Difference between revisions of "The steps of Practice in the Path"
(Created page with "thumb|250px| <poem> First, the preparatory exercises of Akrul-akor and Stong-ra are given; second, the process of the actual practice. Some in the Marpa...") |
m (Text replacement - "actual practice" to "actual practice") |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Naroppa1.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Naroppa1.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | First, the preparatory exercises of Akrul-akor and Stong-ra are given; second, the process of the actual practice. | + | First, the preparatory exercises of [[Akrul-akor]] and [[Stong-ra]] are given; second, the process of the actual practice. |
| − | Some in the Marpa School say that with the protection-practice of the Hūṃ word during the inhaling, exhaling, and holding periods of breathing, or with the moderate wrathful deities as protection, or with the practice of the Guru Yoga to accumulate the merits, the Yogi may do without the practice of Akrul-akor and Stong-ra. This kind of saying is given by the later followers; but His Holiness Milarepa and Gampopa never so declared in the old days. | + | Some in the [[Marpa]] School say that with the protection-practice of the [[Hūṃ]] [[word]] during the inhaling, exhaling, and holding periods of [[breathing]], or with the moderate [[wrathful deities]] as [[protection]], or with the practice of the [[Guru Yoga]] to [[accumulate]] the [[merits]], the [[Yogi]] may do without the practice of [[Akrul-akor]] and [[[[Stong-[[[[[[[[]ra. This kind of saying is given by the later followers; but [[His Holiness]] [[Milarepa]] and [[Gampopa]] never so declared in the old days. |
| − | The practice of Akrul-akor has two aspects: First, the practice of Taking the Refuges and Arousing the Bodhi Heart; and second, meditation on the Guru who sits upon one's own head and sincerely praying to him. These practices are definitely in accordance with the teachings of Tantra. The Yogi should first vividly visualize himself as the Father-Mother Patron Buddha. | + | The practice of Akrul-akor has two aspects: First, the practice of Taking the [[Refuges]] and Arousing the [[Bodhi]] [[Heart]]; and second, [[meditation]] on the [[Guru]] who sits upon one's [[own]] head and sincerely praying to him. These practices are definitely in accordance with the teachings of [[Tantra]]. The [[Yogi]] should first vividly [[visualize]] himself as the [[Father-Mother]] {{Wiki|Patron}} [[Buddha]]. |
| − | Master Pag-mo-grub-b’a exposed, in his Stanzas on the Skillful Path, the methods and physical exercises as follows: | + | [[Master]] Pag-mo-grub-b’a exposed, in his [[Stanzas]] on the [[Skillful]] [[Path]], the methods and [[physical]] exercises as follows: |
| − | 1. Making the body full like a vase. | + | 1. Making the [[body]] full like a [[vase]]. |
| − | 2. Turning like a wheel. | + | 2. Turning like [[a wheel]]. |
3. Bending like a hook. | 3. Bending like a hook. | ||
| − | 4. With the Vajra Mudra shooting the sky and tightening the lower part. | + | 4. With the [[Vajra Mudra]] shooting the sky and tightening the lower part. |
| − | 5. Like a dog vomiting, shaking the body. | + | 5. Like a {{Wiki|dog}} vomiting, shaking the [[body]]. |
[[File:Naropa77.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Naropa77.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | 6. Shaking the head and body, and stretching the limbs. | + | 6. Shaking the head and [[body]], and stretching the limbs. |
p. 161 | p. 161 | ||
| − | These are the famous Six Exercises of Naropa. | + | These are the famous Six Exercises of [[Naropa]]. |
| − | 1. Making the body full like a vase: The Yogi should sit on a comfortable seat in a lotus posture, his body and spine erect; put his two palms on his two knees; inhale the air with the right nostril, and then look to the left and exhale all the air very slowly and gently. Take in the air with the right nostril and look toward the right, and slowly, gently, let all the breath out. Then take in the air with the left nostril and look toward the left; gently let the breath out as before. Next take in the air with both nostrils and let the breath out while the body remains sitting in a normal position. Repeat this manner of breathing three times. Altogether nine repetitions are required to expel all the defiled air within the body. During the inhaling and