Thus, the reality of that "short A" letter of such three
processes
is only the realm of buddhas, and is kept secret from the lesser disciples, as they do not understand it.
Thurman-Robert-a-F-Tr-Tsong-Khapa-Losang-Drakpa-Brilliant-Illumination-of-the-Lamp-of-the-Five-Stages
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.
Well, what is it? It is the three things, body vajra, and so on, of the
perfection stage. Here, the Revelation ofthe Hidden Intention states:
? [VI. B. 3. b. ii. c'3'dTB"4"c" -
270 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp That is the fully transformed form
Perceived as a deity.
In the Integrated Practices, to explain the statements from this Explana- tory Tantra, 1 1 34bl [A ryadeva] explains four [things] ; the summary of the mantra, the symbol of the mantra, the meaning of the mantra, and the that- ness [reality] of the mantra. This is the same as the four things explained in the Tantra: the pronunciation, the visualization, the symbol, and the
ultimate reality.
Further, the Root Tantra Second Chapter states that you should
create the magic body, which is the indivisible union of the three, body, speech, and mind, in the verse, "The body is like the mind, etc. " In answer to the question about how to create the magic body, those two lines show how to create it. Thus, that [magic body] has the actuality of insubstantiality, and is the wind-energy-mind arisen from the clear light transparence indestructible. From the total transformation of that it is visualized as the body of a deity. From the wind-energy-mind it arises as a buddha. That same thing is the magic body of the indivisibility of the
three vajras. Thus, there are two magic bodies.
IYI. B. 3. b. ii. c'3'dTn"4"d"-The ultimate of mantra] [That same Revelation ofthe Hidden Intention states:]
Unceased, extremely peaceful,
Beyond permanence and annihilation, Not made by the three-times-knower,
The nature of thought-space-indivisible -
This only is the ultimate reality,
Its nature is introspective intuition.
The ultimate reality of things. like space, is not created by buddhas, and
? thought, or knowledge.
experience. This is the clear light transparence spirit of enlightenment. This shows the reality, or the ultimate reality, of mantra. Here, the two- concentrated mantra or the recited mantra, and the symbol of the mantra-indicate the manner of performing vajra recitation. Having performed that, one creates the spirit of enlightenment in relation to the two realities. What these two-the meaning or visualization of mantra (IJSaal and the ultimate reality of mantrc1-indicate, you should understand
becomes indivisible with it, in uniformity of
Chapter V- Speech Isolation in General ? 27 1
Intention}.
[. ? . . u. c1BeSh"A" f
Revelation of the Hidden Intention - those are the sources he quotes. In the Integrated Practices also, the way that those three letters generate all other letters is shown by those verses, which [A ryadeva] also quotes. In that quoted treatise, after showing how to concentrate all mantras in the
In the short [letter], there is the totality of speech; It is not one, and it is not many.
And, except for the explanation in the Integrated Practices which states that :
In the short ["A"] , there is the totality of speech . . .
this meaning is not explained at all in other treatises. The reason for this is that [the father and sons] intend that in order to understand the reality of mantra, it is indispensable to understand well the difference between the interpretable and the definitive about the statement that the "short A" is the root of all speech; and, that if one knows that, it will be easy to understand the definitive meaning of the other treatises. Therefore, you should determine well the meaning of [A ryadeva's] statement in thelnte- grated Practices, made in answer to the question about the way in which the "short A" is required to be attached to all other words:
In regard to this, the explainers of the Buddha's Siitras, first knowing the words through grammatical analysis, follow86 merely the verbal meaning and do not understand
86 Available Sanskrit editions (Pandey and Wedemeyer) have anusmaranti ("memorize") for Tibetan rjes su 'brang (anusaranti) ("follow"), but I have followed the Tibetan cited by Tsong Khapa.
? ? - ort . root o mantra1
as the meaning of the Explanatory Tantra {Revelation of the Hidden VIB3b. . '3'd"'"4",
In the Five Stages, [Nagarjuna] teaches the reality of mantra by quoting the Root Tantra Tenth Chapter stating that those three syllables [OM Al:l HOAjtconcentrate all mantras, and he explains that same thing
by the verses stating the expressed mantras in the second chapter of the
three letters, there is a statement which says:
Brilliant Ilul mination ofthe Lamp
what is expressed by letters, why it is [so expressed], and what is to be attached to them. They don't understand the reality of letters correctly, I I 3S b l because that is the sphere of knowledge of buddhas. You should listen, then, in order to understand that through the stages of
teaching !
The "explainers of the Buddha's Sotras" are all the Buddhists who explain the import of Sotras without understanding the reality of mantra, which is the definitive meaning "short A," which must become attached to all speech, relying on the Explanatory Tantra. In the Integrated Practices, [Aryadeva] states:
About the so-called reality of mantra: root Tantras such as the Reality Compendium and so forth, and the Further Tantra, mention only "mantra," and do not teach the concentration of mantra. Therefore, in the Explanatory Tantra, the Divine Lord [Buddha] states only the truth, the concentration of mantra, the symbol of mantra, the imeaning of mantra, and the reality of mantra. Therefore, not understanding the Explanatory Tantra, those who insistently adhere to the outer secret mantra will never
understand this.
The meaning of the quote from "grammatical analysis" up to "fol- low merely" is that one just understands the import of the pronounced word, having ascertained the meaning of the word explained by the system of grammar to be attached to whatever by the power of the word, the meaning of the word of speech. As for "expressed by letters," the [Revelation ofthe Hidden Intention] Tantra says:
The short ["A "] becomes all speech.
That is the definitive meaning, which is something other than the mere literal achieved sound. There is also the meaning of where it is attached, why it is attached, and how it is attached.
Some Tibetan mentors explain this as "when one attaches speech to words, one attaches it to the meaning of what it expresses. " [136al "Why," is "by which reason," [asking about] how it is attached from the point of view of 'short A' becoming the cause of [speech]. " "How" does
272 ?
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 273
one attach it? When one collects many letters there is a name, when those are collected there is an expression, when many of those are collected there is speech, and when many of those are collected there is a treatise. That is the explanation up to there. But this is not the meaning. If that was so, the statement that those who explain Sotras according to works on grammar do not understand would be extremely incorrect.
