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Hevajra Tantra (analytical study)

by Seung Ho Nam | 2004 | 83,536 words

This is an English study of the Hevajra Tantra: an ancient Sanskrit text that teaches the process of attaining Buddha-hood for removing the sufferings of all sentient beings. The Hevajratantra amplifies the views and methods found in the Guhyasamaja Tantra which is one of the earliest extant Buddhist Tantras (composed before the 7th century A.D.) d...

2.2. (iv) Conducting a Tantric Feast (bhojana)

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At the Assembly of the Circle of Initiates feasts were offered at the time of consecration and on a appropriate dates in the lunar calender. Various kinds of food were offered and partaken as part part of the ceremony. In Hevajra Tantra, the rules for offering and conducting a tantric feast are specified. [Hevajra Tantra] This feast should be offered in a crematory or a mountain cave or a deserted town or a lonely place. (11.7.7) 465 [Hevajra Tantra] There, arrange the seats, nine in number, which are of either corpses or tiger-skins or rags from the crematory. In the central seat place that one who embodies Hevajra. Then the Yoginis should be positioned in the four cardinal directions and in the four comers, previously knowing the appropriate location for each of the Yoginis. (11.7.8-9)466 463 sriherukarupena natyam amusitasmritiyogatah/ bhavana raktacittenaviratabhyasacetasa//11// vajradharmais tatha buddhair yoginibhis ca matrbhih/ abhyam gitanatyabhyam giyate nrtyate param//12// (Hevajra Tantra (Commentary) , p.209) 464 (Hevajra Tantra (Commentary) , pp.209-210) 465 smasane girikunje vamanusya pure tatha/ athava vijane prante idam bhojanam arabhet//7// (Hevajra Tantra (Commentary) , p.269) - 236 -

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[Hevajra Tantra] Seated upon a tiger-sin one should partake of the sacraments and herbs, and there eagerly eat human flesh. After feasting to one's satisfaction, worship the mothers there. Or else fully worship Mother, Sister, Niece and Mother-in-law and then the accomplishment is attained in the circle of initiates. (II.7.10-11)467 [Hevajra Tantra] The auspicious disciple should offer to his guru a sacred skull-cup of one piece filled with liquor and after saluting him the disciple should himself drink. The skull-cup should be accepted with the left hand and should also be given with the same hand. There the practitioners should bow respectfully to the guru again and again. (II.7.12-13)468 The beneficial effect of the sacrament of the Vajrakapala yoga is mentioned. [Hevajra Tantra] All those living beings whose flesh the wise yogis eat are all subdued by means of this Vajrakapala Yoga. (1.7.28)469 The necessity for and the benefit of eating the sacramental offerings is described. [Hevajra Tantra] During the rite attentively eat the sacramental food which includes excrements, and the meant of human beings, cows, elephants, horses and dogs. The Five Nectars must be consumed for the sake of accomplishment in the Hevajra. (1.11.8)470 [Hevajra Tantra] The yogi should not think of anything as being prohibited and he should never think of anything as being inedible. There is not anything, good or bad, that 466 kalpayed asanam tatra navakhyam savarupinam/ athava vyaghracarman ca smasanakarpatam tatha//8/ madhye hevajrarupatma yogininam tato nyaset/ sthanam jnatva yathapurvam disasu vidisasu//9// (Hevajra Tantra (Commentary) , p.269) 467 vyaghracarmopari bhunjita samayasya malaindhanam/ bhaksan ca byhaksayet tatra rajasalim prayatnatah//10/ bhuktva bhuktva punas punas tatra tatra pujyante tatra matarah yadi va mata bhagini bhagineyi ca svasrka/ yadi va mata bhagini bhagineyi ca svasrka pujayen nirbharam tasam sidhyante ganamandale//11// (Hevajra Tantra (Commentary) , p.269) 468 ekakhandam mahanarakam divyam madanapuritam/ gurave dadyan mahabhagi vandayitva svayam pibet//12/ grhniyat vamahastena dadyat tenaiva panina/ muhurmuhuh pranaman ca kurvanti tatra sadhakah//13// (Hevajra Tantra (Commentary) , p.270) 469 yesam yesam ca jantunam pisitam asniyate budhaih/ te te sattva vasam yanti vajrakapalayogatah//28// (Hevajra Tantra (Commentary) , p.81) 470 samayam bhaksayet tatra pradipyantam samahitah nadim gadim tatha hadim antasvam adisvam ca va/ pancamrtam tatha bhaksyam hevajre siddhihetuna//8// (Hevajra Tantra (Commentary) , p.141) - 237 -

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he should not think or say. The yogi should commence eating and drinking etc. reflecting: 'As in myself similarly in other beings and similarly in myself the supreme identity.' (1.7.24-25)471 "Hevajra Tantra, has thus described the practice of the Tantric Code Language, Secret Sign Language, the Song and Dance ritual and Feast as salient features of the Assembly of the Circle of Initiates. Based on the above analysis it can be deduced that the features of the tantric cult have been largely presented in "Hevajra Tantra. i 471 nakaryam vidyate kincin nabhaksyam vidyate sada nacintyam vidyate hy atra navacyam yac chubhasubham//24/ yathamani tatha sattve tathatmani aham param/ iti samcintya yogatma khanapanadim arabhet//25// (Hevajra Tantra [F&M]., p.80) - - 238 - -

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