The
emanational
body in which spirituality appears Is .
Dudjom Rinpoche - Fundamentals and History of the Nyingmapa
PraJfiaparamita, who, in the manner of a
eflected Image, IS the emptmess endowed with all supreme aspects:
Having been snatched away from all the buddhas, The daughter born from the supreme deity Should be enjoyed.
is ;he thi:d kind of intention [that which is directed towards thought] . xemp. hfied by the following quotation from the Hevajra Tantra
whlchwItha. t. d' d ' , n mentIOn Irecte toward the necessity of slaying egotism
under the name of the "vital energy of great life-breath" (smg- c en-po 1 rlung) says:
You should slay living creatures (smg-chags). 290
there are passages which are clearly understood regarJ the rev. elatIOn their actual words of expression, without and ar or the basIs of meaning. These are not intentional,
e exemplIfied m the following quotation:
You should not slay living creatures.
You should. not speak words of falsehood.
[166b. l-166b. 2] The uncommon tantras, literary transmissions, esoteric instructions and definitively secret tantras in which phrases of in- destructible reality (vajrapada) are most profoundly contained, are never established by the scriptural authority and reasoning of pretentious
sophistry, but they are to be understood by means of the six limits and the four styles of appraisal.
THE SIX LIMITS
[166b. 2-168a. l] It is said in the Root Tantra ofthe Kiilacakra (Kiilacakra-
mulatantra) T 362):
Tantras are characterised by these six limits:
There are those which employ the language of [hidden]
intention
And likewise those which do not,
Those which are literal and likewise those which are not, And those of provisional meaning and ofdefinitive meaning.
A single string of phrases of indestructible reality (vajrapada) reveals
different meanings with an intention directed toward those who e
and those who possess the fortune to understand the meaning of genUln reality. Among these [vajrapada] there are those of provisional meaning which refer to skilful means and its aspects and introduce the inner structure of the mandalas including those made of coloured powder, of offerings, hand gestures or seals, and of burnt offerings,
the creation stage and the attainment of ritual feast offerings and SO forth. There are also those of definitive meaning, referring to the textS which teach the binding of the energy channels, currents and "en- lightened mind" [i. e. seminal points] according to the perfection stage, and the abiding nature of the naturally radiant mind which is the
Key to Secret Mantra Texts 291
292 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Those texts which are literal are the rituals including maJ)Qalas, burnt offerings and torma offerings, which are taught through the language familiar in treatises, and so forth, mundane in word and meaning. Those which are not literal are unknown in the mundane treatises and
bound by the mysterious, symbolic language of the Tathagata, as exemplified by kotiikhyii and so forth among the names for the ten kinds of vital energy, and by iilikiili ["vowels and . consonants"]: which
is employed as a name for the rites concerned WIth sexual umon and "liberation,,291 in the Tantra ofthe Secret Nucleus. Since all secret expres- sions and meanings do not bypass these, they are called the six limits.
THE FOUR STYLES
[168a. 1-169. 4] Secondly, concerning the four styles [employed the exegesis of these texts], it is said in the Tantra of the CompendIum of the Indestructible Reality of Pristine Cognition (Vajrajiiiinasamuccaya-
tantra, T 447):
The four styles of exegesis are the lexical,
The general, the concealed and the conclusive.
The first among them, [the lexical style,] refers to the appraise merely the meaning of the syllables: Arranged m conformIty with the texts of grammar and logic, they are said to be lexical or,
according to the Henlka Galpo, semantical.
The second, the general style, is of three kinds. The first of these
counters the regret felt by one entering [the vehicles of] the sutras and so forth. If one who first enters the sutra [vehicles] or the Kriyatantra and Caryatantra without having ent. ered into this easy of the inner mantras feels regret WIth the thought that, ThIS IS no
good", [according to the general style of exegesis] these [le. sser are supports for the path of this [way of inner mantras]. It IS also sal
in the SiUra [which Gathers All Intentions]:
One endowed with the supreme skilful means Transforms conflicting emotions
Into aspects of enlightenment.
without and other aspects of purity, and that it is an extremIst doctnne because it propounds dangerous rites of sexual union and within the doctrine, then these [rites and con- are SaId to be general because they are a common object of for the sutras and so forth also claim that one who practises, thmkmg to renounce attachment, even after practising rites of sexual union and "liberation" with a virtuous mind such as killing an evil
,
sleepmg WIth a merchant's daughter,293 is un- covered by faults and that one's merit immeasurably increases. This is because, if attachment to filth and purity has not been renounced the
meaning of reality is not realised. ' The third general exegesis is that of the creation stage. It is so called medItatIOn on the supporting celestial palaces, sup- ported deItIes a? d other aspects connected with the creation stage are the objects of training according to both the creation and the
perfectIOn stages.
concealed style applies to concealed doctrines, such as
those w? Ich dIsplay the action seal (karmamudrii) and rites of meditative it is improper for them to emerge in public as- semblIes. There also the concealed style of the relative truth, including that of stage, which refers to the energy channels, currents. and semmal pomts as a blessing for oneself (sviidhi$thiina). These are concealed because they are like a kernel, entering between the two extremes [of skilful means and discriminative awareness].
[the c? nclusive style refers to] the perfection stage of inner the reality in which these [experiences] are sealed, IS the conclUSIOn of the path. And [it refers to] the realisation In whIch the two truths are coalesced, that is, the conclusion ofthe result.
four styles. are known as the four styles of exegesis. They are
because a smgle phrase of indestructible reality has to be dif-
[eretd· d .
n In accor ance WIth the lower and superior degrees of acu-
WIthout possessing these esoteric instructions, however refined the I? eaS and scrutiny of one's thoughts may be, one cannot realise the crUCIal secret of genuine [reality]; and one who does possess them easily
to realise the secret intention of the vehicle of indestructible realIty.
This is said to be general because the sutras and so forth also that among other features of the easy and swift path, the provislOnds
, f . . ecte of many aeons can be amassed by a single wave 0 conn. 1
with the provisions if one is endowed with the extraordmary skilfu
means of sharp acumen. e The second [general style of exegesis] counters the regret felt by on
entering the inner mantras. I f one feels regret with thoughts that conduct in this [vehicle] resembles that of dogs and pigs because It IS
·1 292 d armed assaI ant an
. . '
Key to Secret Mantra Texts 293
8 The Superiority of Atiyoga, the Great Perfection
of freedom from extremes and freedom from conceptual elaboratIon and so forth . . The Kriyatantra among the lower ways of mantra that are attained which delight the deity endowed with the three puntes, by means of cleanliness and other such
294
austerities. The Ubhayatantra
of the higher and the lower conduct. The Yogatantra, havmg regarded the blessmg of ultimate reality as a deity, objectively refer. t? yoga of the four seals. The Mahayoga holds that pristine cognItIOn IS generated by incisive application of the creation stage and [practices associated with] the energy channels, currents and seminal points according. to the perfection stage. And the Anuyoga regards the
[of. realIty] and pristine cognition as of the deity whICh are either to be created or are in the process of creation.
In short, all [of the vehicle], from Anuyoga down- wards, are spIntual and philosophical systems contacted t h r o u g h t h e ? f t h e m , t h e s u r f a c e o f t h e i n t e l l e c t , p r o d u c e such thoughts. as, thIS IS non-eXIstent, this empty, and this is true". Apart thIS and their convictions and their boasting through ideas and scrutmy. that ! ies within the subject-object dichotomy, they do not the abIdmg nature of the natural state, just as it is.
Accordmgly, it is said in the Sutra of the Nucleus of the Tathiigata:
The king assembled many blind men and, showing them an elephant, commanded, "Describe its particular characteris- tics. " Those among them who felt the elephant's nose said that it resembled an iron hook. Those who felt the eyes said that they resembled bowls. Those who felt the ears said they winnowing baskets. Those who felt the back said resembled a sedan chair, and those who felt the tail said
It resembled a string. Indeed, though they did not describe the elephant as anything else, they were lacking in overall Similarly, though the nature of the Buddha IS described as emptiness, as illusory, as inner radIance and so forth, there is no overall understanding.
·f These paths have obscured the meaning of the Great Perfection and
their r. ealisations while abiding in the path of the Great
Ac It IS explamed to be a point of deviation (gal-sa). The All- comp/zshzng King says:
The six vehicles of definitive attainment
Are taught to be deviation points, according to the Great Perfection.
If one asks how this is the case
The sl1tras of the bodhisattava [vehicle] Uphold the . level of Universal Light.
