David Gonsalez - The Chakrasamvara Root Tantra

In the practice of tantra we are asked to believe in something that is not directly evident to our senses. At present our perception of ourselves and the world around us is largely determined by our sense faculties. We often dont question the role that we ourselves play in our experiences, much less our perception of and reaction to our experiences. In the practice of tantra there are two primary obstacles we are constantly working to overcome namely, ordinary conceptions and ordinary appearances. These two are the obstructions to liberation and the obstructions to omniscience, respectively. In the beginning these two are primarily accomplished through faith and imagination and later replaced with pure conceptions and pure appearances.

Therefore, as practitioners of tantra we must try to transcend the limitations of our ordinary perceptions and believe, if only for a while, that a world of enlightened beings full of magic and mystery is indeed possible. It is only then that we will begin to experience for ourselves the great key that tantra holds to unlock the door to a higher perception of reality. With this in mind I would like you to remain open to the possibility of the wonders of this tantra to the complete transformation of our mundane existence into an active engagement with the reality of Chakrasamvara. The Origins of Heruka There are two origins of the teachings of Heruka: the ancient and the modern. The ancient teaching was requested by Vajrapani and Vajravarahi and taught by Vajradhara at the peak of Mount Meru. The modern was taught by Buddha Shakyamuni in his tantric aspect as Vajradhara, who emanated as Chakrasamvara, bestowed the empowerment, and taught the tantra at the request of Vajrapani in Palden Drepung ( Skt.

Shri Dhanyakataka Caitya ) in southern India. Prior to Buddha Shakyamunis enlightenment, this world was under the control of Maha-Ishvara. Ishvara and his consort Kalarati had four primary aspects: peaceful, increasing, controlling, and wrathful. The wrathful aspect dwelt atop Mount Meru and held dominion over our world and over the twenty-four sacred sites in particular. The practitioners devoted to Ishvara engaged in negative actions for the purpose of pleasing Ishvara and thus created great negative karma. Due to his great compassion and at the request of Vajrapani and Vajravarahi, Buddha Vajradhara emanated in an aspect similar to Ishvara and subjugated him.