Visualization

Visualizing the Closely Bonding Being After having dissolved the objects of refuge, we now want to build up the two enlightenment-building networks – that’s the two collections – because that was one of the five trainings of pledged bodhichitta. So now we again visualize our...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

Many meditation practices involve visualization. “Visualization,” however, might be a bit of a misleading translation, because we’re not using our eyes. We’re working with our imagination, so it’s not just visual, but we have to imagine sounds, smells, tastes and physical...

Now, 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. And as I said, what we’re...