Difference between revisions of "The Legend of the Origins of The Esoteric Teachings"
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According to [[Shingon]] legend, [[Vajrasattva]], after having been initiated by [[Mahavairocana]] into the deepest mysteries of [[Buddhism]], hid himself within an {{Wiki|iron}} tower in southern [[India]]. There the [[Bodhisattva]] concealed himself for centuries, until [[Nagarjuna]] opened the [[Iron Tower]] and, according to one version of this legend, received from [[Vajrasattva]] the two major [[sutras]] of [[Shingon Buddhism]], the [[Mahavairocana Sutra]] and the [[Vajrasekhara Sutra]]. | According to [[Shingon]] legend, [[Vajrasattva]], after having been initiated by [[Mahavairocana]] into the deepest mysteries of [[Buddhism]], hid himself within an {{Wiki|iron}} tower in southern [[India]]. There the [[Bodhisattva]] concealed himself for centuries, until [[Nagarjuna]] opened the [[Iron Tower]] and, according to one version of this legend, received from [[Vajrasattva]] the two major [[sutras]] of [[Shingon Buddhism]], the [[Mahavairocana Sutra]] and the [[Vajrasekhara Sutra]]. | ||
| − | Herein lies the fundamental [[teaching]] and practice of [[Shingon]] [[Esoteric Buddhism]]. Our [[bodies]], [[speech]], and [[minds]] in their present state become the | + | Herein lies the fundamental [[teaching]] and practice of [[Shingon]] [[Esoteric Buddhism]]. Our [[bodies]], [[speech]], and [[minds]] in their present state become the body, speech, and mind of the [[Buddha]], and we thereby become a [[buddha]]. This is the [[realm]] of the deep but lofty [[enlightenment]] that is unique to [[Shingon Buddhism]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Latest revision as of 12:15, 25 January 2014
The Legend of the Origins of The Esoteric Teachings
According to Shingon legend, Vajrasattva, after having been initiated by Mahavairocana into the deepest mysteries of Buddhism, hid himself within an iron tower in southern India. There the Bodhisattva concealed himself for centuries, until Nagarjuna opened the Iron Tower and, according to one version of this legend, received from Vajrasattva the two major sutras of Shingon Buddhism, the Mahavairocana Sutra and the Vajrasekhara Sutra.
Herein lies the fundamental teaching and practice of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Our bodies, speech, and minds in their present state become the body, speech, and mind of the Buddha, and we thereby become a buddha. This is the realm of the deep but lofty enlightenment that is unique to Shingon Buddhism. </poem>
