Secret Tantric Buddhist Texts Revealed

[dDIzzIEe]

[Cross-posted in PM & MGCBTSOOYG]

At the heart of Tibetan Buddhism is a system where texts and practices are distributed only to those who have been empowered in them by a qualified teacher, and then not passed on to others or even discussed openly in detail. It is said that otherwise their power to do benefit is lost and instead they are likely to do a lot of harm. Therefore, I cannot distribute these texts openly, or at least without getting permission, which hasn't happened This may change, since many vajrayana texts are being published nowadays.

(Source)

Secrecy is an important cornerstone of tantric Buddhism, simply to avoid the practices from harming oneself and others without proper guidance. One should realise that it is not even allowed to explain the full symbolism and psychology of the practice to the un-initiated, so obviously, this leads to misunderstanding and dismissal. Tantric techniques may initially appear to consist of ritualistic nonsense; however, it should only be practiced on the basis of a thorough understanding of Buddhist philosophy and strictly following the traditions.

(The Buddhist Primer by Dhammasaavaka, p. 78 (ISBN: 1411663349))

In other words, there are certain texts of Tantric Buddhism which are not available to us unwashed masses. Under the patronizing pretense that the texts either won't be understood and/or may cause spiritual and bodily harm, these texts are kept hidden from us by the Buddhist elites. They are available only to those who have received the 'proper' authorization to view them. You cannot buy these texts at the bookstore, loan them from the library, or borrow them from a friend. They are kept tucked away under lock and key, ostensibly for your own protection.

Well, fuck that shit. Nobody has a right to suppress information.

So to kick this thread off, at the bottom you'll find three such restricted texts, available totally, well, unrestricted . These are texts which our tantric Buddhist friends feel that you are undeserving of; texts which they go to great lengths to keep away from you. Enjoy!

But first, here are a couple other sites that deal in these restricted tomes. Should you chance to come across one or two (say you happen to know a tantric Buddhist, or mayhap the locks on the back door of a particular book distributor were a wee bit rusty that night…not that I'm encouraging anything illicit), scan them, take digital photos, or manually transcribe them, and post them here; thus making the information contained therein be available to all (whilst of course respecting any sort of existent Buddhist intellectual property laws ).

~ Nalanda Translation Committee - "Please note that all restricted texts are available only to Shambhala sangha members who have completed the appropriate required practices and received the respective transmissions."

~ Ratna Shop - "Ratna Shop is privileged to distribute texts for the advanced Vajrayana practitioner. However, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche requested that certain texts be restricted to students under the guidance of an accomplished Vajrayana teacher. In order to respect his wishes, please send a letter signed by your teacher confirming your qualifications…"

Now then, without further ado, here are the three aforementioned secret texts for your reading pleasure:

~ Commentary on Longchenpa's The Precious Treasury of Dharmadhatu (PDF RTF) "one of Longchenpa's seven treasures, on the highest of the Tibetan Nyingma teachings, ati yoga. Available to vajrayana students of a qualified teacher who have received the pointing out instruction."

~ Shechen Gyaltsap Rinpoche's The Instructions of the Vidyadhaara - The Concise Quintessential Commenbtary on the Saadhan - The Utterly Secret Razor Knife Vajrakiilaya (PDF RTF) "Available to those who have the Vajrakilaya Empowerment."

~ Mipham's commentary on the Kalachakra Tantra (The Vajra Sunshiner: which Illuminates the Words and Meaning of the Kālacakra Tantra) with the Kaalachakra Sadhana: Illuminating the Essence, "available to those with the Kalachakra tantric empowerment.":

* The Kaalachakra Sadhana: Illuminating the Essence: (PDF RTF TXT).

*The Vajra Sunshiner - Parts:
-I: External Chapter: "The Arrangement of the World Realm" (PDF RTF (alternate scan: RTF))
-II: Commentary on the Inner Chapter (RTF)
-III: Commentary on Chapter three, the Empowerment Chapter of Kālacakra (PDF RTF)
-IV: Commentary on Fourth chapter of Means of Practice (PDF RTF)
-V: Commentary on the Kālacakra Wisdom Chapter (PDF)

Once again, if you get your mangled tentacles on any other restricted texts, do share and help keep knowledge public, not hidden away behind closed temple doors, available only to those who have been deemed 'worthy.'

Enjoy!

[AngryFemme]

Why is information so much sweeter when it's smuggled?

[Obbe]

Thanks!

AngryFemme, I guess the forbidden is tempting ... kinda like that Eve and the Apple thing.

[dDIzzIEe]

Originally Posted by AngryFemme

Why is information so much sweeter when it's smuggled?

A sop filched from the dripping-pan, fruit procured by stealth, and game illicitly taken, have the charm of dexterity to make them the more palatable...

Originally Posted by Obbe

Thanks!

AngryFemme, I guess the forbidden is tempting ... kinda like that Eve and the Apple thing.

From busie cooks we love to steal a bit
Behind their backs, and that in corners eat;
Nor need we here the reason why entreat;
All know the proverb, 'Stolen bread is sweet.'

[AngryFemme]

Originally Posted by Obbe

I guess the forbidden is tempting ... kinda like that Eve and the Apple thing.

So true!

dDIzzIEe, this wealth of material would also be a great addition in General Patton's Knowledge Thread.