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 11.13 (Commentary)

[Guhyagarbha-Tantra, Text section 11.13]

This is the wondrous skillful means.
Which releases beings from evil existences. [13]

[Tibetan]

ngo-mtshar ngan-'gro thar-pa'i thabs / [13]

Commentary:

[iii. The third, concerning the beneficial attributes of having performed this rite of "liberation", (comments on Ch. 11.13):]

This skillful means, by the "liberation" of sorcery, releases into exalted realms those sinful beings who are otherwise certain to be subsequently born in limitless evil existences. This is the skillful means (thabs), particularly sublime, the great secret of the vehicle of indestructible reality, more wondrous (ngo-mtshar) than the other vehicles, which releases (thar-pa'i) sinful beings from evil existences (ngan-'gro) and obtains their "liberation".

There are some who might doubt that such acts of killing belong to the genuine path because the rite is based on hatred, but there is no defect. For those living beings are released by means of "liberation” with an altruistic mind, devoid of hatred.[1]

It says in the Supreme Reasoning (rig-byed bla-ma):

No defect is visible
In one who acts malignly
For the benefit of the malign.

And in the Purification of All Evil Existences (T. 483), which is 39 a Yogatantra, it also says:

Sarvavid has said that
If one should eradicate
Those who make improper attempts
To curse the Guru, and so forth.
One will become accomplished.

And:

Moreover, those who attempt to curse the Guru.
Those who harm the Three Precious Jewels,
And those who destroy the Buddhasteaching
Should be "liberated" by the mantras of a Mantrin.

[Maṇḍala of Magical Pristine Cognition Untained by Defects with respect to Rites of Sexual Union and "Liberation" (400.2-402.1):]

[The third aspect (of the particular exegesis of the maṇḍala in which the rites of sexual union and "liberation" are indivisible—see p. 899) concerns the maṇḍala of magical pristine cognition untainted by defects with respect to rites of sexual union and "liberation". (It comments on Ch. 11.14):]

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Footnotes and references:

[1]:

On the Importance of compassion in this rite, see above, note 30.

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