vow Arisal]:
When the Savior moves in the ali,
If someone abiding in kali should ask; Or if [the Savior]
moves in kali, and one abides in ali- The desired goal will be lost.
From where the Savior is moving,
If someone who asks abides there,
Their purpose will be truly achieved.
From abiding in both, it is doubtful.
And again:
[For] the requester or oneself, whichever, The truth body is all virtue,
? Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 255 The beatific body is indeterminate,
The emanation manifests conflict. 82
perform]
If one knows the first [of the two functions] mentioned in the Inte- grated Practices, as to how all mundane and transcendent actions can be completed by mixing the subtle element wind-energy and consciousness- luminance, one understands what is common and uncommon with other vehicles in [describing] the process of entering the life cycle. And if one understands the second [activity], relying on already understanding the [first], one comes to understand well what is common and uncommon [with other vehicles in desccribing] the process of departing from the life cycle .
Well then, one might wonder how the wind-energy accomplishes all mundane life cycle functions.
According to the Vajra Rosary:
As the moon is gripped by the planet [Rahu],
So the wind-energies gradually decay.
Previously from full to full, its nature is to dissolve, [So the wind-energies] give forth, are held,
Are made to move with ease or difficulty.
Thus at the time of death, as the moon becomes invisible when seized by a planet, so the previous wind-energies dissolve serially into the later ones, "giving forth, being held" states that the process continues until it
82 The Tibetan differs from Tsuda's Sanskrit text, but accords better with Tsang Khapa's commentary.
83 A tremendously focused mindfulness is involved in this vajra recitation practice. One's mindfulness of the breath goes way beyond merely being mindful that one is breathing, moving into just how one is breathing, from which nostril, which part of which nostril, which involves being aware of the exact time of day and month and so on.
? ? "Truth body" means inhalation, "beatific body" means holding within,
and "emanation body" means exhalation. 83 1 126al
[VI. B. 3. b. ii. c '3 'd TB "3 "f" -
What sort of function the wind-energies
256 ? Brilliant Illumination ofthe Lamp
reaches the vitalizing energy. This has the same meaning as the Inte-
grated Practices statements:
Again, those [coarse energies] attaining the indestruc-
and :
tible, become non-substantial . . .
Thus all having been done on the occasion of abiding in the body; finally, [the wind-energies] enter the indestruc- tible.
That is the wind-energies, in the conclusion of death, dwelling in the in- destructible [drop] of the heart center, enter into the clear light trans- parence of non-substantiality. Further, when earth, water, fire, and wind dissolve, the former into the latter, at the end of the movement of wind becoming progressively slighter, when the [subtle] wind-energy that mobilizes the natural instincts dissolves into the first consciousness- luminance, [126bl the natural instinctual thoughts are eliminated and the first void arises. Then the second void, the third void, and the fourth void clear light transparence arise; again they arise by the power of each hav- ing progressively less movement of wind-energy. Then, when the energy increases more greatly than the clear transparence [super-subtle] wind- energy, imminence emerges, and then radiance and luminance again emerge each by force of the energy progressively increasing. And when the energy moves more coarsely, greater than the luminance energy, the
instincts are produced.
Such being the case, the process of birth and death is caused by
wind-energy, and the arisal of the four voids is during the period between the dissolving and arising of the energy mobilizing the natural instincts. Thus, the natural instincts are derived from the increased movement of the three luminances, and thus it is said that the three luminances are the root of the natural instincts of all beings. As the Vajra Rosary states:
And :
Who hears here of the three consciousnesses Having the nature of the three luminances, This is the natural root of the entire realm Of all living beings.
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 257
This is the great realm of wind-energy, The mount of the three consciousnesses. Thereby the natural always
Proceeds accordingly.
And the Five Stages states:
When endowed with luminance,
One moves mounted on the wind-energy, Then all those instincts arise completely. Wherever the wind-energy abides,
There it bears along the natural instincts.
The natural instincts [l27al create the addictions; thereby evolution- ary action is accumulated and one is born into the life cycle. As the Vajra Rosary states:
Just as there is nothing left when burned by fire, Without moving, it dissolves and departs.
