Theos-Talk Archives (November 1998 Message tt00536)

In an 1882 letter to A.O. Hume, the Master KH writes:

"The 'tantrikas' --- at least the modern sect, for over 400 years ---
observe rites and ceremonies, the fitting description of which will
never be attempted by the pen of one of *our* brotherhood."

(ML, chrono. ed., p. 481, reprinted from LMW, I, Letter 30)

Would KH's comment ALSO cover the practices given in my recent email
from John Powers' book on Tantra in Tibetan Buddhism?

Furthermore, did Tsong Khapa actually state that:

"in order to ATTAIN BUDDHAHOOD IN ONE LIFETIME IT IS NECESSARY TO USE AN
"ACTION SEAL" (AN ACTUAL CONSORT), because the great power of practice
with an actual [female] consort allows one to generate an illusory body
that arises as a deity. . . ."?? [Caps added.]

Also did Tsong Khapa actually write:  "A female companion is the basis
of  accomplishment of liberation." [sbas don kun gsal,  f. 316]. Did he
really mean an actual physical female companion or consort?

And do the Gelukpas, including the current Dalai Lama, actually believe
and teach that '. . . .Shakyamuni Buddha, in his last lifetime prior to
enlightenment, used an Action Seal. . . ."?  And do they interpret
"Action Seal" to mean an actual female consort who engaged in tantric
sex with the Buddha?

These are just some of the important questions that need to be answered,
clarified, etc. in a Theosophical context, especially in light of what
HPB and KH write about the Buddha and Tsong Khapa.