Pros and cons of Old Guru Secret Teaching

(Lý luận về Mật tông Thiên Đình by Mộc Trúc on Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:53 pm, translated by ThaoYen, edited by Xiaobaiyun)

The Five Essentials Dharanis.
In Old_Guru Secret Teaching, The Five Essentials Dharanis is a ritual of chanting the five mantras (Dharanis). They are the mantras for: Purifying the Dharma World , Bodhisattva’s only word for bodily protection, Six Great Words Dharanis, Cundi Buddha’s Nine Divine Dharanis, and the Golden wheel on Buddha’s crown Dharani. The origin of these Five Dharanis are uncertain, they were only mentioned in “ Clear knowledge of the Exoteric and Esoteric – the Secret Essential way to become a Buddha” compiled by Venerable Thich Dao Chan at Kim Ha temple on Ngu Dai mountain. Since then this ritual has been propagated among the secular world, so that now almost all Buddhists know those Dharanis by heart.

Because the Dharanis were not translated, some Buddhists think that they are just a combination of meaningless sounds. Hence they assert that those who seek salvation through chanting the Dharanis are superstitious people, unable to understand the Buddha’s true Dharma of Liberation.

In “Buddhism of Tibet or Lamaism”, Laurence Austine Waddell stated: “The Mantra and Dharani are unmeaning gibberish; its mysticism became a silly mummery of unmeaning jargon and magic circles….
Tantrism so-called Buddhism entered into its most degenerate phase…Here the idolatrous cult of female energies was grafted upon the Theistic Mahayana and the pantheistic mysticism of Yoga. And this parasite seized stronghold of its host and soon developed its monstrous growths, which crushed and strangled most of the little life yet remaining of purely Buddhist stock”.

In reality, renowned monks of Tantrism have elucidated the fundamental meanings of Mantras (Dharani) and Magic Circles. For instance, Subhakara Simiha (637-735) expounded on the significance of the Dharani A VAMÏ RAMÏ HAMÏ KHAMÏ, while Monk Ichigyo (638-727) provided explanations for numerous mantras in the Great Sun Sutra. Similarly, Amogha Vajra (705-774) shed light on the meaning of the Lankavatara mantra, and Kukai (774-835) elucidated the significance of the two paramount mandalas in Tantrism: The Garbha Dhàtu and the Vajra Dhàtu. Additionally, Monk Thái hu elucidated the meaning of the mandala employed for the protection of individuals and kings, while other tantric monks expounded on the meanings of the Six-Lettered Dharani, among others.

Comment:
All of the above arguments, criticisms, and put-downs of the Five Essential Dharanis or Old_Guru Secret Teaching are simply vague, empty, and meaningless theories, written by people with superficial knowledge of mysticism, derived solely from books. Without having the Seal of Mysticism (secret seal) transmitted to them, people would not be able to understand Old_Guru Secret Teaching.

Receiving the secret seal entails initiation into the Secret Teachings through the Old Guru’s method, marking acceptance as a disciple of Buddhas and Deities. Upon transmission of the Seal, one experiences mystical phenomena, signifying Divine approval. Gradually, disciples gain the ability to receive messages from Buddhas through vision and hearing, witness various heavenly realms, and feel the Buddha’s force moving within them, confirming their official recognition as officers in the Five Armies of Heaven. Possessing the secret seal grants direct guidance and blessings from Buddhas and Deities, enabling one to receive divine messages, perform miracles, and receive full support from Heaven in propagating the Dharma. Without the Secret Seal, one remains an outsider, with a distant and narrow perspective, ignorant of Heaven’s deep secrets. Therefore, commentaries on the Old_Guru Secret Teaching practice from outsiders are unrealistic and practically useless.
Many monks and Tibetan Lamas may label themselves as tantric practitioners, yet they lack affiliation with Heaven. Despite lacking the Secret Seal, they still perform the ritual of Seal transmission, rendering such transmissions invalid. Their rituals merely mimic the outward forms of tantrism without the genuine spiritual essence. Since they acquire their knowledge of tantrism from books and theories, they can only transmit its superficial aspects, not its Secret Seal or mystical power. Therefore, commentaries on tantrism or Old_Guru Secret Teaching from Tibetan Lamas who lack the Secret Seal, knowledge of Heaven’s Way, or affiliation with Heaven’s system are inaccurate, akin to critiques of military operations by individuals who have never served in the army.

Ultimately, practitioners of Tantrism should steer clear of debates, reasoning, or lengthy philosophies regarding the Way of Heaven and the Celestial Laws imparted by Heaven. Engaging in such discussions may lead one astray, especially when interacting with individuals who lack personal mystical experiences. The more people indulge in rationalizations, the more distant they become from the essence of Secret Teachings.

revised 3/2/24 by hoctro-gia

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