Again when the life-wind-energy arises
There are the various evolutionary winds. Together with that is consciousness
And again one lives in the three worlds. Therefrom is evolution and likewise birth, Therefrom instincts such as lust,
And therefrom again death and birth. Thus it is like a revolving wheei. 84
Such statements are not to disagree with the statements that the self habit is the root of the life cycle, by teaching that the energy is the root of the life cycle. The Integrated Practices also makes the same statement. Depending on the self habit and the property habit, one performs virtue and vice, and one thus enters into the life cycle revolving between heav-
enly and hellish realms; this process is established by three SOtras such as the Eight Thousand. And Nagarjuna declared [the following] to clearly show their meaning:
84 Except for the introduction of the wind-energy role in the process, this closely resem-
?
bles Nagarjuna's description of th life cycle process in his Jewel Rosary.
258 ?
Brilliant Illumination ofthe Lamp
If all this is naturally void and unproduced
How could one circle throughout [the realm of] evolution, Here where pleasure and pain, and so on, function?
At once, on the claim of self,
One is stuck with the taints of lust, and so on,
One becomes other-controlled -
And that fool is afflicted with suffering. All of these are merely mind,
Truly arising in the form of illusion;
Wherein by virtuous and vicious evolutionary action, One is born in heaven and hell.
This is the system common to the Sotra and Tantra texts. [ t 27bl Therefore, the statement that one is born in the life cycle through the wind-energy should be understood as referring to the auxiliary condition of being born in the life cycle through the afflictions of the self habit, and so on.
That is the general function of the wind-energies, but as for their individual functions:
The function of the vitalizing energy is stated in the Vajra Rosary:
From the continuum of the door of sense, Life-wind-energy and exertion move, And as it totally moves at all times,
It is explained to be "life-wind-energy. "
In regard to this, there are many different translations in other trans- lations of the Vajra Rosary and in [other texts] where it is cited. It means that the continuous activities of wind-energies entering and emerging from the doors of the five senses are mainly energized by the power of that [vitalizing energy] and are nourished by this, which is the meaning of the "life-wind-energy" [function]. The meaning of "exertion" being their long-term expansion, it has the function of long-term expansion;
that it has these two functions is the interpretation of Abhayakara. The Elixir Secret explains it[s function] as making the wind-energies go out and in the door[s] of the sense[s].
The function of the evacuative energy [stated in the Vajra Rosary]:
Of life-energy, wind-energies, excretions, As well as semen and so on,
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 259 All these down-drives as evacuative[energy],
The yogYnishould recognize.
So it is stated that the driving in the downward direction of semen and so on is the function of the evacuative energy. Other translations have "urine" in place of "life-energy" which is better. And the drawing down of the wind-energies brings them specially to the two doors of the genital region and also to the navel as explained above.
The function of the emetabolic energy [stated in the Vajra Rosary] :
Laughing, eating, licking,
Drinking [ 1 28aJ and sucking,
Whatever always [makes it] equalized Is called "metabolic wind-energy. "
The Chag translation explains its function as making food and drink homogeneous, and the verse quoted in the SheafofInstructions reads:
It is homogenizing as it draws into equality Food and drink and so on at the navel region.
This means that, as the Elixir Secret explains:
. . . food and drink and so on are simultaneously digested
-[this energy] causes food and drink enjoyed to be digested into equal taste at the navel.
The function of the ascending energy [stated in the Vajra Rosary] :
Going upward, gathering,
Eating food and tasting and so on,
Knowingly joining [things] together-
Recognize as the functions of the ascending [energy] .
There are also translations "knowing and joining together," and "joining together with knowing. " This means that, agreeing with the Elixir Secret's explanation that the previous [wind-energies] leave [this one to] recognize food with the tongue consciousness, and the explanation of the Sheafof Instructions that this one causes the ten wind-energies to descend. Al- though the Elixir Secret explains this energy as radiating the evolutionary wind-energies at the sense doors, "ascending" is a going upward of the energy, and the text mentions "gathering" to indicate it is not only that
260 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
rising function, indicating that it also functions to cause entrance within. By knowing the way of enjoying food, it joins together with the tongue, which shows its function of chewing and so on.
The function of the pervading energy [stated in the Vajra Rosary]:
Pervading and maintaining,
Going and coming back and so on, As it pervades all the joints,
It is said to be [ J 28bl "pervading. "
In the first line the Chag translation says "nourishing. "
As for the individual functions of the branch wind-energies, it is to
accompany the five senses holding their objects, as above explained. Having explained the way of executing functions in common be- tween ordinary persons and yogi/nis, now I should explain particularly how the wind-energies function for the yogi/nis. Having practiced vajra
recitation of the four root wind-energies, one executes the functions of achieving the four ritual activities such as pacification and so forth, causing the achievement of the ordinary accomplishments. Again, prac- ticing vajra recitation of those four wind-energies, one develops the four voids and creates the magic body with the subtle energy thereby causing achievement of the supreme accomplishment. Practicing the vajra recitation with the five branch wind-energies, one is caused to achieve the five clairvoyances such as the divine eye, and one is caused to have all objective perception become the blaze of great bliss. Practic- ing vajra recitation with the pervasive energy one achieves the supreme in the between, causing the experience of clear light transparence, accord-
ing to the word of the ancient sages.
