The preliminary explanation > The origin of these instructions

Question 1

1. Who originally taught these instructions?

Answer 1

Buddha at the request of Vajrapani and Vajravarahi.

Extensive, Middling & Root Tantra (51 chapters).

Only the Root Tantra was translated from Sanskrit into Tibetan.

Question 2

2. What are some commentaries to these root and explanatory Tantras?

Answer 2

Je Tsongkhapa wrote ‘Clear Illumination of All Hidden Meanings’

This commentary, Essence of Vajrayana, is based on the instructions of Je Tsongkhapa and my kind root Guru, Vajradhara Trijang Rinpoche.

Question 3

3. Traditionally there are three systems for practising the instructions of Heruka Tantra. What are they?

Answer 3

Sytem according to:
(i) Luyipa
(ii) Krishnapada
(iii) Ghantapa
> the instruction on the outer mandala of the five Deities of Heruka
> the instruction on the inner mandala of the sixty-two Deities of Heruka body mandala. (Essence of Vajrayana based on this one)