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In this thorough amalgamation of ancient spiritual legacies and early twentieth-century exploration and understanding of Eastern language and cultural lore, a tale is told highlighting the major principles of Buddhist origins and core beliefs. The original text is attributed to a Tibetan female, Yeshe Tsogyal, said to have had a unique and remarkable sense of memory, able to recall accurately anything she had heard from her guru, Padmasambhava. Her book was kept secret for millennia, and here focuses on its fifth chapter, highlighting the Vajrayana faith.
The dominant theme of this intriguing work is the necessity of eliminating destructive energies weighted with egoism. Such energies were expressed most vividly in the powers of evil embodied in the exploits of a disciple of Tantrik doctrine, Matam Rutra, who fell prey to powers that can lead to "the depths of Hell." He was given the cognomen "Black Salvation," having decided to utilize his powers for purely selfish endeavors that would allow him to experience the four sinful pleasures via "the eye, nose, tongue, and organ of regeneration." His demonic exploits became widely known, including such perfidies as eating human flesh and initiating plagues, droughts, and natural calamities. This encouraged him to describe himself as great and mighty, and as one who could not be held in check. Matam Rutra's monstrous appearance typified his inner passions, his body seemingly on fire, and his pronouncements having the energy of an earthquake.
Thus began a battle for the recuperation of true faith, led by Vajrapani, determined to protect the divine philosophies and spiritual innovations offered to the world through the teachings of the Buddha. It was apparent to wise observers that the actions of the Rutra, also known as the Demon's practices, would eventually, if not terminated, cause the degeneration and ultimate extinction of the Buddhist faith. Vajrapani accomplished his goal—the total disintegration of every aspect of Matam Rutra's evil control—and, by doing so, gave others an example of selflessness, since his hard-won victory included a pronouncement of forgiveness for the Demon. Vajrapani would ultimately become a Bodhisattva with the ability—both symbolic and actual—to convert poisons into nectar.
This deeply significant battle for the souls of humanity was explored in detail by Englishman Sir John Woodroffe, whose translation forms the basis for this far-reaching work. Woodroffe was an Advocate General of Bengal and a legal member of the government of India. He had personal experience of the power of Oriental religions, including Hindu religious beliefs and practices. He became an ardent student of Sanskrit and a practitioner of yoga. These intense connections led him, by the early 1900s, to take on the task of sharing Tsogyal's writings, promoting greater understanding of the fascinating religious views and practices of the Eastern communities. He closes this solemn collection with quotations from Eastern sources, including the revered Lao-Tzu, pointing to the subtle similarities of faith among all sincere seekers. This latest volume will doubtless find a wide-ranging readership, renewing for modern times the truths embedded in ancient culture and religion.
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