Teaching how to know the vital key of
Here one might ask, "Thus, relying on the explanation of the natures and functions of the wind-energies, how does one understand the keys of penetrating the vital points in the body? "
In the Vajra Rosary, after the statement that one wanders in the life cycle by the deceptive force of the instincts and the instinctual natures cre- ated by the wind-energies-the vehicle of consciousness, having mingled
? practice relying on thatJ
[VI. B. 3. b. ii. c'3'dTH"3"e" -
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 261 with the consciousness' instincts and put it in touch with objects, there
being no life cycle other than that, it is stated:
Thus, in order to abandon the life cycle, Illuminatethestate1129aJ ofdiscerningthedrop, And by striving to meditate [on it] ,
Ignorance not known by other [means];
Thus opening up that central knot,
You will gain the [supreme] accomplishment.
Thus it teaches that to purify the instincts for wandering in the life cycle, you "discern the drop which causes the opening of the ignorance knot that binds the heart center dhati channel," which means you should meditate the vajra recitation. 85 As explained above, at the boundary be- tween the moving and unmoving of the instinctual notions, you recog- nize the arisal of the four voids, and you understand the need to meditate a life-energy control such as the vajra recitation in order to generate such a sequence in your life-process; and this is the unexcelled knowledge of the key of spiritual practice that relies on the explanation of wind-energy.
Further, having well negated the object held by the two self habits, having sought the wisdom realizing selflessness decisively certain of the import of selflessness, then you meditate on that and radically overcome the two obscurations-all the supreme experts in all that [process] agree
[on this point]. However, when meditating profound voidness, already having well determined it thus by learning and reflection, other vehicles and the lower Tantra types do not teach the need for the distinctive subjectivity of great bliss as taught in this [unexcelled] vehicle; and thus it is the distinctive characteristic of this unexcelled vehicle.
Whatever the special art you use to develop the four joys and four voids, it is through the door of the great bliss that it is developed. And since that cannot be completely produced until the wind-energies that
85 Here we have a very clear description of the connection, through the concept of the subtle body, with wind-energies, channels and their knots, and awareness-drops, of the process of critical wisdom unraveling the confusions of the self habits and identity habits as parallel to the process of wind-energy and channel structure meditation unraveling the sixfold heart center knot, called the "knot of ignorance. " You could say this is the mind- body key point of Unexcelled Yoga Tantra.
? 262 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
drive the instinctual notions are blocked, you should strive in the art of blocking the wind-energy.
Therefore, 1129hJ as it is stated that the mind stays steady by using wind-energy meditation to eradicate the wind-energy's readiness to move, if you entertain such ideas as - "even without meditating the wind-energies if one knows how to cultivate the thoughtless mind-setting free of de- pression and agitation, and by that practice itself one discovers firm samadhi, what's the use of wind-energy meditation? " or "if one stabilizes
the mind abiding thoughtless, that itself is the insertion of the wind- energies into the dhati channel, so one need not meditate anything else! " -then you must explain the following. In general, the mere stable abid- ing of the mind in thoughtlessness is shared in common with outsiders and insiders and Individual and Universal Vehicles, and in particular the immaculate samadhi abiding thought-free on the import of voidness is shared in common with the Vehicle of the Transcendences; so for them, how can the wind-energy yoga involving meditating on the penetration of the vital points in the body be necessary? However, even though one has attained such a samadhi, that does not mean that one has attained the great bliss by power of the wind-energies dissolving in the dhati channel. There- fore, the "stable mind" meant in the expression "stable mind attained by blocking the movement of the evolutionary wind-energies" is the mind of
orgasmic bliss. As Saraha declared [in an Enlightenment Song]:
Here, mentality contracted, the wind-energy energizes, It moves and lifts and grows quite uncalm,
When one realizes the orgasmic nature,
[Only] thereby does one become stable.
