Introduction to the Buddhist Tantric Systems

The Survey of the Buddhist Tantras by Mkhas-grub-rje (1385-1438) is a sample of the rich literature on this topic in the Tibetan language. In accordance with Tsonkha-pa’s tantric reform after the theory about how Gautama Buddha became enlightened the author present the non-tantric materials stipulated as preliminary for tantric study and practice. The translation was collaborated in the 1950s between F.D. Lessing and Alex Wayman at Berkeley, California. After Lessing’s death, Wayman annotated and published the text in 1968 and has provided a new introduction for the present reissue of this seminal treatise. Lessing was the first professor to offer courses in the Tibetan language at an American University.

Contents

Chapter One: 1. How the Teacher Bhagavat became Abhisambuddha; Chapter Two: II. The Method of Setting the Wheel of the Law into Motion; Chapter Three: The Method of Setting the Wheel of the Law of the Mantra-yana into Motion; Chapter Four: Fundamentals of Initiation and Holding of vows in the Kriya Tantra; Chapter Five: Fundamentals of the Carya Tantra; Chapter Six: Fundamentals of the Yoga Tantra; Chapter Seven: Fundamentals of the Anuttara-yoga Tantra; Chapter Eight: Procedure in the meaning of the subject matter Chapter Nine: Manner of Conferring Initiation; Index of Work Cited; Index of Names and Subjects.

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