The Tantra of Gdan-bzhi as well as the Tantra of Sambhuda says the same thing. They stress the necessity of having a (tamed) prana for practicing the (Transformation Yoga), only because through practicing the Vase Breathing can the pranas, which run wild toward all organs and gates in the body, be fairly gathered (or tamed). Some people say that, if one reaches the lowest stage of Vase-Breathing practice, one is qualified to perform the Transformation Yoga. This shows their ignorance of the teaching of Tantra.

In performing the Transformation Yoga, all the nine gates of the body[r_nar:101] except the Golden Gate on [top of the] the head should first be closed to prevent the of the consciousness through these gates. The consciousness should be allowed to exit only from the Golden Gate. According to Tantras, these conditions are required to meet the qualifications of a perfect ground upon which the qualified Tantric yogis may perform the Yoga of Transformation.

Furthermore, a perfect visualization on the exit of consciousness described by the Tantras is required. The procedure of the visualization is profusely described in the Fourth Book of Transformation Yoga as well as in the Book of Transformation Yoga of the Rngog School. However, the instructions I give here are mostly based upon the verbal

instruction from the gurus who primarily follow the teaching of this school.

One may ask, "Upon which deity's body should one practice the Transformation Yoga?" According to the gurus, one may depend on any patron Buddha of his own choosing. Though the Tantra of G'a-sbyor and Gdan-bzhi have pointed out some particular deity for Transformation Yoga together with the instructions on their practices, I shall not introduce them here; for it would take excessive space to explain them.

The Practice of the Transformation Yoga.

First, the yogi visualizes the self-body become the body of the patron Buddha; then visualizes a red Ah word at the reproductive center or at the navel center, a dark blue Hum word at the Heart Center, a white Kha word at the Gate of Purity[r_nar:102]. Then he should pull up the lower prana (from the reproductive center) to the navel center; thus the Ah word is pushed up to the place of the Hum word (in the Heart Center); again the Hum word is pushed to the Kha word. Some say the Hum word and Ah word should come down and return to their own places once, then rise up again; but I think the first way is simpler and more convenient. One should repeatedly practice this until the signs or symptoms appear. The signs are the feeling of itching, throbbing, etc., at the top of the head.