I quote from the 1971 version of Francesca Freniantle the following 5 lines as they seem important to me! This paragraph is a vivid and symbolic depiction of tantric imagery, deeply rooted in the esoteric language of Vajrayāna Buddhism. Each phrase encapsulates profound spiritual meanings and represents the tantric synthesis of wisdom, compassion, and ultimate reality.

1. “The Tathāgata Akṣobhya, in the vagina of the Vajra Consort of the Essence of the Body, Speech, and Mind of all Tathāgatas…”
   • This line symbolizes the union of method and wisdom, which is central to Vajrayāna practice. The reference to Akṣobhya—a Buddha associated with unshakable equanimity—emphasizes the stability and clarity of enlightened awareness. The Vajra Consort represents wisdom (prajñā), and their union signifies the inseparability of wisdom and compassion, a key tantric principle. The phrase is not meant to be taken literally but serves as an allegory for the transcendence of duality.
2. “Consecrated the immaculate four-sided mandala of Mahāsamaya…”
   • The four-sided mandala represents the integration of all aspects of existence—body, speech, mind, and their enlightened counterparts. Mahāsamaya (Great Assembly) refers to the universal gathering of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, symbolizing the harmonious unity of all enlightened qualities.
3. “Crystal-clear, of his own nature, all-pervaded by varied forms…”
   • The crystal-clear nature symbolizes the purity and luminosity of the mind in its natural state, free from conceptual obscurations. This clarity pervades all forms, reflecting the tantric view that ultimate reality manifests in and as the phenomenal world.
4. “Spread with clouds of Buddhas, filled with fiery sparks…”
   • The imagery of clouds of Buddhas and fiery sparks evokes the dynamic and infinite manifestations of enlightened activity. It underscores the vibrant interplay between the absolute and relative realities, where Buddhas appear in countless forms to aid sentient beings.
5. “With the mandalas of the moon and so on, the City of all Tathāgatas.”
   • The moon often symbolizes compassion, cool and soothing, while its mandala represents the enlightened state. The “City of all Tathāgatas” is a poetic metaphor for the ultimate reality, the realm where all Buddhas abide, embodying the union of wisdom and compassion.

It is not about Sex…

This passage uses richly symbolic and poetic language to convey the ultimate goals of tantric practice: the realization of the innate purity and luminosity of mind and the integration of all dualities into a harmonious whole. While the sexual imagery and references to union might seem provocative, they are emblematic of the Vajrayāna’s emphasis on transcending ordinary perceptions and achieving profound spiritual insight. This text invites readers and practitioners to look beyond literal interpretations and engage deeply with the transformative power of these teachings.