[n_nar:36]. Subtle defilements: According to Mahayana Buddhism these are the subtle, or fine, Clinging of Dharma, only to be destroyed in the Eight, Ninth and Tenth Bhumis in the advanced stage of the Bodhisattva's path. (See Avatansaga Sutra and Yogacara Bhumi.)

[n_nar:37]. These names are the title of the sub-schools or branches of Kagyutpa (the White School, or the School of Marpa.)

[n_nar:38]. This quotation from the Tantra of G'ye-rdo-rje is incomplete, being only a part or the original stanza. It therefore can be given many different interpretations.

[n_nar:39]. The Tantric Yogi: The original text is Brtul-zugs-chans, meaning literally "the one with oath."

[n_nar:40]. The Yoga of Forms and Non-Forms: This is not a perfect but an expressive translation. The Tibetan term Spros-pa means "Nonsense" or "Play-Words" which implies that all the conceptions and patterns of human thought are relative and illusory; they are "play-words" when applied to reality. For convenience, the translator has used the term "Yoga of Forms," because in the practice of Arising Yoga one cannot free oneself from conceptualism and symbolism. All visualizations, recitations, and prayers practiced in the Arising Yoga have form, while Mahamudra or the Yoga of Non-Forms transcends all these practices.

The reader may consider "The Yoga of Away-From-the Play-Words" and "The Yoga with Play-Words" as alternative translations.

[n_nar:41]. Four Castes: the four castes of India.

[n_nar:42]. Four Periods: Morning, noon, afternoon, and evening. Here Tsong commentary is not explicit. The translator presumes that he means that the Yogi meditates on a different part of the body (corresponding to the Five Buddhas and their adornments) during each of the four periods.

[n_nar:43]. "Sketchy Visualization": a general, non particularized mind-picture of the tutelary deity.

[n_nar:44]. Tutelary Pride: to cure the Samsaric Pride-of-Ego, Tantricism teaches the yogi to expand instead of abandon, as Hinayana Buddhism taught, this pride to a cosmic scale--to the identification of one's self with Buddha, this being the highest pride of all.

[n_nar:45]. Superb Visions: When the Yogi reaches this stage he no longer views the world and its objects in the ordinary, common, Samsaric way but sees the outer world as the Palace-Beyond-Measure and himself as the tutelary Buddha.

[n_nar:46]. Bodhi-heart means in this case, the male life-force or semen. Pad symbolizes the stability and the union of the two forces (male and female). [**]

[n_nar:47]. Mind-Functions: Buddhism distinguishes between the mind and its activity. Mind is that which acts, but the functions are the different ways in which this mind manifests. According to Yogacara, the mind or the No. 6 Consciousness has 51 mind functions.