books on mother tantra

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KonchokZoepa
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books on mother tantra

Post by KonchokZoepa »

does anyone know any books specifically on mother tantra ? or any other good source of information?
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

-Milarepa

OMMANIPADMEHUNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
mutsuk
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Re: books on mother tantra

Post by mutsuk »

KonchokZoepa wrote:does anyone know any books specifically on mother tantra ? or any other good source of information?
You mean buddhist mother tantras or bonpo mother tantras ? In Tibetan or western languages?
philji
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Re: books on mother tantra

Post by philji »

On Taramandala website they are just about to commence a 7 year course of study and practice on the mother lineage of Machig Labdron.....a little pricey but there are some free videos/ webcasts available.
KonchokZoepa
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Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:50 pm

Re: books on mother tantra

Post by KonchokZoepa »

buddhist mother tantras in english.
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

-Milarepa

OMMANIPADMEHUNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
KonchokZoepa
Posts: 1358
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:50 pm

Re: books on mother tantra

Post by KonchokZoepa »

thanks philji. very interesting. i actually applied. very interesting. we'll see if it is for me.
If the thought of demons
Never rises in your mind,
You need not fear the demon hosts around you.
It is most important to tame your mind within....

In so far as the Ultimate, or the true nature of being is concerned,
there are neither buddhas or demons.
He who frees himself from fear and hope, evil and virtue,
will realize the insubstantial and groundless nature of confusion.
Samsara will then appear as the mahamudra itself….

-Milarepa

OMMANIPADMEHUNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls6P9tOYmdo
Silent Bob
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Re: books on mother tantra

Post by Silent Bob »

Here is some of what is available without restriction:

http://www.wisdompubs.org/book/vajrayogini

http://www.amazon.com/The-Cakrasamvara- ... 0975373463

http://www.namsebangdzo.com/Concealed_E ... p/5223.htm

No recommendation implied or intended, though the Hevajra translation is actually readable.

Chris
"All the sublime teachings, so profound--to throw away one and then grab yet another will not bear even a single fruit. Persevere, therefore, in simply one."
--Dudjom Rinpoche, "Nectar for the Hearts of Fortunate Disciples. Song No. 8"
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kirtu
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Re: books on mother tantra

Post by kirtu »

Silent Bob wrote:Here is some of what is available without restriction:
...
http://www.namsebangdzo.com/Concealed_E ... p/5223.htm
Most of those recommendations are actually restricted as you will need the specific empowerment first. The Concealed Essence of the Hevajra Tantra (Hevajra is considered dual tantra in Sakya BTW) is not generally useful as the translation seems to be a direct translation of the tantra without any context. As a result parts of it look like a book of magic spells. Probably another translation is needed to contexualize the text.

Kirt
“Where do atomic bombs come from?”
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”

"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
Silent Bob
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Re: books on mother tantra

Post by Silent Bob »

kirtu wrote:
Silent Bob wrote:Here is some of what is available without restriction:
...
http://www.namsebangdzo.com/Concealed_E ... p/5223.htm
Most of those recommendations are actually restricted as you will need the specific empowerment first. The Concealed Essence of the Hevajra Tantra (Hevajra is considered dual tantra in Sakya BTW) is not generally useful as the translation seems to be a direct translation of the tantra without any context. As a result parts of it look like a book of magic spells. Probably another translation is needed to contexualize the text.

Kirt
Kirt--You are mistaken on all counts--the first two I offered were publicly available doctoral dissertations, while according Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche the Hevajra Tantra is classified at least by the Kamtsang Kagyu as a mother tantra. It should also go without saying that none of these generally incomprehensible root texts would be a replacement for the practice manuals and commentaries for the sadhanas specific to each yidam and would be of no use to practitioners.

Chris
"All the sublime teachings, so profound--to throw away one and then grab yet another will not bear even a single fruit. Persevere, therefore, in simply one."
--Dudjom Rinpoche, "Nectar for the Hearts of Fortunate Disciples. Song No. 8"
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kirtu
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Re: books on mother tantra

Post by kirtu »

Silent Bob wrote:
kirtu wrote:
Silent Bob wrote:Here is some of what is available without restriction:
...
http://www.namsebangdzo.com/Concealed_E ... p/5223.htm
Most of those recommendations are actually restricted as you will need the specific empowerment first. The Concealed Essence of the Hevajra Tantra (Hevajra is considered dual tantra in Sakya BTW) is not generally useful as the translation seems to be a direct translation of the tantra without any context. As a result parts of it look like a book of magic spells. Probably another translation is needed to contexualize the text.

Kirt
Kirt--You are mistaken on all counts--
"..mistaken on all counts." Ah no -

First this is the Tibetan Buddhism forum and not the Kagyu forum. The statement that "in Sakya Hevajra is considered nondual tantra, BTW" - this is correct. It is also true that in Gelug and Kagyu Hevajra is considered mother tantra. This has no bearing on my statement st all. This is the Tibetan Buddhism form not a specific lineage forum.

the first two I offered were publicly available doctoral dissertations,
So what? Generally people shouldn't really study tantra, esp. not higher tantra without empowerment first. Tibetan Buddhist lineages are mostly unanimous on this point although there is some wiggle room depending on lineage.

Kirt
“Where do atomic bombs come from?”
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”

"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
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kirtu
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Re: books on mother tantra

Post by kirtu »

KonchokZoepa wrote:does anyone know any books specifically on mother tantra ? or any other good source of information?
Not specific to mother tantra but good introductions and overviews:

"The Treasury of Knowledge, Book 6, Part 4, Systems of Buddhist Tantra", Jamgon Kongtrul

Principles of Buddhist Tantra, HE Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, Chöje Ngawang Palden, Ian Coghlan, Voula Zarpani

Also Lama Yeshe's books on tantra but I don't have any recommendations because I unfortunately have none of his books anymore. I don't remember if he specifically addresses mother tantra in his boos but probably he does. You can get a kind of preview by checking out his teachings in the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

But without instruction from a lama most of the first text dealing with mother tantra will be incomprehensible. Then mostly books dealing with specific mother tantra will also be incomprehensible and possible counterproductive.

An exception to this are texts dealing with the Kalachakra tantra and it's practice . In "Systems of Buddhist Tantra" (the first book listed), Jamgon Kongtrul lists Kalachakra tantra as the highest mother tantra (Kalachakra tantra is also considered nondual in other lineages [Sakya and maybe Gelug for example]). The reason for this is that the Kalachakra tantra is considered a clear tantra where the teachings are generally stated clearly and directly. Other highest yoga tantras are not clear or direct.

Kirt
“Where do atomic bombs come from?”
Zen Master Seung Sahn said, “That’s simple. Atomic bombs come from the mind that likes this and doesn’t like that.”

"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche
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