Guhya-garbha Tantra (‘Hidden-Embryo Loom’)

commentary on the Guhya-garbha Tantra (‘Hidden-Embryo Loom’)

{mistranslation of /garbha/ ‘embryo’ as ‘essence’ is a deliberate concealment of the Taoist provenience of this and similar tantra-s}

terminology

p.	*term*	*its meaning*
39	dr.s.t.i	a view
68	samadhi	balanced mind, [mental] absorption
84	man.d.ala	completedly round, centre-&-circle (from /man.d.a-/ ‘essence, quintessence’ + /-la/ ‘hold, uphold’)
89	abhis.in~ca	empowerment (from /abhi-/ ‘manifest’ + /-sin~ca/ ‘to scatter, to pour’)
94	samaya	vow
113	sadhana	accomplishment (from ‘to take up fully’)
123	puja	offerings (from ‘to revere’)
130	karman	action
139	mudra	sigil
145	mantra	(from ‘to protect the mind’)

p. 2 – 1. similes for classes of yana-s

*the __*	*of __-yoga yana*	*is the __ of all doctrines*
development	maha-	ground
completion	anu-	path
great perfection	ati-	fruition

p. 3 – 1. emphases of the classes of tantra-s

*instance of class of tantra-s*	*its emphasis*
*Gathering of Secrets*	illusory body
*Wheel of Supreme Bliss*	luminosity
*Wheel of Time*	wisdom of unity

pp. 9-10 – 2.2.2.1 the setting of the tantra

p.	*the __*	*is __*
9	teacher	Samanta-bhadra
10	location	Unexcelled Realm
	retinue	self-displayed emanations of great wisdom

p. 14 – 2.2.2.3.1.1.2 how delusion ariseth : obscurations

#	*during __*	*by means of __*	**there is obscuration of the __ body**	*of __*
1^st	waking	appraehending by cognitions	emanation [nirman.a]	within the magical net
2^nd	dreaming	self-displayed experiences of the energetic mind	enjoyment [sambhoga]	self-displayed wisdom
3^rd	deep sleep	dark state of utter oblivion	dharma	the nonconceptual
4^th	bliss	grasping and attachment	unified essence

pp. 18-19 – 2.2.2.3.2.2.1.2 moieties of the vehicles of enlightenment

p.	#	*vehicle*	*1^st moiety*	*2 moiety*
18	1^st	gods & humans	form realm	formless realm
	2^nd	listeners [s`ravaka-s]	proponents of distinctions	sutra-followers
	3^rd	self-realized [prati-eka]	who live in groups	who are rhinoceros-like
	4^th	bodhi-sattva-s	middle-way	mind-only
19	5^th	secret mantra	inner = identity of one’s self with deity	outer = one’s self and deity different

p. 20-21 -- 2.2.2.3.2.2.1.2.5 attainment of buddhahood by practitioners of classes of tantra of inner mantra

p.	*stage of inner mantra*	*__-yoga*
20	development	maha-
21	completion	anu-
	great perfection	ati-

pp. 25-26 – 2.2.2.3.2.2.2.1.2 completion stage of path of unsurpassable mantra

p.	*application of the key points of the __*	*through __*
25	support	yaugik exercises
26	supported	practice of empty forms

p. 31 -- 2.2.2.3.2.2.3 stages of the path of accumulation

*stage*	*its nature*
lesser	the 4 applications of mindfulness
intermediate	the 4 correct relinquishments
greater	the 4 bases of miraculous power

pp. 38-68 [2.2.2.3.3.2.2].1 view (vide p. 171 for this outline)