Well, what is [the meaning] ?
Here, the attacher is that example of what is said to be speech which has the nature of ali and kiili, which is Vairocana, who is the wind- energy of vowels and consonants. Where is that attached? It is attached to the heart center indestructible. This has already been explained previ- ously, quoting from the Integrated Practices. Why is it attached? Because by achieving the indestructible, one realizes insubstantiality. This is what the Integrated Practices says. This is because clear light transparence is interpreted as insubstantiality. How is it attached? By means of the [death or yogic] dissolution process, as by earth dissolving into water, etc.
Thus, the reality of that "short A" letter of such three processes is only the realm of buddhas, and is kept secret from the lesser disciples, as they do not understand it. In the Integrated Practices Commentary, in the context of the passage, "at the time of learning, getting involved in the meaning of the syllables," and so forth, it is explained that "those who are not holy do not understand; like pointing at the moon with a forefinger," they do
not see the meaning. In the process of teaching, regarding the way of making it understandable, it says "all speech. " This refers to all of the forty-nine letters, the sixteen vowels and the thirty-three consonants. Gradually concentrating [all speech], all the treatises, both sacred and mundane, such as the Sutras and Tantras emerge and enable one to perfect all accomplishments. [136bJ If one knows the import of the specific letters connecting such speech to words, etc. , this is because "short A" is their life-energy, because such a letter as "K," etc. which does not have the "short A" [which makes it ". KA"] does not exist. Because it would simply be a stop, it would not become an expression. That explanation is the literal interpretable meaning of the expression [in Nagarjuna' s Five
Stages] "the short one becomes the totality of speech. "
Therefore, just as is stated in the Hymn ofthe Names {ofMaflju. \:hrT}:
"A" is the supreme of all letters. It has great import: it is the supreme letter. It arises from within; it is unprodu? ed.
274 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
Abandoning the pronouncing of expressions, it is the su- preme cause of all expressions. It illuminates all expres- sions.
This is not quoted as a means of making known the instruction of the pre- viously mentioned point that "short A" contains all other letters. There- fore, the Divine Lord said:
The "A" is the door of all things, because it is unpro- duced; and it is the word, the seed of the door of all con- templations.
It is also called "the [natural] orgasmic letter. " Also, in the Vajra Man- dala Ornament [Tantraj it is said, in order to clearly indicate 'A':
it is in the center of the heart, indestructible . . .
etc. , as quoted above. 87 And just after that quote [the Integrated Practices says]:
Therefore, all buddhas become the clan of "A"-"A" becomes the cause, and they are released through "A. "
These three references are given. Taking this as a reason, [137a] it is established that all buddhas arise from "A"; it is not proven that all speech has short "A. "
After that, the Integrated Practices says:
In the Mission to Lan ka [Satraj it says to rely on the import, but do not rely on the letter; if one goes after the letter, one will lose the ultimate meaning; furthermore, it will not cause understanding. Thus, it is like someone pointing out something to another with a fingertip and the other just looks at the fingertip; even so, foolish persons, attached to the literal meaning of things, will not be caused to seek the ultimate meaning. Therefore, if
one desires [to know] the import, do not just depend
87 See p. 228, above (Tib. I l l b).
? Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 215 upon the [letter], but get rid of insistence on the literal,
and seek the [deeper] meaning.
This is the [Mission to Lan k? quote. If one holds just the literal meaning of showing the "short A" applying to all expressions, one will not find any other import represented by that. One will just be looking at the fingertip, and one will not see the meaning pointed out by that. Similarly, it means that beyond that literal meaning, one must look for another meaning. What is that [other] meaning? Here, Tibetan mentors say that all speech words arise from vowels and consonants, and all of those arise from "short A. " "Short A" arises from the clear light in the void interior of the body. Therefore, all words are like space, and have voidness as their root. Therefore, in regard to all aggregates, etc. , the import of being expressed by that sound should be understood as like space, without intrinsic reality. This is the explanation of the reality of the word. 1 1 37b l
Our own system, according to the quote in the Vajra Mandala Orna- ment [Tantra], is that:
"A" means the indestructible that blazes like a butter-lamp flame in the center of the heart.
In the Hymn of the Names it is explained that "A" is the supreme of all letters. Other Tantras state that "A" is the door of all teachings; in this context, these must be explained as having the same meaning. Further, in the Integrated Practices it is stated that after death, the ground where the wind-energies dissolve is the indestructible. If one explains the definitive meaning of "short A" in that way, the definitive meaning of the vowels and consonants mentioned there are the wind-energies arising in depen- dence upon the subtle wind-energies of the indestructible, which wind- energies go and reside in the places within the body. This is taken as those vowels and consonants which are explained as arising in the form of vowels and consonants, and does not refer those vowels and consonants
which are produced from the effort of the tongue and palate.
The Samputa [Tantra] says that in the center of the eight petaled lotus of the navel the supreme syllable "A" abides. All mantras of all beings are said to be produced from there. That "short A" mentioned there is the roma [right] channel of the furor-fire blood-particles. In this con- text, in answer to the question, "What is the abode from which the one
276 ? Brilliant Illumination ofthe Lamp
hundred and eight wind-energies you mentioned arise and which of them
is supreme? " the Vajra Rosary states:
The nature of the place of wind-energy, Energy that pervades the six channel wheels Always abides in the Dharma wheel.
Called "life-energy," it pervades all beings. Free of thought, at midnight,
Arising from the supreme space,
It opens up the nature of wind-energy. [ 1 38nl
In general, the place of the wind-energies is the six wheels. Espe- cially, that life-wind-energy which arises from the void space in the heart center, opening all wind-energies, moving and making the wind-energies arise. The statement "by that energy all the wind-energies of beings are pervaded," and the statement "when [an embryo] is first conceived, the life-energy is developed from the heart center, and [at the end] finally collected there" are explained as previously as arising from the inde- structible "short A. " As for that, the life-energy wind which abides in the
heart center and the "short A" is the indestructible [drop] of the spirit of enlightenment.
