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 6.5 (Commentary)
[Guhyagarbha-Tantra, Text section 6.5]
The great thrones of the lion, the elephant.
The horse, the eagle and the bird.
With (their cushions of) sun, moon, lotus, and gems. [5] ...[Tibetan]
seng-ge glang-chen rta-dang khyung /
nam-mkha'-lding-gi khri-chen-la /
nyi-zla padma rin-po-che / [5]
Commentary:
[Concerning the thrones]
In order to symbolise the four fearlessnesses and so forth, these seats comprise the great thrones (khri-chen) which are supported respectively by (representations) of the lion, the elephant, the horse, the eagle and the bird (seng-ge glang-chen rta-dang khyung nam-mkha' lding-gi),[1] along with (la) cushions (representing) the sun (nyi) of discriminative awareness, the moon (zla) of skillful means, and the lotus (padma) untainted by flaws. These too are supported by myriads of gems (rin-po-che) because all that is desired emerges therefrom.
Now it is explained that (the thrones of) the five enlightened families have all five layers (of cushions), those of the male & female consorts Samantabhadra who are their glow have four layers, those of the spiritual warriors have three layers, while the six sages each have a lotus seat, and the gatekeepers each have a single sun-cushion.
It is said in the Sequence of Light (P. 4731):
In the centre of the main palace
Are the eight lions of fearlessness.
In the centre of the eastern (palace)
Is the elephant of great power.
In the southern (palace)
Are the eight horses of miraculous ability.
In the western palace is the peacock,
And in the northern (palace)
Are the eight cīvaṃcīvaka of enlightened activity.
The basic thrones (of the conquerors) are embellished
With five layers including sun and moon-cushions.
Those of the spiritual warriors
Have three layers of sun, moon and lotus-cushions.
While the wrathful (gatekeepers) have a sun-cushion.
And the sages a single lotus-seat.
The male and female consorts Samantabhadra,
Who are the active subject and the passive object,
Have sun, moon, and lotus-cushions with extensive gems—
As such they are seated in meditative equipoise.
There is no contradiction (between these two descriptions) because the peacock and the eagle are said to have the same function, symbolising that the poisons have been pacified.[2]
As for the maṇḍala of the supported deities (232.6-243-2), it has six aspects:
[i. The first, which concerns their postures (comments on Ch. 6.6):]
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Footnotes and references:
[1]:
On these thrones and the "four fearlessnesses”, see above, Ch. 1, pp. 383-389.