Observations placeholder
Tibetan Book of the Dead - Achieving Buddhahood - Part 3
Identifier
010717
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Hidden amongst some advice on how to cope with actual death, are a series of exercises that explain how to achieve first ecstasy and moksha nirvana and then final annihilation. The explanation comes in the form of a description of both the techniques and their effects and this third observation describes the exercises that are used in the final phase. The method employs a combination of visualisation exercises plus stimulation via trigger points
A description of the experience
FINAL EXERCISE - BUDDHAHOOD
Then, all those present, oneself and others, should make the following aspirational prayer, saying, 'Now, may I, consequent on my death, for the sake of all sentient beings, take birth in an emanational body; and may this be of extensive benefit to all living beings! May this emanational body also be endowed with the major and minor marks, and may there be no obstacles to its lifespan and enlightened activity! May I be reborn as a great awareness holder, holding the lineage of the buddhas of the three times!'
Mentally, too, one should retain this fervent aspiration [constantly], and visualise that within the utterly translucent central channel, the essence of one's awareness is located in a triangle below the navel, in the form of a white seminal point, tinged with red, which is glistening and concentrated, and on the verge of rising upwards. Immediately, the rectum should be closed and drawn in, so that there is no option but for the seminal point to be forced upwards by the power of the vital energy by means of HI-KA HI-KA gasps, which should be performed to the best of one's ability, [the seminal point] should be moved upwards, and, as it reaches the orifice of the left nostril, the [motion of one's] awareness should be synchronised with [that of one's] respiration.
Then, in an instant, like an arrow being fired, [one's awareness] should penetrate the heart of the Buddha-body of Emanation which is before one. Let the vital energy and awareness remain there, without reabsorbing them [into one's body]. This exercise should be repeated until one's consciousness does depart [the body]. Consequently, [the transference] is certain to take effect. Once consciousness does depart in that state, it is certain that one will subsequently take birth in an emanational body which will act for the benefit of sentient beings.
If the consciousness transference into the Buddha-body of Emanation does occur in the above way, as an 'outer sign', clouds or rainbows will appear in the sky, some resembling a wish-granting tree or unfurled white silk, or a shower of flowers, and so forth.
As an 'inner sign', blood, serous fluid, or generative fluid will emerge from the left nostril; or else dew-like drops, and so forth may appear.