p.	*section*	*title*
38	.1	view
	.1.1	essence
39	.1.1.1	common, general explanation
	.1.1.2	extraordinary, specific explanation
40	.1.2	divisions
	.1.3	reasoning
41	.1.3.1	mantrik view
45	.1.3.2	proof of profundity of the view
	.1.3.2.1	proof of inseparability
	.1.3.2.1.1	proof of purity
	.1.3.2.1.1.1	principle of purity
	.1.3.2.1.1.1.1	divinity of appearances
	.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1	conventional valid cognition
50	.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.2	ultimate valid cognition
	.1.3.2.1.1.1.2	subject as wisdom
54	.1.3.2.1.1.2	relinquishing untenability of purity
57	.1.3.2.1.2	aequality
	.1.3.2.1.2.1	arguments for aequality
	.1.3.2.1.2.2	gaining certainty about aequality
59	.1.3.2.1.3	inseparability
61	.1.3.2.2	general explanations
	.1.3.2.2.1	directly establishing the meaning
62	.1.3.2.2.2	indirectly establishing the meaning
65	.1.4	purpose
	.1.4.1	general purpose
	.1.4.2	specific purpose

p. 46 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1 views of the Buddha’s realm

*disciple*	*saw it as __*
S`ari-putra	impure
Brahma-s`ikhin	pure

p. 54 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2. .1.3.2.1.1.1.2 scriptures identifying sentient beings as buddha-s

*scripture*	*its statement*
*He-vajra Tantra*	"Sentient beings are actual buddhas."
*Kala-cakra Tantra*	"Sentient beings are buddhas. There are no other illustrious buddhas in this world."
*Yogini-carya Tantra*	"The identity of all these beings is that of the five buddhas."

pp. 68-77 [2.2.2.3.3.2.2].2 absorption (vide p. 172)

p.	*section*	*title*
68	.2	absorption
	.2.1	essence
69	.2.2	divisions
	2.2.1	essential divisions
	.2.2.2	temporal divisions
70	.2.3	practice
	.2.3.1	the 5 flaws
	.2.3.2	the 8 remedies
71	.2.3.3	the 6 powers
	.2.3.4	the 4 attentions
	.2.3.5	the 9 reposings of the mind
76	.2.4	purpose

p. 71 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.2.3.5 similes of the 5 experiences in reposing the mind

#	*experience*	*its simile*
1^st	movement	cascading waterfall
2^nd	attainment	river gushing through a gorge
3^rd	familiarity	flow of a large river
4^th	stability	wave-free ocean
5^th	completion	mountain

pp. 72-75 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.2.3.5 similes of the 9 methods for reposing the mind

p.	#	*method*	*its simile*
72	1^st	settling	--
	2^nd	continuous	stopping lightning
	3^rd	resettling	stopping a shooting star
73	4^th	completely settling	birds {vultures} settling down around a carcass
	5^th	taming	catching a bee in a bottle
74	6^th	pacifying	--
	7^th	completely pacifying	purifying {filtering} muddy water
	8^th	attentive	"wave-free ocean"
75	9^th	reposing in aequanimity	"one-pointed mind of the desire realm" : "one can even count the subtle particles within pillars" {cf. Nara-simha within pillar}

p. 76 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.2.3.5.9 similes of sensations resultant from posture

*posture*	*its simile*
straightness of spine	"stack of golden coins"
lightness of body	"cotton"
blissfulness	"stream of warm milk is filling the body"
subtle and delicate pliability of the mind	"shadow-like"

pp. 84-88 – [2.2.2.3.3.2.2].4 man.d.ala-s

p.	*section*	*title*
84	.4	man.d.ala
	.4.1	essence
	.4.2	divisions
87	.4.3	principle
88	.4.4	purpose

p. 84 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.4.2 man.d.ala-s

*man.d.ala of __*	*description*
meditation	"of colored sand"
enlightened body	"one’s own body visualized as a deity"
enlightened speech	"recitation of the mantra"
enlightened mind	"to bring the five poisons onto the path as the five wisdoms"

pp. 85-87 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.4.2 the 7 categories of man.d.ala-s

