Introduction to Tantra: The Transformation of Desire (24 page)

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Authors: Lama Thubten Yeshe,Philip Glass

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© 2001 Lama Zopa Rinpoche Illustrations © 2001 Andy Weber

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thubten Yeshe, 1935–1984

Introduction to Tantra : the transformation of desire / by Lama Thubten Yeshe ; compiled and edited by Jonathan Landaw ; foreword by Philip Glass.—Rev. ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

eISBN : 978-0-861-71997-6

1. Tantric Buddhism—Doctrines. 2. Spiritual life—Tantric Buddhism.

I. Landaw, Jonathan. II. Title

BQ8918.3.T58 2001

294.3’444—dc21 2001035039

 

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1 - Basic Purity

SHAKYAMUNI, THE FOUNDER OF BUDDHISM

FUNDAMENTAL PURITY OF THE MIND

THE TANTRIC APPROACH

THE PRINCIPLE OF TRANSFORMATION

Chapter 2 - Desire and Happiness

DESIRE, FRUSTRATION, AND SELF-CONTROL

RELIGION AND THE REJECTION OF PLEASURE

BUDDHA AND THE PATH OF ENJOYMENT

FOLLOWING THE PATH TODAY

Chapter 3 - Pleasure, Disappointment, and Fulfi llment

TANTRA AND ENJOYMENT

IMAGES OF WHOLENESS

FOUR CLASSES OF TANTRA

DESIRE AND DISTORTION

THE SOURCE OF DISSATISFACTION

THE TANTRIC SOLUTION

A NOTE OF CAUTION

Chapter 4 - Overthrowing the Tyranny of Ordinary Appearances

BEYOND LIMITATIONS: SEEING ONESELF AS A DEITY

PROBLEMS OF SELF-EMANATION

THE MIND DISTRACTED OUTWARD

THE CHALLENGE OF EXPLORING INNER SPACE

Chapter 5 - Emerging from Dissatisfaction

WHAT IS RENUNCIATION?

DEVELOPING DETACHMENT

GIVING UP FALSE REFUGE

Chapter 6 - Opening the Heart

SELFISHNESS OR DEDICATION TO OTHERS?

THE OPEN-HEARTED BODHICHITTA MOTIVATION

LIBERATION FROM SELF-CHERISHING

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BODHICHITTA

DEVELOPING EQUANIMITY: THE FOUNDATION FOR

UNIVERSAL COMPASSION

BODHICHITTA IS NECESSARY FOR PRACTICING

TANTRA

Chapter 7 - Dissolving Self-Created Limitations

THE BURDEN OF MISTAKEN VIEWS

DREAMS AND EMPTINESS

EGO-GRASPING AND INSECURITY

IDENTIFYING THE INNER ENEMY

LOOSENING THE GRIP OF MISCONCEPTION

CULTIVATING THE MIDDLE WAY

Chapter 8 - Clear Spaciousness of Mind

MAKING SPACE THROUGH “NOT SEEING”

CLARITY AND NONDUALITY

MANIFESTATIONS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

CLARITY, LOVE, AND PEACE

CLARITY, COLOR, AND BLISS

BLISSFUL ABSORPTION INTO REALITY

RIPENING OUR ENLIGHTENED POTENTIAL

Chapter 9 - Inspiration and the Guru

THE NEED FOR INSPIRATION

THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL GURU

THE SPIRITUAL GUIDE AND MODEL

TRANSMISSION THROUGH EMPOWERMENT

RECEIVING INITIATION

THE FORMAL PRACTICE OF GURU YOGA

CONTINUOUS RECOGNITION OF UNITY

TOUCHING THE HEART WITH INSPIRATION

BREAKING THE HABIT OF ORDINARY EXPERIENCES

Chapter 10 - Entering Highest Tantric Practice

THE VAJRA BODY AND RESIDENT MIND

CHANGING OUR VIEW OF DEATH

DEATH, INTERMEDIATE STATE, AND REBIRTH

THE THREE ASPECTS OF BUDDHAHOOD

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR HUMAN FORM

THE PROCESS OF DYING

DEATH AND DHARMAKAYA

BARDO AND SAMBHOGAKAYA

REBIRTH AND NIRMANAKAYA

CUTTING REBIRTH

Chapter 11 - Arising as a Deity

FROM SELF-PITY TO DIVINE SELF-EMANATION

DISSOLUTION

REAPEARANCE

LETTING GO

DIVINE PRIDE AND CLEAR APPEARANCE

THE TANTRIC PERSONALITY

INTEGRATING WISDOM AND ENJOYMENT

Chapter 12 - Final Accomplishment

THE COMPLETION STAGE: INNER FIRE AND ENERGY

CONTROL

BLISSFUL AWARENESS

DAKAS AND DAKINIS

THE FRUIT OF TANTRIC PRACTICE

QUALITIES LEADING TO SUCCESS

Glossary

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