The Passion Book – A Tibetan Guide to Love and Sex (Buddhism and Modernity) - Softcover

Chopel, Gendun

Softcover

ISBN 10: 022652017X ISBN 13: 9780226520179

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2018

Synopsis

The Passion Book is the most famous work of erotica in the vast literature of Tibetan Buddhism, written by the legendary scholar and poet Gendun Chopel (1903-1951). Soon after arriving in India in 1934, he discovered the Kama Sutra. Realizing that this genre of the erotic was unknown in Tibet, he set out to correct the situation. His sources were two: classical Sanskrit works and his own experiences with his lovers. Completed in 1939, his "treatise on passion" circulated in manuscript form in Tibet, scandalizing and arousing its readers. Gendun Chopel here condemns the hypocrisy of both society and church, portraying sexual pleasure as a force of nature and a human right for all. On page after page, we find the exuberance of someone discovering the joys of sex, made all the more intense because they had been forbidden to him for so long: he had taken the monastic vow of celibacy in his youth and had only recently renounced it. He describes in ecstatic and graphic detail the wonders he discovered. In these poems, written in beautiful Tibetan verse, we hear a voice with tints of irony, self-deprecating wit, and a love of women not merely as sources of male pleasure but as full partners in the play of passion.

About this title

About the Authors

Gendun Chopel (1903-51) was born in northeast Tibet as British troops were preparing to invade his homeland. Identified at any early age as the incarnation of a famous lama, he became a Buddhist monk, excelling in the debating courtyards of the great monasteries of Tibet. At the age of thirty-one, he gave up his monk's vows and set off for India, where he would wander, often alone and impoverished, for over a decade. Returning to Tibet, he was arrested by the government of the young Dalai Lama on trumped-up charges of treason, emerging from prison three years later a broken man. He died in 1951 as troops of the People's Liberation Army marched into Lhasa.

Donald S. Lopez Jr. is the Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Passion Book

A Tibetan Guide to Love & Sex

By Gendun Chopel, Donald S. Lopez Jr., Thupten Jinpa

The University of Chicago Press

Copyright © 2018 The University of Chicago
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-226-52017-9

Contents

Preface, 
A TREATISE ON PASSION, 
1. The Sexual Practices of Women of Various Lands, 
2. Types of Embrace, 
3. Acts of Kissing, 
4. Types of Bites [and Scratches], 
5. Describing the Modes of Pleasure, 
6. Playing with the Organ, 
7. Mounting and Thrusting, 
8. Moans, 
9. Acts of a Man [Done by a Woman], 
10. Various Methods of Copulation, 
11. Uncertain Deeds, 
12. Various Helpful Methods, 
AFTERWORD: BACKGROUND TO A TREATISE ON PASSION, 
The Life of Gendun Chopel, 
Buddhist Sexuality, 
An Overview of the Text, 
A Treatise on Passion as a Work of Poetry, 
About the Translation, 
Notes for "Background to A Treatise on Passion", 
Footnotes, 

CHAPTER 1

The Sexual Practices of Women of Various Lands

In the language of India, Kamasastra. In the language of Tibet, A Treatise on Passion.

Homage to the Buddha.

1. May you be protected by self-arisen Mahamudra. Its lightning lasso of immutable vajra bliss, Reaching to the bounds of the eight and eight, Binds the still and moving into one reality.

2. I bow at the feet of Mahesvara, His beautiful body the color of the stainless sky. Ever immersed in the glorious play of undying pleasure, He resides in the snowy ranges of Mount Kailash.

3. I bow at the feet of the goddess Gauri. Her beautiful face glows like the full moon, Her smiling teeth white like a string of pearls, The nipples of her ample breasts shaped like a conch.

4. This Realm of Desire is the place of passion; All its creatures seek passion. The most perfect of all pleasures of passion Is the bliss of sexual passion of a man and a woman.

5. What man does not desire a woman? What woman does not desire a man? Everyone takes delight in this. They differ only in how they disguise it.

6. In the Anguttara Sutra of Lanka These words were spoken by the Lord: "Among physical forms, the most beautiful To the eye of a man is the form of a woman.

7. And to the eye of a woman it is the form of a man. I have never seen something more beautiful than this. Among sounds, the most melodious To the ear of a man is the sound of a woman.

8. To the ear of a woman it is the sound of a man. There is nothing more pleasing than this." He said the same about the other three senses: Fragrances, tastes, and objects of touch.