[169a. 4-183a. 6] Thirdly, [following Mahayoga and Anuyoga,] there is the explanation of the definitive order of Atiyoga, the Great Perfection, which is the climax of all vehicles and the culmination of all [paths] to be traversed. This is revealed in two parts: its superiority over the lower [vehicles] and its divisions.
As to the first: This king among vehicles holds the expanse [of reality], the originally pure mind-as-such whose natural expression is inner radiance, and the naturally present, unchanging, pristine cognition that spontaneously abides in oneself to be the ground of great perfection. In the estimation [of Atiyoga], the vehicles of the eight lower sequences have intellectually contrived and altered that which is unchanging ex- clusively through their suddenly arisen ideas which never experience what in fact is so. They have applied an antidote to and abandoned that which is not to be renounced. They have referred to as flawed that in which there is nothing to be clarified, with an intellect which desires clarification. They have induced dissension with respect to that which is not to be obtained by their hopes and doubts that it is to be elsewhere obtained; and they have obscured the pristine cognition, which intrins- ically abides, by their strenuous efforts, with respect to that which is effortlessly present. Hence, they have had no occasion to make contact with the reality of the fundamental nature.
In this way, the pious attendants and self-centred buddhas among the lower vehicles, with reference to the selflessness which they realise, hold consciousness and atomic matter to be the ultimate realities; and the proponents of consciousness (Vijfiiinaviida) who hold consciousness, self-cognisant and self-radiant in nature, to be the absolute characteristic of ultimate reality, do not transcend [the view of] mind and mental events harboured by mundane beings. The Madhyamika adhere to a truth of cessation scrutinised by four great axioms and the like, concern- ing the absence of creation, absence of cessation, absence of being and absence of non-being, which are appraised according to the two truths. And they adhere to an emptiness which is, for example, like the sky,
Superiority ofAtiyoga 295
are attached to superficialities in their
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
296
Through ideas and scrutmy concermng They hold reality to be empty as the sky.
The and scrutiny. and scrutiny is obscured by the
sutras. . ding to the Great Perfection, Ideas and scruuny, accor . _
In the pure maQQala of one's own mind,
The four branches of ritual service and rites of attainment
are achieved.
The supreme bliss of Atiyoga, however,
Is the enlightened mind transcending perseverance. That which transcends perseverance is obscured by
Mahayoga.
Perseverance, according to the Great Perfection, Is explained to be the deviation in Mahayoga.
The Anuyoga upholds indivisibility.
Having entered through the expanse and pristine
cognition,
The things which accordingly appear include
The cause, which is the view of the pure expanse, And the result, which is viewed as the maQQala of
pristine cognition.
The supreme bliss of Atiyoga, however,
Is the enlightened mind transcending cause and
result.
That which transcends cause and result is obscured
by Anuyoga.
To behold a duality of cause and result, according to the
Great Perfection,
Is explained to be the deviation in Anuyoga.
These [sequences of the vehicle] are created and fabricated by the mind, and yet [they hold that] the mind inclusive of the ideas present in all eight aggregates [of consciousness] is a stain to be rejected. This natural Great Perfection, on the other hand, refers to mind-as-such transcending the mind, the uncompounded inner radiance of pristine cognition which is the natural presence of awareness, in which all the enlightened attributes offundamental nature are spontaneously present. Apart from that, its essential point is that the abiding nature, charac- terised in the manner of the sky as unchanging, does not need to refer to causes and results that are either to be created or are in the process of creation, or to extraneous conditions and such elements, because it is naturally free from them. Thereby, [the Great Perfection] teaches that the nature of the Primordial Lord, Samantabhadra, is the buddha- hood attained without contrivance, by realising in one's own nature the naturally present pristine cognition, and that it does not otherwise emerge through extraneous conditions such as study, reflection and the accumulations of compounded provisions.
It is said in the Sutra of the Adornment of Pristine Cognition's Appear- ance which Penetrates the Scope ofAll Buddhas:
I · Are exp ame
d to be the deviation m the sutras. 'bl
lity .
. .
the twO truths
h Ids the holder of indestrucu e rea Knyatantraup0 . df 'ty
. -
H vin entered through the km. s 0 pun '.
dichotomy abIdes m a pure object. The supreme bliss AdtiYOga, subject-object
Is the enlightened mm transcen subject-object dichotomy is obscured
by Kriya. . d' Objectification and subjectificauon, accor mg
. and conduct of the Ubhayatantra. Concerning vle. w K . . _ d the attainment as in Yoga.
Th d ct IS as m nya an . is no point in [artificially] connecting VIew
and conduct,
They do not realise the truth.
The supreme bliss of Auyoga,
. h d 'nd without duahty.
Is the enhg tene ml d r ' bscured by Ubhayatantra.
Great Perfection,
Are explained to be the deviatIOn m Knyatantra. .
Thatwhichisfreefrom uattyIS0 .
That which creates duality, accordmg to the
Great
Perfection, .
Is explained to be the deviation m Ubhayatantra.
h ld the Bounteous Array.
The Yogatantra 0 s h bolic and non-symbolic
Having entered tt throug sym methods ,295
The four seals are emphasised.
It cannot be entered without acceptance
bl' f Atiyoga however, The supreme ISS 0 . '
and rejection.
.
ce and rejeCtion.
. . '
Is the enlightened mind wIthout is That which is without acceptance an
obscured by d' to the Great Perfection, Accepting and reJectmg, Yogatantra.
Are explained to be the deViatIOn m
h Ids the Vajradhara. . The Mahayoga up 0 h kIf I means and discriminatIve
Having entered throug s 1 u awareness,
_
to the
Superiority ofAtiyoga 297
298
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Nothing at all is seen by the buddhas, nor heard, nor in- tended, nor known, nor is the object ofomniscience. Nothing has been said or expressed by the buddhas. The buddhas neither speak nor make expression. The buddhas will not resort to speech and they will not resort to expression. The buddhas do not become manifestly, perfectly enlightened. The buddhas have not caused anything to become mani- festly, perfectly enlightened. The buddhas have not re- nounced conflicting emotions. The buddhas have not actu- ally disclosed purity. Nothing at all is seen by the buddhas, nor heard, nor tasted, nor smelt, nor known, nor cognised. If you ask why this is the case, MafijusrI, it is because all things are utterly pure from the beginning.
The lord Maitreya [in the Supreme Continuum of the Greater Vehicle, Ch. l, v. S I] has also said:
Subsequently, just as it was before, Is the unchanging reality.
And also [Ch. l, v. S]:
Uncompounded and spontaneously present,
It is not realised through other conditions.
According to such quotations, the natural expression or abiding nature, the fundamental nature or the reality of all things is uncompounded and uncreated through causes and conditions. It is not dependent on others, is not realised through extraneous conditions, and does not abide in a goal that is attained by the intellect.
It is said in the Sutra of the Dialogue with Kasyapa from the Sublime Pagoda of Precious Jewels:
That which is uncompounded is the enlightened family of the sublime ones. That which is the enlightened family of the sublime ones neither adheres to the training, nor tran- scends the training. That which neither adheres to the train- ing, nor transcends the training neither moves, nor rests, nor rushes. That which neither moves, nor rests, nor rushes, has neither mind, nor the properties which emerge from mind. That which has neither mind, nor the properties which emerge from mind possesses neither deeds, nor the ripening of deeds. That which possesses neither deeds, nor the ripen- ing of deeds knows neither pleasure nor pain. That which knows neither pleasure nor pain is the enlightened family of the sublime ones. That which is the enlightened family of the sublime ones possesses neither deeds, nor deed-form- ing volition.
Superiority ofAtiyoga 299 Thep, in the Sutra of the Greater Vehicle which Decisively Reveals the
Intention it is said:
The inexpressible and manifestly perfect buddhahood which is by the Sublime Ones through their sublime per- ceptIOn and sublime vision, is called uncompounded because itisthisinexpressiblerealitywhichistobeperfectlyrealised.
And in the Root Stanzas on the Madhyamaka eCh. IS, vv. I-2):
It is incorrect that independent existents
Emerge from causes and conditions.
That which has emerged from causes and conditions Would be a created independent existent.
In what way would it be admissable
To speak of a created independent existent?
For an independent existent must be uncontrived And not dependent on any other.
Extensive quotations, such as these, visibly set the tone in accordance with which the abiding nature of fundamental reality, the uncom- pounded pristine cognition transcending causes and conditions which is the spiritual and philosophical goal of the Great Perfection, is mani- festly realised.
Concerning the way in which this reality is established to be free from extremes also, it is said [in the same text, Ch. IS, v. 6] :
Whoever views independent existents, dependent existents,
Substantiality and non-substantiality, Has not seen the reality
Of the teaching of the Buddha.
