{"id":12554,"date":"1990-08-09T14:45:09","date_gmt":"1990-08-09T12:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/?p=12554"},"modified":"2026-04-30T20:52:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T18:52:49","slug":"commentary-on-the-essence-of-liberation-through-wearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/?p=12554","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on the Essence of Liberation Through Wearing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Samantabhadra and consort<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Commentary on the Essence of Liberation Through Wearing<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

from the\u00a0<\/em>Khandro Nyingtik<\/u><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Homage to the vast expanse of\u00a0<\/em>Samantabhadra<\/u><\/em>, the confident realization of self-awareness.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There are three parts to the\u00a0Tantra of the Essence of Liberation Through Wearing, the Consummate Fruition<\/a><\/em>: (1) the meaning of the introduction, (2) the meaning of the main part, and (3) the meaning of the conclusion.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Introduction<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

This has three parts: (1) the correspondence between languages, (2) the meaning of the title, and (3) the homage.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Correspondence<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

It is by translating the title from the language of\u00a0O\u1e0d\u1e0diy\u0101na<\/u>, in which it is\u00a0Praddhak\u0101n\u012bra<\/em>, that we get the name of the\u00a0tantra<\/u>\u00a0in Tibetan:\u00a0btags grol<\/em>\u00a0(Liberation through Wearing).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Title<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

3. Homage<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

The text says, “The clear and empty\u00a0tila<\/em>\u00a0without centre or periphery.” This refers to the all-pervasive single and all-embracing awareness, which is Samantabhadra and consort. The text says: “Homage to the self-arisen\u00a0dh\u0101tu<\/em>.” This means that since the single, all-embracing awareness has always been spontaneously present throughout the whole of the self-arisen dh\u0101tu, or basic space, we pay homage to it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Main Part<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

This has four parts: (1) which teacher taught, (2) in which place, (3) to which retinue, and (4) what was taught as the actual message of the tantra.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Teacher<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

The text says, “The teachers,\u00a0Samantabhadra<\/u>\u00a0and Samantabhadr\u012b\u2026” This means the teacher is the\u00a0dharmak\u0101ya<\/u>, which resists any form of reification.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Place<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

These teachers taught the self-originated, self-arisen tantra from the heart of the radiant\u00a0dharmadh\u0101tu<\/u>\u00a0expanse.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Retinue<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

They taught this all-pervasively to the retinue of awareness.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4. Message<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

The text says, “Truly, the root of existence is self-grasping\u2026” This means that the minds of all beings are in essence empty, lacking concrete reality. This subtle clarity, which is empty by nature and manifests in a variety of ways, is not recognised as emptiness and clarity. There is thus a subtle form of self-grasping, through which eighty-four thousand types of affliction proliferate within one\u2019s mind. This functions as the root of conditioned existence, based on which we wander through the\u00a0three realms<\/u>\u00a0and\u00a0six classes<\/u>\u00a0of beings.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The text says, “Thoroughly examined outside and inside\u2014primordially empty and free.” This means that however much we might examine the subtle self-grasping that is the root of the afflictions to determine its place of origin\u2014whether in the external environment or among its inhabitants, inside or outside the body, in the head or the tail, and so on\u2014or its destination, or where it resides in the meantime, we find that it does not arise from anywhere, does not go anywhere, and does not reside anywhere. Since it is not in any way detectable, even when we look into the awareness that is looking and investigating, we find that it lacks even so much as a scintilla of true reality. By remaining in this natural emptiness, self-grasping is freed there and then.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is certain that when self-grasping is thus liberated right away, all that develops from the root of self-grasping, such as the eighty-four thousand types of affliction, is automatically liberated too, just as foliage also falls when a tree is cut down at its roots.\u00a0The Union of the Sun and Moon<\/em>\u00a0says:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For whoever realises that apparent objects
\nLack true reality,
\nAppearance and emptiness are non-dual.
\nSixfold perception is free and unconstrained.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Luminous Expanse<\/em>\u00a0says:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As variety is the expressive play of rigpa,
\nIt is liberated within the emptiness of rigpa,
\nIn a manner akin to subjects and sovereign.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The text says, “Clear and empty, the doors to fivefold luminescence are open.” This means that the nature of that emptiness that is the essence of awareness is fivefold primordial wisdom, radiantly clear. Within the hollow of the body made of the four elements that derive from unknowing, this wisdom resides in the immeasurable palace of the precious heart (citta<\/em>). The\u00a0Pearl Necklace<\/em>\u00a0says, “Located at the heart, in the centre of the\u00a0citta<\/em>, is the empty essence, clear nature and unceasing responsiveness.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Self-Arisen Awareness<\/em>\u00a0says:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Primordial wisdom, utterly pure in essence,
\nHas three elements: essence, nature and responsiveness.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Array of Studded Jewels<\/em>\u00a0says:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The essence of the\u00a0dharmat\u0101<\/u>\u00a0itself
\nIs the threefold fundamental nature.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a> The door is within the channel that is like a white silk thread rising from the heart. The\u00a0Pearl Necklace<\/em>\u00a0says, “The course is the four channels through which energy moves.” The actual door appears from the visual faculties.[2]<\/a>\u00a0The same text says, “The doors of arising are the eyes and so on.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The text says, “Tila<\/em>, clear and empty, free from any limitations.” This refers to the light spheres (tikl\u00e9<\/u><\/em>), clear and empty, beyond the extremes of permanence and nihility, which are directly visible to the sensory faculty.\u00a0Self-Arisen Awareness<\/em>\u00a0says, “Beyond the two extremes of permanence and nihility.”\u00a0Self-Liberated Awareness<\/em>\u00a0says, “It is naturally cleansed of the stains of the two extremes.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The text says, “Without condition, rest freely and effortlessly.” This means that the transparently lucid primordial wisdom which is directly perceptible to the senses is free from the conditionality of objects. It also means that in an elevated location, one should let go of physical, vocal or mental activity and settle comfortably and relaxedly, at ease and uninhibited\u2014and that one should not part from such a state. The\u00a0Luminous Expanse<\/em>\u00a0says: “Abide continuously in the essence itself.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Conclusion<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

