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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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For wisdom: Flowers <strong>and</strong> ornaments for the heavenly<br />

women <strong>and</strong> female Buddhas (dakinis). These are<br />

common to the m<strong>and</strong>ala of every school.<br />

In the Nyingmapa: Offerings for or symbolizing the<br />

Dharmakaya are for wisdom, whereas those for the<br />

various rupakayas (such as Nirmanakaya <strong>and</strong><br />

Sambhogakaya) are primarily for merits. (Of course,<br />

even the two rupakayas have wisdom, since they are<br />

Buddha-manifestations.)<br />

c. Benefits. The m<strong>and</strong>ala is not only to increase merit<br />

but to lengthen life as well. How does it do this? Some<br />

die through exhaustion of their merits, <strong>and</strong> the m<strong>and</strong>ala,<br />

which increases them, is both useful <strong>and</strong> practical.<br />

d. It is offered for the salvation of others <strong>and</strong> not at all<br />

for oneself. Though many people practice only<br />

selfishly—this is against the ideals of the Hinayana <strong>and</strong><br />

Mahayana.<br />

Here I have a poem called "Offering the M<strong>and</strong>ala":<br />

I do not want broad acres,<br />

Nor official rank <strong>and</strong> right<br />

The m<strong>and</strong>ala I offer twice<br />

By day, <strong>and</strong> twice by night.<br />

My one wish that every being<br />

Be a Dharma-instrument.<br />

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