Andc . h
ous t e sequence ? f. the path of Great Perfection, glori-
h Naropa s Means for Attaznzng the Real (de-kho-na-nyid sgrub-pa'i tabs zhes-bya-ba rdzogs-pa-chen-po'i lam-gyi rim-pa) says:
and sentient beings have a single nature.
ThIS mystery of the mind's pristine cognition
Is more amazing than the truth of the nucleus.
? ody in which the naturally present greatness IS Identified
Is the supreme, perfect bliss of intrinsic awareness.
The emanational body in which spirituality appears Is . the secret mind, not essentially existing.
It IS the indivisibility of the apparent and the invisible . .
300 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Then concerning the fact that this [Atiyoga] does not objectively refer to 'a path as do the lower [vehicles], that same text says:
In the nucleus of perfect pristine cognition The goal is reached without a sequential path.
Now, if one were to ask just what of the. teaching of these lower sequences [ofthe vehicle], a IS e. lther wah reference to the intellectual degrees of those who reqUIre trammg, as the means by which one on a lower [path], having trained the mmd, gradually
. thO path [of Atiyoga] or else as a support for the path. The entersmto IS , . ' '.
nucleus of all the Sugata's teachings, the IS . . 't'on alone the transcendental perfection 0 IscnmmatlVe
abides without contradiction in the nature of the Great Perfection. This intention comprises the unaltered intention of the Collection of Madhyamaka Reasoning, which consists of the commentaries on the intermediate promulgation by the sublime and supreme Nagarjuna; and his [Collection of Eulogies] including the Eulogy to the Expanse of Reality, and the commentaries by the regent Maitreya, the sublime and supreme Asailga, and his brother [Vasubandhu] and so forth, which together form the intention of the final [promulgation]. If one were to ask why this is the case, it is because these masters did not claim anything other than the profound abiding nature of natural reality, and because the Great Perfection itself is none other than that.
Although the path through which this reality is actualised is superior only in the mantras, on further examination the lower ways of mantra consist of merely the symbolic and non-symbolic stages [of meditation]. The Six-limbed Yoga of the Kalacakra T 1367) which is renowned as supreme among the Unsurpassed tantras, the Five Stages (Paficakrama, T 1802) and others,297 too, merely explain the ten signs of inner radiance and the form of emptiness which is a reflection of the three spheres of existence within a black outline. 298 These are perceived by controlling the activity of the energy channels, currents and seminal points. As the experience of this perception increases and decreases, even one who has meditated appropriately cannot attain the body of indestruc- tible reality in which the elements have dissolved into light. Thus, those of lowly fortune contact herein not the definitive meaning but merely the
provisional meaning. So it is said by Naropa:
The single definitive means is the truth of the nucleus. The four successive seals and the six-limbed yoga,
The diverse vehicles of thought,
Have resorted to the provisional and not the definitive. The essential nature is neither high nor low.
It ends the thoughts conceived by those who devoutly enter.
Furthermore, the meditation of the creation stage according to the lower [paths] merely effects the ripening of the perfection stage, and, through that meditation, nothing but [the result] of a sky-farer is ac- complished by an awareness-holder of the desire realm or an awareness- holder of the form realm, whichever is appropriate in accord with the distinctions between the action seal and the seal of pristine cognition (kannamudra and jnanamudra). 299 Again, though one may desire to develop pristine cognition through the flexibility of the energy channels, currents and seminal points in accordance with the perfection stage, the conditions of tiresome efforts are not transcended. Even one who desires to develop the pristine cognition of bliss and emptiness in accord- ance with the thi. rd empowerment,300 subsequent on the delight experi-
pnstme cogm
1,
. dh
the natural state which is just what IS; an t e perlect awareness, . f. . .
establishment of it through the direct perceptIOn 0 mtnnslC awareness is none other than the path of Great The three vows, six transcendental perfections, the creation stage and perfection stage; all of these, indeed, are taught as the means of realIsmg the Gre. at Perfection and as mere rest-stations for those who progress towards It.
The Secret Nucleus (Ch. 22, v. 3) says: Distinctions are indeed arrayed in the levels,
But these are paths which progress to the secret nucleus.
And in Indrabhuti's Esoteric Instructions. Empowerment Circle (Ratnacakrabhi$ekopadesakrama, T 2472) a IS Said:
This is only spoken as the means to attain
That which is inner radiance by nature, .
And the culmination of the Great Perfection, . The supreme among the supreme of all esotenc
instructions.
And Santideva [in the Introduction to the Conduct ofa Bodhisattva, Ch. 9, v. l] has also explained:
All these aspects were taught by the Sage For the sake of discrimative awareness.
. f h G at Perfection: The Now concerning this natural expressIOn 0 t e re . d pre-
Sugata during the intermediate promulgation of the
cepts did not reveal the structure of the fundamenta rea 'h ut re- , h . . ble abiding nature WIt 0
he did extensively teach t e mconcelva, . h fi I prorn-
ferring to symbols of elaborate conception. reality, ulgation, though he did reveal the structure 0 t e u. n . ' ctualised . he did not teach the characteristic path through whIch It IS tually Therefore, the conclusive intention of the Two Promulgators ac
Superiority ofAtiyoga 301
302 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Superiority ofAtiyoga 303
enced when the two sexual organs are in union, is not liberated from the three realms [of saqlsara]. Therefore, the supre. me,. unchanging pristine cognition which is the supreme, unfading ? hss, IS taught to be realised by these methods, and the above practices the meditative absorptions in bliss. As it is said in the glonous Naropa's
Means for Attaining the Real:
The naturally present mind,
That is definitively free from elaboration,
Is not known through the path of desire.
This nucleus of naturally present, inner radiance, Through its non-symbolic natural expression,
Is free from desire for discriminative awareness and skilful means.
It is without the arduous emanation and absorption . h . I . 301
of desire connected with t e semma pomts. Evenly absorbed in discriminative awareness and
skilful means,
It is the supreme blissful concentration.
Without attachment to the savour of apparition,
It is the perfect path of unattached pristine cognition.
Without realising the natural and utterly pure discrimi? ative aware- ness, which is the abiding nature of the Great Perfection, by such attainments, the aspects of the truth of the path do not the compounded fundamental virtues attained by the and scrutmy of discrete recollections and thoughts. These aspects mclude the vows the six transcendental perfections and the creation and perfection
which all refer to objects of the intellect, and the. ir various means by which the mass of conflicting emotions are [respectively] renounced by pious attendants and self-centred buddhas, obstructed by bodhisattvas, and transmuted into the path by the secret mantra and so forth. Accordingly, it is said in the Ornament of the Madhymaka eMadhyamakalan:zkarakarika, T 3884):
The essence which is uncompounded Is not anything anywhere.
If having had the opportunity to realise the reality of the abiding natdre one continues to cling to extremes of conduct such as
or non-virtuous doctrines. One who actually clings to non- virtuous doctrines will continue to cling actually to non-vir- tuous doctrines. The phenomena of suffering and unease which emerge through actual attachment to non-virtuous doctrines are called the sublime truth of suffering. Thus the tathagatas revealed them within the enumeration of non-vir- tuous doctrines. The absence of actual clinging to virtue and non-virtue, and the cessation of craving are to be realised as the renunciation of the origin [of suffering] and as the twofold sublime truth. Thus the tathagatas revealed them within the enumeration of virtuous doctrines.
And in the same text:
There, virtue is empty and non-virtue, too, is empty. Virtue is void and non-virtue, too, is void. Virtue is unadulterated by non-virtue and non-virtue, too, is unadulterated by vir- tue. There is neither basis nor cause for hankering after virtue and non-virtue.
And in the Sutra Requested by Jnanottara according to the Pitaka of the Greater Vehicle (Jnanottarabodhisattvaparipfcchasutra, T 82):
The bodhisattva Jflanaketu asked, "What is the provision of merit? " [The Transcendent Lord] replied, "It refers to the positive doctrines such as liberality, along with their symbols. "
"Then what is the provision of pristine cognition? "
"It refers to non-symbolic [doctrines], such as discrimina- tive awareness. "
"Then how should these two be accumulated? " he asked, and [the Transcendent Lord] replied, "As for the provision of merit, it is called the provision of the merit of saqlsara, and is exemplified by the water contained in the hoofprint of an ox. If you ask why this is the case, it is quickly lost, exhausted and diminished, and, after the bliss of gods and humans has been experienced, it causes rebirth in evil exist- ences. As for the provision of pristine cognition, it is called the provision of nirva1). a and is exemplified by the water in a great ocean. It is not lost, not exhausted and is unfailing, and it causes attainment of nirva1). a. Jflanaketu, you should accumulate only the provision of pristine cognition. "
FUrthermore, the ten categories (dasatattva) of the outer and inner Il1antras have also resorted to symbolism which obscures the truth of fundamental reality. It is said in the All-Accomplishing King:
There is neither meditation on the view nor guarding of the cOJ;nmitments.