p.	#	*category*	*divisions*
85	1^st	natural	of the ground
85	1^st	natural	of the actualized ground of consummate fruition
86	2^nd	repraesentation	of primordially pure essence
	3^rd	superior repraesentation	analyze the area
			requaest permission to use it
			use the ritual dagger as stake to subdue the area
			hide treasures
			purify place through fire-offering
			set boundaries with 5 types of weapons
			assemble threads colored powder
			establish demarcation-threads
			apply the colors
			arrange the symbols
			perform the consecration
			make various offerings
	4^th	meditative absorption	meditate on the natural man.d.ala
86-7	5^th	superior meditative absorption	meditate on appearance of deities, according to the practice-manual being used
87	6^th	awakened mind	"actual dawn of the co-emergent wisdom of great bliss, ... by bringing the channels, energies, and essences onto the path"
	7^th	group-gathering	of male and female practitioners

p. 87 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.4.3 uses of man.d.ala-s

*the __ man.d.ala*	*of the __*	*should be __*
natural	ground	known
meditation	path	practiced
wisdom	fruition	attained

pp. 88-93 – [2.2.2.3.3.2.2].5 empowerment

p.	*section*	*title*
88	.5	empowerment
89	.5.1	essence
	.5.2	divisions
90	.5.3	principle
92	.5.4	purpose

p. 89 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.5.2 the 4 empowerments to purify one’s self so as to attain the 4 bodies

*__ empowerment*	*to purify __*	*into the __ body*
vase	body & channels	emanation
secret	speech & energies	enjoyment
wisdom-knowledge	mind & essences	dharma
word	combination (body, speech, mind)	essence

pp. 93-112 – [2.2.2.3.3.2.2].6 samaya {pp. 172-3 is incorrect in giving .6.2.2.1 as .6.2.3; and in giving .6.2.2.2 as .6.2.4}

p.	*section*	*title*
93	.6	samaya
94	.6.1	essence
	.6.2	divisions
	.6.2.1	general divisions
95	.6.2.2	specific divisions
	.6.2.2.1	the 5 root-samaya-s
	.6.2.2.1.1	not discarding the unsurpassable
99	.6.2.2.1.2	respecting the master
100	.6.2.2.1.3	not interrupting the continuity
	.6.2.2.1.4	loving those who have entered the authentic path
101	.6.2.2.1.5	not explaining secrets to unqualified recipients
102	.6.2.2.2	the 10 subsidiary samaya-s
	.6.2.2.2.1	not abandoning the 5 poisons
103	.6.2.2.2.1.1	disturbing emotions as buddha-families
104	.6.2.2.2.1.2	taking disturbing emotions as path
105	.6.2.2.2.1.3	disturbing emotions as essence of wisdom
106	.6.2.2.2.2	not discarding the 5 nectars
107	.6.3	principles of key points
109	.6.4	purpose
	.6.4.1	general purpose
109	.6.4.2	specific purpose

p. 99 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.6.2.2.1.2 the 5 types of teacher

#	*masters who __*	*namely, who __*
1^st	lead through the gateway of the doctrine	give ordination
2^nd	elucidate the teaching	liberate one’s being
3^rd	transmit key instructions	cause to develop the awakened mind
4^th	repair broken vows	do confessionals of nonvirtuous deeds
5^th	provide vows	grant empowerments

p. 100 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.6.2.2.1.2 the 6 types of teacher

#	*teachers who __*	*should be respected as one’s __*
1^st	are one’s virtuous spiritual friends	king
2^nd	illuminate the doctrine of the perfections	brother
3^rd	bestow the empowerments of mantra	father
4^th	explain the tantra-s	mother
5^th	amend broken vows	eyen
6^th	give the key instructions	heart

p. 100 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.6.2.2.1.3 the 4 sigils

