Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00110)

Dallas wrote:

> I find much of this discussion about "kama-mudra" and tantrikaism
> utterly inconsequential to the real import of Theosophical facts
> and verities, I mean those that are suitable for us to use in our
> own lives, and which will have eternal importance - not just the
> excitement of a few hours, minutes or weeks.  Of course I am only
> speaking for myself in this, and may be challenged, as usual.
>
> I can make one statement and that in my esteem, Theosophy does
> not regard phallicism and sexuality as being of any importance to
> the progress of the immortal human Soul (MANAS--Mind) - and, the
> immortal Ego (ATMA-BUDDHI-MANAS :  SPIRIT-WISDOM-MIND ) that lies
> at the core of every one of us.  Sex is of this body and this
> incarnation, and has nothing to do with our work and progress as
> pupils in the great School of Life of which each incarnation is
> as a day. . . .

Daniel replies:

Dallas, the only reason I brought up the subject of Tantra and
karmamudra was to question whether Tsong-Kha-pa really taught of using
an actual real physical female consort to obtain enlightenment in one
lifetime.  Since he is spoken of in very high terms by KH and HPB, this
question should be more than of passing interest to Blavatksy students.
In light of what HPB writes throughout her works on symbolism, celibacy,
etc., I see no real good reason for believing that Tsong-kha-pa wrote
literally on this subject.  Also important is the question of whether in
the Masters' School such a teaching and practice would be taught.  It is
my current position (subject to change in light of new evidence) that
the literal interpretation of "karmamudra" in the Gelukpa school shows
that even this school of Tibetan Buddhism has been subject to the
effects of Kali Yuga, i.e., subject to the
literalization/materialization of spiritual truths.  It happens in all
religions, why not in this case too?  What amazes me is that serious
students of Blavatsky writings would not look for a symbolical,
metaphysical, spiritual meaning behind the word "karmamudra" rather than
accepting a gross physical meaning to the term.