,
ciation and acceptance as they are apphed to pOSitIVe a? n. t
attributes and to virtue and evil, it is explained to be a firm in the way of the provision of pristine cognition and a pomt of grea deviation. It says in the Pagoda of Precious Jewels:
One should enter into this enumeration of the tathagatas' intention. One should not actually cling to either virtuoUS
. '
. degatlve
304
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Superiority ofAti. >,oga 305
There is neither purification on the levels nor
progress on the path.
There is neither perseverance in activity nor
conferral of empowerment.
There is neither perseverance in respect of the
three media nor the creation of the maJ). 9ala . Cause and result are without duality, in the manner
of space.
The sublime ManjusrI also says:
The mandalas and burnt offerings,
The offerings and recitations counted on
rosaries,
The sedentary vajra-like and dramatic postures and
Now there are those of little intelligence who might ask whether the Kriyatantra and Caryatantra and so forth are not within the vehicle of indestructible reality or whether it is a contradiction that accomplish- ment is revealed through them by means of ritual and activity. Further- more, they might ask whether, among the siitras of the greater vehicle, those which emphatically teach the provision of merit including liber- ality to be the basis of omniscience, are in contradiction [to this supreme view]. However, all these teachings were intentionally given by the Sugatas. They were given in order to embrace those of base, childish intellect, those who delight in conceptual elaboration and those who fear topics of utter profundity. Such is said in the Introduction to the Real (Tattvavatdra, T 3709):
One is liberated by the view of emptiness. That is the point of the remainder of
meditation.
All conduct of body, speech and mind Is taught within the lesser vehicles.
The master Nagarjuna also says:
Look for reality, and at the outset, One could say that everything exists. But when the objects are realised And there is no attachment,
There is subsequently the truth devoid of them.
And in addition, the Crest ofIndestructible Reality says:
If one evenly abides in the real,
There is neither commitment nor the practice of
mantra.
It is not necessary to hold the vajra and bell. 302 One will become accomplished without the ten
categories.
These and other literary transmissions have been extensively
the master Manjusrlklrti [in his Commentary on the Magical
et of Maii]usri, Maiijusrinamasa1? 1gfti(fka, T 2534], which clearly re-
veals that there is no mode of liberation by means of the creation and
p;rfection stages or any other such doctrines of mental scrutiny unless
t ere is realisation of the naturally liberated vast openness in which
sarnsar d ' - . '
. a an mrval). a are lIberated as fundamental reality and of a com-
savour; and there realisation of the inexpressible reality I Yond the guardmg of commItments and verbal and written objects.
n the same vein. , the Magical Net ofMaiijusrf says:
so forth
Are fallible with respect to this freedom from
conceptual elaboration.
For there is nothing to be done, And nothing either to obstruct.
And:
Concerning activities, the yogin
Apprehends them on the supreme paths,
Just as a deer pursues a mirage:
Though they always appear, they are not grasped.
And in the Hevajra Tantra (Pt. l, Ch. 5, v. 1l): There is no meditation, nor meditator.
There is no deity, nor mantra.
Again the Secret Treasury of the I)akinf (mkha'-'gro-ma'i gsang-mdzod) also says:
The objects which accordingly appear
Abide as apparitional male and female deities. . . There is nothing to be bound and there is no bmdmg, Nor are there energy channels, currents and
seminal points.
Accomplishment comes about through emptiness.
And:
Such quotations extensively reveal [that the symbolism of the ten categories of mantra is not required in Atiyoga].
Ablutions and cleanliness are not required here. Austerities and asceticism are not required here.
306
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Superiority ofAtiyoga 307
In. a without manifest at,chment, NIrvana IS also samsara \
By view which· is to The truth also becomes false. ' To those endowed with manifest pride, Falsehood also becomes the truth.
So it is known.
And in the Transcendental Perfection of Discriminative Awareness
Twenty-five Thousand Lines: zn
this up to . the unsurpassed, genuinely perfect en- IS no earnest application. There is no ear- nest In the purification of [lands into] buddha- The:e IS no earnest application in the maturation of sentIent beIngs. is no earnest application in regarding
t? e buddhas. There IS no earnest application in the genera- ofthe fundam:ntal virtues. Ifit is asked why so, Subhuti, It IS all thIngs are empty of their own attributes. A and great spiritual warrior does not regard any ? f thIngs as genuine, whether one refers to the object
whIch earnest is developed, that by which it IS developed or that In which it is to be developed.
. According to extensive quotations, in this abiding nature that IS free from all actIVIty, al! things belonging to the truth of the path ;:e naturally effort, in the manner of a hundred Ivers convergIng under a bndge. It says in the Secret Nucleus (Ch 12
I have revealed the distinctive features of the vehicle according to the differences in the intelligence of sentient beings and the distinctions of their class. Although it is revealed to some as the way of the Outsiders,303 to some as the vehicle of the pious attendants, to some as the vehicle of the self-centred buddhas, and to others still as the vehicle of the transcendental perfections and the immeasurable tan- tras of the awareness-holders, it should be known that bud- dhahood is indivisibly attained through the great seminal point304 which is unwritten and free from symbols.
These authoritative passages [belonging to the vehicle] of indestructible reality set the incontrovertible tone [of Atiyoga].
Nor is it the case that, through such teaching in the Great Perfection, the areas of skilful means according to the lower paths are renounced. With reference to the naturally present pristine cognition or the real nature of the Great Perfection, this reality does not require to be sought out and attained elsewhere because the great enlightened attributes of purity are spontaneously present, and the three buddha-bodies are effortlessly present. It is a fact that from the very moment of the reali- sation, through the guru's esoteric instructions, of this reality, the natural expression of the deities and mantras is also complete in a of great purity and sameness, which is present without concep- tual elaboration. This is established totally without effort and without wandering from the disposition of this uncontrived, primordial reality. Indeed, even the area of conduct relating to the six transcendental perfections, which include liberality, becomes complete therein, as it is said in the Sutra of the Greater Vehicle which is a Dialogue with T 160):
Without actual volition, moral discipline passes into
Instantaneously, patience passes into Without acceptance or rejection, perseverance passes
into
Non-conceptually, concentration passes into Unimpededly, discriminative awareness passes into Since the expanse of reality is desireless,
Desire is the limit of desirelessness.
Since the expanse of reality is without ferocity,
Hatred is the limit of genuine reality.
Since real things are undeluded,
Delusion is the limit of the undeluded.
Without the transference of consciousness at death
and without birth, Sarpsara is also
v. 14):
The perfect Buddha is not found
In any of the ten directions and four times.
Other than the perfect Buddha which is mind-as-such Do not seek the Buddha elsewhere.
And (Ch. 2, v. 4):
Even though he would search The Conqueror would not find it.
And in the All-Accomplishing King:
Mind . is the substance which is just what is.
All are accomplished in the nature of just what IS.
go not that which is just what is. o not attam anything but the essence.
A who has sought it, will not find it Wnhm expanse [of reality].
. ,
'
308
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Because it has already been done, There is no need to do so now. Because it has already been attained,
One does not attain it now. . .
Be equipoised without ideas and mtentIons.
And in the Hevajra Tantra (Pt. I, Ch. 5, v. ll):
In nature without conceptual elaboration The deity and the mantra abide.
conceptualisations which are disharmonious with respect to the unquali- fied essence. It is devoid of disharmonious, symbolic appearances with respect to the object, and it is free from disharmonious delusion with respect to the subject. It transcends the dominion of the eight aggregates of consciousness along with their thoughts, expressions, causes and results, and abides in the reality of awareness, the pristine cognition of the natural Great Perfection. In the words of the master Aryadeva [in the Four Hundred Verses, Ch. 8, v. 8]:
That which is abandoned by mundane beings Is explained to be the ultimate reality.
