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
117 (of 138)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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skull. (1.5.50-55)404
[HT] Then place in the ma峁囜笉ala the Victorious Ritual Pot which has branches in it
and is encircled by a clean cloth. It should contain the five divine gems and should
be filled with rice. What need is there to say much more! Perform the mandala ritual
as prescribed in the Tattvasamgraha. (II.5.56-57)405
The manner in which a mandala is to be visualized by a practitioner is
revealed in "Hevajra Tantra.
i
[HT] Thus the Lord said: The, mandala comprises of a blazing square with four
brilliant doors. It is adorned with garlands and chains and has flowing plumes of
many colours. It is resplendent with eight pillars, has vajra threads and is decorated
with flowers of many kinds. Incense, lamps and perfumes are there. In the mandala
there are eight jars which have branches in them and a piece of clothe is tied
around each of their necks. The Victory Jar containing the five precious objects
should be offered in the east. Assuming the nature of one's own chosen deity draw
the mandala with a beautiful, new thread that is well made and of the right length.
(1.10.19-22)406
[HT] Recite the mantra of the principal deity of the circle one hundred thousand
times and the mantra of each of the retinue deities ten thousand times. Using the
previously mentioned mantra the wise yogi must purify the ground. Firstly, at the site
of consecration, place the sacrificial offering using the mantra which begins with
ak膩ra. Perform the protection rite here in the same way as mentioned in the context
of the practice of concentration. (1.10.23-24)407
In chapter 8- Circle of Yogini, the inner mandala is described in great
detail. How one should visualize the mandala with Hevajra in the centre
surrounded with his retinue of deities is alluded to in this chapter. A few
404 (HT[F&M]., pp.254-255)
405 vijayakala艣m tato dady膩t pallav膩gram suvastri峁嘺m/ pa帽caratnodaram divyam
艣膩lijai岣� parip奴ritam//56/ kim bahun膩 pral膩pena yath膩 tattvasamgrahe mandalavidhis
tath膩 kartavyam//57// (HT[F&M]., p.256)
406 ity 膩ha ma峁囜笉alam 艣膩st膩 catu峁o峁嘺m samujjvalam/ caturdv膩ram mah膩d墨ptam
h膩r膩rdhah膩rabh奴峁tam/19// srakcitrac膩marair yuktam a峁ａ弓astambhopa艣obhitam/
vajras奴tratrair sam膩yuktam n膩n膩pu峁opa艣obhitam/20// dh奴pam d墨pam tath膩 gandham
a峁ａ弓akala艣膩dibhir yutam/ te ca sapallav膩gr膩岣� syur vastr膩cch盲ditakandhar膩岣�/
pa帽caratnaparik峁ptam dady膩d vijayam p奴rvata岣�/21// navena suniyuktena
supram膩峁噀na c膩run膩/ s奴tre峁嘺 s奴trayet pr膩j帽a岣� sve峁adevat膩r奴pata岣�/22//
(HT[F&M]., p.129)
407 (HT[F&M]., p.130)
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