In regard to the SheafofInstructions statement that "the eight divi- sions of the letters stand at the navel," it is explained that they stand [there] while actually being invisible, and that they arise invisibly when pronounced as being the birthplace of wind-energies in the lotus of the vagina, and that they are visibly produced from the functioning of the
palate, etc.
The "short A" of the heart center is the supreme ground of the
arisal of clear light. It is the supreme of all syllables, it has great import and is the best letter. It emerges from within, and is unproduced. The Chag tranlation says "The great life-energy has no letter. " "Life-energy" means "life-energy wind. " "Great" means "supreme. " "No letter" means the "the indestructible does not exist in the form of a syllable. " "Aban- doning verbal expression" means that "it does not have the actuality of expression. " "The cause of expression" means " all wind-energies in general, but the chief cause is the indestructible. " ''It illuminates all ex- pressions" means that when the wind-energies that come from there go to the throat they produce expressions that are articulated sound. The door
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 277
of all teachings is the door of all contemplations [138b] because bliss-void clear light transparence is the essence of all samadhis.
In regard to the indestructible "A," when samadhi collects the wind- energies together, the naturally unproduced voidness is ascertained by the great bliss [awareness] ; that is the dawning of clear light transparence and that is what is "primally unproduced. " It is not merely the voidness of non-production with respect to intrinsic reality. That being so, as was explained before, about the three elements, "where it is attached etc. ," that [clear light] constitutes that very same import of short "A. " It is the supreme key point of the path to buddhahood; thus it said that all buddhas arise from "A. "
In summary, the heart indestructible [drop] is understood to be the root of all wind-energies which have the form of inner vowels and con- sonants. When the wind-energies dissolve into that [indestructible], you realize the manifestation of clear light transparence. This is the extraordi- nary way of understanding the reality of mantra in the context of the vajra recitation. This is said to mean that the definitive meaning, described as other than the literal meaning, of the statement "The short ["A"] becomes the totality of speech," has been discovered. Therefore, just as we ex- plained the meaning of the statement, "When somebody points something out to one with the tip of his finger, you should look at what is being
pointed out, and not become obsessed with the means of indication," it seems that many still persist in behaving in that way. Thus, do under- stand this thoroughly with wide analysis of the details, and do not be too easily satisfied. 88
88 This whole section on the ultimate reality of mantra, connecting the short A to voidness. clear light, and so revealing it to be the source of all language, meaning, creation itself, really, reminds me of the idea of voidness as enabling the functions of both the world and liberation from the world, as stated classically by Nagarjuna in his Wisdom, as "What works with voidness, works; what doesn't work with voidness, doesn't work"; and on the mantric level, the mysterious paradox of the part of the famous mantra, SHUNYATA-
JNANA-VAJRA, where the intuition of voidness is likened to an unbreakable diamond.
? 2 78 ? Brilliant Ilul mination of the Lamp
? In order to show how speech isolation serves as a branch of life- energy control of the six [branches of] yoga, [consider] how that branch is described in the Further Tantra:
Breath. with nature of the five wisdoms, Is the reality of the five elements, [ 139aJ Arising in the form of a lump,
Imagine it on the tip of a nose.
That five-colored jewel [drop]
Is called "life-energy" and "control. " Visualize your mantra in your heart center,
Place the life-energy changed into a drop.
The meaning of this is explained by [Chandraktti in] the Illumi- nation of the Lamp. The first four lines explain the meditation on the substance-drop on the nose-tip of the secret [wheel]. The first two lines [again] and the lines starting from "[That five-colored] jewel" etc. up to "your mantra" describe the meditation on the light drop, the practice of
vajra recitation in the upper nostril. The two and a half lines after "in the heart center" indicates the meditation on the indestructible drop at the nose tip of the heart [center indestructible], and its purpose. 89 These are meditations of three life-energy controls meditating on the three drops in the three "nose" tips. As for them, the breaths of the five wisdoms [are listed in passages] from "the pervading breath is the mirror-like wisdom" up to "the life-energy-holding wind is the truth realm [purity] wisdom. " The five elements, from earth to space, are [are also listed in passages] such as "the evacuative energy is of the nature of earth. " That very breath of five wisdoms which have the nature of earth, etc. , you should meditate it in the form of a lump-like drop of enlightenment spirit, emerging from the hole of your vajra into the nose tip of the lotus of the science-[consort].
The way in which the wind-energies become the actuality of the drop is explained in the Illumination of the Lamp Sixth Chapter as being
89 Tsong Khapa's text must have been slightly different from the versions available to us, which only have one and a half hemistiches after "in the heart center. "
? - The \Vay that speech isolaI ion becomes a
1\'I. B"'tb. ii. <:'3 d To "5" l? ompnncnt nf breath nmtroll
?
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 279
that, when the an [male] and the wisdom [female] unite, the life-energy control winds which dwell above are developed by the joy of entrance- ment in union and melted by the fire of passion, and thus become a drop. In all the translations where the Further Tantra is quoted, in the Illumi- nation of the Lamp Sixth Chapter. [ U9h J in the two new translations of the commentary on the Twelfth Chapter, and in the Five Stages and the Inte- grated Practices translated by Chag, all say "on the nose tip of the lotus. " In the two accurate old translations of the commentary on the Twelfth Chapter, and in the Further Tantra, the Five Stages, and the Integrated Practices, all as translated by the the Great Translator [Rinchen Zangpo] there is no "lotus. " Thus, it is clear that in the Indian texts there are both [those] with ["lotus"] and without it. This is clearly described by six lines in the Integrated Practices:
You perform the vajra recitation of the three letters on the wind-energies of the four elemental spheres at the upper nose tip. The five wisdoms etc. . . .
Therefore, it is clear that not mentioning "lotus" is correct. Though Kanha- pa explains that this means "In the nose tip of the lotus of the face," it is incorrect.
