Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

understand that nothing depicted there is just
ornamental: It is all significant for meditation. To
find out all this information," said Mr. Chen, "it is
necessary to read one of the books describing
yidams and their surroundings."
5. Degrees of Realization
There are three degrees of achievement regarding holy
appearances (these are correlated with the section on
realization in the chapter on definitions (see Ch. III, E,
4)).
a. Inferior degree: In a dream state, the practitioner
achieves a vision of the yidam.
b. Middle degree: The second stage occurs during the
state in which the meditator sees the vision while
half-awake and not disturbed by dreams (this
corresponds to "Ta").
c. Superior degree: Finally, in oneness of meditative
concentration, the holy appearance is achieved. Within
this highest experience, there are also three grades. The
lowest is when, in unity of concentration and meditation,
the deity's form can only be seen by the practitioner.
The middle grade of achievement is where the holy one
is seen by others also; while the ultimate grade is when
the practitioner can maintain the holy manifestation
even when he or she leaves the meditation seat and can
467