Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00079)

Tsong-Kha-Pa's commentary to Naropa's Six Yogas can be found in Esoteric Teachings of the Tibetan Tantra, trans. Chang Chen Chi, ed. C. A. Muses, Weiser,1961 (paperback 1982).

The translator gives karmamudra as "Karma Yoga" or "Karmayoga" which is misleading, but this is probably because it was done back in 1961.

On page 158 Tsong-Kha-Pa says that Marpa put emphasis on Heat Yoga (the first of Naropa's six yogas first presented to the West via Evans Wentz) and Karma Yoga (karmamudra) in the awakening stage (after the generation stage). 

On page 198 is a long detailed account of "The Outer Practice of Karmayoga" which begins:

"The practice of depending on outer conditions is the Karmayoga practice. (Both self and the Mudra should be the upmost well-gifted sentient being.) They should receive the perfect and pure intitation; observe the main and secondary Tantric precepts in a perfect degree; be proficient in all Mandala practices and affairs, and practice four periods without intermission every day; be aquainted with all sixty-four qualifications and forms of the condition as instructed in the Books of Bliss, ...[and then he warns that ] As to those who claim to have the so-called "profound teachings" and yet carry out the practice unscrupulously, there is nothing else but falling into the miserable path for them."

This quotation demonstrates only that Tsong-Kha-Pa knew about karmamudra and its requirements and dangers. There is no suggestion that he practiced it himself.

Jerry S.