Mediations Using Pure Mental Images

Buddha Images are generally drawn and painted from a ruler and compass to express perfection. Colours, posture, implements held, body adornments and background are styled to transmit meaning and to realize through meditation. They are not meant to be an image of a being in heaven but represent how that being helps all beings return to heaven. These are inherent identifying characteristics.

These are characteristics that one should recall as one awakens to who one really is.

A good meditation to start with is Avalokitesvara, the lord of compassion. An emanation of Avalokitesvara teaches the Heart Sutra (see below on the main page).

Avalokitesvara is relative simple and can be practice in a short period of time (an hour) depending on how many mantras are chanted. Avalokitesvara is very profound and is one of the best methods for reaching enlightenment as the development of compassion is central to all practices.

Avalokitesvara holds the wish fulfilling jewel that all enlighten beings commit to. The jewel is held by two hands level with his heart. The other two hands hold a mala (string of beads; right hand) and a lotus in his left hand. This lotus has a sense of protection and guidance until one reaches enlightenment. One sits in this lotus when one becomes enlightened. This is connected to naked insight without support mentioned in Tranquility Meditation.

The mantra is Om Mani Padme Hum (mantra explain in web site below) with the seed syllable Hri.

Web page http://dharma-haven.org/tibetan/chen-re-zig.htm has a lot of good information on this practice including how to practice. Reading (studying) is good in itself. Views from different teachers and well know teachers are included in this web site.

Understanding and realizing the seed syllable Hri is very important.