Difference between revisions of "Symbolism of the maṇḍala palace of Cakrasaṃvara according to Tāranātha"
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The multicoloured [[lotus]] of the chief [[deities]] – even though acting in various ways in cyclic [[existence]], free of the faults of [[cyclic existence]]. | The multicoloured [[lotus]] of the chief [[deities]] – even though acting in various ways in cyclic [[existence]], free of the faults of [[cyclic existence]]. | ||
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Four doorways – the four [[liberations]]. | Four doorways – the four [[liberations]]. | ||
| − | The next groups describe the thirty-seven factors oriented towards [[enlightenment]] ([[byang chub | + | The next groups describe the thirty-seven factors oriented towards [[enlightenment]] ([[byang chub kyi phyogs kyi chos sum cu rtsa bdun]], [[bodhipakṣa dharma]]) |
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| − | Each toran is supported by four pillars – the four [[disciplines]] ([[yang dag | + | Each toran is supported by four pillars – the four [[disciplines]] ([[yang dag pa'i spong ba bzhi]], [[samyakprahṇa]]): |
:To develop those [[virtuous]] qualities that have not arisen | :To develop those [[virtuous]] qualities that have not arisen | ||
:To properly {{Wiki|protect}} those [[virtuous]] qualities that have arisen | :To properly {{Wiki|protect}} those [[virtuous]] qualities that have arisen | ||
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:To avoid developing [[non-virtuous]] qualities that have not arisen | :To avoid developing [[non-virtuous]] qualities that have not arisen | ||
| − | The palace has four plinths – the | + | The palace has four plinths – the [[four objects of close attention]]: ([[dran pa nyer gzhag zhi]], [[smṛtyupasthāna]]): |
:The [[body]] | :The [[body]] | ||
:[[Sensations]] | :[[Sensations]] | ||
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:The [[mind]] | :The [[mind]] | ||
| − | The four porches – the four bases of | + | The four porches – the [[four bases of transformation]] ([[rdzu 'phrul gyi rkang pa bzhi]], [[ṛddhipāda]]): |
:[[Aspiration]] | :[[Aspiration]] | ||
:[[Effort]] | :[[Effort]] | ||
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:The [[mind]] | :The [[mind]] | ||
| − | All decorations, [[flowers]] and so forth – the seven components of the | + | All decorations, [[flowers]] and so forth – the [[seven components of the path of enlightenment]] ([[byang chub kyi lam yan lag bdun]], [[bodhiyaṅga]]): |
:[[Concentration]] | :[[Concentration]] | ||
:[[Effort]] | :[[Effort]] | ||
:[[Joy]] | :[[Joy]] | ||
| − | :Thorough training | + | :Thorough {{Wiki|training}} |
:[[Discernment]] of [[phenomena]] | :[[Discernment]] of [[phenomena]] | ||
:[[Attention]] | :[[Attention]] | ||
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:[[Understanding]] | :[[Understanding]] | ||
| − | That these walls are built up high – the [[five powers]] ([[stobs]] | + | That these walls are built up high – the [[five powers]] ([[stobs lnga]], [[bala]]): |
:[[Confidence]] | :[[Confidence]] | ||
:[[Effort]] | :[[Effort]] | ||
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:[[Understanding]] | :[[Understanding]] | ||
| − | Eight pillars (supporting the roof of the palace) – the [[noble eight-fold]] [[path]] ('phags pa'i lam | + | Eight pillars (supporting the roof of the palace) – the [[noble eight-fold]] [[path]] ('[[phags pa'i lam yan lag brgyad]], [[ārya'ṣṭāṅga mārga]]): |
:[[Right view]] | :[[Right view]] | ||
| − | : | + | :[[Right attitude]] |
:[[Right speech]] | :[[Right speech]] | ||
| − | :Right pursuit | + | :[[Right pursuit]] |
:[[Right livelihood]] | :[[Right livelihood]] | ||
:[[Right effort]] | :[[Right effort]] | ||
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This completes the list of 37. | This completes the list of 37. | ||
| − | The palace has four toran – the four methods of disciplining | + | The palace has four toran – the four [[methods]] of [[disciplining]] |
| − | The crossed-vajra ground – the destruction of the [[view]] of an [[eternal]] [[self]]. | + | The [[crossed-vajra]] ground – the destruction of the [[view]] of an [[eternal]] [[self]]. |
| − | The eight | + | [[The eight charnel grounds]] – the eight examples of [[illusory]] [[nature]], or the [[purity]] of the [[eight consciousnesses]] |