exhaling, the mouth should not be opened. The yogi should keep his body straight and turn his two fists inward. Then he should inhale very gently and slowly and send the air down below the navel. Meantime he should gulp down the air without any sound, using the diaphragm to press the Upper Prana down and to gently pull up the Lower Prana. Thus, the Upper and Lower Prana meet and unite. The mind should concentrate on the center of the navel Chakra, and one should hold the breath as long as he can as if holding the air in a vase to its fullness. During this breath-holding period, all the body movements should be carried out. Although not a real Akrul-akor exercise, this exercise is called a form of Akrul-akor. At the moment when the yogi cannot hold the breath longer, he should very gently let the air out through the nostrils, but never through the mouth. While doing this, the mind should not think of anything. | + | 1. Making the [[body]] full like a [[vase]]: The [[Yogi]] should sit on a comfortable seat in a [[lotus posture]], his [[body]] and spine erect; put his two palms on his two knees; inhale the [[air]] with the right nostril, and then look to the left and exhale all the [[air]] very slowly and gently. Take in the [[air]] with the right nostril and look toward the right, and slowly, gently, let all the [[breath]] out. Then take in the [[air]] with the left nostril and look toward the left; gently let the [[breath]] out as before. Next take in the [[air]] with both nostrils and let the [[breath]] out while the [[body]] remains sitting in a normal position. Repeat this manner of [[breathing]] three times. Altogether nine repetitions are required to expel all the {{Wiki|defiled}} [[air]] within the [[body]]. During the inhaling and exhaling, the {{Wiki|mouth}} should not be opened. The [[yogi]] should keep his [[body]] straight and turn his two fists inward. Then he should inhale very gently and slowly and send the [[air]] down below the {{Wiki|navel}}. Meantime he should gulp down the [[air]] without any [[sound]], using the {{Wiki|diaphragm}} to press the Upper [[Prana]] down and to gently pull up the Lower [[Prana]]. Thus, the Upper and Lower [[Prana]] meet and unite. The [[mind]] should [[concentrate]] on the center of the {{Wiki|navel}} [[Chakra]], and one should hold the [[breath]] as long as he can as if holding the [[air]] in a [[vase]] to its fullness. During this breath-holding period, all the [[body]] movements should be carried out. Although not a real Akrul-akor exercise, this exercise is called a [[form]] of Akrul-akor. At the [[moment]] when the [[yogi]] cannot hold the [[breath]] longer, he should very gently let the [[air]] out through the nostrils, but never through the {{Wiki|mouth}}. While doing this, the [[mind]] should not think of anything. |
| − | 2. Turning like a Wheel: Sitting in the Lotus posture, | + | 2. Turning like a [[Wheel]]: Sitting in the [[Lotus posture]], |
[[File:Naropa455.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Naropa455.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
p. 162 | p. 162 | ||
| − | use the fingers of the right hand to hold the large toe of the right foot and those of the left hand to hold the large toe of the left foot. Hold the body erect, and turn the waist and stomach clockwise three times; turn them counterclockwise three times. Next bend the body from left to right and from right to left three times; then bend the body forward and reverse it to the looking-up position. Repeat the body-bending three times. | + | use the fingers of the right hand to hold the large toe of the right foot and those of the left hand to hold the large toe of the left foot. Hold the [[body]] erect, and turn the waist and {{Wiki|stomach}} {{Wiki|clockwise}} three times; turn them counterclockwise three times. Next bend the [[body]] from left to right and from right to left three times; then bend the [[body]] forward and reverse it to the looking-up position. Repeat the body-bending three times. |
