Essay name: Hevajra Tantra (analytical study)
Author:
Seung Ho Nam
Affiliation: University of Kerala / Faculty of Oriental Studies
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 (one of the earliest extant Buddhist Tantras) dealing with Yoga and Mandalas.
Chapter 3 - Tantric Doctrine in Hevajra Tantra
115 (of 138)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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mental afflictions that obstruct one's attainment of Buddhahood. The
mandala serves as a representation of an enlightened mind that is
liberated from all such obstacles, and in the context of tantric practice it
is a powerful symbol of the state that meditators are trying to attain.399
The deeper levels of mandala offering are the "inner mandala offering鈥�
and the 鈥渟ecret mandala offering", which do not use physical movements,
external gestures, or material objects. The practice takes place in the
mind, and one's own body becomes the offering. The body itself becomes
transformed into a mandala, and through this one diminishes the sense of
ordinariness. This practice also undermines fixed views and negative
attitudes toward the body.
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The secret mandala offering requires a thorough familarity with the
mystical physiology of Highest Yoga Tantra, and because much of the
practice involves great skill in subtle manipulation of vital energies, one's
own mind becomes the mandala. Two types of mind the mind of
enlightenment and the mind directly perceiving emptiness are the basis
of the secret mandala offering. The mind of enlightenment consists of
the mental consciousness accompanied by two aspirations: the aspiration
to benefit all sentient beings through establishing them in the state of
Buddhahood; and the wish personally to attain complete enlightenment in
order to be able to accomplish the first aspiration. The wisdom
consciousness realizing emptiness penetrates beyond false appearances
and correctly perceives things as they are, that is, as utterly lacking
inherent existence, as composite, produced, and impermanent. In the-
secret mandala offering, one offers the mind of enlightenment and the
wisdom consciousness realizing emptiness to the objects of refuge. One
adorns the mandala with the activities of these minds which are
suffused with wisdom and compassion
鈥�
Buddha, and other enlightened beings.400
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and offers them to the guru, the
In Hevajra Tantra the construction of the outer mandala is described
399 John Powers, Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, p.227.
400 John Powers, Ibid, pp.268-270.
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