Tag Archives: Akshobhya Buddha

Like a Diamond in the Sky: Bardo 3, Akshobhya

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Vajragoni

Imagine for a moment that we’ve jumped-ahead to the later Bardo experiences; this is the end of life, the signs of imminent death are creeping all around us. Our bodily shell (rupakaya) is deteriorating fast—that’s the sign-post up ahead…the Bardo of Dharmatā is coming soon! Then, for a brief interval, the Clear Light of the Dharmakaya is there beckoning us to its effervescent shore. The way home is shining all around us. But wait! Lacking the proper gnosis, we fail to recognize this supreme window of opportunity; the body consciousness still clings to life…panting…grasping…trying desperately to maintain control over the vicissitude’s of its dictatorial hold over all cognitive functions. The moment is wasted. The window slams shut! We are left alone again with those meandering thoughts that in the bardo-proper become manifested and magnified beyond description. We are once again entrapped in that monstrous maze whose diurnal course leads to another womb-birth in one of the six realms of samsaric existence. Mea Culpa! All is lost! That’s why prior effort spent in Bardo Realm Three of meditation and Deep Samadhis was so critical in avoiding and transcending this unhappy fault! Entering into the Transformational Mandala of the Five Tathagatas is a prerequisite for abstaining from the erratic course of the body consciousness and its nefarious crew, the five skandhas. read more

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Meet the Buddhas: Bardo 3, Prologue

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Vajragoni

Entering Bardo Realm Three, we discover that the Sambhogakayic-field we encountered in Bardo Two also encompasses what is to be revealed in this present Bardo of Meditation and Deep Samadhis, although the emphasis now is on the Pure Sambhogakayic Continuum—the Enjoyment (Transcendent) Realm wherein Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other advanced Spiritual Beings truly enjoy pure bliss on the ten planes of Perfected Spiritual Perfection. Amongst this most auspicious Sambhogakayic body reside “The Five Tathagatas”, or the Five Buddhas. They are also known as the Meditation-Buddhas. These Five-Tathagatas are emanations from the Primordial-Buddha Samantabhadra—or the Absolute Shining Dharmakaya. They represent basic rudiments of Holy Wisdom, that for our preliminary purposes in this Bardo-Realm are to counteract and neutralize the influence of the corresponding Five Skandhas. They also comprise the great Mandala of Transformation that is part and parcel of this Sambhogakayic Continuum. At this junction, a general breakdown, a snapshot if you will, of their significance is as follows: read more

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