9. Before the Buddha came into the world, Many thousands of years ago in the land of India There were works called "sutras" and "sastras" Among the scriptures of the brahmins.

10. The "Householder's Sutra," the "Renunciant's Sutra," The "Sutra on Passion," and so on were there. They explain the norms of conduct For renunciants and householders.

11. Spoken by the great sages of the past, All the traditions of India come from these. Some sutras speak of the eighteen sciences. One of those is this art of lovemaking.

12. In the Lalitavistara, when listing the qualities Suitable to be the bodhisattva's wife, It says, "Expert in the treatises, like a courtesan." Knowing the art of lovemaking is counted as well.

13. Elsewhere, when it states "a woman who knows the treatises," It is this treatise [on lovemaking] that it speaks of. A short Treatise on Passion by master Surupa Was translated into Tibetan.

14. There is the treatise called Pleasures of Play By the learned brahmin Koka, Son of Paribhadra, king of Kashmir. Although it was not translated into Tibetan, There are some Sanskrit fragments at Ngor Monastery. There is also one said to be by Nagarjuna.

(Regarding the sutras on passion and treatises on pleasure that are well-known today, taking the long and short ones together, there are just over thirty: Crown Jewel of Kamadeva (Kandarpacudamani), Body of the Bodiless One [i.e., Kamadeva] (Anangaranga), Art of Passion (Kamakala), Secrets of Pleasure (Ratirahasya), Jeweled Lamp of Pleasure (Ratiratnapradipika), and The Five Arrows (Pañcasayaka), and so on.)

15. Among all of these, the best are two: Mahesvara's Treatise on Lust and Vatsyayana's Sutra on Passion. Here, I base my explanation on these.

16. There are many different types of men, Yet none not included in these four: The rabbit type, the stag type, The bull type, and the horse type.

17. The rabbit type is of moderate size. Kind-hearted, he has a smiling face. He does good deeds and has respectable friends. He renounces sex with the wives of others.

18. He is respectful to the high and helpful to the low. Enjoying food and clothing that are easily found, He does not dwell on the past or the future And is always in a state of idle happiness.

19. His erect member is some six fingerbreadths long. The jewel's head is soft and round. His copulation is fast and his semen comes out quickly. His sweat and semen have a pleasing smell. There are many of the rabbit type In good farmlands and pleasant regions.

20. The stag type has bulging eyes and broad shoulders. He is respectful to his teachers and has good hygiene. His mind is sharp, and when he walks, he sets off with a jump. He is always singing and wears fine clothes.

21. He tells the truth and has a large appetite. He is always hosting feasts for his friends. He has little hair in his crotch and armpits. His male organ is some eight fingerbreadths long. In general, many men of this stag type are found In all the lands of the earth.

22. The bull type is large with a handsome face. He is unstable by nature and has little shame. He makes friends easily; he loses friends easily. He eats much and knows how to sing and dance.

23. He is wanton in his behavior and very lustful. He has sex with all the women he can find. His male organ is some ten fingerbreadths long. His sweat and semen smell bad. In general, many of this type live near the sea And in countries with great plains.

24. The horse type is fat, his body coarse and large. He has a dark complexion; with long legs, he moves quickly. He is prone to anger and likes to cheat and lie. He has relations with all women, whether old or young.

25. This type is extremely lustful. If they consented, he would even have sex with his mother and sister. He will pursue all who are inappropriate, Like close relatives and the daughters of his gurus. No matter how much sex he has, his strength never ebbs. It is hard for him to go even a day without a woman.

26. His member is hard and very thick. When erect it is some twelve fingerbreadths long. He has much semen and it smells bad. There are many of this type in all lands. However, they are especially prevalent in hot lands Where rain is rare and the terrain is rugged.

27. If these four basic types just described Are divided further, there are sixteen.

28. For example, there is the rabbit of the rabbit type, As well as the stag type of the rabbit type And the bull and horse types of the rabbit type. In the same way, the stag type has four.

29. And the bull and horse types each have four. The subtle differences among these types of men Can be discerned if scholars analyze them in detail.

30. There are many different types of women, Yet none not included in these four kinds: The lotus type and the painting type, The conch type and the elephant type.

31. The lotus-like is the best type of woman. Beautiful and with a bright smile, her body is slim and supple. Free of moles, her complexion is as fair as a swan. She has long and shining black hair.

