THE EXTRAORDINARY PRELIMINARIES
The following have been referred to as the extraordinary preliminaries, and to accomplish them one should keep in mind the necessity of meeting a spiritual teacher who will eventually reveal the details of the procedures.
Taking Refuge
This is the most important preparation for the practice of Dharma since it makes the mind serviceable for this purpose.
Taking refuge in the Buddha is a necessary precondition for the successful practice of the Buddha Dharma.
In everyday life a person who is powerless to solve a particular problem must seek the help and advice of someone who can assist him.
Similarly, we go for refuge because we wish freedom from (a) the misery of Samsara and its causes, (b) the bondage of Karma and (c) delusions. To rely on those who are themselves powerless to assist is worthless since only the Buddha possesses all the proper qualifications.
Buddha in Tibetan is “sang gya”. “Sang” means awakened from the sleep of the two obstructions. “Gya” means the three qualities of a Buddha – compassion, wisdom, and power – are fully developed.
The Buddha’s compassion is equal for all beings. His wisdom is unlimited and embraces all objects of knowledge. His power to rescue all beings is fully mature. These qualities of a Buddha can only be attained gradually with great perseverance by destroying all delusions and perfecting all virtues.
In everyday life also, a desired position can only be acquired by gradually accomplishing the prerequisites.
On the Buddha’s part, all means of giving refuge are present. A person endowed with experience can advise others for he knows what must be avoided and what must be pursued. To offer help without experience is like guiding others when you yourself are blindfolded.
Just as all Buddhas have done, you also can achieve enlightenment because all beings have the seed of Buddhahood.
Iron ore must go through many processes before the impurities are removed and it is refined. Similarly, you have the Buddha potentiality within, but it is shrouded in delusions. This seed can grow into perfect Buddhahood by passing through many stages of purification.
Now, at the very beginning you cannot overcome all delusions at once. Continuous and persistent effort is the sole means by which you will eliminate them. All samsaric beings are temporarily separated from the Buddhas, but with the attainment of enlightenment, they become of the same nature as all the Buddhas.
Meditation
A meditation practised with a particular form of the Buddha is equivalent to worshipping all the Buddhas for their nature is one.
When taking refuge, visualise in the space directly before you, the place of refuge as a pure land.
In the centre is the wish-fulfilling tree adorned with the most precious objects imaginable.
On the top of this tree is a large lotus seat surmounted by a golden throne.
Seated on it is the root Guru in human form, surrounded by the line of Gurus of the tradition.
In front of him, also on a golden throne, stands Cakrasamvara and around him all the meditational deities.
Buddha Shakyamuni, attended by many Buddhas, is seated on the right side of the Guru while on his left is the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara with a large retinue of Bodhisattvas, Arhats and Pratyekabuddhas.
All these are manifestations of the Guru.
Behind the Guru, on another throne, is the Buddha’s teaching in the form of scriptures.
In the intermediate directions are Dakas and Dakinis, Viras and Viris, and Dharmapalas.
However, if the visualisation is found to be too difficult, you can visualise your personal deity alone.
The effect is the same whether you visualise a great assembly or just one Buddha.
Two Reasons for Taking Refuge
(1) The will to be free from Samsara. Unless you realise the misery of Samsara neither this will nor the wish to take refuge can arise.
(2) The trust in the Buddha as the sole help to accomplish this aim.
The correct manner in which to take refuge is to entrust yourself to the Buddha with all sincerity. Without such an attitude of mind the circumambulation of Stupas and recitation of verses are not so beneficial.
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