Derge Kangyur/Tengyur e-text, Esukhia/Barom edition — public domain (mechanical reproduction)
This ritual text provides a prescriptive guide for the consecration of clay images, specifically tsa-tsas, associated with the deity Cakrasaṃvara. The work outlines a sequence of preparatory and meditative actions designed to transform a physical object into a sacred vessel. It begins with the physical preparation of the clay and the practitioner's internal state, requiring ritual ablution and the generation of bodhicitta. The text then directs the practitioner through a series of visualizations: first, the identification of the self with the deity and the cultivation of the four immeasurables, and second, the conceptualization of the image as emptiness. The process culminates in a complex visualization involving a lotus seat, a moon mandala, and the seed syllable HŪṂ, which acts as a source of purifying light for all sentient beings. By following these instructions, the reader commits to a disciplined synthesis of physical craftsmanship and mental projection to achieve a specific soteriological outcome.
Provenance
About this text
A ritual guide for the sāccha of glorious Cakrasaṃvara, the sAts+tsha'i cho ga belongs to the classical Tibetan tradition. The work is attributed to the Indian author Prajñārakṣita. It was translated into Tibetan by lo tsa ba bshes gnyen ba ri and is preserved in the Tengyur, volume ཞ, within the collection of Śaṃvara and Related Tantras. Spanning two pages in this edition, the text enacts a prescriptive process for the consecration of clay images, or tsa-tsas. It directs the practitioner to prepare the clay and perform ritual ablutions and the generation of bodhicitta before meditating on the self as the deity and cultivating the four immeasurables. Through the mantra of the utterly pure nature of phenomena, the practitioner purifies the clay into non-referentiality and visualizes the image as emptiness. This process involves a complex visualization of a lotus seat, a moon mandala, and the seed syllable HŪṂ, which radiates light to purify the obscurations of all sentient beings before dissolving into the form of the glorious Heruka in union with his consort. A scholar or serious reader consults this text today to understand the specific meditative and ritual sequence required to transform a physical object into a sacred vessel.
The text is significant for illustrating the intersection of material culture and meditative practice in the Cakrasaṃvara tradition. It demonstrates how the creation of small-scale votive images is not merely an artistic act but a rigorous ritual process intended to benefit all sentient beings.
Structure
Passages
Section
Description
1
Preparatory Rites
Instructions on preparing the clay, ritual purification, and the internal generation of bodhicitta and the four immeasurables.
2
Visualization Process
The meditative process of visualizing the image as emptiness and the subsequent manifestation of the mandala and the seed syllable HŪṂ.
Themes
Ritual Consecration (1-2)
Deity Yoga and Visualization (1-2)
Purification of Sentient Beings (2)
Summary, significance and provenance note generated by gemma4:31b from the translation and the catalogue record.
The ritual for the sāccha of glorious Cakrasaṃvara shall now be explained. First, prepare the clay and place it before you. Having performed the ritual ablution and generated the bodhicitta, meditate on yourself in an instant as the deity. One should then meditate on the four immeasurables. Purify the clay into non-referentiality with the mantra of the utterly pure nature of phenomena (dharmatā), and visualize the syllable HŪṂ. From that, a vajra arises, and from that, Heruka in union with his consort is generated. Then, with light rays from the HŪṂ at one’s own heart, invite the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and dissolve them into the Heruka in union. Then, through the union of the father and mother, they melt into light and abide as bodhicitta. Bless this with the heart mantra or the near-heart mantra of Heruka twenty-one times, and further empower it with the mantra. Visualize a Heruka upon each sāccha, and from each of those, emanate many Herukas, thinking that they will perfectly accomplish the welfare of oneself and all sentient beings. Conclude by reciting the mantra of dependent origination. Then, if possible, present the five types of offerings; if not, scatter flowers and perform circumambulations.
I prostrate and praise Heruka, who bares his fangs and is most terrifying, adorned with garlands of mantra-flowers, and who partakes of the great flesh. Then, make aspiration prayers and dedicate the roots of virtue. This concludes the tradition of the Cakrasaṃvara sāccha.
Next, if one performs an extensive consecration (pratisthā), prepare as many sācchas as possible according to the instructions given above. Then, in an instant, meditate on yourself in the yoga of the deity.
Visualize the tsa-tsa as emptiness. From that, meditate on a lotus seat. Upon that, from the syllable A, arises a moon mandala. Upon that, visualize the syllable HŪṂ. Light radiates from it, purifying the obscurations of all sentient beings. The light then gathers back and dissolves into the HŪṂ. That HŪṂ also melts into light, and one clearly meditates on the glorious Heruka in union with his consort. Then, with light from the HŪṂ at one’s own heart, invite the wisdom Heruka in union and dissolve him into the visualization. Then, confer the empowerment and meditate on Akṣobhya at the crown of the head. Next, present the offerings and ornaments. Recite the heart mantra of Heruka. Recite the mantra of dependent origination three times. Then, make aspiration prayers. Finally, dedicate the roots of virtue toward awakening. Request the tsa-tsa to remain in a clean place.
OṂ ŚRĪ VAJRA HE HE RU RU KAṂ HŪṂ HŪṂ PHAṬ | ḌĀKINI JĀLASAMBARA SVĀHĀ | OṂ HRĪḤ HA HA HŪṂ HŪṂ PHAṬ | YE DHARMĀ HETU PRABHAVĀ HETUN TEṢĀṂ TATHĀGATO HYAVADAT | TEṢĀṂ CA YO NIRODHA EVAṂ VĀDĪ MAHĀŚRAMAṆAḤ |
The ritual of the tsa-tsa composed by Mahāprajñārakṣita and translated by the translator Shenyen Bari is hereby complete.