And the sutra says:
“Giving yourself up to the enjoyment of all desires at pleasure, by this practice you will soon attain the Buddha-nature; giving yourself up to the enjoyment of all desires at pleasure, united. with your own deity worship the self and. others. Success is not gained, by following ascetic vows and extreme practices, but by the enjoyment of all desires it is soon attained.. Do not speak to beg food or be attached to begging, but instead recite mantra complete in every part and enjoy all your desires.”
OFuckYes. This Deep Sutra is amazing.
This Sutra of “the Blessed. One, Lord of the Body, Speech and Mind and all Tathagatas” brings forth a provocative and transformative aspect of tantric Buddhism, emphasizing the integration and transcendence of desires rather than their suppression. At its core, it challenges conventional ascetic practices, advocating for a direct and fearless engagement with the energies of desire and pleasure as a means to enlightenment. Let’s unpack this through a tantric lens. Here we delve a bit deeper in the Sutra
Engagement with Desire
The statement “giving yourself up to the enjoyment of all desires at pleasure” reflects one of the key principles of tantra: the use of what are ordinarily seen as obstacles—such as desires, attachments, and pleasures—as tools for spiritual transformation. Rather than rejecting desires as inherently negative, tantra views them as energies that can be harnessed skillfully. When engaged with mindfulness and wisdom, desires become vehicles for realizing the non-dual nature of reality.
However, this does not advocate for hedonism or unbridled indulgence. The tantric approach requires a foundation of discipline, ethical grounding, and the guidance of a realized teacher. Without these, the practice could devolve into mere gratification, losing its transformative potential.
Union with the Deity
“United with your own deity worship the self and others” highlights the central tantric practice of deity yoga. In this practice, the practitioner visualizes themselves as an enlightened deity, embodying the deity’s qualities such as compassion, wisdom, and power. This union symbolizes the inseparability of one’s ordinary mind and enlightened mind. Worshiping both self and others reflects the tantric view that all beings are manifestations of Buddha-nature and should be treated with reverence.
This practice of deity yoga helps the practitioner transcend dualistic thinking, seeing self and others, pleasure and pain, as expressions of the same ultimate reality.
Rejection of Extreme Asceticism
The text’s critique of asceticism—“Success is not gained by following ascetic vows and extreme practices”—is a defining feature of tantra. Unlike earlier Buddhist paths that often emphasize renunciation and ascetic discipline, tantra takes a middle way that incorporates and transforms worldly experiences. Tantra asserts that extreme self-denial can sometimes reinforce dualistic thinking, creating a rigid separation between the spiritual and the mundane.
In contrast, tantric practices seek to dissolve such dualities. By embracing life fully—including desires and pleasures—practitioners develop a more direct and holistic approach to enlightenment.
Mantra Recitation
The line “recite mantra complete in every part and enjoy all your desires” underscores the importance of mantra in tantric practice. Mantras are not merely words but are seen as the vibrational essence of enlightened qualities. Reciting a mantra while engaging in the pleasures of life serves to sanctify and integrate those experiences into the spiritual path. It ensures that the practitioner remains mindful and centered, using desire as a stepping stone rather than a distraction.
The Role of Pleasure in Tantra
The emphasis on enjoying desires at pleasure reflects tantra’s fundamental recognition of samsara and nirvana as inseparable. Pleasures and desires, when approached with awareness and the right intention, are not inherently obstacles. Instead, they become opportunities to experience the non-dual nature of reality, where nothing is rejected or clung to.
However, this is a subtle and advanced practice that requires profound self-awareness. The enjoyment of desires is not an end in itself but a means to dissolve the grasping mind, revealing the ultimate emptiness and luminosity underlying all experiences.
Sex is OK, but never the essence, you can be tantric in all actions!
This passage reflects the daring and transformative nature of tantric Buddhism. It overturns conventional ideas of spiritual practice by integrating desires into the path to enlightenment, rather than avoiding or suppressing them. However, the enjoyment of desires is not a license for indulgence but a practice requiring deep wisdom, ethical grounding, and a non-dual perspective. When approached with these qualities, it becomes a powerful method for realizing Buddha-nature, where all aspects of life—whether pleasure or pain—are seen as sacred and inseparable from enlightenment.
Nest Sutra on Lingam and Yoni and Seed
That is meditation on recollection of the Mandala!
Uniting the two organs, the skilful yogi should
always emit his seed, the mandala in the form of a mandala.”
This passage uses the potent symbolic language of tantric Buddhism, combining evocative physical imagery with profound spiritual principles. It reflects the Vajrayāna approach of transforming the most basic and instinctual human experiences into tools for spiritual realization. However, the imagery should not be taken literally but understood through the symbolic and philosophical framework of tantra.
Meditation on the Mandala
The term mandala in Vajrayāna Buddhism represents the universe, both as a physical reality and as a microcosm of the practitioner’s mind. Meditating on the mandala involves visualizing and integrating oneself with this sacred space, where all phenomena are purified and harmonized. The mandala serves as a symbolic representation of the enlightened state, encompassing both the relative and ultimate truths.
In this context, the instruction to “emit his seed, the mandala in the form of a mandala” employs metaphorical language to convey deep tantric insights about creativity, transformation, and the unity of opposites.
Uniting the Two Organs
The uniting of the two organs—the masculine and feminine principles—symbolizes the core tantric concept of the union of method (upaya) and wisdom (prajñā). These principles correspond to:
- Masculine: Skillful means, compassion, and dynamic action.
- Feminine: Wisdom, insight, and the understanding of emptiness.
Their union represents the non-dual nature of ultimate reality, where distinctions such as subject and object, or self and other, dissolve. In this state, the yogi transcends ordinary dualistic perceptions and embodies the enlightened perspective.
Emitting the Seed as a Mandala
The phrase “emit his seed, the mandala in the form of a mandala” is rich in layered meanings:
- Creative Energy: In tantric symbolism, sexual energy is often used as a metaphor for the creative force of the universe. To “emit the seed” can symbolize the outward manifestation of this creative potential, where one’s enlightened qualities are expressed in compassionate activity.
- Sacred View: The seed is not seen as ordinary but as the essence of enlightenment, purified and consecrated through the yogi’s practice. Emitting it “in the form of a mandala” signifies that even the most instinctual energies can be transformed into expressions of the sacred.
- Integration with the Mandala: The act reflects the understanding that all phenomena arise within the mandala of ultimate reality. By recognizing this, the practitioner integrates their experiences into the enlightened state, dissolving dualistic boundaries.
Symbolic Nature of the Imagery
It’s crucial to interpret this passage metaphorically. Vajrayāna texts often use visceral and provocative imagery to challenge conventional thinking and evoke deeper insight. This imagery is not an encouragement for physical actions but an invitation to transcend ordinary concepts of purity and impurity, sacred and profane.
For the skillful yogi, these practices symbolize:
- Transmutation of Energy: Transforming instinctual drives and attachments into realizations of wisdom and compassion.
- Recognition of Non-Duality: Seeing all phenomena, even those typically considered mundane or taboo, as inseparable from the enlightened nature of reality.
Tantra is all encompassing!
The passage presents a radical tantric perspective, where even the most instinctual human experiences are viewed as opportunities for spiritual transformation. The uniting of the two organs symbolizes the non-duality of method and wisdom, while emitting the seed “in the form of a mandala” represents the recognition of all phenomena as sacred and interconnected within the mandala of ultimate reality. This reflects tantra’s unique approach to integrating every aspect of life into the path of enlightenment, challenging practitioners to see beyond dualistic concepts and embrace the unity of all existence.
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