Contents Foreword by Khenpo Lodrö Dönyö Rinpoché Translators’ Introduction vii The Root Text: The Elements of Tantric Practice A General Exposition of the Process of Meditation in the Indestructible Way of Secret Mantra 37 An Introduction to Tantric Meditation 49 The Phase of Creation 59 Entering Pristine Awareness 67 Visualization Sequences 85 The Bases of Purification, Purificatory Means, and Results of Purification 107 The Phase of Completion 123 Father Tantra Systems: Guhyasamaja, Black Yamari, and Red Yamari 137 Mother Tantra Systems: Kalachakra and Hevajra 153 Mother Tantra Systems: Chakrasamvara 167 10 Mother Tantra Systems: Chatuhpitha, Mahamaya, Buddhakapala, and Tara Yogini 179 vi C t he t reasury of knowled ge 11 The Key Elements 191 12 Luminous Clarity and the Completion Phase of Union 207 Appendix: Outline of the Text 217 Abbreviations 221 Notes 223 Bibliography of Works Cited by the Author 411 Reference Bibliography 425 Index 449 Foreword Countless magnificent masters, both learned and accomplished, have appeared throughout the Himalayan region Among them, Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé (1813-1900) holds a unique position as peerless teacher of the entire Buddhist path, free from bias toward any particular aspect As is evident in the sutras and tantras, his life was prophesied by the Buddha, and his name has become known throughout the world Foremost in this great master’s enlightened activities was the composition of the Five Great Treasuries One of the five is the Treasury entitled The Encompassment of All Knowledge This is an outstanding work, a comprehensive and authoritative exposition of the complete heart teachings of all aspects of Buddhism, including the three collections on discipline, exoteric discourses, and phenomenology (vinaya, sūtra, and abhidharma) and their three systems of training in ethics, meditation, and wisdom Its wide range of subjects include the secular sciences of grammar, logic, fine arts, medicine, poetics, synonymics, prosody, theatre, dance, and astrology; the extraordinary Buddhist teachings on the three paths to realization (hinayana, mahayana, and vajrayana); the ground, path, and result of the ancient and new traditions of the secret mantra path; and the teachings on view, meditation, and conduct The Encompassment of All Knowledge is an essential and indispensable tool for anyone wishing to study, reflect, and meditate on general and specific teachings or esoteric instructions, or to detailed research Its comprehensiveness eliminates the need for the time-consuming search for and consultation of many different sources Understanding the importance of such a work, in early 1988 the Venerable Kalu Rinpoché gathered together many of his Western students and translators and founded Dragyur Dzamling Kunkhyab, the International viii C t he t reasury of knowled ge Translation Committee Thus began the project of translating The Treasury of Knowledge into English While the works were underway, the Venerable Kalu Rinpoché passed away and this aspect of his enlightened activity remained unfinished In order to fulfill the wish of that Glorious Master, the Venerable Bokar Rinpoché took up the responsibility for the project, urged the translators to continue their work and to complete it as soon as possible, and offered advice on how best to accomplish that goal Thanks to his efforts the translation of the entire Treasury is now nearing completion Two of the translators, Elio Guarisco and Ingrid McLeod, have recently finished this particular book They applied themselves strenuously and have done a fine job of translating into English a section of Book Eight of The Encompassment of All Knowledge, which treats the processes of vajrayana meditation as set forth in the tantras They have supplemented their translation with clear and detailed notes I am extremely pleased that this section has now been published Moreover, I offer my heartfelt prayer that through the positive potential generated by this work, the precious teachings of the Awakened One may spread and flourish in all places and throughout all times Through the power of these teachings, may all the world be free from disease, famine, conflict, and war May all types of adversity, both inner and outer, such as from dangers caused by earth, water, fire, and wind, be pacified May all sentient beings always enjoy love, peace, happiness, and security Above all, may all attain the precious omniscient state of full awakening Khenpo Lodrö Dönyö Bokar Ngedhon Choekor Ling Monastery Mirik, West Bengal, India 25 February 2007 ... composition of the Five Great Treasuries One of the five is the Treasury entitled The Encompassment of All Knowledge This is an outstanding work, a comprehensive and authoritative exposition of the... Kunkhyab, the International viii C t he t reasury of knowled ge Translation Committee Thus began the project of translating The Treasury of Knowledge into English While the works were underway,... strenuously and have done a fine job of translating into English a section of Book Eight of The Encompassment of All Knowledge, which treats the processes of vajrayana meditation as set forth