From Mind Only to Buddha Only: Shakya Chokden's Interpretation of Tathāgatagarbha in Tantric Philosophy and Practice
Journal of Buddhist Philosophy January 1, 2024 Yaroslav Komarovski
Shakya Chokden's philosophical approach reduces all phenomena to mind and its appearances, then negates dualistic minds as illusory and nonexistent. He establishes non-dual jñāna (primordial awareness) as the only truly existent phenomenon—the primordial tathāgatagarbha (buddha-nature) complete with all buddha-qualities. This interpretation of tathāgatagarbha is essential for tantric contemplative practice, explaining how and why such practice works. Initially identifying tathāgatagarbha as primordially existent jñāna provides the foundation for conceptually envisioning deities of the ultimate body-maṇḍala, eventually leading to direct perception by jñāna itself. Cultivating this self-cognizing jñāna displaying the Cakrasaṃvara maṇḍala guides practitioners through tantric stages toward buddhahood, characterized by full manifestation and vision of buddha-qualities from within and by jñāna.