Visualization

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...

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 Implements  What about the weapon-like instruments that the various Buddha-figures are holding, is there a practical way...

Introduction In outlining this third of the six preparatory practices, the texts say first you do prostration, then you sit down, then you clear the mind by focusing on the breath, and only then do you reaffirm your motivation of refuge (safe direction) and bodhichitta....

We have been discussing this practice, which has been composed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, called The Yoga of the Spiritual Master Inseparable from Avalokiteshvara. We have covered the taking of safe direction and reaffirming our bodhichitta motivation, the four...

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...

Engaging in Enlightening Conduct  Once we take the bodhisattva vows, which are the essence of developing this engaged level of bodhichitta, we need to actually practice what’s called “enlightening conduct,” bodhisattva conduct. This is actually what bodhisattva vows shape;...

The Fourth Practice: Visualizing a Bountiful Field for Spiritual Growth The fourth of the six preparatory practices is to visualize a bountiful field for spiritual growth (tshogs-zhing, Skt. punyakshetra). That’s usually called the merit field, but there is a meaning to...

Making Offerings Now, we’re up to making offerings. I present you with an ocean of clouds of assorted outer, inner, and hidden offerings: these I possess and those that nobody owns, both actually arrayed and mentally created. This fulfills the Amoghasiddhi bond to make...

In our final session, we have quite a lot of text left to cover, so I will just read each of the verses and comment very briefly on them.  Prayer for Inspiration to Develop the Graded Pathway Minds (Lam-rim)  We start with the lam-rim review. As I said, what we’re asking for...

The Blissful Understanding of Voidness  Now, we go on to the second half of the six-session guru practice:  Requested like this, my supreme guru alights on the crown of my head. We merge – samaja. Samaja is the Sanskrit word meaning “to unite.” It’s the same word “to come...