Buddhist Tantra: Some Introductory Remarks
His Holiness Sakya Trizin
There is a common misconception among many non-Buddhists (and even among certain Buddhists) that the Tantras are late and corrupt additions to the Buddha’s Teachings. This is false. The Tantr
as are genuine teachings of the Lord Buddha, and they occupy a paramount position within the overall framework of Buddhist doctrine.
Some of the misconceptions about the Tantras stem from their esoteric nature. Since the time of the Buddha the Tantras were always taught secretly and selectively. For their correct understanding they have always required the oral instructions of a qualified master; without such explanations they can easily be misunderstood in wrong and harmful ways. In order to uphold this tradition I am prevented from discussing most aspects of Tantra here. But it is perhaps permissible here to say a few general things about Buddhist Tantra and about how it is related to other systems of Buddhist and non-Buddhist thought and practice. I shall base myself on the teachings of our tradition such as the Rgyud sde spyi’i rnam gzhag (“General System of the Tantras”) of Lobpon Sonam Tsemo. Continue reading »