And in the Commentary [on the Four Hundred Verses, Bodhisattva- T 3865, by Candraklrti]:
This incontrovertible reality has not been thought of by the ordinary, mundane being who has not realised it. It has not been conceived by the mind. It has not become an object of the sense organs. It has been abandoned unseen because it is darkened by a film of ignorance. The object seen by the pristine cognition of the sublime ones endowed with highest acumen is the ultimate reality.
eflected Image, IS the emptmess endowed with all supreme aspects:
Having been snatched away from all the buddhas, The daughter born from the supreme deity Should be enjoyed.
is ;he thi:d kind of intention [that which is directed towards thought] . xemp. hfied by the following quotation from the Hevajra Tantra
whlchwItha. t. d' d ' , n mentIOn Irecte toward the necessity of slaying egotism
under the name of the "vital energy of great life-breath" (smg- c en-po 1 rlung) says:
You should slay living creatures (smg-chags). 290
there are passages which are clearly understood regarJ the rev. elatIOn their actual words of expression, without and ar or the basIs of meaning. These are not intentional,
e exemplIfied m the following quotation:
You should not slay living creatures.
You should. not speak words of falsehood.
[166b. l-166b. 2] The uncommon tantras, literary transmissions, esoteric instructions and definitively secret tantras in which phrases of in- destructible reality (vajrapada) are most profoundly contained, are never established by the scriptural authority and reasoning of pretentious
sophistry, but they are to be understood by means of the six limits and the four styles of appraisal.
THE SIX LIMITS
[166b. 2-168a. l] It is said in the Root Tantra ofthe Kiilacakra (Kiilacakra-
mulatantra) T 362):
Tantras are characterised by these six limits:
There are those which employ the language of [hidden]
intention
And likewise those which do not,
Those which are literal and likewise those which are not, And those of provisional meaning and ofdefinitive meaning.
A single string of phrases of indestructible reality (vajrapada) reveals
different meanings with an intention directed toward those who e
and those who possess the fortune to understand the meaning of genUln reality. Among these [vajrapada] there are those of provisional meaning which refer to skilful means and its aspects and introduce the inner structure of the mandalas including those made of coloured powder, of offerings, hand gestures or seals, and of burnt offerings,
the creation stage and the attainment of ritual feast offerings and SO forth. There are also those of definitive meaning, referring to the textS which teach the binding of the energy channels, currents and "en- lightened mind" [i. e. seminal points] according to the perfection stage, and the abiding nature of the naturally radiant mind which is the
Key to Secret Mantra Texts 291
292 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Those texts which are literal are the rituals including maJ)Qalas, burnt offerings and torma offerings, which are taught through the language familiar in treatises, and so forth, mundane in word and meaning. Those which are not literal are unknown in the mundane treatises and
bound by the mysterious, symbolic language of the Tathagata, as exemplified by kotiikhyii and so forth among the names for the ten kinds of vital energy, and by iilikiili ["vowels and . consonants"]: which
is employed as a name for the rites concerned WIth sexual umon and "liberation,,291 in the Tantra ofthe Secret Nucleus. Since all secret expres- sions and meanings do not bypass these, they are called the six limits.
THE FOUR STYLES
[168a. 1-169. 4] Secondly, concerning the four styles [employed the exegesis of these texts], it is said in the Tantra of the CompendIum of the Indestructible Reality of Pristine Cognition (Vajrajiiiinasamuccaya-
tantra, T 447):
The four styles of exegesis are the lexical,
The general, the concealed and the conclusive.
The first among them, [the lexical style,] refers to the appraise merely the meaning of the syllables: Arranged m conformIty with the texts of grammar and logic, they are said to be lexical or,
according to the Henlka Galpo, semantical.
The second, the general style, is of three kinds. The first of these
counters the regret felt by one entering [the vehicles of] the sutras and so forth. If one who first enters the sutra [vehicles] or the Kriyatantra and Caryatantra without having ent. ered into this easy of the inner mantras feels regret WIth the thought that, ThIS IS no
good", [according to the general style of exegesis] these [le. sser are supports for the path of this [way of inner mantras]. It IS also sal
in the SiUra [which Gathers All Intentions]:
One endowed with the supreme skilful means Transforms conflicting emotions
Into aspects of enlightenment.
without and other aspects of purity, and that it is an extremIst doctnne because it propounds dangerous rites of sexual union and within the doctrine, then these [rites and con- are SaId to be general because they are a common object of for the sutras and so forth also claim that one who practises, thmkmg to renounce attachment, even after practising rites of sexual union and "liberation" with a virtuous mind such as killing an evil
,
sleepmg WIth a merchant's daughter,293 is un- covered by faults and that one's merit immeasurably increases. This is because, if attachment to filth and purity has not been renounced the
meaning of reality is not realised. ' The third general exegesis is that of the creation stage. It is so called medItatIOn on the supporting celestial palaces, sup- ported deItIes a? d other aspects connected with the creation stage are the objects of training according to both the creation and the
perfectIOn stages.
concealed style applies to concealed doctrines, such as
those w? Ich dIsplay the action seal (karmamudrii) and rites of meditative it is improper for them to emerge in public as- semblIes. There also the concealed style of the relative truth, including that of stage, which refers to the energy channels, currents. and semmal pomts as a blessing for oneself (sviidhi$thiina). These are concealed because they are like a kernel, entering between the two extremes [of skilful means and discriminative awareness].
[the c? nclusive style refers to] the perfection stage of inner the reality in which these [experiences] are sealed, IS the conclUSIOn of the path. And [it refers to] the realisation In whIch the two truths are coalesced, that is, the conclusion ofthe result.
four styles. are known as the four styles of exegesis. They are
because a smgle phrase of indestructible reality has to be dif-
[eretd· d .
n In accor ance WIth the lower and superior degrees of acu-
WIthout possessing these esoteric instructions, however refined the I? eaS and scrutiny of one's thoughts may be, one cannot realise the crUCIal secret of genuine [reality]; and one who does possess them easily
to realise the secret intention of the vehicle of indestructible realIty.
This is said to be general because the sutras and so forth also that among other features of the easy and swift path, the provislOnds
, f . . ecte of many aeons can be amassed by a single wave 0 conn. 1
with the provisions if one is endowed with the extraordmary skilfu
means of sharp acumen. e The second [general style of exegesis] counters the regret felt by on
entering the inner mantras. I f one feels regret with thoughts that conduct in this [vehicle] resembles that of dogs and pigs because It IS
·1 292 d armed assaI ant an
. . '
Key to Secret Mantra Texts 293
8 The Superiority of Atiyoga, the Great Perfection
of freedom from extremes and freedom from conceptual elaboratIon and so forth . . The Kriyatantra among the lower ways of mantra that are attained which delight the deity endowed with the three puntes, by means of cleanliness and other such
294
austerities. The Ubhayatantra
of the higher and the lower conduct. The Yogatantra, havmg regarded the blessmg of ultimate reality as a deity, objectively refer. t? yoga of the four seals. The Mahayoga holds that pristine cognItIOn IS generated by incisive application of the creation stage and [practices associated with] the energy channels, currents and seminal points according. to the perfection stage. And the Anuyoga regards the
[of. realIty] and pristine cognition as of the deity whICh are either to be created or are in the process of creation.
In short, all [of the vehicle], from Anuyoga down- wards, are spIntual and philosophical systems contacted t h r o u g h t h e ? f t h e m , t h e s u r f a c e o f t h e i n t e l l e c t , p r o d u c e such thoughts. as, thIS IS non-eXIstent, this empty, and this is true". Apart thIS and their convictions and their boasting through ideas and scrutmy. that ! ies within the subject-object dichotomy, they do not the abIdmg nature of the natural state, just as it is.
Accordmgly, it is said in the Sutra of the Nucleus of the Tathiigata:
The king assembled many blind men and, showing them an elephant, commanded, "Describe its particular characteris- tics. " Those among them who felt the elephant's nose said that it resembled an iron hook. Those who felt the eyes said that they resembled bowls. Those who felt the ears said they winnowing baskets. Those who felt the back said resembled a sedan chair, and those who felt the tail said
It resembled a string. Indeed, though they did not describe the elephant as anything else, they were lacking in overall Similarly, though the nature of the Buddha IS described as emptiness, as illusory, as inner radIance and so forth, there is no overall understanding.
·f These paths have obscured the meaning of the Great Perfection and
their r. ealisations while abiding in the path of the Great
Ac It IS explamed to be a point of deviation (gal-sa). The All- comp/zshzng King says:
The six vehicles of definitive attainment
Are taught to be deviation points, according to the Great Perfection.
If one asks how this is the case
The sl1tras of the bodhisattava [vehicle] Uphold the . level of Universal Light.
[169a. 4-183a. 6] Thirdly, [following Mahayoga and Anuyoga,] there is the explanation of the definitive order of Atiyoga, the Great Perfection, which is the climax of all vehicles and the culmination of all [paths] to be traversed. This is revealed in two parts: its superiority over the lower [vehicles] and its divisions.
