Secret Map of the Body

YangA¯'½npa's Hidden Description of the Vajra Body presents the triad constituting the Vajra Body - the channels energy-winds and vital essences - as the basis for the application of experiential yogic techniques. Buddhism often relegates the body to a role subordinate to that of the mind the focus of YangA¯'½npa's Hidden Description is the body itself with its manifold layers - coarse subtle and very subtle. In his presentation of the human body's energetic structure he contends that it is not simply the means to achieve enlightenment but enlightenment itself blending the Highest Tantra notion of the body as the method with the Total Perfection (rdzogs chen) principle of inherently present enlightenment as the fundamental nature of all phenomena. Gyalwa YangA¯'½npa realized the nature of mind at the age of eight upon hearing instructions on the Dzogchen mind cycle of teachings. And at age nine he was installed as the abbot of Lhadong monastery where he gave profound religious discourses establishing his reputation as an enlightened emanation. During his lifetime 1213-1258 he was devoted to four precious masters of different lineages. Under the guidance of the first two he undertook solitary retreat and following a clear vision of the energetic system of body and mind came to master this inseparable matrix. An exceptional being gifted with powers knowledge and wisdom YangA¯'½npa led an exemplary life and his spiritual achievements won him a large number of followers. His literary output left a mark in the writings of later masters of all Tibetan schools including Tsongkhapa the Eighth Karmapa JamgA¯'½n Kongtrul LodrA¯'½ Thaye Raga Asya and Jigmed Lingpa.