#	*__ sigil*	*of __*
1^st	great	deity
2^nd	dharma	intent
3^rd	samaya	expression
4^th	action	transformation

pp. 103-104 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.6.2.2.2.1.1 emotions as buddha-s

p.	*emotion*	*becometh __ wisdom*	*which typefieth __*
103	attachment	discriminating	Amita-abha
	aversion	mirror-like wisdom	A-ks.obhya
	stupidity	basic space of phainomena	Vai-rocana
103-4	pride	aequality	Ratna-sambhava
104	jealousy	all-accomplishing	A-mogha-siddhi

pp. 109-111 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.6.4.2 the 7 superior qualities of the mantrik practitioner

p.	#	*quality*
110	1^st	stamped with the sigil of spontaneous praesence (whereas the "listeners" [s`ravaka-s] are marked merely by the sigil of blessings)
	2^nd	are obeyed by the dharma-protecting divine guardians (whereas the "listeners" [s`ravaka-s] are venerated merely by Brahma, S`iva, Indra, and such-like gods)
	3^rd	are considered to be relatives by the buddha-s
110-1	4^th	undergo experiences on a par with those of "the thus-gone ones" [tatha-gata-s]
111	5^th	abide in the "the field of Samantabhadra"
	6^th	abide in the principle of complete purity
	7^th	have their samaya-s able to "be restored by being amended"

pp. 112-123 – [2.2.2.3.3.2.2].7 accomplishment (vide p. 173)

p.	*section*	*title*
112	.7	accomplishment
	.7.1	essence
113	.7.2	divisions
	.7.2.1	general explanation
114	.7.2.2	group-accomplishment
116	.7.3	principle
	.7.3.1	how to achieve
118	.7.3.2	fruition
122	.7.4	purpose

p. 119 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.7.3.2 the 4 modes of meaning

#	*__ meaning*	*is in accord with __*
1^st	literal	perfection vehicle
2^nd	general	development stage
3^rd	hidden	completion stage with signs
4^th	ultimate	great perfection without signs

pp. 123-136 – [2.2.2.3.3.2.].8 offerings

p.	*section*	*title*
123	.8	offerings
	.8.1	essence
	.8.2	divisions
	.8.2.1	unique specific divisions
126	.8.2.2	common-gathering circle
127	.8.3	principle
129	.8.4	purpose

p. 124 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.8.2.1 the 4 categories of offerings

#	*offering*	*its nature*
1^st	outer	enjoyments [dance, song, etc.]
2^nd	inner	sacred substances [energies (p. 125)]
3^rd	secret	union & liberation [the 5 poisons & the 3 poisons (p. 125)]
4^th	suchness	great aequality [acknowledgment (p. 125)]

pp. 138-144 --[2.2.2.3.3.2.2].10 mudra

p.	*section*	*title*
138	.10	mudra
	.10.1	essence
139	.10.2	divisions
	.10.2.1	general praesentation
	.10.2.2	specific praesentation
	.10.2.2.1	sigils in the development stage
140	.10.2.2.2	sigils in the completion stage
141	.10.2.3	special praesentation
	.10.3	principle
	.10.3.1	understanding the principle of the sigils
143	.10.3.2	understanding how mudra-s are used to seal
144	.10.4	purpose

p. 140 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.10.2.2.2 the 4 wisdoms as 4 sigils

#	*__ & of emptiness*	*is __ sigil*
1^st	body of appearance	action
2^nd	speech of clarity	dharma
3^rd	mind of bliss	samaya
4^th	awareness	great

pp. 141-142 – 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.10.3.1 the 6 ways of the sigils

p	#	*wisdom of the __*	*way of the sigils*
141	1^st	"ordinary"	"differentiated"
142	2^nd	"gesture ... or name"	"body, speech, and mind"
	3^rd	"interdependent origination"	"ability to bring about the spiritual attainments"
	4^th	"strength of the blessings"	"expressions of one’s own karma"
	5^th	"reflection"	"the deity itself can be accomplished"
	6^th	"totality"	"deity has attained the form of wisdom"