| − | 3. Bending like a Hook: Put the two fists, in the vajra-fist manner, upon the Heart Center and stretch them forward with great force, then stretch both arms forward. Use the right fist to make a circle around the head from left to right. As the arm and fist come down, use the elbow to strike the side of the chest. Do the same movement with the left arm from the opposite direction. Then holding the Vajra-fists and putting them on the Heart Center, again stretch them forward with force. Next, stretch both arms to the right, as before, and strike the side of the chest. | + | 3. Bending like a Hook: Put the two fists, in the vajra-fist manner, upon the [[Heart Center]] and stretch them forward with great force, then stretch both arms forward. Use the right fist to make a circle around the head from left to right. As the arm and fist come down, use the elbow to strike the side of the {{Wiki|chest}}. Do the same {{Wiki|movement}} with the left arm from the opposite [[direction]]. Then holding the Vajra-fists and putting them on the [[Heart Center]], again stretch them forward with force. Next, stretch both arms to the right, as before, and strike the side of the {{Wiki|chest}}. |
| − | 4. With the Vajra Mudra shooting the sky and tightening the lower part: Cross the two knees and hold the body erect. Join the fingers of both hands and massage the body from the lower part up to the head; then use the fingers to support the whole body and lift it up. Then suddenly loosen the fingers, and let the body drop down vehemently. | + | 4. With the [[Vajra Mudra]] shooting the sky and tightening the lower part: Cross the two knees and hold the [[body]] erect. Join the fingers of both hands and massage the [[body]] from the lower part up to the head; then use the fingers to support the whole [[body]] and lift it up. Then suddenly loosen the fingers, and let the [[body]] drop down vehemently. |
| − | 5. Like a dog vomiting, shaking the body: Cross the knees and keep the body straight. Put the two hands on the ground, and then successively lift up the body and the head. As the hands release the support and the body drops down, the whole body should be waved and shaken as though trembling. At the same time exhale the air and utter a prolonged Ha sound, turning round at the waist. Repeat three times. | + | 5. Like a {{Wiki|dog}} vomiting, shaking the [[body]]: Cross the knees and keep the [[body]] straight. Put the two hands on the ground, and then [[successively]] lift up the [[body]] and the head. As the hands [[release]] the support and the [[body]] drops down, the whole [[body]] should be waved and shaken as though trembling. At the same time exhale the [[air]] and utter a prolonged Ha [[sound]], turning round at the waist. Repeat three times. |
p. 163 | p. 163 | ||
| − | 6. Shaking the head and body and stretching the limbs: Put the right hand on the left knee and the left hand on the right knee. Use the fingers of both hands to pull up the knees, then shake the head and body. | + | 6. Shaking the head and [[body]] and stretching the limbs: Put the right hand on the left knee and the left hand on the right knee. Use the fingers of both hands to pull up the knees, then shake the head and [[body]]. |
| − | The yogi who practices these exercises must be acquainted with the art of holding the breath. He must be at ease and gentle. The best time to practice these exercises is before eating, or some time after the meal when the stomach is not too full. These exercises should be practised until the body becomes very flexible and energetic. | + | The [[yogi]] who practices these exercises must be acquainted with the [[art]] of holding the [[breath]]. He must be at ease and gentle. The best time to practice these exercises is before eating, or some time after the meal when the {{Wiki|stomach}} is not too full. These exercises should be practised until the [[body]] becomes very flexible and energetic. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/ettt/ettt13.htm www.sacred-texts.com] | [http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/ettt/ettt13.htm www.sacred-texts.com] | ||
[[Category:Six Yogas of Naropa]] | [[Category:Six Yogas of Naropa]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:47, 9 February 2016
First, the preparatory exercises of Akrul-akor and Stong-ra are given; second, the process of the actual practice.
Some in the Marpa School say that with the protection-practice of the Hūṃ word during the inhaling, exhaling, and holding periods of breathing, or with the moderate wrathful deities as protection, or with the practice of the Guru Yoga to accumulate the merits, the Yogi may do without the practice of Akrul-akor and [[[[Stong-[[[[[[[[]ra. This kind of saying is given by the later followers; but His Holiness Milarepa and Gampopa never so declared in the old days.
