Date: 11/7/2009 11:01:50 AM
Subject: [CASonline] FEATURE: Tantra - Final: Generation Stage
 
       
 

 
 
 
  
                Maha Vajradhara
         Lord Akshobhya Vajra & 
His Supreme Consort Sparsha Vajra
                          of
         Guhyasamaja:
"The Assembly of Secrets"
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Dearest Friends @ CAS,
 
Noting that not every Friend @ CAS has received the requisite Vajrayana empowerments and teachings, we are shaping the following notes on the Tantric Stages to Enlightenment in the form of aspiration prayers so that they can create the strong cause to properly engage in these practices in the very near future. Friends @ CAS who have the necessary qualifications can meditate and engage directly via these aspirations of course !!
 
The warning, yes, warning, applies to engaging in these tantric practices ONLY after the appropriate empowerment, teaching and permission from an authentic Master-Teacher.  
 
Otherwise, sincerely make the aspiration prayers to meet and faithfully serve the precious Teacher/s when they appear. The aspiration prayers below will also be fruitful in the meantime !!
 
Here, then, essentially, is essentially Je Tsongkhapa's presentation of the first stage of tantra ( Generation Stage ) basing mainly upon the Guhyasamaja Tantra which Lord Manjushri Himself praised with words from His own lips:
"This tantra of the assembly of all the Buddhas is
A secret, greater than the greatest of great secrets.
It is the unsurpassed secret instruction."  
 
bb & frens @ CAS, in Tara's lap
 
p/s:
Just as the Body Mandala practices migrated from the Chakrasamvara to the other tantras and the Tummo learnt from the Hevajra into the others, the Guhyasamaja is considered by the Buddha and lineal masters from many traditions as the "King of all Tantras" as it provides critical structural distinctions to all the other tantras. Hence, the below is applicable to the conscientious practitioner of the Kalachakra, Vajrayogini and the like ..... "Amituofo !!" 
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"The Sure-Steps to Enlightenment."

( Meditation on the Ngag Rim - rough, authentic notes. )

 

 

TOPIC TEN  

THE TANTRIC TEACHER   

 

PREPARATORY ( succicnt )

ONE  

May I find a qualified Teacher. ( See Lam Rim's First Topic - Guru Yoga ).   

TWO

May I serve the precious Teacher that He or She lacks no necessities of life.

THREE

May I take the appropriate empowerments and teachings and receive the vows and commitments from the precious Teacher.

FOUR

May I learn, practise and keep the practices and vows carefully like how you will "protect your eyes" from harm. 

 

PREPARATORY ( detailed )

 

ONE  

"A Qualified Teacher"

To attain Buddhahood fastest possible for highest good of all mother beings, I need to practise the Buddha's Tantric Teachings. First, I will need to look for and rely on a qualified Tantric Teacher.

 

( While contemplating the above, do 108 times mantra of your Yidam - Chenrezig, Tara, Yamantaka or others. Or you can do the mantras until you feel the topic has firmly been internalised in your mind and until you have found the qualified Teacher/s !! )

 

 

TWO

"Serve Him"

To attain Buddhahood fastest possible for highest good of all mother beings, I need to practise the Buddha's Tantric Teachings. First, I have found a qualified Tantric Teacher. Now, I must serve Him or Her and see that he / she does not lack any necessities of living.

 

( While contemplating the above, do 108 times mantra of your Yidam - Chenrezig, Tara, Yamantaka or others. Or you can do the mantras until you feel the topic has firmly been internalised in your mind and until you have served the Teacher/s to your best !! )

 

 

THREE

"Receive Teachings"

To attain Buddhahood fastest possible for highest good of all mother beings, I need to practise the Buddha's Tantric Teachings. First, I have found a qualified Tantric Teacher. Then, I have served Him or Her and seen that he / she does not lack any necessities of living. Next, I need to receive all the necessary Tantric Empowerments / Oral Transmissions / Instructions in the best manner possible.