This has three parts: (1) demonstrating how this\u00a0tantra<\/u>\u00a0brings liberation through being worn and kept, (2) the number of verses, and (3) the seals.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Liberation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

The text says, “The three\u2014essence, nature and compassion\u2014are awakened as liberation through wearing.” This means that through the examination based on the method involving these three set out earlier there is awakening into self-liberation, in which the essence is awakened as k\u0101yas, the nature is awakened as light, and responsiveness is awakened as radiance. As the\u00a0Word-Transcending<\/em>\u00a0says:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Since it essentially free, effort and exertion fade away.
\nSince it is originally free, there is no need for repetition.
\nSince it is spontaneously free, there is no remedy.
\nSince it is directly free, it has vanished at the point of sight.
\nSince it entirely free, it is pure in its own place.
\nSince it is free from temporality, there is no need to meditate.
\nSince it is naturally free, it involves no artificiality.
\n“Freedom” here is merely a convention.
\nWho could be affected by realization or its absence?
\nTo whom might “freedom” apply?
\nHow could there be involvement in the\u00a0three realms<\/u>?
\nDharmat\u0101<\/u>\u00a0is free from the confines of the conditioned.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a> The text says, “This quintessential tantra in seven lines, when investigated and held, empties\u00a0sa\u1e43s\u0101ra<\/u>.”[3]<\/a>\u00a0This means that investigating and understanding the meaning of this seven-line tantra, or writing it and wearing it, will bring about liberation. The\u00a0Luminous Expanse<\/em>\u00a0says, “Buddhahood is accomplished through seeing, hearing or retention.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Number<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

Text says, “This concludes the Seven-Line Tantra of the Essence of Liberation Through Wearing, which spontaneously arose from the expanse of\u00a0Samantabhadra<\/u>\u00a0and Samantabhadr\u012b.” That is to say, this tantra arose spontaneously from the\u00a0dharmak\u0101ya<\/u>\u00a0expanse, and the essence of everything is contained within the tantra\u2019s seven lines. The\u00a0Word-Transcending<\/em>\u00a0says, “The essence of all is contained within this.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Seals<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

The text says, “It bears the seal of enlightened body, the seal of enlightenment speech, and the seal of enlightened mind.” This signifies secrecy from unsuitable vessels. The\u00a0Luminous Expanse<\/em>\u00a0says:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Transmitting instructions to unworthy vessels
\nBrings about a fall into Vajra Hell.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

May this commentary on the Essence of Liberation Through Wearing, the Consummate Fruition, in which the essence of its meaning is clarified, meet with the destined one.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Samaya<\/u><\/em>. Gya. Gya. Gya. Ithi.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

| Translated by\u00a0Adam Pearcey<\/a>\u00a0with the generous support of the Tsadra Foundation, 2025.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Bibliography<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Tibetan Edition<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

“btags grol snying po\u2019i ti ka” In\u00a0snying thig ya bzhi<\/em>. 13 vols. Delhi: Sherab Gyaltsen Lama, 1975. Vol. 10: 25\u201332 (4 folios)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Version: 1.0-20250328<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
    \n
  1. \n

    <\/a> The commentary here refers to an alternative spelling of\u00a0takdrol<\/em>:\u00a0brtags grol<\/em>\u00a0(liberation through\u00a0investigation<\/em>). The following line refers to the usual spelling:\u00a0btags grol<\/em>\u00a0(liberation through\u00a0wearing<\/em>).\u00a0\u00a0↩<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    <\/a> Reading\u00a0bre gur<\/em>\u00a0as a variation or misspelling of\u00a0bri gu [ta]<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0↩<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    <\/a> As noted in the translation of the root text, there is a discrepancy here between the text that appears in the root\u00a0tantra<\/u>\u00a0and the text given in the commentary. The line as it appears in the root tantra is translated as: This quintessential tantra in seven lines,\u00a0when held as liberation through wearing<\/em>, empties\u00a0sa\u1e43s\u0101ra<\/u>.\u00a0\u00a0↩<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    From the site <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>https:\/\/www.lotsawahouse.org\/tibetan-masters\/pema-ledrel-tsal\/takdrol-tantra-commentary<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>which we devoutly <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>acknowledge<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em> for <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em>its<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em> loving kindness to all beings who suffer in this painful samsaric existence.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Commentary on the Essence of Liberation Through Wearing from the\u00a0Khandro Nyingtik Homage to the vast expanse of\u00a0Samantabhadra, the confident realization of self-awareness. There are three parts to the\u00a0Tantra of the Essence of Liberation Through Wearing, the Consummate Fruition: (1) the meaning of the introduction, (2) the meaning of the main part, and (3) the meaning Continue reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[23,85],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12554"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12554"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12756,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12554\/revisions\/12756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/altro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

<\/a> The title indicates that it is by investigating[1]<\/a>\u00a0the fundamental nature of one\u2019s own mind and realizing this unerringly that one finds liberation. Alternatively, it shows that one may be liberated by writing copies of this tantra and simply keeping them about the body.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n