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Together with a perusal of the historical role of sacrificial and magical fire rituals (homa) in the tantric Buddhist communities of medieval India, this volume presents a wealth of new texts and translations from the Byang-gter tradition of Tibet. From the root texts of the wrathful homa rites of Vajrakila, revealed as Dharma treasures by Rig-´dzin rgod-ldem in 1366, this book traces the evolutionary development of these practices in the light of innovative ritual strategies taught by important holders of the lineage over the course of three generations. The major text composed by Rig-´dzin padma ´phrin-las in 1695 (Accomplishing All Deeds) has remained the standard work on this subject for more than three centuries, being regularly performed to this day at the mother monastery of Dorje Drak as well as among the wider community of those who follow the Northern Treasures Tradition in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Ladakh, and the rest of the world. Also to be found herein are vital pith instructions by the mahaguru Padmasambhava on the proper mental attitude and aspect of highest wisdom understanding that are to be brought to bear in the proper performance of these esoteric ritual practices.

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Dear Reader,
Please be aware that this volume forms part of a series of
translations of sacred texts intended for dedicated practitioners of the esoteric Buddhist path of Guhyamantra. Those who are unfamiliar with the mystic conventions of speech employed in the tantric literature of this tradition may easily find themselves confused by the seemingly strange and bizarre techniques of some of the older rituals described herein, especially in the introductory section. The profound purpose of these rites, however, is to eliminate the final subtle traces of ignorance and ego- clinging (personified as an enemy or demon) so that one may truly work without hindrance for the benefit of all living beings.
Only those who understand the vajra fire to be the clear light of wisdom, within which all false conceptions of selfhood are burned away, will be able to proceed without error ...
ITI SAMAYA

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Lama V., Dalai
Ngag dbang blo bzang rgya mtsho

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