Generating the Mandala and the Deities of the Body Mandala > A preliminary explanation

Question 1

What is the meaning of ‘mandala’?

Answer 1

In general, ‘mandala’ means ‘celestial mansion’, but it sometimes also refers to the assembly of Deities, who are known as the ‘supported mandala’.

Question 2

What is the meaning of ‘sadhana’?

Answer 2

‘Method for attainment’
- a ritual that is a method for accomplishing the in-front generation or the self-generation.

Question 3

What is the most profound type of sadhana?

Answer 3

One that contains the body mandala practice of Heruka Father and Mother.

Whereas in other body mandala practices it is the gross parts of our body that are generated as Deities, in the practice of Heruka body mandala the channels and drops are generated as Deities.

Question 4

What are the four different ways of accomplishing a mandala?

Answer 4

1. Simply through concentration
2. In dependence upon a line drawing or painting as its basis of accomplishment
3. In dependence upon a sand drawing as its basis of accomplishment
4. In dependence upon the parts of a person’s body as its basis of accomplishment (the Heruka body mandala is accomplished using the fourth method)

Question 5

Why is name ‘basis Heruka’ used?

Answer 5

Because the gross and subtle parts of his body are the basis for accomplishing the mandala and Deities of the body mandala.

Question 6

What is a body mandala?

Answer 6

A body mandala is an actual or imagined celestial mansion or assembly of Deities that is accomplished on the basis of the parts of a person’s body.

The parts of the body are generated as the celestial mansion or assembly of Deities.

An actual body mandala is a celestial mansion or assembly of Deities that is the nature of the parts of the purified body of a Deity, or Tantric enlightened being.

Question 7

How does the ‘nature Heruka body mandala of the path’ arise?

Answer 7

1. We accomplish an imagined Heruka body mandala in dependence upon its basis, the gross and subtle parts of the body of ourself generated as Heruka.
2. With this basic foundation, when through completion stage meditation we attain meaning clear light, our imagined Heruka body mandala is completely purified through being dissolved into meaning clear light.
3. When we arise from meaning clear light we become an actual divine being with a divine celestial mansion, similar in aspect to Heruka’s actual mandala.

Question 8

Why is this Heruka body mandala superior?

Answer 8

Because it arises naturally from meaning clear light. It is not created by imagination.

Question 9

When do we attain the resultant or actual Heruka body mandala?

Answer 9

When we completely abandon our subtle dualistic appearances through the force of the vajra-like concentration of meaning clear light.

Question 10

What is our last mind as a sentient being?

Answer 10

Vajra-like concentration of meaning clear light

Question 11

Common vs uncommon instructions:

Answer 11

In front generation according to the common instructions.

Self-generation according to uncommon instructions.