To generate that requires the dissolving of the evolutionary wind- energies into the dhati and the blazing of the furor-fire; and the minds of those [yog1nJ;), while nominally also being "thoughtless" and "blissful," are definitely different [from those of yog1n1i in ordinary meditative trances and blisses]. But this has been much explained above.
Once you have decisive insight into the view of voidness, [130ul when you meditate, if you enter into the perfection stage because of the key of needing to meditate by means of that melting bliss, first, there are many doors taught for penetrating the vital points in the body, which is the art of generating great bliss. Therefore you should not persist in
thinking that "the perfection stage is not profound with its channel-
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 263
energy-drop yoga. wind-energy yoga, and so on, and has no meditation on voidness. " Thus the stopping of the evolutionary wind-energies by meditating wind-energy yogas is a stopping in general of the ten wind- energies that cause entry and emergence in the doors of senses relying on the two channels, and a stopping in particular of the two main wind- energies, vitalizing and evacuating, from moving in the right and left channels. For those [two main] wind-energies, when not pushed into the dhati channel, rely on the other channels and cause entrance and emer- gence, and thus drive the eighty instinctual patterns-[all of] which creates an obstacle to the realization of the four voids. To fully generate the universal bliss requires a powerful melting of the enlightenment spirit, which itself requires a powerful blazing of furor, and its special blazing requires the evacuative energy to dissolve into the dhati channel from below. For that you need to stop the entry and emergence of the evacuative energy in the lower door, for which, as explained above, you must perform the procedures of entry and emergence in the upper and lower nostril apertures.
If you understand the previously explained process of entering into the life cycle shared in common with both vehicles, you know the need to eliminate its root, the self habit, and you come to seek the decisive insight into the view of selflessness. If you know the uncommon process of entry to the life cycle by power of wind-energies, you see the need to
stop the evolutionary wind-energies [130bJ that drive the instinctual notional patterns, and you come to develop a decisive insight into the instruction of penetrating the vital points in the body, the art of stopping that [evolutionary wind-energy]. You then come to practice, taking as the essence the path that joins bliss and void, ascertaining the import of void- ness with the great bliss developed from that art [of stopping the evolut- ionary wind-energies]. In this way you do not miss the essential key of the [mentor's] personal instruction. And if you do otherwise, you do not distinguish the subtle differences between great bliss and other blisses, you do not discover the ultimate view by distinguishing the coarse and subtle voids, and though you praise the bliss-void-union, it is no more than delighting in the mere name. And that essence explained in both [Unexcelled Yoga] Tantric categories is chiefly the distinctive means to attain the truth body. The distinctive means of attaining the material body is explained [especially] clearly in this [Father Tantra] system, as has
been explained above and will be further explained below.
264 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp [VI. B. 3. b. ii. c '3 'd To "4" -
The fourth has five parts, explaining: [a"] Collecting the mantra; [b ") The symbol of mantra; [c ") The import of mantra; [d "] The ulti- mate of mantra; and [e") Short "A," root of mantra.
[VI. B. 3. b. ii. C'3'dTo"4"a" - Collecting the mantra]
In regard to the basis from which the mantras are collected, implicit
in "collecting the mantras," the Triple Rite mentions: From the city ofali and kiili,
The root of the emergence of mantra. . .
? ? ? [These ali and kali are] the sixteen vowels and the thirty-four consonants. As for the fact that the Integrated Practices mentions only thirty-three, eliminating the letter KSHA, it intends that it is not other than the KA and SHA [already enumerated]. As for the mantras collected from there, these are all those stated in the Tantras such as essence-, close-essence-, and rosary-mantras [of various deities] and so forth. [I3IaJ As for the way they are collected, the Tantras state numerous ways of collecting mantras.
As for the reality of all such mantras, it is the three letters OM AI:I HOM. The Integrated Practices states:
The mantras for snakes and so on actually arise from vowels and consonants. Their reality is the three letters emerging from the indestructible. Therefore all mantras, of male, female, and neuter nature, are activated in the three letters according to the personal instruction attained. Therefore, the three letters are the lord of mantras.
The sentence from "Therefore [all mantras . . . ]" gives the reason why the three letters are the lord[s] of all mantras. The Root Tantra also declares:
That same collected essence of all mantras is celebrated as the secret of body, speech, and mind. . .
-that is, the three syllables are the essence or chief of all mantras.
