Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

on the eighth stage and as they listen to the preaching of
the Sambhogakaya Buddhas, come directly to the third
initiation of anuttarayoga practice. This they can do
because they have the Dharma-patience of the Non-born.
But, by the Buddha's grace, on this earth the standards
have been reduced, and he has set forth the Hinayana
and the Mahayana within the Diamond Vehicle.
In the first case, the eighth stage is very hard to realize,
and when one has it, this very special patience is one of
the accompanying merits. Where there is such complete
sublimation, the Vajrayana may very well be studied.
Here, we are not in such a heaven, but by the blessings
of Gautama Buddha we may practice Vajrayana if we
have settled all the preparations in due order, even
though we are not eighth-stage bodhisattvas. Of course,
we may use the Mahayana sunyata sublimation, but
going along in this way will take a very, very long time
to complete Perfect Enlightenment. Using the Vajrayana,
time will be shortened as our methods are more direct.
By mantra, mudra and other Vajrayana devices, we may
in this life directly touch the Great Perfection.
Ten stages are recognized in exoteric Buddhism, but
above these lie some other special stages in which the
four voidnesses and the four blisses are identified. Even
though one has not passed the Mahayana stages, but is
very wise and diligent in practice, then Full
Enlightenment may be won, though every stage may not
be seen very clearly. Which way one proceeds depends
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