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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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Readers may see more on this method in Evans-Wentz's<br />

"Tibetan Yoga <strong>and</strong> Secret Doctrines," where it is given<br />

in his Book III, Chapter III.<br />

b. Bardo: The intermediate state. This has three stages<br />

of practice with light: White, red, <strong>and</strong> black.<br />

The whole practice is detailed in a Nyingma book, the<br />

Bardo Thodol (also edited by Evans-Wentz as The<br />

Tibetan Book of the Dead). During life one should read<br />

this over <strong>and</strong> become familiar with its contents. There is<br />

no need to practice specially its m<strong>and</strong>alas, etc., provided<br />

that the main practices which we have detailed are<br />

carried out. Then, at the time of death, one should be<br />

quite prepared, <strong>and</strong> with the aid of a good lama to read<br />

the book aloud while one is dying (to give additional<br />

guidance) one will certainly attain liberation.<br />

c. Phowa: Transference of consciousness. This may be<br />

practiced if the median channel is clear <strong>and</strong> the red <strong>and</strong><br />

white bodhicitta practice accomplished. Simply<br />

meditate upon the essence of the five elements <strong>and</strong> the<br />

five wisdoms <strong>and</strong> gather these together in one point, in<br />

the heart-wheel. Then utter HI. This will cause the<br />

essence to be sent out through the Buddha-hole in the<br />

crown of the head to the wisdom-Buddha visualized on<br />

the head. This hole is to be carefully distinguished from<br />

the Brahma-r<strong>and</strong>hra, used in Tantric Hinduism, which is<br />

four fingers' widths from the forehead back along the<br />

skull <strong>and</strong> is usually marked by a slight transverse<br />

507

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