Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary)
by Gyurme Dorje | 1987 | 304,894 words
The English translation of the Guhyagarbha Tantra, including Longchenpa's commentary from the 14th century. The whole work is presented as a critical investigation into the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, of which the Guhyagarbhatantra is it's principle text. It contains twenty-two chapters teaching the essence and practice of Mahayoga, which s...
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Text 13.21 (Commentary)
[Guhyagarbha-Tantra, Text section 13.21]
Among the great seals of all (Buddhas).
This supreme one should be retained by those endowed
With the eyes of discriminative awareness,
Who have well refined it in study, thought, and meditation.
And it should be given to those worthy recipients.
Who are of noble disposition and steadfast.
Who donate their bodies and enjoyments. [21][Tibetan]
kun-gyi phyag-rgya chen-po'i mchog /
thos-bsam-bsgom-la rab-sbyangs-pa'i /
shes-rab mig-ldan-rnams-kyis zung /
snod-ldan ngang-tshul bzang-la brtan /
lus-dang longs-spyod gtong-la sbyin / [21]
Commentary:
[It has two sections, of which the first, concerning the fortunate recipient to whom it is given, (comments on Ch. 13.21):]
The secret great seals (phyag-rgya chen-po) of all (kun-gyi) the buddhas are the three inner classes of secret mantras. Among them this natural Tantra of the Secret Nucleus is the superior or wondrously supreme one (mchog). Therefore it should be retained by those (-kyis zung) individuals endowed with the eyes of discriminative awareness (shes-rab mig-ldan-rnams) who have become skilled in the sequence of its words through abundant study (thos), skilled in its genuine abiding nature through discriminative awareness born of thought (bsam) which scrutinses [scrutinises?] the meaning of those (words), and who have (-ba'i) well (rab) refined it (sbyangs) in (la) repeated meditation (bsgom) on that genuine truth. Among those (adepts) too, this doctrine should be entrusted to those worthy recipients (snod-ldan) of the natural Secret Nulceus who are not frightened of its extensive profound meaning, who have renounced evil through the virtuous and noble (bzang) disposition (ngang-tshul) of their aspirations, and who are unchanged by conditions and (la) steadfast (brtan) in faith. It should be given (sbyin) completely to those who (la) can donate (gtong) their own bodies (lus) and (dang) all their enjoyments (longs-spyod) to the Guru and the doctrine.
It says in the Verse Summation of the Transcendental Perfection of Discriminative Awareness (T. 13):
One who does not fear to donate even life itself
For the sake of the doctrine.
And who is without doubt regarding one's own level.
Always resembles Mount Sumeru.
Therefore, the words and meaning (of tantras such as the Secret Nucleus) are given perfectly to one who is noble in spiritual wealth, and similar to (the bodhisattva) Sadaprarudita.[1]
[The second reveals the unfortunate ones to whom it should not be given. (It comments on Ch. 13.22):]
[Read next page]