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The Initiation
In order for individuals to be able to apply the necessary meditation methods
for this, an initiation or
empowerment is first required. This empowerment serves on the one hand
to motivate the participants
to desire the attainmentof enlightenment for the good of all beings as
quickly as possible, and onthe
other works as a blessing for the practices and as a protection fromhindering
influences.
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The Alternative
Kalachakra commences with a description of the sequence of events taken by this initiation. The initiation proceeds on the basis
of a mandala composed of colored sand, a symbolic representation of Kalachakra's palace. Buddha Kalachakra sits enthroned with his spouse
Vishvamata at the center of the mandala. The pair are surrounded by otherBuddhas representing various aspects of purification and
transformation.The initiation consists of a series of complex visualizations in which, analogous to human development, different aspects of human
nature are purified and transformed.
Also read the teaching of Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche about Kalachakra >>
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The Alternative Kalachakra then describes the procedures involved in the generation
and completion stages. An essential element of tantras generally requires practitioners to refrain from identifying with
their everyday ego and its endless problems, and to view themselves in the corresponding visualizations
as enlightened beings. During the meditations of the so-called generation stage the practitioners
visualize themselves as enlightened Buddhas within a mandala, and their surroundings as a pure realm
in which the other participants are also enlightened beings. This is to allow participants to liberate
themselves from their everyday imprisonment within the concept of the ego and to guide the mind into
a state of purity and wisdom. The generation stage leads to the actualization of the Form Body
(Rupakaya). In the practice of the completion stage, which is essentially based on energy component
meditations, the mind retreats from all physical forms and realizes its original state as pure, clear,
light. The completion stage serves to actualize the Truth Body (Dharmakaya).
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