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
31 (of 138)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Of all the passions and their residues, Being free from every attachment and hindrance They are all-pervading in their wisdom. (RGV. II.23) They are eternal, being of a totally indestructible nature, This imperishable character, being demonstrated in short, Is expressed by the ideas of firmness and the rest. (RGV. II.24)204 In here distinction has been made between Truth Body and Liberation Body. It thus appears that the Liberation Body is an existence that is free from all defilement (anāṣrava) and the Truth Body is an existence that is all-pervading (vyāpti). In the verse II.30, we note that the Liberation Body represents the act of benefitting oneself and Truth Body represents the act of benefitting others. The Body of Truth and Liberation Represent the fulfilment of one's own aim and of that of others. This support of the twofold aim Is possessed of properties inconceivable and the like. (RGV. 11.30)205 The reasons for bringing out the difference between the two bodies is primarily to bring to focus the noble altruistic aspect of the Truth Body. The prime function of this body is to benefit others practice Universal compassion. 206 The Buddha Nature, ‘aikāra (unchangeable)' is compared to the space "Just as space fills everything, and, owing to its subtle [transcendental] character, cannot be polluted, In the same way this [cittaprakṛti, perfectly pure Germ] has its abode in all living beings, but remains undefiled." (RGV. I.52)207 204 karma jñāna-dvayasyaitad veditavya� samāsata�/ pūraṇa� mukti-kāyasya dharma-kayasya sodhanam//21/ vimukti-dharma-kāyau ca veditavyau dvir ekadhā/ anāsravatvād vyāpitväd asaṃskrita-padatvata�//22/ anāsravatva� kleśānā� savāsana-ni rodhata�/ asangāpratighātatvāj jñānasya vyāpitā matā//23/ asaṃskritatvam atyantam avināśa-svabhāvata� avināśitvam uddeśas tan-nirdeśo dhruvādibhi�//24// E.H. Johnston (ed.), "The Ratnagotravibhāga Mahāyānottaratantraśāstras, p.83.//.6-13. 205 vimuktidharmakāyābhyā� svaparārtho nidarśita�/ svaparārthāśraye tasmin yogoacintyādibhirgunai� // E.H. Johnston (ed.), Ibid., p.84.//.12-13. 206 taddoṣaguṇaniṣṭhāsu vyāpi sāmānyalakṣaṇam/ hīnamadhyaviśiṣteṣu vyoma rupagateṣviva// E.H. Johnston (ed.), Ibid, p.41, //.9�10. 207 yathä sarvagata� saukṣmyādākāśa� nopalipyate/ sarvatrāvasthita� sattve 131
