Tantra

Review We have spoken about how it is possible to follow and practice tantra at a Dharma-Lite level in which we are thinking only about this lifetime and doing the practices in order to benefit this lifetime alone. In this case, our goal or objective is to attain enlightenment...

Questions about Initiations (Empowerments) You said that after the preliminaries or preparation, then we take the empowerment. Does that mean that we have to have completed our ngondro before receiving an empowerment? That’s a very good question. It depends on what level we...

The non-Gelug traditions agree with most points made by Gelug concerning why anuttarayoga is a more efficient and speedier path than the three lower tantras. We need to note, however, the following additions or variations. (1) Closer Analogies General Sakya Anuttarayoga ...

To overcome fascination, repugnance, or bewilderment about the dazzling array of Buddha-figures (yidams, tantric deities) used in tantra and about their unusual forms, Westerners need to understand their place and purpose on the Buddhist path. They also need to differentiate...

Let’s continue with our format, which is to speak about various topics within tantra based on your questions and interests. The Meaning of a Deity’s Hand ImplementsWhat about the weapon-like instruments that the various Buddha-figures are holding, is there a practical way that...

Review  We have been speaking about self-voidness and other-voidness and, so far, we are restricting our discussion to the Gelug assertions, although Gelug does not use the terms self-voidness and other-voidness for its own assertions. Some non-Gelug masters, however, do use...

The Authenticity of the Traditions of the Dohas and Dzogchen In the root text, the Fourth Panchen Lama states that the explanation of anuttarayoga tantra's complete stage level of mahamudra practice is in accordance with "The Seven Texts of the Mahasiddhas and The Three Core...

We have been speaking about the necessity for preparation for engaging in tantra practice. We have the common preliminaries (or preparation) which are shared in common with all Mahayana practices, sutra as well as tantra. In addition, we have the unshared or uncommon...

Required Initiations The text continues with the actual subject matter, which is divided into the discussion of the generation stage and the complete stage. These are the ways to meditate so as to build up these various practices as beneficial habits of the mind. For these six...

I think it is important not to cover too much material at one time but to really chew on what we have been discussing and clear up any questions that you might have related to it. Visualizing Ourselves as a Buddha-Figure without Bodhichitta You mentioned something about not...