Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary)
by Gyurme Dorje | 1987 | 304,894 words
The English translation of the Guhyagarbha Tantra, including Longchenpa's commentary from the 14th century. The whole work is presented as a critical investigation into the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, of which the Guhyagarbhatantra is it's principle text. It contains twenty-two chapters teaching the essence and practice of Mahayoga, which s...
Text 11.28 (Commentary)
[Guhyagarbha-Tantra, Text section 11.28]
The days and dates for attainment
Are explained according to
Their description in the Tantras. [28][Tibetan]
bsgrub-pa'i zhag-dang chos-grangs-ni /
rgyud-las smos-pa bzhin-du bshad / [28]
Commentary:
[Concerning the time within which attainment will occur:]
The days (zhag) suitable for attainment (bsgrub-pa'i) are stated in the verses which begin (Ch. 9.32):
The genuine accomplishment of empowered awareness
Will be achieved in six or twelve months...
These, and the dates (dang tshe-grangs-ni) for beginning the rite of attainment, together with the (auspicious) planets and stars, are to be explained (bshad) according to their description (smos-pa bzhin-du) in the (-las) Extensive Tantra (NGB. Vol. 14) as follows:
As to time, beginning on the eight day
Of the bright half (of the month).
And above all in the constellation of Puṣyā.
One Intensively practices the conduct
Associated with enlightenment.
In order that the accomplishment
Of the supreme secret should thereby be obtained.
It should indeed be received under
An auspicious planet and star.
Is it not, one might ask. Incorrect to recognise (these times) because (the Yogin) should be without acceptance and rejection? Although in essence that is the case, one should begin at an auspicious time owing to the coincidence whereby the relative causes and results are not mistaken, and one should not begin at an Inauspicious time. One should know this to resemble the planting of seeds which occurs during a season of heat and moisture, but not in another season.
It says in the Flash of Splendour (t. 830):
Derived from the branches of science.
The times which should be known
Are the auspicious days for the deities.
The excellent conjunctions and hours.
Although these are of course symbolically conceived.
The tokens and signs of accomplishment do emerge.
There are those (among you) of diminished perception and consciousness, who, having surrounded their lofty citadel of error and its walls of hesitation with a perimeter which is hard to cross, say, "This Secret Nucleus of yours is not a Tantra because it indicates (other) Tantras (as an authority)". However, the Supreme Tantra of Clear Expression (T. 369), the Hevajra Tantra (T. 417-8) and so forth which you independently uphold would, also by implication, not be tantras because they too indicate other tantras (as authorities).
The latter Indeed says for example:[1]
But why say more?
One should perform this in accordance with
The maṇḍala-ritual from the Summation of the Real.
The Tantra of Mañjuśrī (T. 543) also indicates (other authorities) when it says:
According to the great Tantra of the Magical Net...
Therefore, the Teacher (Śākyamuni) rejected hierarchical statements concerning the nature of the tantras which he equally taught.
Here too, the ancillary tantras and commentaries which derive from this root tantra (of the Secret Nucleus) are indicated and mentioned (as authorities) in connection with the rites of attainment.
[Summary of the Chapter (419.1-419.6)]
[The summary of the chapter (comments on Ch. 11.29):]
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