220 Buddhist Ethics Mantric Vows in the New Tantras [1] These are presented in two parts: (1) a general discussion of the entry into the Secret Mantra, and (2) the mantric vows in detail Entry into the Secret Mantra [a] In the system of the later translations, some enter the Secret Mantra gradually; others, straightaway Masters of the later translation schools state that there are two ways of entering the Secret Mantra Way: those with a weak connection to Mantra are led to this way gradually; those whose connection is strong are led to it straightaway The former method is explicitly taught in the Hevajra Tantra and is an implicit guideline in other tantras as well Initially [the aspirant] is introduced gradually to [different levels of] conduct Accordingly, the Two-Part Hevajra Tantra states3: First, bestow the purificatory fast [precepts] Then, [teach] the ten areas of training.4 Then [the aspirant] is introduced gradually to [different levels of] philosophical views The same tantra states5: To disciples [grounded in that training], teach [the philosophy] Of the Analysts, and then [in progressive stages], That of the Traditionalists, the Experientialists, And that of the Central Way.6 After learning the views, the disciple enters the levels of the different classes of tantra The same tantra states7: Once all levels of mantra are known,8 Teach [the tantra of] Hevajra This gradual entry into the classes of tantras has a parallel within the Ancient Translation Kilaya Wrathful Anger Tantra: First, confer [the vows of] personal liberation And explain the doctrine of the proclaimers; Then, grant the great vow of the bodhisattva And present the teachings of the Central Way Finally, bestow the initiation of the fruition Universal Way9 And teach this fruition tantra According to the latter method, disciples who have assumed the ethics of refuge and awakening mind exclusive to the Universal Way can be led [straightaway into the Secret Mantra] by conferring upon them the initiation and the mantric vows The Vows and Pledges of Secret Mantra 221 The Mantric Vows in Detail [b] This section has seven parts: (1) the essence of the mantric vows, (2) distinctions in the vows, (3) ways to assume the vows, (4) phases in the process of assuming vows, (5) differentiations between the vows of the higher and lower tantras, (6) suitable aspirants for assuming the vows, and (7) the pledges to be honored Essence of the Vows [i] Mantric vows are essentially the resolve, accompanied by its concomitant factors, To train in methods to experience blissful pristine awareness in order to bind grasping to subject and object and the propensity for movement In short, the ethics consist in the discipline of binding body, speech, and mind with skill in means and wisdom In the ethical system of the Secret Mantra, the object [of practice] is to bind conceptual grasping to subject and object10 and the propensity for movement.11 The binding agent is blissful pristine awareness, which [the practitioner] is committed to “hold” (experience) The essence of mantric vows is the resolve (with its concomitant mental factors) to train in the method [to hold pristine awareness], and the [blessing of] pristine awareness, itself actualized through an initiation Although within the four classes of tantras the methods for actualizing pristine awareness differ in profundity, there is no differentiation in the pristine awareness to be experienced Therefore, despite differences in complexity, the aim of all initiations is said to be [the experience of] blissful pristine awareness In short, the ethical system of the Secret Mantra has as its object the binding of body, speech, and mind, and their subtle propensities Its binding agent is [blissful pristine awareness] Its vows consist in the resolve (and its seed) to experience [pristine awareness] using special skill in means and wisdom These vows are assumed anew through an initiation In the phrase “the vows of an awareness holder,” the term “awareness” refers to the pristine awareness of great, unchanging, and supreme bliss, free from dualistic patterns of thought One becomes a “holder” of pristine awareness, which is the ground of being that has existed from the very beginning, by virtue of again becoming aware of (reawakening) it.12 The method to reawaken pristine awareness is 222 Buddhist Ethics [to receive] the blessing of the form of the deity or the blessing of pristine awareness itself: this is what is meant by the term “vows.” This method is the specialty of the Secret Mantra Moreover, profound bliss is actualized on the basis of the [seminal essence or] element of awakening mind and its stabilization In the context of the Secret Mantra vows, awakening mind thereby assumes a meaning additional to that held in common with the Way of the Perfections, as stated in [the Hevajra Tantra]13: The formation of the relative awakening mind Embodies the ultimate awakening mind And in the same tantra14: The relative jasmine-flower-like [seminal essence15] Is the embodiment of bliss, the ultimate.16 For this reason, it should also be understood that the vow of the Secret Mantra is superior [to the others] Distinctions [ii] Mantric vows are distinguished according to (1) the actual tantra, the subject matter of tantra; (2) the four classes of tantra, the words of the tantras themselves; and (3) initiatory rituals, the procedures for assuming vows Distinctions in the Actual Tantra [A'] Three types of vows are distinguished according to subject matter: The causal tantra’s vow to bind all phenomena, form, sound, etc., within innate pristine awareness; The vow of the tantra of skillful means to bind subtle