When you apply yourself to practice the vajra recitation in the face nostril, according to the statement of the Integrated Practices, the four wind-energies other than the pervading [wind] emerge at the nose tip- the upper "nose door"-in the form of a lump-each in turn moving as principle, enfolding the other three together with it. The Elixir Secret explains that the inhaling, exhaling, and abiding of these wind-energies emerge in the form of a lump and in the form of the three letters. Kalden Drakpa says that "meditating on the lotus nose tip" is just for illustration,
and meditation on the vajra nose tip is also taught; this being the system in which male and female each meditate on their respective nose tips. Here, you meditate on both your own and the science consort's nose tip, since meditating on each individual nose tip has already been explained in the contexts of the subtle creation stage and the body isolation. [ 1 411al In regard to the statement in the Integrated Practices Sixth Chapter which says that these verses teach the creation stage meditation on the subtle drop in the lower door, this shows that they have similar characteristics;
but the actual meaning concerns the perfection stage.
280 ?
Brilliant Illumination ofthe Lamp
Meditating on both nose tips is discussed in the Vajra Rosary:
Streaming down through the channels,
The spirit of enlightenment made firm,
In the moment of holding the wind-energies In the tips of the vajra and the lotus, Expressing the syllable in the palate
And expressing the syllable KSHMAM,
It is taught that supreme yoga will be achieved.
This means that the art-which will be explained-for melting the spirit of enlightenment which streams through the channels, having stabilized [that spirit] in the two nose tips, will accomplish the supreme yoga. As for the art for stabilizing that, according to the Commentary:
The "palate" is an extremely long channel in the center of the vagina, and to connect with that is to constrict it very tightly, meditate KSHMAM at the vajra tip, and at the instant of holding the wind-energy . . .
This statement explains that it will be attained by the supreme yoga of meditating on the life-energy wind. That being so, "connection with the palate" will be achieved. In other translations it says "Held by the energy. " This is good. "Application of the letter in the palate, and by the yoga of the mantra PU KSHMI! vf' is not good. Holding in this way in the vajra nose tip is also holding it in the nose tip of the lotus, as it is at the meeting
point of the two channels. Also, since in the Root Tantra it is stated: Enjoying all desire fulfillments,
Recite, not losing the mantra branches.
[I40bJ On this occasion also, as for certain great yogi/nis who have great distinction, it is not prohibited that they should rely on an evolutionary seal [consort]. Here also, some meditate on this relying on a wisdom con- sort. If you know how to apply this statement in the Illumination of the Lamp to the five stages practice manuals, it seems to be the supreme life- energy control for dissolving winds into the dhati channel. The Illumina- tion ofthe Lamp translation says:
The very thing, the breath which moves upward, has five colors.
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 28 1
Patsab's translation says "That breath itself," which is better. That very wind-energy, previously explained as the wisdom and elemental breaths, goes upwards to the door of the sense faculties. It is five-colored, thus having the nature of the five transcendent buddhas. Therefore, it is a precious jewel. "Life-energy" is translated in the old translations as "life" (jrva, 'tsho ba), and "control" (iiyiima, rtsol) as "long-radiating effort," but Patsab translates '"Life-energy control' causes extension and long expansion. " This is better. This means that the life-energy, the wind which causes one to sustain one's life for a long time, is called "life-energy control. " The linguistic equivalent of "control" is iiyiima, which means "effort," also "cessation," and it is also used for "length and breadth. " Here, it is the latter. The translation "life-energy and effort" is wrong, because it would be a redundancy, an equivalency compound, as the Tibetan experts say. In the Time Machine literature, it is taken in terms of the middle [of the above three meanings], as "life-energy control," ex- plained as "life-energy cessation. " In Tibetan the word "control" (rtsol ba) does not work well for both "terminating" and "sustaining," but due to its linguistic equivalents, [t41al those both do work. Likewise, in the Tibetan, the "retracting" of [literally] "concentrating together" (pratyii- hiira, sor sdud) can be used as "taking. " The "together" (prati, so sor) can mean "repeating," and though it does not apply here, it is not precluded as a linguistic equivalent. The reality of the entry, exit, and abiding of that very energy which goes into the upper door is your own mantra for natural recitation day and night.
In the two old translations of the Commentary on that it is stated:
Because you will do [vajra-] recitation day and night, you think of your mantra in your heart, i. e. , in the lotus in [your] heart center. . .
but in the the two new translations of the Commentary it is stated in a better way:
Because you will recite it, it is your mantra.
Here, "because" gives the reason, and but it is not the previous reason for energy being practiced as life-energy control, nor should it be employed for any other reason; because you must consider it I itself! to be the reason for your mantra, and because, the Illumination qfthe Lamp eleventh chap-
ter states that:
282 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
"Your mantra" consists of the three letters which have
the nature of inhaling, etc.
In this context, Naropa states in his Further Tantra Commentary: '"Life-energy and control' are thinking that one has short A in the lotus of one's heart center. " As for the fact that the quotations from the Illumi- nation ofthe Lamp, "The explanation of 'life-energy control'" and "recit- ing day and night, inhaling with the energy, etc. " and the expression
"your mantra" do not occur [in Naropa's text], this is an incorrect text or a flawed translation, because the other contexts of the six branches [of yoga explained by Naropa] appear just as they are in the Illumination of the Lamp. The teaching that you should think of the short A in the heart center [J4Jbl is either in certain Indian texts of the Illumination of the
Lamp or else does fulfill the intention of the Commentary. The explana- tion in the Illumination ofthe Lamp [of the short A] as "the indestructible drop" is good because it is in agreement with the explanation with the reference quoted in the Integrated Practices that says that "the short A is the indestructible [drop] in the heart center. "
In regard to the statement that "Life-energy should be set to become a drop," the Illumination of the Lamp states no more than: "you set it by attaching it to the indestructible. " That means that the drop is the inde- structible, to be considered present in the heart center. "Life- energy" con- sists of the wind-energies. "To set them to become. . . " means to focus
them to be incorporated in the indestructible. This refers to concentrating the wind-energies in the indestructible. This is the all-purpose function [accomplished] by meditating the three life-energy controls. Here, it is explained in the Elixir Secret that "Your mantra is the three letters . . . ," and "consider it as present at the heart center" refers to those three [letters] dissolving into the three-the exhaling, inhaling, and abiding wind- energies - and to those three [letters] dissolving into the life- energy.
As for the meditation of the life-energy wind dissolving into the indestructible drop, it is explained as the meaning of " setting the life- energy wind to become a drop. " Munis hrisays that:
Meditating your mantra at the heart center, you visualize the letter "HOM' there. The channel emerging from the "HOM' is "the indestructible. " [Here,] the subtle "A" letter is in the form of a drop.
