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This important collection of teachings from the Northern Treasures Vajraki-la cycle includes liturgical practice texts (sadhana) from the original treasure revelations, together with explanatory notes and commentaries by the 17th century master Padma ´phrin-las on how to take these practices into a closed retreat and employ them for the highest benefit of oneself and all living beings. Having become empowered in the mandala of Vajraki-la by a master guru, trainees may use the skilful esoteric techniques, described herein, in order to develop a profound experiential certainty of the true nature of reality. These texts are manuals, designed to be studied by disciplined individuals who wish to train themselves in skilful altruism. They are traditional methods for overcoming the instincts of egoistic self-interest, allowing the mind to become focussed on the general welfare of the world, so that beneficial changes of great social value may be brought about in both thought and behaviour.
Painstakingly researched and annotated, this volume includes English translations of eight important texts, together with much of the original Tibetan.
Within the instructions for the preparation and protection of the retreat area are hitherto unpublished details of the means to suppress the various classes of afflicting demons (sri) that are potential causes of downfall for all tantric yogins. This is an ancient and vital aspect of vajrayana ritual practice that has been much neglected until now.

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From the foreword: "My previous study of the ´Bum nag, Tibet´s most authoritative literary overview of the entire tradition of Vajrak la, revealed the history of the Vajrak la doctrines and analysed their twofold purpose. The present work goes directly to the essential core and offers the reader those very meditations by means of which such twofold purpose may be accomplished. As stated in the ritual text, "Padmasambhava studied the hundred thousand sections of the K lavidyottama-tantra and then practised for twelve years in the rock cavern of gYa´-ri-gong. The ritual form of his practice is exactly the one given here." The amazing results of the great guru´s meditation in gYa´-ri are well known. As it is written in the gSol ´debs bar chad lam sel:

At the time when you introduced the jina´s doctrines [to Tibet]
You accomplished your practice in the forest around gYa´-ri.
The k la of your ritual service rose up to the vault of the sky
And you caught it with a vajra gesture.
Rolling it between the palms of your hands,
You threw it into the sandalwood forest
And the resulting blaze even dried up the lake.
Thus the abode of wicked heretics was completely destroyed
And the evil spirits [that they served] were annihilated.
As the destroyer of Mara, you have no equal!

Thus, for those who have studied the ´Bum nag and wish now to absorb themselves in such powerful meditation for the destruction of Mara, this book is offered."

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Robert Beer ist Künstler und Gelehrter des Buddhistischen und Hinduistischen Symbolismus. Er hat tibetische thangka-Malerei studiert und führt diese Kunst als einer der ersten Künstler aus dem Westen seit über 30 Jahren aus. Seine Bilder und Zeichnungen erscheinen in zahlreichen Büchern zum Thema Buddhismus. Auch ist er selbst Autor von Büchern zu Tibetischen Symbolen.

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