Cultivation of the “Four Preliminary Practices”:
- By reciting the Fourfold Refuge Mantra, cultivators generate the strength of reliance, whereby their hearts depend entirely on the Root Lineage Guru, Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. With the faith of complete dependence and reliance, they will attain spiritual conviction and accomplishment.
- The practice of the Full Body Great Homage reflects the trust and sincerity towards buddhas, bodhisattvas, dharma protectors, dakas, dakinis, and deities. Prostration allows cultivators to eliminate their pride and eradicate attachment to their ego, purifying their body, speech, and mind. Additionally, prostration provides good exercise for maintaining a healthy body.
- The practice of the Mandala Offering allows cultivators to rapidly accumulate merits, which helps increase their virtue and wisdom.
- The Vajrasattva Practice eliminate eons of negative karma.
The Four Preliminary Practices are the fundamental practices of Tantrayana Buddhism. If cultivators can gain yogic union through these practices, they shall attain the spiritual level of “Equal Enlightenment” of a Bodhisattva. Without such accumulation of merits, how can anyone practice the Tantric Dharma?
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