Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00228)

SUBJECT:  Leon on Western Interpreters, karmamudra and leading scholars/translators

LeonMaurer@aol.com wrote:

"The problem is that Western interpreters of Tibetan teachings have used the term
'karmamudra' specifically in reference to female form or seal in sexual Tantra
practice.  From a philological standpoint, this is wrong and totally exoteric."

Leon, I ask you---where do you get your definition of karmamudra in your earlier
description of tulku?  David Reigle, a well-known Theosophist and student of
Tibetan Buddhism, has never heard of your definition of karmamudra, at least not
within the Gelukpa tradition.  He told me that it is not only Western interpreters
who give this definition of karmamudra but ALSO Gelukpa lamas and the Dalai Lama
himself who have given the same definition to the term.  For example, consult
TSONGKHAPA'S SIX YOGAS OF NAROPA translated by Glenn Mullin.

Is your definition of karmamudra derived from the Nyingma tradition?  Can you give
a source from some Nyingma title?

In a previous email, you wrote:  ". . .  .my information is verified by two of the
leading Buddhist, Tibetan, and Sanskrit scholars and translators of esoteric
Tibetan texts in America today--both, theosophists and esoteric Tibetan Buddhists
as well as my personal friends and colleagues). "

Please cite the books or articles in which your two personal friends write on this
subject.  It would also be interesting to know who these two leading scholars and
translators are.  Are they open about being "theosophists" or are they "closet"
theosophists?  David Reigle, the author of THE BOOKS OF KIU-TE, would be most happy
to corrrespond with them on this and other questions related to Madame Blavatsky
and Theosophy.