Opening the Wisdom Door of the Outer Tantras: Refining Awareness Through Ascetic Ritual and Purification Practice, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, Dharma Samudra

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Opening the Wisdom Door of the Outer Tantras: Refining Awareness Through Ascetic Ritual and Purification Practice
By: Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche

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Author: Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780965933995
Publication Date: 2007

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Product Code: 15920

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Description

About the author

Contents

According to the Outer Tantras, one's own awarenessknown as "self-suchness"is ultimately beyond all the aggregates, beyond conceptuality, and beyond self-identity. It is free from all dualistic notions. This is the basis of visualizing oneself as the deity. If we don't maintain such a view in our practice of the tantras, we are simply imagining ourselves to be putting on the ornaments, or facade, of the deity. In other words, we are holding on to our sense of self as well as our strong emotions and limited conceptions. This means our practice is not really coming along. By harmonizing our practice of all the precious Dharma teachings, rather than focusing on their differences, the Outer Tantra techniques will activate and ignite our visualization and meditation practice of the Inner Tantras.

The Samten Chima, or Grand Samadhi Tantra, is among the most important of all the Outer Tantras in general and the Kriya Tantras in particular. It is called "grand" because it describes in detail exact instructions on how to practice with mantras according to the Secret Vajrayana. When we study, contemplate, and meditate on these teachings, we should always recognize that what we are discussing does not just apply to Kriyatantra, it also applies to Upatantra, Yogatantra, and each of the Inner Tantras. Since the Samten Chima includes pith instructions on all the tantra teachings, it establishes the foundation of both the Outer and Inner Tantras.

Opening the Wisdom Door of the Outer Tantras: Refining Awareness Through Ascetic Ritual and Purification Practice, Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, Dharma Samudra, 265 pp. $20.00

Contents: Opening the Wisdom Door of the Outer Tantras: Refining Awareness Through Ascetic Ritual and Purification Practice

Acknowledgments 13

Part I: OVERVIEW OF THE OUTER TANTRAS

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Outer Tantras 19

Overview of the Previous Shedras

Origin of the Teachings

The Appearance of the Vajrayana

Transmission of the Outer Tantras

The Six Principal Kriya Tantras

The Four Principal Upa Tantras

The Four Principal Yoga Tantras

Chapter 2: Characteristics of the Vajrayana 35

Divisions of the Vajrayana

The Four Ages (World Cycles)

The Six God Realms of Desire and the Fourfold
Division of Tantra

The Indian Caste System and the Fourfold
Division of Tantra

Distinctions Between the Sutrayana and Vajrayana

Four Condensed Distinctions

Questions and Answers

Chapter 3: Kriyatantra 57

Nature of Kriyatantra

Empowerments of Kriyatantra

The Three Purities

The Four Baths

The Five Kinds of Cleanliness

The Six Buddhas

Chapter 4: Upatantra and Yogatantra 71

1. Upatantra (Upayogatantra)

Empowerments of Upatantra

Three Deities of Upatantra

Samayas of Upatantra

2. Yogatantra

Empowerments of Yogatantra

View of Yogatantra

Samayas of Yogatantra

Five Methods of Actualizing the Realization

Four Miraculous Activities

Questions and Answers

Part II: COMMENTARY ON THE SAMTEN CHIMA

Chapter 5: Introduction to the Samten Chima 95

Samten Chima Tantra

Part I. Explanation of the Title

Part II. Homage By the Translators

Part III. Main Body of the Teachings

A. Purpose of the Teaching

B. Principle Topic Itself

1. The Preparations, or Foundation

How to Approach Mantra Practice

Chapter 6: The Principle Topic 105

2. The Topic Itself

Part 1.

2.1 The Three Suchnesses

Mipham Rinpoche's Overview

2.1.1 Suchness of the Deity (Awareness
Mantra)

2.1.1.1 Buddha of the Body (Body Deity)

2.1.1.2 Buddha of Sound (Sound Deity)

2.1.1.3 The Absolute Buddha (Absolute
Deity)

2.1.2 Self-Suchness, or Suchness of the
Practitioner

2.1.2.1 Beyond the Five Aggregates

2.1.2.2 Beyond the Ego

2.1.2.3 Beyond Conception

2.1.1.4 The Elaborate Six Deities of
Kriyatantra

Questions and Answers

Chapter 7: Suchness of Repitition and Chanting 137

Samten Chima and the Relationship Between the Outer and Inner Tantras

2.1.3 Suchness of Repetition and Chanting

Engaging in the Meditation

No Grasping

"Life Force" and "Effort"

Mantra Recitation Itself

Subdivisions and Different Methods of
Mantra Recitation

Summary and Review

Part 2.

2.2 Additional Instructions on the Suchness of
Repetition and Chanting

2.2.1 Place Where You Will Do the Repetition

2.2.2 The Meditation Repetition Itself

2.2.2.1 Highlights of the Teaching

2.2.2.2 Detailed Explanation of the
Teaching

2.2.2.2.1 Abiding with Sound

2.2.1.2.2 Abiding with Fire

2.2.2.2.3 Abiding with the End of
Sound

Questions and Answers

Chapter 8: Additional Teachings on Kriyatantra 167

b. Additional Teachings on Kriyatantra

2.2.3 Techniques That Quickly Result in
Achievement of the Practice

2.2.3.1 Conduct and Ethics

2.2.3.1.1 Maintaining Good Sanitation

2.2.3.1.2 Avoiding Harmful Action to
Others

2.2.3.1.3 Upholding All the Practices
and Commitments

2.2.3.2 Instructions That Swiftly Bring
The Achievements of Mantra Pratice

2.2.3.3 Ten Practice Groups of Kriyatantra

2.2.4 Obstacles That Distance and Delay
Achievement

2.2.5 Further Instructions That Swifttly Bring
Achievement

Signs and Indications of Achievement

Eight Ordinary Siddhis

Questions and Answers

Chapter 9: Conclusions of the Samten Chima and Final Teachings 195

Part IV: Concluding Section

How Buddha Shakyamuni Transmitted the Dharma

Vajrayana and the Three Baskets

The Inner and Outer Tantras

The Six Limits

The Guhyagarbha Tantra and the Six Limits

Alternate Way of Understanding the Six Limits

The Four Codes

Conclusion

Dedication 211

Notes 213

About the Authors 261