The Chinese Hevajratantra

The book opens with a historical and doctrinal introduction to Chinese Mantrayāna, the classification of tantric scriptures, the position of the Hevajratantra among Yoginītantras, and the relationship between Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese tantric transmissions. The translated text is arranged into twenty chapters: the introductory chapter on the Adamantine Family; spells for ceremonies with the group of Ḍākinīs; deities who are body, speech, and mind of all Tathāgatas; the section on divine consecration; the great reality; performance; explanation of secret signs; the great associated circle; symbolization; consecration; the perfect realization of Vajragarbha Bodhisattva; perfection ascertained by numerous Ḍākinīs; explanation of means; a collection of parts from all rituals; manifestation of the Adamantine King; making a painting of the Adamantine One with Knowledge of the Void and numerous Ḍākinīs; fasting; instructing; reciting; and the meaningfulness of the simultaneously arisen. The structure shows the text’s core concern with ritual transformation, mantra, deity visualization, consecration, symbolic embodiment, and the union of great compassion with knowledge of emptiness.