 

( While contemplating the above, do 108 times mantra of your Yidam - Chenrezig, Tara, Yamantaka or others. Or you can do the mantras until you feel the topic has firmly been internalised in your mind and until you have received the teachings in the best manner possible !! )

 

 

FOUR            

"Maintain the Teachings"

To attain Buddhahood fastest possible for highest good of all mother beings, I need to practise the Buddha's Tantric Teachings. First, I have found a qualified Tantric Teacher. Then, I have served Him or Her and seen that he / she does not lack any necessities of living. Next, I have received all the necessary Tantric Empowerments / Oral Transmissions / Instructions in the best manner possible. Finally, I will try my best to practise and maintain all I have received.

 

( While contemplating the above, do 108 times mantra of your Yidam - Chenrezig, Tara, Yamantaka or others. Or you can do the mantras until you feel the topic has firmly been internalised in your mind and until you have maintained the teachings in the best manner possible !! )

 

[ Here ends the main points dealing with the Tenth Topic of all Lam Rim traditions. Firmly do it till it becomes your mind.  ]

 

 

Additional Lam Rim Notes:

 

Important Notes & Clarification on Topics related to ???The Teacher"

A qualified Tantric Teacher will need to have trained and mastered all the Lam Rim and Tantric teachings. He will need to have permission of His own Teacher/s to transmit what he has learnt. He will also need to be possessed of all the qualities of a qualified Buddhist Teacher.

Elaboration on the above:

http://www.casotac.com/CASonline%20Articles/02082008.html

http://www.casotac.com/CASonline%20Articles/17082008.html 

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Topic Ten: GENERATION STAGE  

ONE: Gross Generation    

Buddhahood is the pan-ultimate state of Love, Wisdom and Power. May I become a Buddha as this is the best way to benefit all mother beings.

Seeing this, may I completely give all my lives, incalculable aeons into eternity, for practice of the Six Perfections ( Common Bodhicitta ) so that I can attain the state of Buddhahood, not for myself, but solely for good of all.

However, I cannot bear the infinite sufferings of my mother beings whilst I am engaged in the practice of the Six Perfections  Seeing this, may I engage in the practices of the Vajrayana so that I can attain the state of Buddhahood in the fastest way possible, not for myself, but solely for good of all. ( Uncommon Bodhicitta )

Using the Accomplishment Text ( Sadhana ) of my Meditational Deity ( Yidam ), out of Uncommon Bodhicitta, may I generate, meditate and rest stably while alert, in this state on myself, beings and phenomena as the Yidam / Mandala, at the appropriate point-section as shown in the text/s.

Through this, may I, not for myself but solely for good of all my mother beings, skilfully enact the divine activities of a Buddha through Pacification, Enrichment, Magnetising-Power, and Wrath.

Through this, too, may I transform every samsaric appearances and activities into divine visions.

Through this, as well, may I accumulate inconceivable merit with offerings and other such like practices in the Generation Stage.   

( While meditating, if you have received the requisite teaching/s and empowerment/s, or aspiring, if you have not received the requisite teaching/s and empowerment/s, on the above, do 21 / 108 or more times, the mantra of your Yidam - Chenrezig, Tara, Yamantaka or others. Or you can do the mantras until you feel the topic has firmly been internalised in your mind. Or you can simply meditate or aspire without the mantras !! )

 

TWO: Subtle Generation    

Buddhahood is the pan-ultimate state of Love, Wisdom and Power. May I become a Buddha as this is the best way to benefit all mother beings.

Seeing this, may I completely give all my lives, incalculable aeons into eternity, for practice of the Six Perfections ( Common Bodhicitta ) so that I can attain the state of Buddhahood, not for myself, but solely for good of all.

However, I cannot bear the infinite sufferings of my mother beings whilst I am engaged in the practice of the Six Perfections  Seeing this, may I engage in the practices of the Vajrayana so that I can attain the state of Buddhahood in the fastest way possible, not for myself, but solely for good of all. ( Uncommon Bodhicitta )

Using the Accomplishment Text ( Sadhana ) of my Meditational Deity ( Yidam ) AND / OR instructions from my precious Teacher/s, out of Uncommon Bodhicitta, may I generate, meditate and rest stably while alert, of myself as the Yidam/s in the Mandala in the Subtle Drop of the Chakras of the Jewel Tip, the Navel, the Heart, the Throat Center OR the Crown, for as long as I can, clearly seeing every feature of myself as the Yidam in the Mandala, even the white of the eyes.