| − | Vajra-garland – turning of the [[dharma-wheel]] of the [[Vajrayāna]]. | + | [[Vajra-garland]] – turning of the [[dharma-wheel]] of the [[Vajrayāna]]. |
Perimeter of [[light]] – [[light]] of [[awareness]] blazing everywhere and driving far away all [[evil]]. | Perimeter of [[light]] – [[light]] of [[awareness]] blazing everywhere and driving far away all [[evil]]. | ||
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Other aspects of the [[symbolism]] of the palace and the [[protective]] [[sphere]] are as normal and not given here. Of those given here the thirty-seven factors oriented towards [[enlightenment]] are the minimum – the others should be applied as suitable. | Other aspects of the [[symbolism]] of the palace and the [[protective]] [[sphere]] are as normal and not given here. Of those given here the thirty-seven factors oriented towards [[enlightenment]] are the minimum – the others should be applied as suitable. | ||
| − | Adapted from "[[bde mchog | + | Adapted from "[[bde mchog nag po zhabs lugs kyi sgrub thabs rnam par bshad pa rgyas 'brel thun mong ma yin pa lhan cig skyes pa'i gzi 'od phyogs bcur rgyas pa]]", by, [[Tāranātha]]. Translated by [[Edward Henning]]. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Latest revision as of 18:02, 21 November 2020
The multicoloured lotus of the chief deities – even though acting in various ways in cyclic existence, free of the faults of cyclic existence.
The inner floor of sapphire – the basic absolute awareness.
The palace is multicoloured – the many ways of acting for the benefit of beings.
The palace is square, symmetrical – the equality/equal validity of all phenomena.
The palace has four corners – the four pure attitudes; love, compassion, joy and equanimity.
Four doorways – the four liberations.
The next groups describe the thirty-seven factors oriented towards enlightenment (byang chub kyi phyogs kyi chos sum cu rtsa bdun, bodhipakṣa dharma)
Each toran is supported by four pillars – the four disciplines (yang dag pa'i spong ba bzhi, samyakprahṇa):
- To develop those virtuous qualities that have not arisen
- To properly protect those virtuous qualities that have arisen
- To abandon all non-virtuous qualities that have arisen
- To avoid developing non-virtuous qualities that have not arisen
The palace has four plinths – the four objects of close attention: (dran pa nyer gzhag zhi, smṛtyupasthāna):
- The body
- Sensations
- Phenomena
- The mind
The four porches – the four bases of transformation (rdzu 'phrul gyi rkang pa bzhi, ṛddhipāda):
- Aspiration
- Effort
- Analysis
- The mind
All decorations, flowers and so forth – the seven components of the path of enlightenment (byang chub kyi lam yan lag bdun, bodhiyaṅga):
- Concentration
- Effort
- Joy
- Thorough training
- Discernment of phenomena
- Attention
- Equanimity
Foundations of the five-fold walls (the five walls are either imagined as standing parallel, one inside the other, or on top of each other) – the five abilities (dbang po lnga, indriya)
That these walls are built up high – the five powers (stobs lnga, bala):
Eight pillars (supporting the roof of the palace) – the noble eight-fold path ('phags pa'i lam yan lag brgyad, ārya'ṣṭāṅga mārga):
- Right view
- Right attitude
- Right speech
- Right pursuit
- Right livelihood
- Right effort
- Right attention
- Right concentration
This completes the list of 37.
The palace has four toran – the four methods of disciplining
The crossed-vajra ground – the destruction of the view of an eternal self.
The eight charnel grounds – the eight examples of illusory nature, or the purity of the eight consciousnesses
Vajra-garland – turning of the dharma-wheel of the Vajrayāna.
Perimeter of light – light of awareness blazing everywhere and driving far away all evil.
Other aspects of the symbolism of the palace and the protective sphere are as normal and not given here. Of those given here the thirty-seven factors oriented towards enlightenment are the minimum – the others should be applied as suitable.
Adapted from "bde mchog nag po zhabs lugs kyi sgrub thabs rnam par bshad pa rgyas 'brel thun mong ma yin pa lhan cig skyes pa'i gzi 'od phyogs bcur rgyas pa", by, Tāranātha. Translated by Edward Henning.