The practice of Akrul-akor has two aspects: First, the practice of Taking the Refuges and Arousing the Bodhi Heart; and second, meditation on the Guru who sits upon one's own head and sincerely praying to him. These practices are definitely in accordance with the teachings of Tantra. The Yogi should first vividly visualize himself as the Father-Mother Patron Buddha.
Master Pag-mo-grub-b’a exposed, in his Stanzas on the Skillful Path, the methods and physical exercises as follows:
1. Making the body full like a vase.
2. Turning like a wheel.
3. Bending like a hook.
4. With the Vajra Mudra shooting the sky and tightening the lower part.
5. Like a dog vomiting, shaking the body.
6. Shaking the head and body, and stretching the limbs.
p. 161
These are the famous Six Exercises of Naropa.
1. Making the body full like a vase: The Yogi should sit on a comfortable seat in a lotus posture, his body and spine erect; put his two palms on his two knees; inhale the air with the right nostril, and then look to the left and exhale all the air very slowly and gently. Take in the air with the right nostril and look toward the right, and slowly, gently, let all the breath out. Then take in the air with the left nostril and look toward the left; gently let the breath out as before. Next take in the air with both nostrils and let the breath out while the body remains sitting in a normal position. Repeat this manner of breathing three times. Altogether nine repetitions are required to expel all the defiled air within the body. During the inhaling and exhaling, the mouth should not be opened. The yogi should keep his body straight and turn his two fists inward. Then he should inhale very gently and slowly and send the air down below the navel. Meantime he should gulp down the air without any sound, using the diaphragm to press the Upper Prana down and to gently pull up the Lower Prana. Thus, the Upper and Lower Prana meet and unite. The mind should concentrate on the center of the navel Chakra, and one should hold the breath as long as he can as if holding the air in a vase to its fullness. During this breath-holding period, all the body movements should be carried out. Although not a real Akrul-akor exercise, this exercise is called a form of Akrul-akor. At the moment when the yogi cannot hold the breath longer, he should very gently let the air out through the nostrils, but never through the mouth. While doing this, the mind should not think of anything.
2. Turning like a Wheel: Sitting in the Lotus posture,
p. 162
use the fingers of the right hand to hold the large toe of the right foot and those of the left hand to hold the large toe of the left foot. Hold the body erect, and turn the waist and stomach clockwise three times; turn them counterclockwise three times. Next bend the body from left to right and from right to left three times; then bend the body forward and reverse it to the looking-up position. Repeat the body-bending three times.
3. Bending like a Hook: Put the two fists, in the vajra-fist manner, upon the Heart Center and stretch them forward with great force, then stretch both arms forward. Use the right fist to make a circle around the head from left to right. As the arm and fist come down, use the elbow to strike the side of the chest. Do the same movement with the left arm from the opposite direction. Then holding the Vajra-fists and putting them on the Heart Center, again stretch them forward with force. Next, stretch both arms to the right, as before, and strike the side of the chest.
4. With the Vajra Mudra shooting the sky and tightening the lower part: Cross the two knees and hold the body erect. Join the fingers of both hands and massage the body from the lower part up to the head; then use the fingers to support the whole body and lift it up. Then suddenly loosen the fingers, and let the body drop down vehemently.
5. Like a dog vomiting, shaking the body: Cross the knees and keep the body straight. Put the two hands on the ground, and then successively lift up the body and the head. As the hands release the support and the body drops down, the whole body should be waved and shaken as though trembling. At the same time exhale the air and utter a prolonged Ha sound, turning round at the waist. Repeat three times.
p. 163
6. Shaking the head and body and stretching the limbs: Put the right hand on the left knee and the left hand on the right knee. Use the fingers of both hands to pull up the knees, then shake the head and body.
The yogi who practices these exercises must be acquainted with the art of holding the breath. He must be at ease and gentle. The best time to practice these exercises is before eating, or some time after the meal when the stomach is not too full. These exercises should be practised until the body becomes very flexible and energetic.
