Essay name: Hevajra Tantra (analytical study)
Author:
Seung Ho Nam
Affiliation: University of Kerala / Faculty of Oriental Studies
This is an English study of the Hevajra Tantra: an ancient Sanskrit text that teaches the process of attaining Buddha-hood for removing the sufferings of all sentient beings. The Hevajratantra amplifies the views and methods found in the Guhyasamaja Tantra (one of the earliest extant Buddhist Tantras) dealing with Yoga and Mandalas.
Chapter 3 - Tantric Doctrine in Hevajra Tantra
25 (of 138)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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And in the commentary verses, it is preached that 'we have this example of space enlarged upon in Scripture, where it stands in connection with (the subject of ) the medium of perfect purification. This medium is, to speak otherwise, the means of (perceiving) the light of the essence of the Buddha.' and then quoted from "Gaganagafijasūtra¸.189 O great Sage, the defiling forces are kike darkness, and purification is light. The defiling forces are feeble in strength; the transcendental perception of the Truth, on the contrary, is powerful. The defiling forces are casual, whereas the perfectly pure (Absolute) is the true fundamental Essence (of all that exists). The defiling forces are imputed (and essentially unreal), whereas the Absolute is the true (essence of all the elements) and not a construction (of the mind). O great Sage, such is the state of things.- This great earth is supported by water, water reposes in the air, and air is supported by space. But space itself has no support. Moreover, of these four elements, that of space is, in comparison with the elements of earth, water, and air, the most powerful. It is stable, motionless, knows no decrease, no origination, and no destruction. It is denduring by its very nature. Now, the three (other) elements are liable to origination and destruction; they are not stable and -have no long duration With everyone of them a constant change may be perceived. But space (on the contrary) does not undergo the slightest change. In a similar way the (5) groups (of elements), the (18) component elements (of an individual), and the (12) bases of cognition have their foundation in the Biotic Force and Desire. These two are founded upon incorrect appreciation, and the latter has its support in the (spiritual) essence, which is perfectly pure. This essence is (by itself) pure and radiant and become polluted by the occasional defiling forces.(prakṛti prabhāsvaram cittam āgantukair upakleśair upakliśyate).190 Bihar Research Society, 1950), p.43. II.9-12. 189 "Gaganagañjasūtra (),, TS 13, p.124 c. 190 kavir mārṣ� kleśā�/ āloko viśuddhi�/ durbalā� kleśā�/ balavatī vipaśyanā/ āgantukā� kleśā�/ mūla viśuddhā prakṛti�/ parikalpā� kleśā�/ aparikalpā prakṛti�/ tad yathā mārṣ� iya� mahā prthivy apsu pratiṣṭhitā āpo vāyau pratiṣṭhitā�/ vāyur ākāśe pratisthita� apratisthitam� cākāśam/ evam eṣāṃ caturṇāṃ dhātūnā� pṛthivi dhātor ab dhātor vāyu dhātor ākāśa dhātur eva balīyo drḍho 'calo 'nupacayo 'napacayo 'nutpanno 'niruddha� sthita� sva rasa yogena/ tatra ya ete trayo dhātavas ta utpāda bhanga yuktā anavasthitä acira sthāyina�/ dṛśyata eṣāṃ vikāro na punar ākāśa dhāto� kāś cid vikāra�/ evam eva skandha dhātv āyatanāni karma kleśa pratisiṭhitāni/ karma kleśā ayoniśo manas kāra pratiṣṭhitā�/ ayoniśo manas kāra� prakṛti pariśuddhi pratisthita�/ tata ucyate prakṛti prabhāsvara� cittam āgantukair upakleśair upakliśyata iti// E.H. Johnston (ed.). "The Ratnagotravibhāga Mahāyānottaratantrasāstrai, p.44,18-p.45,.3. 125