As to the first: This king among vehicles holds the expanse [of reality], the originally pure mind-as-such whose natural expression is inner radiance, and the naturally present, unchanging, pristine cognition that spontaneously abides in oneself to be the ground of great perfection. In the estimation [of Atiyoga], the vehicles of the eight lower sequences have intellectually contrived and altered that which is unchanging ex- clusively through their suddenly arisen ideas which never experience what in fact is so. They have applied an antidote to and abandoned that which is not to be renounced. They have referred to as flawed that in which there is nothing to be clarified, with an intellect which desires clarification. They have induced dissension with respect to that which is not to be obtained by their hopes and doubts that it is to be elsewhere obtained; and they have obscured the pristine cognition, which intrins- ically abides, by their strenuous efforts, with respect to that which is effortlessly present. Hence, they have had no occasion to make contact with the reality of the fundamental nature.
In this way, the pious attendants and self-centred buddhas among the lower vehicles, with reference to the selflessness which they realise, hold consciousness and atomic matter to be the ultimate realities; and the proponents of consciousness (Vijfiiinaviida) who hold consciousness, self-cognisant and self-radiant in nature, to be the absolute characteristic of ultimate reality, do not transcend [the view of] mind and mental events harboured by mundane beings. The Madhyamika adhere to a truth of cessation scrutinised by four great axioms and the like, concern- ing the absence of creation, absence of cessation, absence of being and absence of non-being, which are appraised according to the two truths. And they adhere to an emptiness which is, for example, like the sky,
Superiority ofAtiyoga 295
are attached to superficialities in their
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
296
Through ideas and scrutmy concermng They hold reality to be empty as the sky.
The and scrutiny. and scrutiny is obscured by the
sutras. . ding to the Great Perfection, Ideas and scruuny, accor . _
In the pure maQQala of one's own mind,
The four branches of ritual service and rites of attainment
are achieved.
The supreme bliss of Atiyoga, however,
Is the enlightened mind transcending perseverance. That which transcends perseverance is obscured by
Mahayoga.
Perseverance, according to the Great Perfection, Is explained to be the deviation in Mahayoga.
The Anuyoga upholds indivisibility.
Having entered through the expanse and pristine
cognition,
The things which accordingly appear include
The cause, which is the view of the pure expanse, And the result, which is viewed as the maQQala of
pristine cognition.
The supreme bliss of Atiyoga, however,
Is the enlightened mind transcending cause and
result.
That which transcends cause and result is obscured
by Anuyoga.
To behold a duality of cause and result, according to the
Great Perfection,
Is explained to be the deviation in Anuyoga.
These [sequences of the vehicle] are created and fabricated by the mind, and yet [they hold that] the mind inclusive of the ideas present in all eight aggregates [of consciousness] is a stain to be rejected. This natural Great Perfection, on the other hand, refers to mind-as-such transcending the mind, the uncompounded inner radiance of pristine cognition which is the natural presence of awareness, in which all the enlightened attributes offundamental nature are spontaneously present. Apart from that, its essential point is that the abiding nature, charac- terised in the manner of the sky as unchanging, does not need to refer to causes and results that are either to be created or are in the process of creation, or to extraneous conditions and such elements, because it is naturally free from them. Thereby, [the Great Perfection] teaches that the nature of the Primordial Lord, Samantabhadra, is the buddha- hood attained without contrivance, by realising in one's own nature the naturally present pristine cognition, and that it does not otherwise emerge through extraneous conditions such as study, reflection and the accumulations of compounded provisions.
It is said in the Sutra of the Adornment of Pristine Cognition's Appear- ance which Penetrates the Scope ofAll Buddhas:
I · Are exp ame
d to be the deviation m the sutras. 'bl
lity .
. .
the twO truths
h Ids the holder of indestrucu e rea Knyatantraup0 . df 'ty
. -
H vin entered through the km. s 0 pun '.
dichotomy abIdes m a pure object. The supreme bliss AdtiYOga, subject-object
Is the enlightened mm transcen subject-object dichotomy is obscured
by Kriya. . d' Objectification and subjectificauon, accor mg
. and conduct of the Ubhayatantra. Concerning vle. w K . . _ d the attainment as in Yoga.
Th d ct IS as m nya an . is no point in [artificially] connecting VIew
and conduct,
They do not realise the truth.
The supreme bliss of Auyoga,
. h d 'nd without duahty.
Is the enhg tene ml d r ' bscured by Ubhayatantra.
Great Perfection,
Are explained to be the deviatIOn m Knyatantra. .
Thatwhichisfreefrom uattyIS0 .
That which creates duality, accordmg to the
Great
Perfection, .
Is explained to be the deviation m Ubhayatantra.
h ld the Bounteous Array.
The Yogatantra 0 s h bolic and non-symbolic
Having entered tt throug sym methods ,295
The four seals are emphasised.
It cannot be entered without acceptance
bl' f Atiyoga however, The supreme ISS 0 . '
and rejection.
.
ce and rejeCtion.
. . '
Is the enlightened mind wIthout is That which is without acceptance an
obscured by d' to the Great Perfection, Accepting and reJectmg, Yogatantra.
Are explained to be the deViatIOn m
h Ids the Vajradhara. . The Mahayoga up 0 h kIf I means and discriminatIve
Having entered throug s 1 u awareness,
_
to the
Superiority ofAtiyoga 297
298
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Nothing at all is seen by the buddhas, nor heard, nor in- tended, nor known, nor is the object ofomniscience. Nothing has been said or expressed by the buddhas. The buddhas neither speak nor make expression. The buddhas will not resort to speech and they will not resort to expression. The buddhas do not become manifestly, perfectly enlightened. The buddhas have not caused anything to become mani- festly, perfectly enlightened. The buddhas have not re- nounced conflicting emotions. The buddhas have not actu- ally disclosed purity. Nothing at all is seen by the buddhas, nor heard, nor tasted, nor smelt, nor known, nor cognised. If you ask why this is the case, MafijusrI, it is because all things are utterly pure from the beginning.
The lord Maitreya [in the Supreme Continuum of the Greater Vehicle, Ch. l, v. S I] has also said:
Subsequently, just as it was before, Is the unchanging reality.
And also [Ch. l, v. S]:
Uncompounded and spontaneously present,
It is not realised through other conditions.
According to such quotations, the natural expression or abiding nature, the fundamental nature or the reality of all things is uncompounded and uncreated through causes and conditions. It is not dependent on others, is not realised through extraneous conditions, and does not abide in a goal that is attained by the intellect.
It is said in the Sutra of the Dialogue with Kasyapa from the Sublime Pagoda of Precious Jewels:
That which is uncompounded is the enlightened family of the sublime ones. That which is the enlightened family of the sublime ones neither adheres to the training, nor tran- scends the training. That which neither adheres to the train- ing, nor transcends the training neither moves, nor rests, nor rushes. That which neither moves, nor rests, nor rushes, has neither mind, nor the properties which emerge from mind. That which has neither mind, nor the properties which emerge from mind possesses neither deeds, nor the ripening of deeds. That which possesses neither deeds, nor the ripen- ing of deeds knows neither pleasure nor pain. That which knows neither pleasure nor pain is the enlightened family of the sublime ones. That which is the enlightened family of the sublime ones possesses neither deeds, nor deed-form- ing volition.
Superiority ofAtiyoga 299 Thep, in the Sutra of the Greater Vehicle which Decisively Reveals the
Intention it is said:
The inexpressible and manifestly perfect buddhahood which is by the Sublime Ones through their sublime per- ceptIOn and sublime vision, is called uncompounded because itisthisinexpressiblerealitywhichistobeperfectlyrealised.
And in the Root Stanzas on the Madhyamaka eCh. IS, vv. I-2):
It is incorrect that independent existents
Emerge from causes and conditions.
That which has emerged from causes and conditions Would be a created independent existent.
In what way would it be admissable
To speak of a created independent existent?
For an independent existent must be uncontrived And not dependent on any other.
Extensive quotations, such as these, visibly set the tone in accordance with which the abiding nature of fundamental reality, the uncom- pounded pristine cognition transcending causes and conditions which is the spiritual and philosophical goal of the Great Perfection, is mani- festly realised.
Concerning the way in which this reality is established to be free from extremes also, it is said [in the same text, Ch. IS, v. 6] :
Whoever views independent existents, dependent existents,
Substantiality and non-substantiality, Has not seen the reality
Of the teaching of the Buddha.