pp. 144-158 -- [2.2.2.3.3.2.2].11 mantra

p.	*section*	*title*
144	.11	mantra
145	.11.1	essence
	.11.1.1	alphabetic letters
146	.11.1.2	the 4 establishments
148	.11.1.3	unimpeded ability
	.11.2	divisions
	.11.2.1	general divisions
149	.11.2.2	specific divisions
	.11.2.3	special divisions
151	.11.3	accessing the principle of mantra
	.11.3.1	cultivating conviction in mantra
	.11.3.1.1	viewing deity and mantra as indivisible
	.11.3.1.2	dispensing with obstructions
154	.11.3.2	observation of mantra with profound absorption
	.11.3.2.1	clear absorption
155	.11.3.2.2	embracing the practice with view
	.11.3.2.3	perfecting the conduct of mantra
	.11.3.2.3.1	praeliminary
	.11.3.2.3.2	main part
	.11.3.2.3.2.1	mental recitation
156	.11.3.2.3.2.2	whispered recitation
	.11.3.2.3.2.3	melodic recitation
157	.11.3.3	conclusion
	.11.4	purpose

p. 154 – 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.11.3.2.1 clear absorption

#	*principle*	*form*
1^st	"clear appearance"	"mantra chains, and radiation and absorption of light"
2^nd	"divine pride"	"of being indivisible from the deity"
3^rd	"recollection of purity"	"the deity should not be viewed as something that exists as an individual stream of being, in a limited form with characteristics of its own"

p. 156 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.11.3.2.3.2.3 the 6 forms of melodic recitation

#	*description*	*effect*
1^st	"recited ... in the nasal ending"	"clear"
2^nd	"like the buzzing of bees"	"expelling"
3^rd	melody of Brahma	"enchanting"
4^th	"groaning ... like an abandoned camel calf"	"lament"
5^th	"thunderous ... like thunder"	"resonant"
6^th	"wail of the vajra demon"	"angry"

pp. 152-153 -- 2.2.2.3.3.2.2.11.3.1.2

p. 152 "the play of the infinite magical net with its peaceful and wrathful deities".	{The "net" is a hypnogogic commencement of the sleeping-state; which, by developmental stages, may manifest a panoply of deities.}
"the deity of the definitive meaning is the natural state of all phenomena, the suchness of the ground of unity. This deity is the embodiment of self-occurring wisdom, the unified form that occurs once one is rid of all temporary impurities. Not realizing that this wisdom appears as the manifold magical net, if one were to think that a so-called "deity of another continuum" truly existed in a limited fashion ... in some isolated location, it ... would not, therefore, pervade all times and places".	{The "ground of unity" is one’s own will impressing itself on the hypnogogic state. The "self-occurring wisdom" is one’s own innate capacity to arrive at a world populated by deities through a transition from a hypnogogic state. The "temporary impurities" are social restraints which subconsciously interfere with developing one’s influence on the hypnogogic state. The wisdom of rejecting social conventions is disclosed in the facility that such rejection is able to impart to one’s manipulation of development of the hypnogogic "manifold magical net"; indicating that the "limited fashion" of fashionable social conventions are too unusably "isolated" (isolationist in separating one from the advantages of spiritual views which one can, if not so isolated, import into one’s own world-view from other cultures). By widening one’s cultural outlook, one’s viewpoint can pervade all times and places.}
p. 153 "buddhas may appear in the experiential domains of dreams".	{The proper worlds of the deities are located in dreams.}

Jamgo:n Mipham (>Jam-mgon Mi-pham) : Luminous Essence : a Guide to the Guhyagarbha Tantra. translated by Dharmacakra Translation Committee (Thomas Doctor, Heidi Ko:ppl, Douglas Duckworth). Snow Lion Publ, Ithaca (NY), 2009.

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vide :-

Nathaniel DeWitt Garson : Penetrating the Secret Essence Tantra : Context and Philosophy in the Mahayoga System of rNying-ma Tantra. PhD diss, U of VA, 2004. http://vajrayana.faithweb.com/Mahayoga.pdf

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