Theos-Talk Archives (December 1998 Message tt00280)

SUBJECT:  A Blavatsky Student Gives View of "Karmamudra"

A serious Blavatsky student wrote me a few weeks ago on "karmamudra."  I've been
given permission to publish the gist of the letter on Theos-Talk.  Name has been
omitted.

Daniel


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Dan,

Regarding the karmamudra practice, I am not sure that the others on
Theos-Talk fully appreciate the significance of the issues you were
raising.  I agree that these are very  important matters for
Theosophists now that the Tibetans have let all this out.

I think you would like to think that all these things are allegorical or
symbolical like the pork dinner which supposedly caused the Buddha's
death. However I don't think you can interpret this material in that
way.

That is not to say it does not have transcendental or symbolical
dimensions but the subject matter clearly deals with what the Mahatmas
used to discretely refer to as "physiological" issues.

When the 1st Dalai Lama (one of Tsongkhapa's direct disciples) writes
that  "Karmamudra is explained as the practice performed with a maiden
possessing the physical attributes of a woman, such as beautiful hair
and so forth, with whom one has a strong karmic link"  it seems to me
that he is talking about a real person.

When Tsongkhapa says that both oneself and the yogic "partner" must have
received initiation, keep all the vows and pledges, and have mastery of
all the "64 arts" described in the kamasutra it seems to me that he is
talking about real people doing real things.

Couple this with the explanations given in the actual initiations  (a
highest yoga tantra initiation such as Kalachakra or Chakrasamvara) and
I just don't see how you can get around it.

The Himalayan group of Masters plainly were followers of the high
lamas--specifically the Dalai and Panchen lamas--(see Maha Chohan's
letter at http://www.halcyon.com/theosnw/theos/th-choh.htm ) and these
gentlemen have been teaching the same things for hundreds of years.  If
you read the texts spanning century after century there is very little
sign of  "innovation".

I think that in HPB's time all this was strictly confidential.  I am not
even sure how much HPB herself was told about it.  The Dalai lama has
stated that there was so much public misinformation about tantra that it
was the lesser of two evils to let out correct information at this time.
I simply don't know.  At one time I confidently asserted  based on my
reading of HPB that all this tantric stuff was allegorical.  Then
reading a book giving the text of the Kalachakra initiation with
commentaries by HH the Dalai Lama, imagine my surprise when  I read all
its comments on the orgasm, clear-light, etc. thrown out there for the
public to read!   Anyway I have done away with my squeamishmess (at
least most of it) after seeing that this is what they really teach and
what they have apparently been teaching for hundreds and thousands of
years.   I think we just have to trust in the wisdom of those in charge
of the program.

Of one thing I think we can be sure.  These things are very sacred. We
are not talking about casual or recreational sex here  but about the
creative function as a religious ceremony (see SD I:209-10).  As such it
must be treated with respect.

As Tsongkhapa says:

"All the authoritative tantric scriptures and treatises point out that
the practice of Karmamudra is only to be performed by those who are
qualified.  To engage in it on any other basis only opens the door to
the lower realms. The practice itself should be learned from a qualified
master holding the authentic oral tradition."

Perhaps you may disagree with these observations and if so I would
certainly like to know your thoughts on the subject.

A Blavatsky Student
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