Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

iv. Confessing a misdeed of pride—offer devotion
(to break that pride).
v. Confessing a misdeed of doubt—offer ointment
(which cleanses outside and cures inside).
vi. Confessing sins of any kind—offer incense (the
fragrance of good silas is smelled everywhere).
All these practices are set down in many rituals and I
have only offered here some of the theory, together with
a little practical instruction. To conclude, we may say
something about the practice of taking refuge.
In the Kagyupa tradition, the object in which one takes
refuge is visualized as a large tree with five branches.
On the middle one is His Holiness Karmapa himself and
other gurus, while on the right branch are the
bodhisattvas of the Mahayana, and on the left, the arhats
of the Hinayana. The gurus are shown on a higher part
of the middle branch; yidam, middle part. On the whole
of the front one are shown the Buddha and all Buddhas
of the three periods of time. The branch of the back
supports the sutras—the sacred words of the Buddhas.
This is the objective side of taking refuge.
The meditator stands before this host, visualizing
himself or herself surrounded by all sentient beings.
Demons and evil ghosts are visualized in front of him,
one's mother on the left and one's father on the right.
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