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The Practice of Vajrakilaya

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This book is an interesting combination of myth, ritual, meditation, and symbolic explanation of the rite of Vajrakilaya, "the deity of enlightened activity" (page 31). Vajrakilaya is a wrathful "Buddha" who dispels obstacles to Dharma practice. His rites are used primarily in Nyingma and Sakya traditions (2 of the 4 contemporary Tibetan Buddhist schools). Following the Introduction by Sogyal Rinpoche and photos of famous Rinpoches (e.g. Dudjom Rinpoche), it begins with a legendary history of Vajrakilaya which could be interpreted at a number of levels: symbolically, psychologically, traditionally, etc. Chapter 3 delineates the actual practice. This includes an interesting explanation (pages 45-8) of the Ground, Path, & Fruition of the practice--very reminiscent of Dzogchen and Mahamudra. Further, the Path includes 4 aspects such as: wisdom awareness of Phurba (i.e. Vajrakilaya), enlightened mind Phurba (wisdom of completion stage), immeasurable compassion Phurba, and substantial Phurba (the actual ritual). This explanation resembles a complete Vajrayana path including compassion, Bodhichitta, etc.! Indeed, "The fruition Vajrakilaya is the primordial wisdom awareness of the mind of all the buddhas" (page 48). The actual ritual (visualization/meditation) practice is then described in detail, similar in nature to "Machik's Complete Explanation..." by Sarah Harding (1559391820). However, Khenpo Namdrol includes some astute explanations--especially in his analysis of Vajrakilaya's mantra--a word by word analysis in two versions (pages 68-9). Finally, on page 71, he provides an explanation of why such rituals are ended in the traditional way--to prevent the extremes of nihilism and extremism. All in all, this is a helpful book, much deeper than it might appear on the surface.

The contents of this book explained the indepth visualization of the Vajrakilaya tantra in ever detail. Although personal instruction is best, this book covers almost every needed aspects to practice in solitary. It reviews all the needed preliminary and ending practices which allows the internalization of the diety.

For those that have any knowledge of tantric practice, this book will add immense focus to practicing the release of anger and confrontation of its source within. The book has a history of the creation and mythology surrounding vajrakilaya.

For those seeking the esoteric tantra practices this book is a good stepping stone to add to what knowledge already possessed. It should, however, be combined with another title of indepth study of the whole scope of highest tantric practices, so that more of the specific visualizations and measured levels achieved in tantric practice are understood.