32. Her darting eyes are alert like a frightened deer. Her nostrils are small and her eyebrows thick. Her clothes are clean, and she likes modest food. She wears few adornments, like flowers.

33. Her kindness is great and her deeds are virtuous. She shuns lust for anyone but her spouse. Her full breasts are soft and round. Her vagina is some six fingerbreadths deep. Her menses have the fragrance of a lotus. This is why she is called the lotus type.

34. Women like Sita, queen of king Rama, Draupadi, wife of the five sons of Pandu; Such women are of the lotus type.

35. In general, there were many in ancient times. They are born into good families In central regions and fertile lands.

36. The painting type is of average height, Neither too fat nor too thin, Her darting long eyes are wide, like lotus petals. She has a nose like a sesame flower.

37. She wears clothes with striking colors And puts on garlands of yellow flowers. She delights in all types of paintings And likes to listen to amazing tales.

38. She keeps small birds, like parrots And is always surrounded by children. Her body is as beautiful as a painting And so she is called the painting type.

39. She has little interest in the pleasures of sex. In other ways, she is like the lotus type. Her vagina is round and eight fingerbreadths deep. She has little pubic hair and her menses are clear.

40. Puloma and Rasajña Were women of this painting type. It is said that they are born on the banks of great rivers, Like the Ganges, Kaveri, and the Indus.

41. The conch type is slim and tall. She has a curved neck and an upturned nose. She has a long face and beautiful complexion. She always eats all sorts of foods.

42. She is skilled in managing her home and servants. She is eloquent, has a clear mind, and has few secrets. She easily becomes acquainted with everyone she meets. It is said that she has little respect for elders But gets along with those in her own household.

43. Her jealousy and lust are strong. Her vagina is warm and some ten fingerbreadths deep. Her pubic hair is thick and her fluids flow easily. Her body and bhaga [vagina] have a sour smell.

44. Most of the women in the world Belong to this conch type. Yet due to different qualities and climates of their lands, They come in many different shapes and colors. Being talkative, a nimble tongue, and a curved neck, These are taken to be three sure signs of this type.

45. The elephant type is short, with thick limbs. Her mouth and nose thick, her hips are wider than others. Her eyes are red, her hair coarse, her shoulders slump. Her breasts are large and hard as rocks. She eats a lot with harsh and annoying sounds. She covers her body with jewelry in a sloppy way.

46. She likes illicit sex and vulgar talk. Most of them divorce their spouses. She enjoys sex with large and strong men Or anyone she can find.

47. Because she burns with powerful lust, She wants to have sex with anyone, even her son and father. She must have sex many times each day. Some say she cannot be satisfied by a hundred men.

48. Her vagina is hairy and burns like fire. It is always wet and dripping and smells like a she-elephant. An adulteress like her is not suitable as a wife. A hard worker, she is said to be the best of servants.

49. Within these four main types of women, Again, dividing the four into four, there are sixteen: The lotus of the lotus type, and so on. It can be understood as explained above.

50. These sixteen classifications were set forth by Mahesvara. Vatsyayana has two groups of three, hence six: Rabbit, bull, and horse for men; Deer, mare, and elephant for women.

51. Each of the two groups has the high, middle, and low. One can understand his system of enumeration in that way. There are said to be many other modes of classification. Except for minor differences, they are all similar.

52. Any woman with a red mole At the base of her left jaw Will undergo hardship in her youth. When she reaches thirty she will gain the glory of happiness.

53. If she has a black mole, She will become happy after she turns forty. One who has a black mole At the hairline in the middle of her brow Is evil by nature and disagrees with her partner.

54. If she has a red mole, she will be loved by her spouse. If the mole is on the left side of her brow, She will be loved by all and will find wealth and respect. If it is on the right side of her brow, She will not complete any task she undertakes.

55. One who has a string of green moles Under her left eyebrow, Will encounter vast wealth. Pure in her morals, she will be loved by her husband.

56. One who has a red mole at the corner of her eye, Never separate from sorrow, she will die by the sword. One who has moles on her cheeks Will not be very rich but will not be very poor.

57. One who has a mole on her nose Will journey to faraway lands, succeeding at every undertaking. It is said that one with a mole on the back of her right jaw Will constantly undergo great suffering.

58. One who has a mole near her mouth, Loved by all, she will find resources of food and wealth. One with a mole in the middle of her throat Without doubt will become a mistress of wealth.

59. Likewise one with a mole inside her ear Will be respected by all men even when quarrelsome. One with a mole on her neck Will find wealth even in hopeless places.

