Materials: Woven, Printed, Gilded, Mantra
Dimensions: 120 x 210 cm
Description:
The Sangye Chigye Tantra (Tibetan: gsang ba'i rgyud, meaning "Secret Tantra" or "Secret Tantra," Sanskrit: Guhyasamāja Tantra), the Bka' 'gyur (Tibetan: bka' 'gyur, meaning "Buddha's Words," referring to a text in the Kangyur), and the Dharani Cover (Tibetan: gzungs, Sanskrit: dhāraṇī, meaning "Summary" or "Mantra") hold significant influence and status in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly in Tantric practice. The following will discuss their influence, status, usage, and origins, analyzing them in context with their historical and doctrinal contexts.
1. The Influence and Status of the Sangye Khekyi Tantra (Secret Assembly Tantra) in Tibetan Buddhism
**1. Influence and Status:**
The Sangye Khekyi Tantra (Secret Assembly Tantra) is one of the core texts in the Anuttarayoga Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism and is considered the foundation and essence of tantric practice. It belongs to the "Father Tantra" (Tibetan: pha rgyud), emphasizing the integration of wisdom and skillful means (compassion). It aims to help practitioners realize emptiness and Buddha-nature through the practice of rituals, visualizations, and mantras.
- **Core Teaching**: The Sangye Khekyi Tantra focuses on "purified vision," instructing practitioners to visualize themselves as a deity (such as Vajrasattva or the Secret Assembly deity) and to achieve purification of body, speech, and mind through the practice of the five wisdoms (Tathagata wisdom, equality wisdom, etc.) and the five Buddhas. It emphasizes the practice of the "Three Secrets" (body secret, speech secret, and mind secret) and is closely related to the tantric practices of the Gelug and Sakya schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
- **Historical Influence**: The Sangye Khekyi Tantra was introduced to Tibet by Padmasambhava and Śāntarakṣita in the 8th century, laying the foundation for Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. Later, when Tsongkhapa founded the Gelug school, he incorporated the Sangye Khekyi Tantra as a key practice, and it has been widely used in the Gelug school's Guhyasamaja practice.
- **Scholarly Transmission**: The Sangye Khekyi Tantra has been passed down and practiced to varying degrees in Tibetan Buddhist schools, including the Nyingma, Sakya, and Kagyu schools, particularly occupying a central position in the practice of the Highest Yoga Tantra. Its teachings have influenced Tibetan Buddhist practices such as ritual design, mandala creation, and deity visualization.
**2. Usage:**
- **Rituals and Visualization**: Practitioners practice the Sangye Khyet Gyi tantra rituals, performing deity visualization (such as secret gatherings with the deity), combined with mandala and mantra recitation, to enter samadhi (meditation). For example, the practice of Vajradhātu involves visualizing the Five Buddhas and their retinues, purifying the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness) into the five wisdoms.
- **Initiation**: Practicing the Sangye Khyet Gyi tantra requires receiving an initiation from a guru to receive the blessing and permission to practice. Initiation ceremonies typically include four levels of initiation (vase initiation, secret initiation, wisdom initiation, and word initiation), gradually guiding practitioners into tantric practice.
- **Practical Application**: In monasteries, the practice of the Sangye Khyet Gyi tantra is often combined with retreats and homā rituals, aiming to eliminate karmic obstacles and increase wisdom. Some of the rituals in the Gelugpa Monlam Festival in Lhasa also derive from the teachings of the Sangye Khekyi Tantra.
**3. Origin:**
- The Sangye Khekyi Tantra originated from late Indian Tantric Buddhism, formed around the 7th and 8th centuries, and was transmitted from centers of Buddhist learning such as Nalanda. According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the tantra was transmitted by Sakyamuni Buddha to Vajrapāṇi at Bodh Gaya, and was later compiled and propagated by Indian Tantric masters such as Nagarjuna and Asaṅga.
- Guru Padmasambhava introduced the tantra to Tibet in the 8th century, closely linked to the support of Trisong Detsen, the Tibetan king. The Tibetan translation of the Sangye Khekyi Tantra was completed by Thonmi Sambhota and others, becoming a key text in the Kangyur.
II. The Influence and Status of the One Path Tantra in Tibetan Buddhism
**1. Influence and Status:**
The One Path Tantra (Tibetan: bka' 'gyur, meaning "Buddha's Words") is part of the Tibetan Buddhist Kangyur, which contains the Buddha's teachings, including both exoteric sutras and esoteric tantras. As the core of the Tibetan Buddhist canon, the One Path Tantra holds an irreplaceable position in Tibetan Buddhist scholarship, practice, and culture.
- **Core Canon**: The One Path Tantra encompasses the Prajnaparamita Sutra and Mahayana sutras of the exoteric school, as well as various tantras of the esoteric school (such as the Sangye Khygyi Tantra and the Kalachakra Tantra). Together with the Tanjur (the Abhidharma Collection), it constitutes the canonical treasure trove of Tibetan Buddhism, preserving Buddhist teachings and philosophy spanning over two thousand years since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha.
**Academic Influence**: The Tibetan translation of the Canon of the Holy Teachings is renowned for its accuracy and faithful restoration of the original Sanskrit text, making it a crucial text for the study of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism. The renowned scholar Zhang Binglin once commented on the Tibetan Buddhist academic tradition as possessing "civilized learning without being influenced by external influences," highlighting its independence.
**Common Respect among All Tibetan Buddhist sects**: Whether Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, or Gelug, the Canon of the Holy Teachings is the foundation of all Tibetan Buddhist studies. In particular, within Gelug monastic education, the Canon of the Holy Teachings is a core text for monks studying the Dharma.