Andc . h
ous t e sequence ? f. the path of Great Perfection, glori-
h Naropa s Means for Attaznzng the Real (de-kho-na-nyid sgrub-pa'i tabs zhes-bya-ba rdzogs-pa-chen-po'i lam-gyi rim-pa) says:
and sentient beings have a single nature.
ThIS mystery of the mind's pristine cognition
Is more amazing than the truth of the nucleus.
? ody in which the naturally present greatness IS Identified
Is the supreme, perfect bliss of intrinsic awareness.
The emanational body in which spirituality appears Is . the secret mind, not essentially existing.
It IS the indivisibility of the apparent and the invisible . .
300 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Then concerning the fact that this [Atiyoga] does not objectively refer to 'a path as do the lower [vehicles], that same text says:
In the nucleus of perfect pristine cognition The goal is reached without a sequential path.
Now, if one were to ask just what of the. teaching of these lower sequences [ofthe vehicle], a IS e. lther wah reference to the intellectual degrees of those who reqUIre trammg, as the means by which one on a lower [path], having trained the mmd, gradually
. thO path [of Atiyoga] or else as a support for the path. The entersmto IS , . ' '.
nucleus of all the Sugata's teachings, the IS . . 't'on alone the transcendental perfection 0 IscnmmatlVe
abides without contradiction in the nature of the Great Perfection. This intention comprises the unaltered intention of the Collection of Madhyamaka Reasoning, which consists of the commentaries on the intermediate promulgation by the sublime and supreme Nagarjuna; and his [Collection of Eulogies] including the Eulogy to the Expanse of Reality, and the commentaries by the regent Maitreya, the sublime and supreme Asailga, and his brother [Vasubandhu] and so forth, which together form the intention of the final [promulgation]. If one were to ask why this is the case, it is because these masters did not claim anything other than the profound abiding nature of natural reality, and because the Great Perfection itself is none other than that.
Although the path through which this reality is actualised is superior only in the mantras, on further examination the lower ways of mantra consist of merely the symbolic and non-symbolic stages [of meditation]. The Six-limbed Yoga of the Kalacakra T 1367) which is renowned as supreme among the Unsurpassed tantras, the Five Stages (Paficakrama, T 1802) and others,297 too, merely explain the ten signs of inner radiance and the form of emptiness which is a reflection of the three spheres of existence within a black outline. 298 These are perceived by controlling the activity of the energy channels, currents and seminal points. As the experience of this perception increases and decreases, even one who has meditated appropriately cannot attain the body of indestruc- tible reality in which the elements have dissolved into light. Thus, those of lowly fortune contact herein not the definitive meaning but merely the
provisional meaning. So it is said by Naropa:
The single definitive means is the truth of the nucleus. The four successive seals and the six-limbed yoga,
The diverse vehicles of thought,
Have resorted to the provisional and not the definitive. The essential nature is neither high nor low.
It ends the thoughts conceived by those who devoutly enter.
Furthermore, the meditation of the creation stage according to the lower [paths] merely effects the ripening of the perfection stage, and, through that meditation, nothing but [the result] of a sky-farer is ac- complished by an awareness-holder of the desire realm or an awareness- holder of the form realm, whichever is appropriate in accord with the distinctions between the action seal and the seal of pristine cognition (kannamudra and jnanamudra). 299 Again, though one may desire to develop pristine cognition through the flexibility of the energy channels, currents and seminal points in accordance with the perfection stage, the conditions of tiresome efforts are not transcended. Even one who desires to develop the pristine cognition of bliss and emptiness in accord- ance with the thi. rd empowerment,300 subsequent on the delight experi-
pnstme cogm
1,
. dh
the natural state which is just what IS; an t e perlect awareness, . f. . .
establishment of it through the direct perceptIOn 0 mtnnslC awareness is none other than the path of Great The three vows, six transcendental perfections, the creation stage and perfection stage; all of these, indeed, are taught as the means of realIsmg the Gre. at Perfection and as mere rest-stations for those who progress towards It.
The Secret Nucleus (Ch. 22, v. 3) says: Distinctions are indeed arrayed in the levels,
But these are paths which progress to the secret nucleus.
And in Indrabhuti's Esoteric Instructions. Empowerment Circle (Ratnacakrabhi$ekopadesakrama, T 2472) a IS Said:
This is only spoken as the means to attain
That which is inner radiance by nature, .
And the culmination of the Great Perfection, . The supreme among the supreme of all esotenc
instructions.
And Santideva [in the Introduction to the Conduct ofa Bodhisattva, Ch. 9, v. l] has also explained:
All these aspects were taught by the Sage For the sake of discrimative awareness.
. f h G at Perfection: The Now concerning this natural expressIOn 0 t e re . d pre-
Sugata during the intermediate promulgation of the
cepts did not reveal the structure of the fundamenta rea 'h ut re- , h . . ble abiding nature WIt 0
he did extensively teach t e mconcelva, . h fi I prorn-
ferring to symbols of elaborate conception. reality, ulgation, though he did reveal the structure 0 t e u. n . ' ctualised . he did not teach the characteristic path through whIch It IS tually Therefore, the conclusive intention of the Two Promulgators ac
Superiority ofAtiyoga 301
302 Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Superiority ofAtiyoga 303
enced when the two sexual organs are in union, is not liberated from the three realms [of saqlsara]. Therefore, the supre. me,. unchanging pristine cognition which is the supreme, unfading ? hss, IS taught to be realised by these methods, and the above practices the meditative absorptions in bliss. As it is said in the glonous Naropa's
Means for Attaining the Real:
The naturally present mind,
That is definitively free from elaboration,
Is not known through the path of desire.
This nucleus of naturally present, inner radiance, Through its non-symbolic natural expression,
Is free from desire for discriminative awareness and skilful means.
It is without the arduous emanation and absorption . h . I . 301
of desire connected with t e semma pomts. Evenly absorbed in discriminative awareness and
skilful means,
It is the supreme blissful concentration.
Without attachment to the savour of apparition,
It is the perfect path of unattached pristine cognition.
Without realising the natural and utterly pure discrimi? ative aware- ness, which is the abiding nature of the Great Perfection, by such attainments, the aspects of the truth of the path do not the compounded fundamental virtues attained by the and scrutmy of discrete recollections and thoughts. These aspects mclude the vows the six transcendental perfections and the creation and perfection
which all refer to objects of the intellect, and the. ir various means by which the mass of conflicting emotions are [respectively] renounced by pious attendants and self-centred buddhas, obstructed by bodhisattvas, and transmuted into the path by the secret mantra and so forth. Accordingly, it is said in the Ornament of the Madhymaka eMadhyamakalan:zkarakarika, T 3884):
The essence which is uncompounded Is not anything anywhere.
If having had the opportunity to realise the reality of the abiding natdre one continues to cling to extremes of conduct such as
or non-virtuous doctrines. One who actually clings to non- virtuous doctrines will continue to cling actually to non-vir- tuous doctrines. The phenomena of suffering and unease which emerge through actual attachment to non-virtuous doctrines are called the sublime truth of suffering. Thus the tathagatas revealed them within the enumeration of non-vir- tuous doctrines. The absence of actual clinging to virtue and non-virtue, and the cessation of craving are to be realised as the renunciation of the origin [of suffering] and as the twofold sublime truth. Thus the tathagatas revealed them within the enumeration of virtuous doctrines.
And in the same text:
There, virtue is empty and non-virtue, too, is empty. Virtue is void and non-virtue, too, is void. Virtue is unadulterated by non-virtue and non-virtue, too, is unadulterated by vir- tue. There is neither basis nor cause for hankering after virtue and non-virtue.
And in the Sutra Requested by Jnanottara according to the Pitaka of the Greater Vehicle (Jnanottarabodhisattvaparipfcchasutra, T 82):
The bodhisattva Jflanaketu asked, "What is the provision of merit? " [The Transcendent Lord] replied, "It refers to the positive doctrines such as liberality, along with their symbols. "
"Then what is the provision of pristine cognition? "
"It refers to non-symbolic [doctrines], such as discrimina- tive awareness. "
"Then how should these two be accumulated? " he asked, and [the Transcendent Lord] replied, "As for the provision of merit, it is called the provision of the merit of saqlsara, and is exemplified by the water contained in the hoofprint of an ox. If you ask why this is the case, it is quickly lost, exhausted and diminished, and, after the bliss of gods and humans has been experienced, it causes rebirth in evil exist- ences. As for the provision of pristine cognition, it is called the provision of nirva1). a and is exemplified by the water in a great ocean. It is not lost, not exhausted and is unfailing, and it causes attainment of nirva1). a. Jflanaketu, you should accumulate only the provision of pristine cognition. "
FUrthermore, the ten categories (dasatattva) of the outer and inner Il1antras have also resorted to symbolism which obscures the truth of fundamental reality. It is said in the All-Accomplishing King:
There is neither meditation on the view nor guarding of the cOJ;nmitments.