( While meditating, if you have received the requisite teaching/s and empowerment/s, or aspiring, if you have not received the requisite teaching/s and empowerment/s, on the above, do 21 / 108 or more times, the mantra of your Yidam - Chenrezig, Tara, Yamantaka or others. Or you can do the mantras until you feel the topic has firmly been internalised in your mind. Or you can simply meditate or aspire without the mantras !! )

 

THREE: Imagining "Transformation"     

Using the Accomplishment Text ( Sadhana ) of my Meditational Deity ( Yidam ) AND / OR instructions from my precious Teacher/s, may I, at the correct point-section of the practice, imagine recognition of the Four Visions and the Four Empties.

May I master this is the CRITICAL section of the Generation Stage and apply them at the appropriate section-points in the first section as without applying this stage, Generation Stage practices become obsolete.

 

1) First Vision: "Mirage-like Vision" 

- May I imagine recognition of the "Mirage-like Vision" when I imagine all phenomena dissolves into myself as the Yidam.

- At this point, may I imagine that the Earth Element dissolves into the Water Element during the Death Process.

- May I now imagine that I will feel like sinking into the earth.

- I will feel no fear and will remember Bodhicitta, my Teacher and the Three Jewels of Refuge. 

- Most importantly, based on this relatively subtler mind that has arisen, I will meditate on Emptiness.

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

2) Second Vision: "Smoke-like Vision" 

- May I imagine recognition of the "Smoke-like Vision" when I imagine myself as the Yidam dissolving into the Root Mantra Syllable in the Subtle Drop of the Chakra of the Heart.

- At this point may I imagine that the Water Element dissolves into the Fire Element during the Death Process. 

- May I now imagine that my mouth and body will feel dry.

- May I recollect well what has come before and anticipate what will come following.

- I will feel no fear and will remember Bodhicitta, my Teacher and the Three Jewels of Refuge. 

- Most importantly, based on this relatively subtler mind that has arisen, I will meditate on Emptiness.

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

3) Third Vision: "Firefly Vision" 

- May I imagine recognition of the "Firefly Vision" when I imagine the appropriate part of the Root Mantra dissolves.

- At this point may I imagine that the Fire Element dissolves into the Wind Element during the Death Process.

- May I now imagine that I will feel cold as warmth recedes from my body.

- May I recollect well what has come before and anticipate what will come following.

- I will feel no fear and will remember Bodhicitta, my Teacher and the Three Jewels of Refuge. 

- Most importantly, based on this relatively subtler mind that has arisen, I will meditate on Emptiness.

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

4) Fourth Vision: "Flickering-lamp Vision" 

- May I imagine recognition of the "Flickering-lamp Vision" when I imagine the appropriate part of the Root Mantra dissolves.

- At this point may I imagine that the Wind Element dissolves into Consciousness during the Death Process.

- May I now imagine I will stop breathing and my relatives and friends may start wailing here.

- May I recollect well what has come before and anticipate what will come following. 

- I will feel no fear or attachment and will remember Bodhicitta, my Teacher and the Three Jewels of Refuge. 

- Most importantly, based on this relatively subtler mind that has arisen, I will meditate on Emptiness.

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

5) First Empty: "White Vision" 

- May I imagine recognition of the "White Vision" when I imagine the appropriate part of the Root Mantra dissolves.

- At this point may I imagine that all the knots in the upper Chakras are released and the White Element descends from the Crown Chakra till it stops at the Heart Chakra.

- May I imagine that I will now experience very great bliss and will utilise ! this bli ss to realise Emptiness.

- May I recollect well what has come before and anticipate what will come following. 

- I will feel no fear or attachment and will remember Bodhicitta, my Teacher and the Three Jewels of Refuge. 

- Most importantly, based on this relatively subtler mind that has arisen, I will meditate on Emptiness.