and gross objectifying thoughts within the creation and completion phases; And the resultant tantra’s vow to bind subjective experience within the nature of the dimensions of awakening and pristine awareness Although there are many ways to enumerate the distinctions of mantric vows, here we will briefly note the three types of mantric vows of the “actual tantra,”17 the subject matter of tantra These three types are the vow of causal tantra, the vow of the tantra of skillful means, and the vow of the resultant tantra, and are defined as follows: The Vows and Pledges of Secret Mantra 223 The vow of causal tantra is to bind the nature of all phenomena, form, sound, etc., within the state of innate pristine awareness The vow of the tantra of skillful means is to bind all subtle and gross forms of thinking that objectify dualistic appearances within the meditations of the phases of creation and completion The vow of the resultant tantra is to bind all phenomena arising in one’s subjective experience within the essence of the dimensions of awakening and pristine awareness The first of these three is a nominal vow; the second two, actual vows Distinctions in the Four Classes of Tantra [B'] Four classes of tantra teach the actual tantra: Action, Conduct, Yoga, and Highest Yoga tantras Mantric vows are distinguished according to the four classes of tantra that teach [the actual tantra]—the vows of the Action, Conduct, Yoga, and Highest Yoga Tantra.18 Action Tantra vows [are defined as] the commitment to experience (hold) blissful pristine awareness which binds conceptual grasping to subject and object and the propensity for movement [through the technique] of using the pleasure [of smiling at a consort] as the spiritual path Conduct Tantra vows [are defined as] the identical commitment except that the technique uses the pleasure of gazing [at a consort] as the spiritual path Yoga Tantra vows [are defined as] the identical commitment except that the technique uses the pleasure of embracing [a consort] as the spiritual path Highest Tantra vows [are defined as] the identical commitment except that the technique uses the pleasure of union [with a consort] as the spiritual path.19 These four different techniques serve as antidotes for four subtle and gross forms of conceptual grasping to subject and object to be forsaken in the common spiritual way20 and four subtle and gross propensities for movement21 to be forsaken in the exceptional Secret Mantra Thus, the awareness-holder vows of the four classes of tantra, which are commitments to experience non-dual intrinsic awareness or blissful pristine awareness, are differentiated according to the techniques [used to fulfill their commitments] 224 Buddhist Ethics Distinctions in Initiatory Rituals [C'] Three kinds of mantric vows are distinguished according to initiatory rituals in which they are assumed: The mantra’s own personal liberation and awakening mind vows assumed during regular confession; Vows of divine fortune taken upon entry into the mandala; And the creation and completion vows assumed in the main part of an initiation Three kinds of mantric vows are distinguished according to the initiatory rituals in which they are assumed: the vows assumed during the preparatory phase; upon entry [into the mandala]; and during the main part [of an initiation] These are explained as follows: (1) The Secret Mantra’s own version of personal liberation vows and commitments of awakening mind are assumed during the regular confession22 [performed during the preparatory part of an initiation23] The actual mantra vows are assumed when the three places24 [of the disciple] are consecrated [as the three vajras] At this point, these vows [and even the personal liberation and awakening mind vows] arise as the essence of mantric vows (2) Vows are assumed at the time of the outer entry [into the mandala],25 when the [master] has inquired about [the disciples’] interest26 and they have responded, and [the symbols of] moon and vajra have been introduced.27 Vows are also assumed when pledges are made at the inner entry,28 pristine awareness descends,29 and the deities [of the mandala] are revealed.30 These together are called the vows of divine fortune (3) Vows assumed in the main part of an initiation include vows of the three lower tantras received during their respective initiations; vows related to the creation phase received during the vase initiation31 of any Highest [Yoga tantra]; and the vows related to the completion phase received in the course of the higher initiations.32 For the second, vows related to the creation phase, there are common and exclusive ones The vows of the vase initiation common to both Highest Yoga Tantra and Yoga Tantra are assumed with the verbal promise to keep the pledges of the five buddha families made during the preliminary ritual The vows of the vase initiation exclusive to the Highest [Yoga] Tantra are made with the promise not to disrespect the [vajra] master, etc., at the appended [initiation] given through symbols of auspiciousness.33 ... types of mantric vows of the “actual tantra,”17 the subject matter of tantra These three types are the vow of causal tantra, the vow of the tantra of skillful means, and the vow of the resultant... with the verbal promise to keep the pledges of the five buddha families made during the preliminary ritual The vows of the vase initiation exclusive to the Highest [Yoga] Tantra are made with the. .. related to the completion phase received in the course of the higher initiations.32 For the second, vows related to the creation phase, there are common and exclusive ones The vows of the vase initiation