tantric texts

[Johnny Dangerous]

Hi, can someone name some tantric texts which are considered most important, and possibly places where they might be available for reading? My google fu is turning up nothing very useful.

[conebeckham]

Guhyagarbha Tantra, for Nyingma Mahayoga. The Supreme Source, for Atiyoga. Hevajra Tantra, for Sarma -esp. Sakya and Kagyu. Guhyasamaja Tantra. Chakrasamvara Tantra.

All these are available in English translations--some better, some worse. But be aware that without good "explication," many of these are liable to be just....confounding. Or even distressing!

[kirtu]

Guhyagarbha Tantra, for Nyingma Mahayoga. The Supreme Source, for Atiyoga. Hevajra Tantra, for Sarma -esp. Sakya and Kagyu. Guhyasamaja Tantra. Chakrasamvara Tantra.

All these are available in English translations--some better, some worse. But be aware that without good "explication," many of these are liable to be just....confounding. Or even distressing!

Hevajra: Sakya - that's true doctrinally (and Kagyu too of course) - I'm not sure that I'd agree that the Hevajra Tantra has much value to a person beginning to read tantra though as it looks like a set of magic spells for the most part.

Cone, do you know there progression of tantra study in Kagyu?

Kirt

[conebeckham]

In Kagyu, actually, retreat and practice is primary, and it's often the case that study of the Tantras themselves comes after retreat. Or, in Shedra. Some Shedra students go on to do retreat afterwards.

In general, Kagyu Tantra study subjects are the "Two Chapters" (Hevajra-Tantra) and Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's "Zabmo Nangdon" (Profound Inner Meaning). Those are the main texts studied that could be classified as "tantra material." Kalachakra Tantra is especially valued, and is the source of a great deal of Rangjung Dorje's treatise, as well.

Also, in general, reading any Tantra--Samvara, Hevajra, etc., would appear "like magic spells" or other strange ritualistic things without explanation, I agree.

[kirtu]

In general, Kagyu Tantra study subjects are the "Two Chapters" (Hevajra-Tantra) and Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's "Zabmo Nangdon" (Profound Inner Meaning). Those are the main texts studied that could be classified as "tantra material." Kalachakra Tantra is especially valued, and is the source of a great deal of Rangjung Dorje's treatise, as well.

But these are all commentaries aren't they ("Two Chapters" and the Vimalaphrabha (technically) - unless the "Two Chapters" is actually from a version of the Hevajra Tantra)?

Also, in general, reading any Tantra--Samvara, Hevajra, etc., would appear "like magic spells" or other strange ritualistic things without explanation, I agree.

There was an attempt to put chapters of a version of the Hevajra Tantra online - they ended up with a couple of chapters - in the first chapter they spoke about womb birth of a deity, etc. and I found that very helpful as an exposure but esp. after HHST pretty much outlined that as well during a teaching.

I'm thinking of some easier to approach tantra that technically anyone with a HYT empowerment can read. It seems the Practice Manual of Kurukule at 84000.co probably fits this.

Kirt

[conebeckham]

I believe it's the "Hevajra Tantra in Two Chapters" that is the main Hevajra Tantra Kagyupas study, along with Kongtrul's commentary. Zabmo Nangdon is not the Vimalaprabha, though it refers to that text...but also to the extant Kalachakratantra...itself.

[plwk]

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[Greg]

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Your link #2 is just wikipedia content some scumbag is trying to sell for $51.