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

Pilgrimage – Yatra
Visit the sacred sites of the Buddha’s life in India and Nepal. Reverently and with folded hands,
circumambulate these sites, reflecting on the timeless power of the Dharma. Alternatively, visit
these places in your mind by reading the Buddha’s life story or gazing at images of these sites.
Exercises
For those who are new to Buddhism, practicing the following exercises each day for at least a
month will establish in you a strong foundation for positive living and inner peace, and prepare
you for higher Tantric practices. 20 to 60 minutes each day is ideal.
Devotion - Śraddhā
Supporting your path with devotional practices to start your meditation session greatly intensifies
its power.
Creating a Sacred Space – Bodhi Maṇḍa
Create a sacred space for meditation and rituals. You can decorate your room with:
Buddhist images (pratimā) – Such as photos of statues and ritual sites.
The Eight Auspicious Symbols (Aṣṭa Maṅgala) of an enlightened ruler: 1) the conch shell
(śaṅkha), the call to awakening, 2) the endless knot (śrī vatsa), wisdom, 3) the pair of goldfish
(matsya), fertility, 4) the lotus (padma), purity, 5) the parasol (catra), royal protection, 6) the
treasure vase (kumbha), abundance, 7) the wheel (cakra), the law of the Dharma, and 8) the
victory banner (dhvaja), enlightenment.
Set up a shrine or altar (vedi):
Buddha image (pratimā) - In the center. A statue or illustration of the Buddha.
Dharma text (sūtra) – The liberating power of the Buddha’s words.
Images of the four great moments of the Buddha’s life (pratimā): 1) a footprint (pāda), his birth,
2) a bodhi leaf (bodhi), his awakening, 3) a wheel of Dharma (cakra), his teaching, and 4) a
memorial burial marker (stūpa), his death.
Oil lamp (dīpa) - The lamp is the light of the Dharma.
Incense burner (dāhaka) - Incense is the smell of good moral conduct. Sandalwood, gum guggul,
or storax are common incense.
Flower vase (puṣpa) - Flowers represent impermanence. White carnations show inner purity.
Deity image (pratimā) - A worldly deity such as the earth goddess Pṛithivī (aka Bhu Devī). She
was the Buddha’s first witness to his enlightenment, and gives generously to all.
Each time you enter your sacred space for practice, offer a reverent bow with your hands in
Añjali Mudrā to your Buddha image. With your hands together reverently, touch your head,
throat, and heart center, representing your devotion through your body, speech and mind.
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