Property:Gloss-def
From Buddha-Nature
This is a property of type Text.
T
''See'' treasure. +
A powerful, violent, and malicious spirit. [TD 1315] +
There are four phases of tantric practice: approach, close approach, accomplishment, and great accomplishment. Ju Mipham explains, '~pproach and accomplishment subsume all the various practices that utilize the unique methods of the Secret Mantra tradition to achieve whatever spiritual accomplishments one desires, whether supreme or mundane." [ON 534] As seen in the preceding commentaries, these classifications can be applied to the fruitional state (as in the relationship between these four and the four knowledge holders discussed by Jigme Lingpa), to mantra recitation (as discussed by Getse Mahapaṇḍita), and also to development stage practice in general (''see'' individual Glossary entries). +
As a symbolic representation used in development stage practice, blood is often visualized filling a skull cup, representing the conquering of the four demons. [KR 51]. +
''See'' four types of birth. +
The second of the five paths; the point at which one has amassed the fundamental virtues that are the critical factors needed to transcend mundane existence, "joined" with the direct realization of the truth, grasped this truth through the knowledge that comes from meditation, and realized that phenomena lack any true nature. [TD 2030] +
According to Jamgön Kongtrül, this is one of the three most important approaches to development stage visualization, along with the five manifestations of enlightenment and the ritual of the three vajras. He explains, "To visualize the four vajras, start out by meditating on emptiness. Next, radiate light outwards from the sun disc, moon disc, and seed that are resting upon the lotus seat. Then, gathering it back in, visualize the form of the deity in its entirety, place the three syllables at its three places, and so on. This form of visualization is taught in the ''Subsequent Tantra of the Assembly'' and the ''Two Sections''." [TK 3, 208] +
Mantras are formations of syllables that protect practitioners of the Vajra Vehicle from the ordinary perceptions of their own mind. They also function to invoke the yidam deities and their retinue. [TD 707] Explaining the etymology of the term, Dudjom Rinpoche writes, "''Mana'', which conveys the meaning of mind, and ''trāya'', which conveys that of protection, become 'mantra' by syllabic contraction, and therefrom the sense of protecting the mind is derived." [NS 257] ''See also'' Secret Mantra Vehicle. +
As Jamgön Kongtrül explains, in the context of development stage practice, the seed syllable is the spiritual life-force of the yidam deity, "the unchanging nature of its respective family." [LW 14] +
Close approach is the second of the four divisions of approach and accomplishment. Though this phase can be discussed in a variety of contexts, in terms of development stage practice, close approach involves the merging of the enlightened mind of the yidam deity with one's own ordinary consciousness. [KR 60] +
The unchanging and self aware suchness that is present as the innate potential of all beings - immutable great bliss. [TD 567] +
A yidam deity associated with the principle of enlightened qualities from the Eight Great Sādhana Teachings. +
The Buddhist teachings are often classified into two divisions, which represent two approaches to enlightenment, the Sūtra Vehicle and the Vajra Vehicle. The former is often referred to as the "Causal Vehicle" because, in this tradition, practice consists of assembling the causes that will lead to the attainment of liberation. This vehicle is further divided into the Vehicles of the Listeners and Solitary Buddhas (which comprise the Lesser Vehicle) and the Vehicle of the Bodhisattvas (the Great Vehicle).c +
See putification, perfection, and maturation. +
Along with calm abiding, insight is one of the common denominators and causes of all meditative absorptions. It entails the observation of the specific distinguishing nature of a given object. [TD 3092] +
In the textual tradition of the Nyingma School, the three outer tantras are listed as Kriyā Tantra (Activity Tantra), Caryā Tantra (Performance Tantra), and Yoga Tantra (Union Tantra). These traditions are also referred to as the "Vedic Vehicles of Ascetic Practice," due to the fact that they include various ascetic practices, such as ritual cleansing and purification, that are similar to those found in the Vedic tradition of the Hindu Brahmin caste. [TD 1740] +
As the second of the three absorptions, this absorption involves an impartial and unified compassion towards all beings. According to Jigme Lingpa, this compassion is the natural radiance of the empty luminosity of the first absorption, the absorption of suchness. He also states that practicing this absorption frees the practitioner from nihilistic views and rebirths in the form realm, and allows for the transformation of the intermediate state into the sambhogakāya. [JL 222] Concerning the actual practice of this absorption, Tenpe Nyima writes, "Within this state of empty clarity, meditate for a while on a nonreferential, illusory compassion towards the sentient beings who do not recognize their own innate wisdom. This is the all-illuminating absorption." He further mentions that this absorption is also known as the "practice of illusory compassion," "the heroic gait," and "aspiration-free absorption." [KR 25] +
A substance that allows one to conquer death +
Quoting the ''Sūtra of the Levels of Buddhahood'', Jigme Lingpa explains, "Discerning wisdom is like our solar system, which can be divided into distinct elements - the continents, sun, moon, and so on. Just so, discerning wisdom is the knowledge of each and every perfectly complete transcendent quality, the entire range of causes along with their results, and the genuine attainments of the listeners, solitary buddhas, and bodhisattvas." [YT 431] +
Alternate term for the three outer tantras. +