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

6) Second Empty: "Red Vision" 

- May I imagine recognition of the "Red Vision" when I imagine the appropriate part of the Root Mantra dissolves.

- At this point may I imagine that all the knots in the lower Chakras are released and the Red Element ascends from the Navel Chakra till it stops at the Heart Chakra.

- May I imagine that I will now experience an even higher bliss and will utilise this bliss to realise Emptiness.

- May I recollect well what has come before and anticipate what will come following. 

- I will feel no fear or attachment and will remember Bodhicitta, my Teacher and the Three Jewels of Refuge. 

- Most importantly, based on this relatively subtler mind that has arisen, I will meditate on Emptiness.

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

7) Third Empty: "Black Vision" 

- May I imagine recognition of the "Black Vision" when I imagine the appropriate part of the Root Mantra dissolves.

- At this point may I imagine that all the knots in the Chakras are released and the White and Red Elements meet and enter the Heart Chakra.

- May I imagine that I will now experience an even higher bliss and will utilise this bliss to realise Emptiness.

- May I recollect well what has come before and anticipate what will come following. 

- I will feel no fear or attachment and will remember Bodhicitta, my Teacher and the Three Jewels of Refuge. 

- Most importantly, based on this relatively subtler mind that has arisen, I will meditate on Emptiness.

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

8) Fourth Empty: "Clear Light Vision" 

- May I imagine recognition of the "Clear Light Vision" when I imagine the appropriate part of the Root Mantra dissolves into Emptiness.

- At this point may I imagine that all the knots in the Chakras are released and the White and Red Elements completely dissolve into the most subtle Drop of the Heart Chakra.

- May I imagine that I will now experience the highest bliss possible and will utilise this bliss to realise Emptiness.

- May I recollect well what has come before and anticipate what will come following. 

- I will feel no fear or attachment and will remember Bodhicitta, my Teacher and the Three Jewels of Refuge. 

- Most importantly, based on this relatively subtler mind that has arisen, I will meditate on and realise Emptiness, achieving Enlightenment.

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

Actual Transformation

I) Death into Dharmakaya

- May I imagine that I have successfully utilised Clear Light to realise Emptiness and hence I imagine that I have transformed Death into Dharmakaya.

- May I imagine that I have unbearable compassion for all mother beings whom I cannot help as they cannot see me in my state of Dharmakaya. Only Buddhas can perceive each other in Dharmakaya aspects.

- May I imagine that I will, out of unbearable compassion, arise into the state of Sambhogakaya to help all mother beings. 

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

II) Bardo into Sambhogakaya 

- May I imagine that I will, out of unbearable compassion, enter into the Bardo from Death, in the form of the appropriate form, divine implement or mantric syllable of my Yidam. 

- May I imagine that by doing so, I have successfully transformed Bardo into Sambhogakaya.

- May I imagine that I have unbearable compassion for all mother beings whom I cannot help as they cannot see me in my state of Sambhogakaya. Only Buddhas and Tenth Stage Bodhisattvas can perceive each other in Sambhogakaya.

- May I imagine that I will, out of unbearable compassion, arise into the state of Nirmanakaya to help all mother beings. 

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras ) 

 

III) Birth into Nirmanakaya 

- May I imagine that I will, out of unbearable compassion, enter into Birth from the Bardo, in the form of the Yidam in the Mandala. 

- May I imagine that by doing so, I have successfully transformed Birth into Nirmanakaya.

- May I imagine that I can now skilfully enact all the divine activities of a Buddha for the highest good of all mother beings as a Buddha in the supreme Nirmanakaya aspect. 

( Rest at this stage while meditating or reciting the mantras )  

( While meditating, if you have received the requisite teaching/s and empowerment/s, or aspiring, if you have not received the requisite teaching/s and empowerment/s, on the above, do 21 / 108 or more times, the mantra of your Yidam - Chenrezig, Tara, Yamantaka or others. Or you can do the mantras until you feel the topic has firmly been internalised in your mind. Or you can simply meditate or aspire without the mantras !!