,
ciation and acceptance as they are apphed to pOSitIVe a? n. t
attributes and to virtue and evil, it is explained to be a firm in the way of the provision of pristine cognition and a pomt of grea deviation. It says in the Pagoda of Precious Jewels:
One should enter into this enumeration of the tathagatas' intention. One should not actually cling to either virtuoUS
. '
. degatlve
304
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Superiority ofAti. >,oga 305
There is neither purification on the levels nor
progress on the path.
There is neither perseverance in activity nor
conferral of empowerment.
There is neither perseverance in respect of the
three media nor the creation of the maJ). 9ala . Cause and result are without duality, in the manner
of space.
The sublime ManjusrI also says:
The mandalas and burnt offerings,
The offerings and recitations counted on
rosaries,
The sedentary vajra-like and dramatic postures and
Now there are those of little intelligence who might ask whether the Kriyatantra and Caryatantra and so forth are not within the vehicle of indestructible reality or whether it is a contradiction that accomplish- ment is revealed through them by means of ritual and activity. Further- more, they might ask whether, among the siitras of the greater vehicle, those which emphatically teach the provision of merit including liber- ality to be the basis of omniscience, are in contradiction [to this supreme view]. However, all these teachings were intentionally given by the Sugatas. They were given in order to embrace those of base, childish intellect, those who delight in conceptual elaboration and those who fear topics of utter profundity. Such is said in the Introduction to the Real (Tattvavatdra, T 3709):
One is liberated by the view of emptiness. That is the point of the remainder of
meditation.
All conduct of body, speech and mind Is taught within the lesser vehicles.
The master Nagarjuna also says:
Look for reality, and at the outset, One could say that everything exists. But when the objects are realised And there is no attachment,
There is subsequently the truth devoid of them.
And in addition, the Crest ofIndestructible Reality says:
If one evenly abides in the real,
There is neither commitment nor the practice of
mantra.
It is not necessary to hold the vajra and bell. 302 One will become accomplished without the ten
categories.
These and other literary transmissions have been extensively
the master Manjusrlklrti [in his Commentary on the Magical
et of Maii]usri, Maiijusrinamasa1? 1gfti(fka, T 2534], which clearly re-
veals that there is no mode of liberation by means of the creation and
p;rfection stages or any other such doctrines of mental scrutiny unless
t ere is realisation of the naturally liberated vast openness in which
sarnsar d ' - . '
. a an mrval). a are lIberated as fundamental reality and of a com-
savour; and there realisation of the inexpressible reality I Yond the guardmg of commItments and verbal and written objects.
n the same vein. , the Magical Net ofMaiijusrf says:
so forth
Are fallible with respect to this freedom from
conceptual elaboration.
For there is nothing to be done, And nothing either to obstruct.
And:
Concerning activities, the yogin
Apprehends them on the supreme paths,
Just as a deer pursues a mirage:
Though they always appear, they are not grasped.
And in the Hevajra Tantra (Pt. l, Ch. 5, v. 1l): There is no meditation, nor meditator.
There is no deity, nor mantra.
Again the Secret Treasury of the I)akinf (mkha'-'gro-ma'i gsang-mdzod) also says:
The objects which accordingly appear
Abide as apparitional male and female deities. . . There is nothing to be bound and there is no bmdmg, Nor are there energy channels, currents and
seminal points.
Accomplishment comes about through emptiness.
And:
Such quotations extensively reveal [that the symbolism of the ten categories of mantra is not required in Atiyoga].
Ablutions and cleanliness are not required here. Austerities and asceticism are not required here.
306
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Superiority ofAtiyoga 307
In. a without manifest at,chment, NIrvana IS also samsara \
By view which· is to The truth also becomes false. ' To those endowed with manifest pride, Falsehood also becomes the truth.
So it is known.
And in the Transcendental Perfection of Discriminative Awareness
Twenty-five Thousand Lines: zn
this up to . the unsurpassed, genuinely perfect en- IS no earnest application. There is no ear- nest In the purification of [lands into] buddha- The:e IS no earnest application in the maturation of sentIent beIngs. is no earnest application in regarding
t? e buddhas. There IS no earnest application in the genera- ofthe fundam:ntal virtues. Ifit is asked why so, Subhuti, It IS all thIngs are empty of their own attributes. A and great spiritual warrior does not regard any ? f thIngs as genuine, whether one refers to the object
whIch earnest is developed, that by which it IS developed or that In which it is to be developed.
. According to extensive quotations, in this abiding nature that IS free from all actIVIty, al! things belonging to the truth of the path ;:e naturally effort, in the manner of a hundred Ivers convergIng under a bndge. It says in the Secret Nucleus (Ch 12
I have revealed the distinctive features of the vehicle according to the differences in the intelligence of sentient beings and the distinctions of their class. Although it is revealed to some as the way of the Outsiders,303 to some as the vehicle of the pious attendants, to some as the vehicle of the self-centred buddhas, and to others still as the vehicle of the transcendental perfections and the immeasurable tan- tras of the awareness-holders, it should be known that bud- dhahood is indivisibly attained through the great seminal point304 which is unwritten and free from symbols.
These authoritative passages [belonging to the vehicle] of indestructible reality set the incontrovertible tone [of Atiyoga].
Nor is it the case that, through such teaching in the Great Perfection, the areas of skilful means according to the lower paths are renounced. With reference to the naturally present pristine cognition or the real nature of the Great Perfection, this reality does not require to be sought out and attained elsewhere because the great enlightened attributes of purity are spontaneously present, and the three buddha-bodies are effortlessly present. It is a fact that from the very moment of the reali- sation, through the guru's esoteric instructions, of this reality, the natural expression of the deities and mantras is also complete in a of great purity and sameness, which is present without concep- tual elaboration. This is established totally without effort and without wandering from the disposition of this uncontrived, primordial reality. Indeed, even the area of conduct relating to the six transcendental perfections, which include liberality, becomes complete therein, as it is said in the Sutra of the Greater Vehicle which is a Dialogue with T 160):
Without actual volition, moral discipline passes into
Instantaneously, patience passes into Without acceptance or rejection, perseverance passes
into
Non-conceptually, concentration passes into Unimpededly, discriminative awareness passes into Since the expanse of reality is desireless,
Desire is the limit of desirelessness.
Since the expanse of reality is without ferocity,
Hatred is the limit of genuine reality.
Since real things are undeluded,
Delusion is the limit of the undeluded.
Without the transference of consciousness at death
and without birth, Sarpsara is also
v. 14):
The perfect Buddha is not found
In any of the ten directions and four times.
Other than the perfect Buddha which is mind-as-such Do not seek the Buddha elsewhere.
And (Ch. 2, v. 4):
Even though he would search The Conqueror would not find it.
And in the All-Accomplishing King:
Mind . is the substance which is just what is.
All are accomplished in the nature of just what IS.
go not that which is just what is. o not attam anything but the essence.
A who has sought it, will not find it Wnhm expanse [of reality].
. ,
'
308
Fundamentals: Vehicles ofSecret Mantra
Because it has already been done, There is no need to do so now. Because it has already been attained,
One does not attain it now. . .
Be equipoised without ideas and mtentIons.
And in the Hevajra Tantra (Pt. I, Ch. 5, v. ll):
In nature without conceptual elaboration The deity and the mantra abide.
conceptualisations which are disharmonious with respect to the unquali- fied essence. It is devoid of disharmonious, symbolic appearances with respect to the object, and it is free from disharmonious delusion with respect to the subject. It transcends the dominion of the eight aggregates of consciousness along with their thoughts, expressions, causes and results, and abides in the reality of awareness, the pristine cognition of the natural Great Perfection. In the words of the master Aryadeva [in the Four Hundred Verses, Ch. 8, v. 8]:
That which is abandoned by mundane beings Is explained to be the ultimate reality.
And in the Commentary [on the Four Hundred Verses, Bodhisattva- T 3865, by Candraklrti]:
This incontrovertible reality has not been thought of by the ordinary, mundane being who has not realised it. It has not been conceived by the mind. It has not become an object of the sense organs. It has been abandoned unseen because it is darkened by a film of ignorance. The object seen by the pristine cognition of the sublime ones endowed with highest acumen is the ultimate reality.
