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The Great Exposition of Secret Mantra-Volume I

Tantra For Practice

It is essential to settle the meaning of the scriptures with stainless reasoning. The meaning of passages that are spoken only for certain trainees must be interpreted and the meaning of extremely subtle passages must be penetra­ted; this is difficult, and some are in danger of mis­understanding. Also, for many the countless books of sutra and tantra do not appear as precepts, and they are satisfied with seeing only a fraction of the path. Others are able to analyse a great many points but are unable, even though they are learned, to discern the important ones. They know, in general, how to practise but do not make any effort at practice. Those in these three situations cannot practise tantra properly.

Tsong-ka-pa saw that if the meanings of the countless scriptures were collected, settled with stainless reasoning, and set forth in the sequence of their practice, many sentient beings who had come under the influence of these bad circumstances would be helped. Captivated by the good explanations of the Indian and Tibetan tantrics such as Nagarjuna, his spiritual sons and the omniscient Bu-ton (Bu-ston), Tsong-ka-pa was enthused to gather together these explanations in order to rectify the faults and omissions existing in the presentations by earlier lamas.

Writing a book on Secret Mantra is not like writing a book on Madhyamika or on the teachings of the paths contained in the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras (Prajnaparamita). The topics of Secret Mantra are not to be displayed like merchandise but practised secretly. If they are not, instead of helping, there is a danger of harming many people due to generating misunderstanding. For instance, some who are unable to practise the four tantras in general and Highest Yoga Tantra in particular merely wish to play with Mantra. Some, although they have faith, do not accurately know the Buddhist presentations of view, meditation, and behaviour. Others know these topics accurately but do not have an ability to maintain vows, sustain faith, and be strong of mind. Without this knowledge and this ability, practice of the Mantra path is impossible.

Contents

Editor’s note

I      ESSENCE OF TANTRA

by Tenzin Cyatso.

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama

Tantra for Practice

Refuge

Hinayana and Mahayana

Vajrayana

Clear Light

Greatness of Mantra

Clarification

Initiation

II     THE GREAT EXPOSITION OF SECRET MANTRA

by Tsong-ka-pa

Reasons for Faith

Paths to Buddahood

Vajra Vehicle

Deity Yoga

Method in the Four Tantras

One Goal

Identifying the Four Tantras

Preparation for Mantra

III    SUPPLEMENT

by Jeffrey Hopkins

Emptiness  

Transformation

Purpose of the Four Tanlras

Quintessential Points

Appendix 

Glossary  

Bibliography

Notes 

Index

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