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.
Well, what is it? It is the three things, body vajra, and so on, of the
perfection stage. Here, the Revelation ofthe Hidden Intention states:
? [VI. B. 3. b. ii. c'3'dTB"4"c" -
270 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp That is the fully transformed form
Perceived as a deity.
In the Integrated Practices, to explain the statements from this Explana- tory Tantra, 1 1 34bl [A ryadeva] explains four [things] ; the summary of the mantra, the symbol of the mantra, the meaning of the mantra, and the that- ness [reality] of the mantra. This is the same as the four things explained in the Tantra: the pronunciation, the visualization, the symbol, and the
ultimate reality.
Further, the Root Tantra Second Chapter states that you should
create the magic body, which is the indivisible union of the three, body, speech, and mind, in the verse, "The body is like the mind, etc. " In answer to the question about how to create the magic body, those two lines show how to create it. Thus, that [magic body] has the actuality of insubstantiality, and is the wind-energy-mind arisen from the clear light transparence indestructible. From the total transformation of that it is visualized as the body of a deity. From the wind-energy-mind it arises as a buddha. That same thing is the magic body of the indivisibility of the
three vajras. Thus, there are two magic bodies.
IYI. B. 3. b. ii. c'3'dTn"4"d"-The ultimate of mantra] [That same Revelation ofthe Hidden Intention states:]
Unceased, extremely peaceful,
Beyond permanence and annihilation, Not made by the three-times-knower,
The nature of thought-space-indivisible -
This only is the ultimate reality,
Its nature is introspective intuition.
The ultimate reality of things. like space, is not created by buddhas, and
? thought, or knowledge.
experience. This is the clear light transparence spirit of enlightenment. This shows the reality, or the ultimate reality, of mantra. Here, the two- concentrated mantra or the recited mantra, and the symbol of the mantra-indicate the manner of performing vajra recitation. Having performed that, one creates the spirit of enlightenment in relation to the two realities. What these two-the meaning or visualization of mantra (IJSaal and the ultimate reality of mantrc1-indicate, you should understand
becomes indivisible with it, in uniformity of
Chapter V- Speech Isolation in General ? 27 1
Intention}.
[. ? . . u. c1BeSh"A" f
Revelation of the Hidden Intention - those are the sources he quotes. In the Integrated Practices also, the way that those three letters generate all other letters is shown by those verses, which [A ryadeva] also quotes. In that quoted treatise, after showing how to concentrate all mantras in the
In the short [letter], there is the totality of speech; It is not one, and it is not many.
And, except for the explanation in the Integrated Practices which states that :
In the short ["A"] , there is the totality of speech . . .
this meaning is not explained at all in other treatises. The reason for this is that [the father and sons] intend that in order to understand the reality of mantra, it is indispensable to understand well the difference between the interpretable and the definitive about the statement that the "short A" is the root of all speech; and, that if one knows that, it will be easy to understand the definitive meaning of the other treatises. Therefore, you should determine well the meaning of [A ryadeva's] statement in thelnte- grated Practices, made in answer to the question about the way in which the "short A" is required to be attached to all other words:
In regard to this, the explainers of the Buddha's Siitras, first knowing the words through grammatical analysis, follow86 merely the verbal meaning and do not understand
86 Available Sanskrit editions (Pandey and Wedemeyer) have anusmaranti ("memorize") for Tibetan rjes su 'brang (anusaranti) ("follow"), but I have followed the Tibetan cited by Tsong Khapa.
? ? - ort . root o mantra1
as the meaning of the Explanatory Tantra {Revelation of the Hidden VIB3b. . '3'd"'"4",
In the Five Stages, [Nagarjuna] teaches the reality of mantra by quoting the Root Tantra Tenth Chapter stating that those three syllables [OM Al:l HOAjtconcentrate all mantras, and he explains that same thing
by the verses stating the expressed mantras in the second chapter of the
three letters, there is a statement which says:
Brilliant Ilul mination ofthe Lamp
what is expressed by letters, why it is [so expressed], and what is to be attached to them. They don't understand the reality of letters correctly, I I 3S b l because that is the sphere of knowledge of buddhas. You should listen, then, in order to understand that through the stages of
teaching !
The "explainers of the Buddha's Sotras" are all the Buddhists who explain the import of Sotras without understanding the reality of mantra, which is the definitive meaning "short A," which must become attached to all speech, relying on the Explanatory Tantra. In the Integrated Practices, [Aryadeva] states:
About the so-called reality of mantra: root Tantras such as the Reality Compendium and so forth, and the Further Tantra, mention only "mantra," and do not teach the concentration of mantra. Therefore, in the Explanatory Tantra, the Divine Lord [Buddha] states only the truth, the concentration of mantra, the symbol of mantra, the imeaning of mantra, and the reality of mantra. Therefore, not understanding the Explanatory Tantra, those who insistently adhere to the outer secret mantra will never
understand this.
The meaning of the quote from "grammatical analysis" up to "fol- low merely" is that one just understands the import of the pronounced word, having ascertained the meaning of the word explained by the system of grammar to be attached to whatever by the power of the word, the meaning of the word of speech. As for "expressed by letters," the [Revelation ofthe Hidden Intention] Tantra says:
The short ["A "] becomes all speech.
That is the definitive meaning, which is something other than the mere literal achieved sound. There is also the meaning of where it is attached, why it is attached, and how it is attached.
Some Tibetan mentors explain this as "when one attaches speech to words, one attaches it to the meaning of what it expresses. " [136al "Why," is "by which reason," [asking about] how it is attached from the point of view of 'short A' becoming the cause of [speech]. " "How" does
272 ?
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 273
one attach it? When one collects many letters there is a name, when those are collected there is an expression, when many of those are collected there is speech, and when many of those are collected there is a treatise. That is the explanation up to there. But this is not the meaning. If that was so, the statement that those who explain Sotras according to works on grammar do not understand would be extremely incorrect.
Well, what is [the meaning] ?
