Great-Bliss-Tantric-Sex-and-the-Path-to-Inner-Awakening

The Altar - Vedi
An altar (vedi) is recommended but not required for sādhana practice. You may add additional
items as desired to make it appealing. An altar ideally includes at least: 1) an image (pratimā) of
the deity, and 2) the outer offerings (bāhya pūjā). A separate offering table may be used to place
the outer offerings if they cannot fit on your altar.
An Image of the Deity
Place an image (pratimā) such as a statue (rūpa), illustration (pratimā), or attribute symbol
(cihna) of Vajravilāsinī, Padmanarteśvara, or Amitābha in the center of your altar. You can also
place images of other deities as you desire.
The Outer Offerings
1. Food offerings (bali) - To the main deity and worldly spirits. A small plate of food, or a simple
offering flatbread “cake,” made of wheat, rice, or barley, and can be decorated with a ribbon or
parasol.
2. Food (naivedya) - For a Tantric feast after the sādhana. These are placed on the altar and first
offered to the main deity you are worshipping.
Consecrating a Statue
To consecrate a statue (Rūpa Ādiṣṭhāna), first fill the inside of the statue (metal statues are
usually hollow) with small semi-precious stones like quartz; red stones like garnet, carnelian or
ruby are particularly good for deities of the Lotus Family. Write the mantra of the deity on a
small piece of paper and roll it and place it inside the statue, and then seal the bottom of the
statue closed with glue. You can either recite the mantra of the deity 108x, or recite a sādhana to
that deity. Make the Five Offerings (Pañca Upacāra) to the deity in the statue physically (See
Chatper 4: Consecration). At the end of your repetition or practice, request that the deity reside
permanently in your statue, and visualize it dissolving into your statue. The statue is now alive
with the powers of the deity. Consecration is only performed once.
On the Floor
The Maṇḍala
If you are placing a maṇḍala on the floor for your ritual, see items needed in Chapter 4:
Consecration.
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