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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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Part Two<br />

MEDITATIONS OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH<br />

INITIATIONS OF ANUTTARAYOGA<br />

As Mr. Chen's usual two visitors neared his door,<br />

they heard the sound of the vajra-bell, <strong>and</strong> they<br />

arrived at the door just as Mr. Chen opened it to<br />

invite his visitors in.<br />

The writer's attention was attracted by the rosary<br />

held by Mr. Chen. It was rather short <strong>and</strong> the beads<br />

were broad <strong>and</strong> flat so he asked out of curiosity,<br />

"What is it made from?" "Human skull," was the<br />

yogi's reply, as he h<strong>and</strong>ed it to the writer. It then<br />

became clear how the rosary was made, rings of<br />

skull-bone of slightly irregular thickness <strong>and</strong><br />

diameter were threaded together to make up the<br />

usual 108. Bhante said that these were quite<br />

common, adding that there was a young Tibetan in<br />

the area who specialized in anything connected with<br />

death. "He's very ghoul-like in this respect but<br />

certainly of good character <strong>and</strong> very religious. He is<br />

well known as an expert at digging things up. As<br />

soon as he hears of a funeral, he rushes off to see<br />

what can be saved. His room is full of bits of human<br />

bones, skulls, <strong>and</strong> some special relics of holy<br />

lamas."<br />

474

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