Re: KH on the "Tantrikas"
Dec 01, 1998 05:58 AM
by Jerry Schueler
>"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?
>
No. The "tantrikas" refer to those on Hindu Tantraism where
the goal is personal power.
>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.]
>
He and many others have stated this. However, others have said
that the jnanamudra or wisdom seal is sufficient. I personally
prefer the wisdom seal.
>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?
>
Yes and yes. And so did the HH the Dali Lama, although I cannot
find the quote, I believe it is somewhere in his Kalachakra book.
Why do you suppose that so many Tibetan deities and Knowledge
Holders are shown in sexual union with a female consort? But
not all are shown that way.
>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?
>
I have never heard or seen this idea anywhere concerning Buddha.
But "action seal" is the current English translation of karmamudra,
and means a physical consort of the opposite sex. Jnanamudra
is wisdom seal and means union with an imaginary consort (like
the anima of Jung). Mahamudra is generally considered to be
superior to the other two except in the single case of producing
bliss (and then only to enhance one's view of emptiness) where
the action seal is generally considered superior.
Maybe Rich Taylor can help you here with his thoughts?
Jerry S.
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