Here if one wonders how the three, "female," and so on, are ap- plied to the base of collection, vowels and consonants, to the mantras, for
Teaching the ultimate reality of mantra]
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 265 snakes, and so on, and to the three letters, the Chag translation of the
Integrated Practices translates [the above phrase as]:
All mantras with nature female, male, and neuter;
the two old translations of the Illumination of the Lamp Sixth Chapter translate:
Mantras come from ali and ka/i are actually for snake [prevention] and so on, and by being female, male, and neuter they become the base of the three letters; hence mantras are the three syllables; I U l b l
with the two new translations translating:
. . . being concentrated in the three syllables.
Also from the Illumination of the Lamp Tenth Chapter, there is an expla- nation of the three mantras, male, and so on, being collectible into the three syllables, which takes the collected mantras as the three.
The way of interpreting mantras as male, female, and neuter and the way to collect them into the three syllables was mentioned "accord- ing to the personal instruction attained. " Aside from that, they are not clearly explained in the treatises of the five father and sons, and it does not seem that other explanations can afford confidence of mind. As for our own interpretation, mantras are classed as threefold when they per- tain to a male deity, a female deity, or used for both, and since all mantra deities taught are collected in the three vajras, all mantras are collected
into the three letters. Thus the three letters are the essence of all mantras. The essence of all body vajra clan deities being the letter OM, the OM letter is the chief of all mantras of that clan. And the other two [speech and mind] should be understood in the same way.
If one interprets according to the basis of collection, one should do this according to the Vajra Essence Ornament Tantra statement that the twelve tilis are female, the KA, CHA, TA, TA, and PA groups are male, and the four [semi-vowels] 8. and t, [each short and long], are neuter. As for the three letters, it is obvious that OM is male, A/:1 is female, and
HOM must be neuter.
Such scholars as Kalden Drakpa claim that the vowels and conso-
nants are collected into the first letters of the eight groups, A, KA, CHA, TA, TA, PA, YA, SHA, and those eight into A, KA, YA, SHA, and those four
266 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
into A. KA, YA, and those three again are transformed into female Al:f. male HOM, l l 32a l and neuter OM. Thus there are measureless ways to col- lect mantras from the mantra base, but in this context they are collected into OM A /:1 HOMand each of those comes from three syllables along with the indestructible, and so to collect all mantras into the three sylla-
bles is to concentrate mantras.
As for the need to show all mantras as concentrating in the three syl-
lables, it is to make it understood that the ability to attain accomplish- ments of all other mantras exists in the three syllables, and so theirs is the ultimate recitation of all verbal recitations. For, as both Root and com- mentary of the [Esoteric Community] Tenth Chapter state, the creation stage practitioner, if s/he does not attain the powers after incorporating the experiences of the three conducts, s/he can command the heart essence of all deities by the three letter recitation mantras. And [it is also the case,] since, as will be explained, the creation stage practitioner becomes able to achieve all four ritual activities from the door of this [three syllable
recitation].
Such being the case, when [the three mantras] are recited, connect-
ing the definitive meaning three letter recitation indivisibly with the three wind-energies, that is the vajra recitation. What need to mention that it has the power of all verbal mantra recitations to induce the heart stream of all deities to cause them to bless the practitioner. Thus, not only does vajra recitation have the excellence of collecting wind-energies in the dhati channel through applying wind-energy yoga, but it also generates a dis- tinctive power from the door of reciting mantras. And so you must become certain about the way in which it is unexcelled, different from [132bl other
wind-energy yogas.
As for what one should do with such a sort of three syllables, there
are two Integrated Practices statements. First, concerning the way of per- forming activities common to the ordinary person and the yog1n? : on strength of engaging [vajra recitation] through the process of inhaling, holding, and exhaling those same three syllables, one can maintain [the practice] through making the body abide Uust by breathing OM Al:l HOM] through the day and night. At the time of sexual union, the same three syllables, together with the semen-nature ali [vowels] and ovum- nature kali [consonants], face downward and emerge from the secret nostril-hole in the form of a seed and cause the creation of a being's body. And the same [three letters] again, combined with life-energy control,
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 267
going upward, cause the awakening of the sense doors such as eye. When semen and ovum merge with wind-energies and go downward, the three letters are taught intending that you cause the energy to enter and exit from the lower (dhati) tip door and also keep it in its own place. When the vitalizing energy goes upward as well, some part stays within and some goes without, after which it comes again within, hence becoming fit to be counted as the three letters. A letter with the sound of the wind- energy, has gotten the name "together with the wind-energy. " Having performed all the activities already explained and to be explained below in the context of dwelling in the body, at the end in death, it enters into the indestructible, and once again you rely on [getting another] ordinary body which performs all the activities previously mentioned-and the meaning of this statement has already been explained.
