..续本文上一页 her lap to show that she has reached the goal and transcended worldly knowledge with prajna. Three kinds of wisdom-awareness can be attained: (1) prajna that arises from hearing the precious Dharma instructions, (2) prajna that is developed by contemplating and reflecting the instructions one has heard and (3) prajna that becomes manifest by meditating and integrating the teachings in one”s life. The final result of having accomplished the third kind of prajna is attainment of perfect mental stability, the goal, and this is why her left hand rests in her lap.

　　Buddha Shakyamuni, seated directly below Prajnaparamita, touched the earth with his right hand when he attained perfect enlightenment in Bodhgaya. What does the earth-touching gesture mean

　　 Lord Buddha called upon the earth, by touching it with his right hand, to witness that he had attained perfection of inner stability and supreme wisdom when he became enlightened. Prajnaparamita does not touch the earth with her first right hand because she is the one who gives birth to perfect awakening. Therefore her first right hand rests on her left hand in her lap. Nothing lasts, everything changes, therefore Prajnaparamita”s second left hand holds a sacred text that represents all the precious Dharma teachings, and her second right hand holds a vajra that stands for perfect realization of the immutable, ever-present changeless nature.

　　The Sambhogakaya-Buddha is seated above Prajnaparamita in space in front. There are two types of physical emanations of a buddha in the world of appearances: nirmanakaya and sambhogakaya. Buddha Shakyamuni is a nirmanakaya, wears three robes which denote simplicity, i.e., freedom from discursiveness. The Sambhogakaya-Buddha is depicted with many ornaments, which symbolize the radiance and abundance of insight and wisdom that bring joy and well-being. Both form kayas, each in its own way, show that perfect awakening is not a thing of naught, rather perfect awakening means being fully adorned and magnificently present while abiding in simplicity, spros-bral.

　　Of course, the source of refuge is the Three Jewels, i.e., the Buddha, the Dharma and the sangha, the sangha referring to all great masters, protectors, and helpers who belong to the transmission lineage. So, just as in lojong practice, together with all guests, one invokes the Buddha as the ultimate teacher who shows the way. Then one invokes the Dharma that is the teachings. One also invokes the sangha, those beings that protect, help and care for everyone most heedfully. The Three Jewels are the source of freedom from suffering and fear, the reason one invokes them. Actually, the Three Jewels represent the wisdom and compassion that we will realize too - if we practice.

　　The third kaya a buddha realizes is the dharmakaya, which is the own mind. One needs to realize that the dharmakaya, our own mind, is unborn, empty of inherent existence, never arises or ceases. How can this be

　　 One can investigate by taking an opponent”s view into account and ask, “If the mind is a solid thing that can be found and identified, then how can it be changed or develop for the better

　　 How can we even hope to attain and manifest qualities of awakening if the mind is a solid and static thing

　　” In truth, the own mind is dharmakaya, unborn and empty of inherent existence. This is the situation.

　　At this point in practice, one is assembled with one”s worst enemies, with all those one thinks are out to harm. One seeks refuge together with them. Everyone who has arrived shows deepest respect for all sources of protection, for the yidams and protectors at the base of the refuge tree, too, by folding their palms and speaking the refuge prayer with devotion and an open, loving heart. While concentrating on the source of…

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