Do Not Slander the Tantric Teachings
By Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu
When I first started studying Buddhism, many articles were written to smear the Tantric teachings. I came across some of these articles, and found that most of the criticism were aimed at the practices of the deva deities. Their inclusion into main stream Buddhist doctrines was said to have mixed Brahmanism with Buddhism. It went so far as to suggest that Tantric Buddhism is Brahmanism.
Some articles suggested that the cultivation of winds, channels and drops was not expounded by the Buddha himself, but rather derived from the heretical practice of qi gong, which aspires to clear and circulate the Triple Warmer, generate the Macrocosmic and Microcosmic Circulations, and cultivate the generative (jing), vital (qi) and spirit (shen) energies. Thus, on this basis they criticized that the practice of winds, channels, and drops did not belong to the Buddhist doctrines.
There was criticism directed at the practice of Secret Yoga Tantra taught in Tantric Buddhism. They felt it had derived from one of the denominations of Hinduism, and should be regarded as a heresy, or seen as an evil practice. Such criticisms were numerous, and among these articles, some were directed at the practice of the Homa (fire offering) in Tantric Buddhism, noting its similarity with Zoroastrianism, which originated in Persia.
I am aware that Venerable Hong Yi once mentioned in a speech that he had criticized Tantric Buddhism in the past, and had felt that its teachings were heresy and misleading. Subsequently, having read The Commentary on the Mahavairocana Sutra, he gained a better insight into the Tantric teachings, and realized that Tantric Buddhism embodies layers of deeper meanings. He has since repented.
Venerable Hong Yi felt that one should not dwell on the surface of the Tantric teachings, but go deeper into their inner doctrines. Once they are understood, one would not dare criticize the Tantric teachings anymore. The act of slandering Tantric Buddhism is a grave karma of slandering the Dharma. When people go about slandering Tantric Buddhism without thinking, avoid partaking in their acts.
Due to the profound doctrines expounded by the Tantric or Esoteric School, its practices were not readily revealed to the world. Hence, it is defined as `esoteric`.
Let me say this: The sadhanas of deva deities are really the Dharma protector practices. The inner realization practice is the practice of winds, channels and drops. The Secret Yoga Tantra is the practice of purity. The fire offering practice is also the practice of Clear Light. The process of cultivation removes hindrances, increases wisdom, and turns the gross nature of man into sainthood. Such powers are incredible!
If you criticize Tantric Buddhism, it is as good as criticizing the Dharmakaya Tathagata, Buddha Vairocana Himself. This is because upon the seventh day of Sakyamuni Buddha`s Enlightenment, the Buddha, identified as Vairocana, expounded the doctrines of inner realization in the vast palace of Vajradharmadhatu. This exposition became the Mahavairocana Sutra.