Here, the attacher is that example of what is said to be speech which has the nature of ali and kiili, which is Vairocana, who is the wind- energy of vowels and consonants. Where is that attached? It is attached to the heart center indestructible. This has already been explained previ- ously, quoting from the Integrated Practices. Why is it attached? Because by achieving the indestructible, one realizes insubstantiality. This is what the Integrated Practices says. This is because clear light transparence is interpreted as insubstantiality. How is it attached? By means of the [death or yogic] dissolution process, as by earth dissolving into water, etc.
Thus, the reality of that "short A" letter of such three processes is only the realm of buddhas, and is kept secret from the lesser disciples, as they do not understand it. In the Integrated Practices Commentary, in the context of the passage, "at the time of learning, getting involved in the meaning of the syllables," and so forth, it is explained that "those who are not holy do not understand; like pointing at the moon with a forefinger," they do
not see the meaning. In the process of teaching, regarding the way of making it understandable, it says "all speech. " This refers to all of the forty-nine letters, the sixteen vowels and the thirty-three consonants. Gradually concentrating [all speech], all the treatises, both sacred and mundane, such as the Sutras and Tantras emerge and enable one to perfect all accomplishments. [136bJ If one knows the import of the specific letters connecting such speech to words, etc. , this is because "short A" is their life-energy, because such a letter as "K," etc. which does not have the "short A" [which makes it ". KA"] does not exist. Because it would simply be a stop, it would not become an expression. That explanation is the literal interpretable meaning of the expression [in Nagarjuna' s Five
Stages] "the short one becomes the totality of speech. "
Therefore, just as is stated in the Hymn ofthe Names {ofMaflju. \:hrT}:
"A" is the supreme of all letters. It has great import: it is the supreme letter. It arises from within; it is unprodu? ed.
274 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
Abandoning the pronouncing of expressions, it is the su- preme cause of all expressions. It illuminates all expres- sions.
This is not quoted as a means of making known the instruction of the pre- viously mentioned point that "short A" contains all other letters. There- fore, the Divine Lord said:
The "A" is the door of all things, because it is unpro- duced; and it is the word, the seed of the door of all con- templations.
It is also called "the [natural] orgasmic letter. " Also, in the Vajra Man- dala Ornament [Tantraj it is said, in order to clearly indicate 'A':
it is in the center of the heart, indestructible . . .
etc. , as quoted above. 87 And just after that quote [the Integrated Practices says]:
Therefore, all buddhas become the clan of "A"-"A" becomes the cause, and they are released through "A. "
These three references are given. Taking this as a reason, [137a] it is established that all buddhas arise from "A"; it is not proven that all speech has short "A. "
After that, the Integrated Practices says:
In the Mission to Lan ka [Satraj it says to rely on the import, but do not rely on the letter; if one goes after the letter, one will lose the ultimate meaning; furthermore, it will not cause understanding. Thus, it is like someone pointing out something to another with a fingertip and the other just looks at the fingertip; even so, foolish persons, attached to the literal meaning of things, will not be caused to seek the ultimate meaning. Therefore, if
one desires [to know] the import, do not just depend
87 See p. 228, above (Tib. I l l b).
? Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 215 upon the [letter], but get rid of insistence on the literal,
and seek the [deeper] meaning.
This is the [Mission to Lan k? quote. If one holds just the literal meaning of showing the "short A" applying to all expressions, one will not find any other import represented by that. One will just be looking at the fingertip, and one will not see the meaning pointed out by that. Similarly, it means that beyond that literal meaning, one must look for another meaning. What is that [other] meaning? Here, Tibetan mentors say that all speech words arise from vowels and consonants, and all of those arise from "short A. " "Short A" arises from the clear light in the void interior of the body. Therefore, all words are like space, and have voidness as their root. Therefore, in regard to all aggregates, etc. , the import of being expressed by that sound should be understood as like space, without intrinsic reality. This is the explanation of the reality of the word. 1 1 37b l
Our own system, according to the quote in the Vajra Mandala Orna- ment [Tantra], is that:
"A" means the indestructible that blazes like a butter-lamp flame in the center of the heart.
In the Hymn of the Names it is explained that "A" is the supreme of all letters. Other Tantras state that "A" is the door of all teachings; in this context, these must be explained as having the same meaning. Further, in the Integrated Practices it is stated that after death, the ground where the wind-energies dissolve is the indestructible. If one explains the definitive meaning of "short A" in that way, the definitive meaning of the vowels and consonants mentioned there are the wind-energies arising in depen- dence upon the subtle wind-energies of the indestructible, which wind- energies go and reside in the places within the body. This is taken as those vowels and consonants which are explained as arising in the form of vowels and consonants, and does not refer those vowels and consonants
which are produced from the effort of the tongue and palate.
The Samputa [Tantra] says that in the center of the eight petaled lotus of the navel the supreme syllable "A" abides. All mantras of all beings are said to be produced from there. That "short A" mentioned there is the roma [right] channel of the furor-fire blood-particles. In this con- text, in answer to the question, "What is the abode from which the one
276 ? Brilliant Illumination ofthe Lamp
hundred and eight wind-energies you mentioned arise and which of them
is supreme? " the Vajra Rosary states:
The nature of the place of wind-energy, Energy that pervades the six channel wheels Always abides in the Dharma wheel.
Called "life-energy," it pervades all beings. Free of thought, at midnight,
Arising from the supreme space,
It opens up the nature of wind-energy. [ 1 38nl
In general, the place of the wind-energies is the six wheels. Espe- cially, that life-wind-energy which arises from the void space in the heart center, opening all wind-energies, moving and making the wind-energies arise. The statement "by that energy all the wind-energies of beings are pervaded," and the statement "when [an embryo] is first conceived, the life-energy is developed from the heart center, and [at the end] finally collected there" are explained as previously as arising from the inde- structible "short A. " As for that, the life-energy wind which abides in the
heart center and the "short A" is the indestructible [drop] of the spirit of enlightenment.
In regard to the SheafofInstructions statement that "the eight divi- sions of the letters stand at the navel," it is explained that they stand [there] while actually being invisible, and that they arise invisibly when pronounced as being the birthplace of wind-energies in the lotus of the vagina, and that they are visibly produced from the functioning of the
palate, etc.
