Tummo

A section of the Northern wall mural at the Lukhang Temple depicting both Tummo (inner fire) and Phowa (transference of consciousness)

In Tibetan Buddhism, tummo (Tibetan: གཏུམ་མོ, Wylie: gtum-mo; Sanskrit: चण्डाली, romanized: caṇḍālī) is the fierce goddess of heat and passion.[1] Tummo is found in the Mahasiddha Krishnacarya and the Hevajra Tantra texts.[2]

Tummo is also a tantric practice for inner heat, developed around the concept of the female deity.[1][3][4] It is found in the Six Dharmas of Naropa, Lamdre, Kalachakra, and Anuyoga teachings of Vajrayana. The purpose of tummo is to gain control over body processes during the completion stage of Anuyoga or Anuttarayoga Tantra ('highest yoga tantra').

The practice begins by visualizing the body's energy channels, winds, drops, and chakras. Inner heat, generated through specific breath-holding exercises, helps vital winds enter the central channel, leading to blissful experiences. The practice also involves focusing on seed syllables at the chakras and combining them with meditation on emptiness. Over time, practitioners aim to master this process, achieving heightened states of clarity, inner heat, and bliss.[5]

Scientific studies have explored the effects of tummo, demonstrating notable increases in body temperature, metabolism, and thermal power output among expert meditators. While the practice's effects on body temperature have been investigated, its primary purpose within Tibetan Buddhism remains focused on spiritual development, combining visualization, breath, and meditation to harness the inner fire and achieve profound states of enlightenment.[6]

  1. ^ a b Crook & Low (1997), pp. 89–90.
  2. ^ Tseten (2008), pp. 252–254.
  3. ^ Senge (2015), p. 242.
  4. ^ Dharmakirti (2002), pp. 126–127.
  5. ^ Yeshe, T.; Courtin, R. (2003). Becoming the Compassion Buddha: Tantric Mahamudra for Everyday Life. Wisdom Publications. ISBN 978-0-86171-343-1. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Taye, J.K.L.; Padmakara Translation Group (2022). Mahasiddha Practice: From Mitrayogin and Other Masters, Volume 16 (The Treasury of Precious Instructions). The Treasury of Precious Instructions. Shambhala. p. 198. ISBN 978-1-61180-893-3. Retrieved May 13, 2024.