Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

MATAM RUTRA

of the origin of the Vajrayana Faith. The present chapter is based on a translation, which I asked Kazi Dawasamdup to prepare for me, of portions of the Thangyig Serteng. I have further had, and here acknowledge, the assistance of the very learned Lama Ugyen Tanzin in the elucidation of the inner meaning of the legend. I cannot ge fully into this but give certain indications which will enable the competent to work out much of the rest for themselves from the terrible symbolism in which evil for evil’s sake is here expressed. The story is that of the rise and fall of the Self. The disciple ‘‘ Transcendent Faith ” who became the Bodhisattva Vajrapani illustrates the former; the case of “ Black Salvation * who incarnated as a Demonic Rutra displays the latter. He was no ordinary man, for at the time of his initiation he had already attained eight out of the thirteen stages (Bhfmika) on the way to perfect Buddhahood. His powers were correspondingly great. But the higher the rise the greater the fall if it comes. Through misunderstanding and misapplying, as so many others have done the Tantrik doctrine, he “fell back” as an apostate consciousness from the Faith into Hell. Extraordinary men who were teachers of recondite doctrines such as those of Thubka, who was himself “hard to overcome”, seem not to have failed to warn lesser brethren against their dangers. It is commonly said in Thibet of the so-called “heroic”? modes of extremist Yoga, that they waft the disciple with the utmost speed either to the heights of Nirvana or to the depths of Hell. For the aspirant is compared to a snake which is made to go up a hollow Bamboo. It must ascend and escape at the top, at the peril otherwise of falling down. Notwithstanding these warnings many of the vulgar, the vicious, the misunderstanding, and the fools who play with fire on the physical path, have gone to Hells far more terrible than those which await human frailties in pursuance of the common life of men whose progress if slow is sure. “ Black Salvation ” though an advanced disciple misinterpreted his 379