Buddhism and the seven realms of spiritual practice
1. Emanation Body – this world
2. Enjoyment Body – the astral dimension
3. Truth Body – a dimension deeper that is, much more subtle than the astral
4. Isolated Body – progressive isolation of consciousness of reality
5. Illusory Body – consciousness is based in the astral not the physical
6. Clear Light – development of a very subtle consciousness at the Truth Body level
7. Full Enlightenment – linking the Truth Body to Enjoyment Body
Mandala Meditation – emptiness is integral throughout this practice. Beginning Meditation – visualization of oneself in the center of the mandala. Subtle Meditation – visualization of the mandala surrounding the body. Completion Stage Meditations – visualize subtle energies known as winds (prana and chi) circulating throughout the energy body. Connect chakras to link with astral body.
Prayer Flags – are inscribed with symbols, invocations, prayers, and mantras. Tibetan Buddhists for centuries have planted these flags outside their homes and places of spiritual practice for the wind to carry their vibrations across the countryside. Prayer flags are said to bring happiness, long life and prosperity to the flag planter and those in the vicinity. Wind horse – is an allegory for the human soul (freedom and strength) in the shamanistic tradition of Central Asia. In Tibetan Buddhism, the horse was included as the pivotal element in the center of four other animals symbolizing the four cardinal directions. (Tiger, Snow Lion, Dragon/Naga/Serpent, Eagle).
Tibetan Prayer Wheels - (Mani wheels) are used to spread spiritual blessings and well-being. “Turning the wheel of the dharma” Rolls of thin paper are imprinted and wound around an axle in a protective metal container and spun around to reflect the universal mantra: “Om Mani Padme Hum” – “Hail the jewel in the lotus”
Butter Lamps – a way of sharing the light that lies within each of us and are conspicuous features of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout the Himalayas. The lamps traditionally burn clarified yak butter, but now often use vegetable oil or ghee. Each morning Tibetans offer a lighted butter lamp, representing the illumination of wisdom, along with seven bowls containing pure water on their household shrine. Each bowl is symbolic of:
1. Washing water
2. Drinking water
3. Flowers
4. Scent
5. Perfumed water
6. Food
7. Sound
The butter lamp is usually being placed between the fourth and fifth bowls. At funeral ceremonies or when visiting temples and going on pilgrimage to sacred sites, Tibetan Buddhists often light a large number butter lamps together at one time. They help to focus the mind and aid meditation.
The Bell and Dorje – the ‘thunderbolt of enlightenment,’ is that abrupt change in human consciousness, which is recognized by all the great religions as a pivotal episode in the lives of mystics and saints. The Bell and Dorje are inseparable ritual objects in Tibetan Buddhism. They are always used in combination during religious ceremonies. The Bell is held in the left hand, representing female aspect as wisdom/diamond. The Dorje is held in the right hand representing male aspect as method/thunderbolt. Together, they unite wisdom and method, or the attainment of Enlightenment. Each part of the dorje has a certain meaning. The two spheres of the dorje joined together in the middle represent the two sides of the brain. This dual nature in the dorje itself can also represent the body, mind, or masculine, feminine, etc. Just as in other types of eastern philosophy and religion such as the yin yang symbol, this duality is represented in the dorje. The spheres represents sunyata, the primordial nature of the universe. There are two sides of the dorje, and these represent two lotus flowers joined together, one side is for the phenomenal world (samsara), the other is for the noumenal world (nirvana). The three rings in the center of the dorje represent the spontaneous bliss of Buddha nature as emptiness, effortlessness, and singlessness. The eight upper petals represent the eight bodhisattvas, and the eight lower petals represent their consorts. Above the lotuses, there are three rings. These rings represent the six perfections, patience, generosity, discipline, effort, meditation, and wisdom.
The double Dorje symbol is known as the vishvavajra. It is also known as the double cross. This symbol is made when two dorjes are mounted together. The double dorje symbol is often used as a stamp or a seal, and placed on the bottom of statues and pendants. When the dorje or the double dorje sign are worn as pendants, they remind the wearer of the indestructibility of knowledge.
Mala Beads - The mala is used in Buddhism for counting mantras, chants or prayers. Malas are used especially in esoteric Japanese and Tibetan Buddhism, in which they are worn by priests and devotees alike. Buddhist rosaries are made from a variety of materials, most commonly wood. Preferred woods are sandalwood or sacred wood from the bodhi tree. More expensive rosaries are made of precious and semi-precious stones, including pearls, rubies, crystal, amber, coral, or jade, or precious metals such as gold. They can also be made of seeds, animal bone and sometime even human bone.
Number of Beads - Traditionally, Buddhist have 108 beads, representing the 108 human passions. A lesser number of beads are also seen in various forms of Mahayana Buddhism, usually a number divisible by three. Before being knotted, the string is passed through a large central bead and two smaller beads. These three additional beads keep the rest in place and indicate the completion of a cycle of mantras. They also symbolize the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. The hidden string that passed through all the beads symbolizes the penetrating power of the Buddhas. It should consist of nine threads, which symbolize Buddha and the eight Bodhisattvas.
Meru – This is a larger bead, not part of the 108. It is not tied in the sequence of the other beads. It is the guiding bead, the one that marks the beginning and end of the mala. It also stands for the wisdom that comes with emptiness.
