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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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odhisattvas; to them all we should make our homage<br />

well.<br />

On the last part of our dedication there are two theories.<br />

Some say that the Iron Tower (or Pagoda) is real, while<br />

others deny this <strong>and</strong> aver that it is a symbol of the<br />

Dharmakaya. The story is told of Nagarjuna who<br />

opened the door of this tower by throwing at it seven<br />

seeds of mustard. Inside, he saw Vajrapani Bodhisattva<br />

guarding the Tantric treasures. (A pagoda is always a<br />

symbol of the Dharmakaya.)<br />

Mr. Chen then turned to Bhante <strong>and</strong> asked him,<br />

"You have been in South India. Have you<br />

investigated this story? Some people say that it is a<br />

real tower. Did you see it?"<br />

The listener replied that he had not been to the<br />

precise area where this tower is supposed to st<strong>and</strong><br />

according to the texts. "But many people say that in<br />

the southern mountains live ancient sages whom<br />

nobody sees. I met one such Tantric, a very aged<br />

man, <strong>and</strong> by local memory at least five or six<br />

hundred years old."<br />

Mr. Chen nodded his head saying "Anyway, such is<br />

the tradition of the Iron Tower. We should have<br />

faith in it." Then turning round in his seat he<br />

regarded the flower offering. "Tonight it is a good<br />

sign that you have brought these flowers. This kind<br />

407

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