The "short A" of the heart center is the supreme ground of the
arisal of clear light. It is the supreme of all syllables, it has great import and is the best letter. It emerges from within, and is unproduced. The Chag tranlation says "The great life-energy has no letter. " "Life-energy" means "life-energy wind. " "Great" means "supreme. " "No letter" means the "the indestructible does not exist in the form of a syllable. " "Aban- doning verbal expression" means that "it does not have the actuality of expression. " "The cause of expression" means " all wind-energies in general, but the chief cause is the indestructible. " ''It illuminates all ex- pressions" means that when the wind-energies that come from there go to the throat they produce expressions that are articulated sound. The door
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 277
of all teachings is the door of all contemplations [138b] because bliss-void clear light transparence is the essence of all samadhis.
In regard to the indestructible "A," when samadhi collects the wind- energies together, the naturally unproduced voidness is ascertained by the great bliss [awareness] ; that is the dawning of clear light transparence and that is what is "primally unproduced. " It is not merely the voidness of non-production with respect to intrinsic reality. That being so, as was explained before, about the three elements, "where it is attached etc. ," that [clear light] constitutes that very same import of short "A. " It is the supreme key point of the path to buddhahood; thus it said that all buddhas arise from "A. "
In summary, the heart indestructible [drop] is understood to be the root of all wind-energies which have the form of inner vowels and con- sonants. When the wind-energies dissolve into that [indestructible], you realize the manifestation of clear light transparence. This is the extraordi- nary way of understanding the reality of mantra in the context of the vajra recitation. This is said to mean that the definitive meaning, described as other than the literal meaning, of the statement "The short ["A"] becomes the totality of speech," has been discovered. Therefore, just as we ex- plained the meaning of the statement, "When somebody points something out to one with the tip of his finger, you should look at what is being
pointed out, and not become obsessed with the means of indication," it seems that many still persist in behaving in that way. Thus, do under- stand this thoroughly with wide analysis of the details, and do not be too easily satisfied. 88
88 This whole section on the ultimate reality of mantra, connecting the short A to voidness. clear light, and so revealing it to be the source of all language, meaning, creation itself, really, reminds me of the idea of voidness as enabling the functions of both the world and liberation from the world, as stated classically by Nagarjuna in his Wisdom, as "What works with voidness, works; what doesn't work with voidness, doesn't work"; and on the mantric level, the mysterious paradox of the part of the famous mantra, SHUNYATA-
JNANA-VAJRA, where the intuition of voidness is likened to an unbreakable diamond.
? 2 78 ? Brilliant Ilul mination of the Lamp
? In order to show how speech isolation serves as a branch of life- energy control of the six [branches of] yoga, [consider] how that branch is described in the Further Tantra:
Breath. with nature of the five wisdoms, Is the reality of the five elements, [ 139aJ Arising in the form of a lump,
Imagine it on the tip of a nose.
That five-colored jewel [drop]
Is called "life-energy" and "control. " Visualize your mantra in your heart center,
Place the life-energy changed into a drop.
The meaning of this is explained by [Chandraktti in] the Illumi- nation of the Lamp. The first four lines explain the meditation on the substance-drop on the nose-tip of the secret [wheel]. The first two lines [again] and the lines starting from "[That five-colored] jewel" etc. up to "your mantra" describe the meditation on the light drop, the practice of
vajra recitation in the upper nostril. The two and a half lines after "in the heart center" indicates the meditation on the indestructible drop at the nose tip of the heart [center indestructible], and its purpose. 89 These are meditations of three life-energy controls meditating on the three drops in the three "nose" tips. As for them, the breaths of the five wisdoms [are listed in passages] from "the pervading breath is the mirror-like wisdom" up to "the life-energy-holding wind is the truth realm [purity] wisdom. " The five elements, from earth to space, are [are also listed in passages] such as "the evacuative energy is of the nature of earth. " That very breath of five wisdoms which have the nature of earth, etc. , you should meditate it in the form of a lump-like drop of enlightenment spirit, emerging from the hole of your vajra into the nose tip of the lotus of the science-[consort].
The way in which the wind-energies become the actuality of the drop is explained in the Illumination of the Lamp Sixth Chapter as being
89 Tsong Khapa's text must have been slightly different from the versions available to us, which only have one and a half hemistiches after "in the heart center. "
? - The \Vay that speech isolaI ion becomes a
1\'I. B"'tb. ii. <:'3 d To "5" l? ompnncnt nf breath nmtroll
?
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 279
that, when the an [male] and the wisdom [female] unite, the life-energy control winds which dwell above are developed by the joy of entrance- ment in union and melted by the fire of passion, and thus become a drop. In all the translations where the Further Tantra is quoted, in the Illumi- nation of the Lamp Sixth Chapter. [ U9h J in the two new translations of the commentary on the Twelfth Chapter, and in the Five Stages and the Inte- grated Practices translated by Chag, all say "on the nose tip of the lotus. " In the two accurate old translations of the commentary on the Twelfth Chapter, and in the Further Tantra, the Five Stages, and the Integrated Practices, all as translated by the the Great Translator [Rinchen Zangpo] there is no "lotus. " Thus, it is clear that in the Indian texts there are both [those] with ["lotus"] and without it. This is clearly described by six lines in the Integrated Practices:
You perform the vajra recitation of the three letters on the wind-energies of the four elemental spheres at the upper nose tip. The five wisdoms etc. . . .
Therefore, it is clear that not mentioning "lotus" is correct. Though Kanha- pa explains that this means "In the nose tip of the lotus of the face," it is incorrect.
When you apply yourself to practice the vajra recitation in the face nostril, according to the statement of the Integrated Practices, the four wind-energies other than the pervading [wind] emerge at the nose tip- the upper "nose door"-in the form of a lump-each in turn moving as principle, enfolding the other three together with it. The Elixir Secret explains that the inhaling, exhaling, and abiding of these wind-energies emerge in the form of a lump and in the form of the three letters. Kalden Drakpa says that "meditating on the lotus nose tip" is just for illustration,
and meditation on the vajra nose tip is also taught; this being the system in which male and female each meditate on their respective nose tips. Here, you meditate on both your own and the science consort's nose tip, since meditating on each individual nose tip has already been explained in the contexts of the subtle creation stage and the body isolation. [ 1 411al In regard to the statement in the Integrated Practices Sixth Chapter which says that these verses teach the creation stage meditation on the subtle drop in the lower door, this shows that they have similar characteristics;
but the actual meaning concerns the perfection stage.