[Second,] for the yog7n'ii in particular, there are two ways to per- form activities. The creation stage person's way to perform [13. \al [the practice] is to create the deity body from the true application of the three letters, which here are the three letters having the form of colors and shapes. The same, having placed them in the heart center and so on in the form of letters having color and shape, you perform whispered and vocal verbal recitation, relying on an activity color and facing a direction and so on, and you accomplish activities such as the peaceful; and in this practice there are both audible and visible three syllables. The perfection stage practitioner's way to perform the practice is to make the effortless vajra recitation come out of the nostrils, and it purifies previous karmic obstructions; as the energy moves in the four elemental spheres through
vajra recitation in each half-session, you acomplish mainly one of each activity of peace, prosperity, power, and terror, and incidentally [you accomplish] the other three activities-so that you accomplish both main and incidental activities. Both [creation and perfection] yog7nil use the three letters while enjoying food and drink to purify the faults of the food through the process of purifying, transforming, and expanding. In these
cases also the mantras have sound and form both.
Such is stated in terms of both outer and inner. However, the main
thing here is [to realize] the three syllables as the very tones of the wind- energies emerging, entering, and abiding in the heart center indestruc- tible. As the Integrated Practices states:
268 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
One should not hesitate to engage with the mantra syl-
lable having the inward nature.
And each of them is also there stated to emerge from the indestructible.
The symbol of a mantra is the name ? 133bJ of the mantra. There are four kinds of mantras: those which have OM at the beginning and SVAH A at the end, called "snake"; those with OM at the beginning and no SVAHA, called "tail-less"; opposite to that, the "head-less"; and the "collected" kind, which have neither. Then there are many others, the essence mantra, the secondary essence mantra, and so on. Here, it is stated in the Revelation ofthe Hidden Intention:
The three realities abide with the symbols; They have the character of a natural recitation.
Therefore, it is shown that one should understand that, with the symbols, the three realities of the wind-energy - exhaling, inhaling, and abiding - abide from the beginning in the character of a natural recitation. The symbols of the three inner mantras stay the same as those three. The reality of entering is the symbol of OM. The other two should be known in the same way. In that [same] Tantra, it states [the mantras to be aligned with] the symbols of "quickening, compressing, and going slow. " Thus, when collecting the mantra to be recited in vajra recitation, the three letters emerge. When one indicates that named sign, one knows them as the letters which are the tone of the wind-energy, and those two [wind- energy and mantra] are taken to be indivisible. As the Revelation ofthe Hidden Intention says:
When the mantri is alone without a seal, S/he does not become a person of mantra.
If the mantri and the seal are not united, you will not accomplish [your aim]. Here, in the Esoteric Community, in answer to: "If one does not employ the seal of the hand, how will one achieve just by the mantra alone? " [the Revelation of the Hidden Intention] says:
Having the three-quickness, and so on- Is explained as achieving the seal.
? [VI. B. 3. b. ii. c '3 'd TB "4 "b " - The symbol of mantra]
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 269
Here, if one does quick exhalation, compressed inner inhalation, and lei- surely holding in, along with counting, then this serves as the seal, bind- ing that [practice]:
Definitely employing i n mantra [practice]
The quick, [ 1 34al the compressed, and the leisurely The master says it with effort
Close to the ear of the disciple.
Uniting the mantra of three letters with those three [breathings] is using the mantra and the seal of the hand. It explains that one will achieve the great seal. It is shown that the excellences of all of the bonds of the seal are collected in this. These answers are as quoted in [Nagabodhi's] [Stage of] Arrangement.
Again, somebody asks [in the Revelation of the Hidden Intention] : How can one well express
Inviting and asking to go? In answer to this it is stated:
The continuous practices
Of quickness, entering, and abiding Are inviting and asking to go- These truly serve as the seals.
"Bound in the hand gesture" is to invite the deities, to enter is to keep them in the place, and then asking them to go. This is in order to invoke them each to do their own divine activity. That purpose is also achieved by vajra recitation. Thus, by the three recitations of inhaling within and so on, they are invited, requested to stay, and exhorted to go. This achieves
the purpose.
The meaning of mantra]
In general there are many meanings of mantra, but here we must explain the meaning of mantra in the context of the three letters of the vajra recitation. Further, we have already explained how that is under-
stood as the tone of the three letters ; but [this meaning] is not that.