**2. Usage:**
** Recitation and Study**: The Canon of the Holy Teachings is often recited and copied by monks in monasteries for daily practice and rituals. Through recitation and explanation of the text, students gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist principles. - **Practice Reference**: Tantric practitioners rely on the tantric sections of the Cangpa Tantra (such as the Sangge Kyi Gyi Tantra) for visualization, mantra recitation, and ritual practice. For example, the practice of Kalachakra is based on the relevant texts from the Cangpa Tantra.
- **Cultural Preservation**: The transcription and printing of the Cangpa Tantra is an important part of Tibetan Buddhist culture. For example, the printing of the Kangyur by the Derge Printing House reflects the reverence Tibetan Buddhism holds for its scriptures.
**3. Origin:**
- The compilation of the Cangpa Tantra began in the 8th century during the Tubo period, with the translation of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit by Thönmi Sambhota and others. After Langdarma's suppression of Buddhism in the 9th century, some of the texts were lost. Translators such as Rinchen Zangpo later reorganized and translated the Kangyur, forming the later Kangyur.
The content of the Holy Teachings of the One Son Tantra draws not only from Indian Buddhism but also incorporates elements of the indigenous Tibetan Bon religion, resulting in a unique blend of Indian and Tibetan influences. Master Sheng Yen believes that the development of Tibetan Buddhism is a fusion of late Indian Tantric Buddhism and indigenous Tibetan religions.
III. The Influence and Status of Dharani Covers in Tibetan Buddhism
**1. Influence and Status:**
Dharani covers (Tibetan: gzungs, Sanskrit: dhāraṇī) are considered "summaries" or "mantras" in Tibetan Buddhism and are essential tools for Tantric practice. Dharani means "holding good without losing it, holding evil without giving rise to it," encompassing a wide range of Buddhist principles in a concise phrase.
- **Core Practice**: Dharani are widely used in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, particularly in the Nyingma and Gelugpa traditions. By reciting dharani, practitioners can purify karmic obstacles, increase merit and wisdom, and connect with the blessings of the deity. For example, the Medicine Buddha Dharani (Medicine Buddha initiation mantra) is used for healing and blessings.
- **Cultural Influence**: Dharani are often engraved on prayer flags, prayer wheels, or stupas, and are widely circulated in Tibet as objects of blessing. Tibetan Buddhists believe that chanting or touching a Dharani can bring efficacious protection, influencing both religious and secular life in Tibet.
- **Sectarian Application**: Different sects have different emphases on the use of Dharani. For example, the Nyingma school emphasizes Dharani found in terma, viewing them as the secret transmission of Guru Padmasambhava, while the Gelug school incorporates Dharani into daily prayers and initiation rituals.
**2. Usage:**
- **Recitation and Ritual**: Dharani are typically chanted during pujas, retreats, or daily practice. For example, the Medicine Buddha Dharani is used to pray for health and longevity, and its recitation should be accompanied by the visualization of the Medicine Buddha's Lapis Lazuli Light.
- **Blessed Objects**: Dharani are written into prayer flags, prayer wheels, or stupas, and spun in the wind or offered as offerings to spread the blessings of the Dharma. For example, the six-syllable mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum), the most famous dharani, is widely found on prayer flags and prayer wheels in Tibet.
- **Initiations and Practices**: Certain dharani require initiation from a guru before practice. For example, specific mantras in the Sangye Khyegi Tantra are transmitted during Guhyasamaja or Kalachakra initiations.
**3. Origin:**
- Dharani originated from the Tantric tradition of Indian Buddhism, becoming popular around the 4th-5th century and later spreading to Tibet along with Tantric Buddhism. Dharani in Tibetan Buddhism are mostly translated from Sanskrit, with some introduced by Guru Padmasambhava and others, and incorporated into the terma tradition of the Nyingma school.
During the Tubo period, the translation and practice of Dharani were promoted by Shantarakshita and Padmasambhava. Dharani were particularly used for blessings and protection during the founding of Samye Monastery and the ordination ceremonies of the Seven Enlightened Ones. During the later propagation period, translators such as Rinchen Zangpo further compiled and disseminated Dharani texts.
IV. Summary and Comparison
- **Influence and Status**:
- The Sangye Chikyi Tantra is the core of the Anuttara Yoga Tantra, influencing the practice and rituals of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, particularly within the Gelug and Sakya traditions.
- The Sanggye Chikyi Tantra, as the core of the Kangyur, has influenced Tibetan Buddhist scholarship and culture and serves as the foundational text for all schools.
- Dharani blankets are practical tools for Tantric practice, influencing both religious rituals and folk beliefs, and are closely integrated into daily life in Tibet.
- **Usage**:
- The Sangye Chikyi Tantra emphasizes deity visualization and empowerment, and is considered a high-level Tantric practice. - The Holy Teachings of the One Son Sutra is primarily used for recitation, study, and cultural transmission.
- The Dharani blanket is more widely used for recitation, blessing objects, and rituals.
- **Common Origins**:
All three originated from Indian Buddhism and passed through Tibet.
The translations and transmissions of the sutras during this period were incorporated into Tibetan Buddhism, and they were revived and developed during the later propagation period after Langdarma's suppression of Buddhism. Guru Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita, and Rinchen Zangpo played key roles in this process.
V. Additional Notes
Due to the profound content and application of the Sangye Khyegi Tantra, the One Son Tantra, and the Dharani Cover in Tibetan Buddhism, it is recommended that in-depth study refer to the original texts of the Kangyur and Tengyur or the guidance of a guru from the relevant traditions. Furthermore, for more specific rituals or mantras, one can consult the practice manuals of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries or consult a qualified guru.
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