60. If she has a mole on her left breast, She will give birth to many girls and suffer. A woman with a mole on her right breast Will bear many boys, it is said.

61. One with moles on her right and left shoulders Will gain power hard for any to suppress. If she has a mole on her chest, she will be ill willed. If she has a mole on her belly, her appetite will be great.

62. Whatever marks of virtue or sin On the left side of a woman's body Mean the opposite On the right side of a man. However, none of this is very trustworthy.

63. Women younger than twelve Are referred to as girls. They should be given betel leaves and sweets And told about the pleasures of kissing.

64. From the age of thirteen to twenty-five, She is said to be in the prime of life. She should be kissed, scratched, and so on. Seeking her company, one should enjoy her with pleasure.

65. From the age of twenty-six to fifty, She is referred to as a mature woman. Offer her erotic talk, bites, and scratches, Likewise give her the riches of passion.

66. Women past the age of fifty Are referred to as old women. They should be listened to and addressed with respect And asked for good advice about the present and future.

67. Among humans born on earth in this Realm of Desire, There are two conflicting classes: men and women; they desire each other. The pleasure of passion is supreme among all pleasures. Yet it is easily found by all, the high and the humble.

68. Because men and women are so different, If they were not brought together by coupling, The world would be split into two factions Always in conflict and at war.

69. Monks who live in forest retreats May not know the value of this. Yet even the human form with eighteen conditions First comes about through sex.

70. If sex were abandoned in the realm of humans, It would surely become empty in an instant. And if there were no human beings, How could there be monks and the Buddha's teachings?

71. The six ornaments and the two supreme ones appeared in the land of India. The teacher Shenrap was born in the region of Olmo. The Ming emperor was born in a palace in China. There is no need to explain where they first came from.

72. "The brahmin caste came from the mouth of Brahma." This is what the Hindu texts say. How can this be true, when all four castes were born from the wombs of women? No one, wise or foolish, can deny this.

73. A man and woman, though bereft of wealth and power, Find the bliss of heaven in their bed. Even an old man, with hair whiter than a conch, Finds inexpressible joy in the womb of his old wife.

74. Not spitefully binding or beating someone, Not cruelly stabbing someone with a spear; Passion is offered to a passionate human. It may not be a virtue, but how could it be a sin?

75. "To give a woman to a desirous man Is supreme among all gifts." This is stated in the sadhana chapter of the Kalacakra Tantra. If you do not believe it, look; it is clearly there.

76. A beggar may turn up his nose at gold. A hungry guest may spit at his meal. Though everyone condemns sex with their mouth, Just this is the place of pleasure in their mind.

77. Only the rich acquire gold, silver, horses, and cattle. The enjoyment of sex is found by all, high and humble. Sunlight, wind, earth, and water, Whatever is precious is shared by all.

78. Whatever miracles that occur on earth are done by humans. Humans are produced by sex between a man and a woman. When considered this way, what deed has greater meaning Than the union of the two organs?

79. For a deed of such great importance, There is no need to be exhorted to struggle. All men and women do this naturally. This is the law set forth by the king, dependent origination.

80. Does it not amaze you that, Without studying the arts and sciences, A living statue of the dharma master Butön was made By a half hour of lovemaking in bed?

81. The magic of causes and conditions coming together is amazing indeed. The magic of man and woman coming together is more amazing than that. [11] That this marvelous science is naturally known by all fools, without study, This indeed is the most amazing of all.

82. To deny that the amazing is amazing; Sakya Lama said this is the sign of a fool. Of course, these days I am a madman. But those who are not mad can only laugh [at those who deny the wonders of sex].

83. The experience of bliss is no small matter. The creation of families is no small matter. If the path of passion can be sustained within bliss and emptiness, How could that be a small matter?

84. For every man there is a woman. For every woman there is a man. The minds of both desire their union. What chance is there of remaining celibate?

85. When suitable deeds are prohibited in public, Unsuitable deeds will be done in private. How can religious and secular laws Suppress this natural desire of humans?

86. This bliss abides in its natural state In the system of channels endowed with five wheels, In the vajra city of six essences. How is it right to call it a fault and prevent it?

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Passion Book by Gendun Chopel, Donald S. Lopez Jr., Thupten Jinpa. Copyright © 2018 The University of Chicago. Excerpted by permission of The University of Chicago Press.
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Edition details

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 022652017X
• ISBN 13: 9780226520179
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160