Uttaratantra: The Seven Vajra Points

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Explanation of the Title

With these points in mind, let us now turn to the text. The title of this classic is, in Sanskrit, Mahayana-uttaratantra Shastra and in Tibetan Theg-pa chen-po rgyud bla-ma'i bstan-bcos (An Indicative Composition on a Vast Vehicle of Mind, the Furthest Everlasting Continuum). As for the explanation of the title, Mahayana, meaning a vast vehicle of mind, can be either a causal vehicle that leads to a goal or a resultant one to which one is led. Out of modest and vast such vehicles, this is a vast one; and when we say vast, there are seven points by which it is vast.

  1. It is vast in aim, as it is aimed at the most extensive scriptural texts of prayers, enlightening deeds, and so on.
  2. It is vast in what it actualizes, namely the meanings of the texts.
  3. Vast in deep awareness, it has the complete levels and stages of deep awareness all the way to the goal of enlightenment.
  4. It is vast in perseverance, to help all limited beings (sentient beings) and to reach the highest state of enlightenment to be best able to do so.
  5. Vast in undertakings, it is a vehicle of the mind to engage in what will bring about the aim of the two intentions (superior rebirth and the superlative states of liberation and enlightenment), and further it has
  6. a vastness of skillful methods, to actualize those two noble goals. Finally,
  7. it is vast in its enlightening influence, to bring about what is of meaningful benefit to self and others. A vehicle of mind with seven excellent qualities like these is what is called mahayana, a vast vehicle of the mind.

Among the classics that discuss such a vast vehicle, some treat the bodhisattva pathway minds and arya bodhisattva levels of a bhumi mind; others concern the very nature of reality; and so on. There are many such topics. Here, since the text indicates primarily the cleansing of the everlasting continuum of the mind when it is tarnished with fleeting stains, and thus since it concerns the everlasting mental continuum, it includes the term tantra, meaning everlasting continuum, in its title. Moreover, the word tantra has the connotation of something that goes on and on with continuity, something that continues over time with connection from prior to later moments. We can undoubtedly understand something from that connotation as well.

Further, everlasting continuums may also refer to meanings discussed by words or the words of texts discussing them, as is the case when the word tantra refers to the secret mantra teachings. In addition, an everlasting continuum may mean something fit to be a foundation. Because the text primarily discusses the fact that good qualities can be developed and faults removed on the basis of the everlasting continuum of the mind as a foundation presently tarnished with fleeting stains, the term everlasting continuum can undoubtedly also imply this meaning. We cannot explain the term, however, as meaning tantra from the pair: sutra and tantra.

Furthest or, literally, "superlative" in the sense of ultimate, means latest or last, and is referring to the last or third round of Dharma transmission, with The Sutra on the Womb for a Thusly Gone One, and so on. This is the furthest, latest, or superlative, ultimate transmission. Because these furthest or latest expositions indicate how to actualize ever-higher good qualities on the basis of our presently stained everlasting mental continuum, it is the furthest everlasting continuum.

Lastly, it is a treatise or, literally, an indicative composition, in that it indicates the meaning of the sutras that have this as their subject matter. Thus, the text is called An Indicative Composition on a Vast Vehicle of Mind, the Furthest Everlasting Continuum. That is the explanation of the title. Here, the author has chosen a title in terms of the subject matter discussed, hasn't he?

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