280 ?
Brilliant Illumination ofthe Lamp
Meditating on both nose tips is discussed in the Vajra Rosary:
Streaming down through the channels,
The spirit of enlightenment made firm,
In the moment of holding the wind-energies In the tips of the vajra and the lotus, Expressing the syllable in the palate
And expressing the syllable KSHMAM,
It is taught that supreme yoga will be achieved.
This means that the art-which will be explained-for melting the spirit of enlightenment which streams through the channels, having stabilized [that spirit] in the two nose tips, will accomplish the supreme yoga. As for the art for stabilizing that, according to the Commentary:
The "palate" is an extremely long channel in the center of the vagina, and to connect with that is to constrict it very tightly, meditate KSHMAM at the vajra tip, and at the instant of holding the wind-energy . . .
This statement explains that it will be attained by the supreme yoga of meditating on the life-energy wind. That being so, "connection with the palate" will be achieved. In other translations it says "Held by the energy. " This is good. "Application of the letter in the palate, and by the yoga of the mantra PU KSHMI! vf' is not good. Holding in this way in the vajra nose tip is also holding it in the nose tip of the lotus, as it is at the meeting
point of the two channels. Also, since in the Root Tantra it is stated: Enjoying all desire fulfillments,
Recite, not losing the mantra branches.
[I40bJ On this occasion also, as for certain great yogi/nis who have great distinction, it is not prohibited that they should rely on an evolutionary seal [consort]. Here also, some meditate on this relying on a wisdom con- sort. If you know how to apply this statement in the Illumination of the Lamp to the five stages practice manuals, it seems to be the supreme life- energy control for dissolving winds into the dhati channel. The Illumina- tion ofthe Lamp translation says:
The very thing, the breath which moves upward, has five colors.
Chapter V-Speech Isolation in General ? 28 1
Patsab's translation says "That breath itself," which is better. That very wind-energy, previously explained as the wisdom and elemental breaths, goes upwards to the door of the sense faculties. It is five-colored, thus having the nature of the five transcendent buddhas. Therefore, it is a precious jewel. "Life-energy" is translated in the old translations as "life" (jrva, 'tsho ba), and "control" (iiyiima, rtsol) as "long-radiating effort," but Patsab translates '"Life-energy control' causes extension and long expansion. " This is better. This means that the life-energy, the wind which causes one to sustain one's life for a long time, is called "life-energy control. " The linguistic equivalent of "control" is iiyiima, which means "effort," also "cessation," and it is also used for "length and breadth. " Here, it is the latter. The translation "life-energy and effort" is wrong, because it would be a redundancy, an equivalency compound, as the Tibetan experts say. In the Time Machine literature, it is taken in terms of the middle [of the above three meanings], as "life-energy control," ex- plained as "life-energy cessation. " In Tibetan the word "control" (rtsol ba) does not work well for both "terminating" and "sustaining," but due to its linguistic equivalents, [t41al those both do work. Likewise, in the Tibetan, the "retracting" of [literally] "concentrating together" (pratyii- hiira, sor sdud) can be used as "taking. " The "together" (prati, so sor) can mean "repeating," and though it does not apply here, it is not precluded as a linguistic equivalent. The reality of the entry, exit, and abiding of that very energy which goes into the upper door is your own mantra for natural recitation day and night.
In the two old translations of the Commentary on that it is stated:
Because you will do [vajra-] recitation day and night, you think of your mantra in your heart, i. e. , in the lotus in [your] heart center. . .
but in the the two new translations of the Commentary it is stated in a better way:
Because you will recite it, it is your mantra.
Here, "because" gives the reason, and but it is not the previous reason for energy being practiced as life-energy control, nor should it be employed for any other reason; because you must consider it I itself! to be the reason for your mantra, and because, the Illumination qfthe Lamp eleventh chap-
ter states that:
282 ? Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp
"Your mantra" consists of the three letters which have
the nature of inhaling, etc.
In this context, Naropa states in his Further Tantra Commentary: '"Life-energy and control' are thinking that one has short A in the lotus of one's heart center. " As for the fact that the quotations from the Illumi- nation ofthe Lamp, "The explanation of 'life-energy control'" and "recit- ing day and night, inhaling with the energy, etc. " and the expression
"your mantra" do not occur [in Naropa's text], this is an incorrect text or a flawed translation, because the other contexts of the six branches [of yoga explained by Naropa] appear just as they are in the Illumination of the Lamp. The teaching that you should think of the short A in the heart center [J4Jbl is either in certain Indian texts of the Illumination of the
Lamp or else does fulfill the intention of the Commentary. The explana- tion in the Illumination ofthe Lamp [of the short A] as "the indestructible drop" is good because it is in agreement with the explanation with the reference quoted in the Integrated Practices that says that "the short A is the indestructible [drop] in the heart center. "
In regard to the statement that "Life-energy should be set to become a drop," the Illumination of the Lamp states no more than: "you set it by attaching it to the indestructible. " That means that the drop is the inde- structible, to be considered present in the heart center. "Life- energy" con- sists of the wind-energies. "To set them to become. . . " means to focus
them to be incorporated in the indestructible. This refers to concentrating the wind-energies in the indestructible. This is the all-purpose function [accomplished] by meditating the three life-energy controls. Here, it is explained in the Elixir Secret that "Your mantra is the three letters . . . ," and "consider it as present at the heart center" refers to those three [letters] dissolving into the three-the exhaling, inhaling, and abiding wind- energies - and to those three [letters] dissolving into the life- energy.
As for the meditation of the life-energy wind dissolving into the indestructible drop, it is explained as the meaning of " setting the life- energy wind to become a drop. " Munis hrisays that:
Meditating your mantra at the heart center, you visualize the letter "HOM' there. The channel emerging from the "HOM' is "the indestructible. " [Here,] the subtle "A" letter is in the form of a drop.
