[n_1:13]. The four seasons comprise the greater circle or wheel of time, while the divisions of sunrise, noon, sunset, and midnight form the lesser wheel. The meaning and observances connected with these times i4 highly important in the practice of Tantricism.

[n_1:14]. Before beginning any Tantric practice, it is customary to recite incantations to dispel any untoward influences.

[n_1:15]. The Tibetan transliterates the Sanskrit v as w, since the Tibetan alphabet does not possess a v. We have reinserted y as the correct spelling of this important name. Ed.]

[n_1:16]. Congregation of the Sacred Offering: the 10th of the month, according to the lunar calendar, is considered a particularly auspicious time for those practicing Tantric yoga to congregate, make offerings to the angels and deities, and receive the grace-waves necessary for success in their practices.

[n_1:17]. An important Tantric tradition is that an esoteric teaching should have a "warm" or "close" succession to be most effective. If the teaching is handled too long by humans it becomes "cold" losing its initial strength to transmit power. This particular initiation ritual was revealed to the incarnation lama, Mi-rgyur-rdo-rje. A close disciple of his recorded it sometime later.

[n_1:18]. Evidence of mystical development.

[n_1:19]. Common = worldly; Superior = transcendental. See footnote 28, Chapter IV.

[n_1:20]. According to Tibetan , ghosts and demons manifest through the negative (Yin) aspect of universal forces while human beings belong to the positive (Yang) aspect of such forces. For this reason, ghosts and demons are much more likely to be seen in Tibet and other little-populated regions where their manifestation is not blotted out by the positive auras from large aggregations of human beings.

[n_1:21]. All virtues and fortunes.

[n_1:22]. Miracle powers.

[n_1:23]. Tantric Buddhas.

[n_1:24]. Mahamudra (The great Symbol): A Tibetan teaching, analogous to Chinese Zen, which seeks enlightenment directly through realization of the "pure essence of mind." [A more correct meaning, without the intellectualistic flavor of "mind" would be given by "pure essence of consciousness."]

[n_1:25]. Oath-breakers.

[n_1:26]. The Tantric (esoteric) Brotherhood, to the Sangha (exoteric) Brotherhood of general Buddhism.

[n_1:27]. Tibetan Rtsa-wa-gsums; can be translated as Three Pillars or Three Foundations. (1) Foundation of Blessing, from one's

personal Guru. (2) Foundation of Accomplishment, from practicing the yoga of a tutelary deity. (3) Foundation of Career, through appeals for guardianship and protection in wordly affairs from special "guardian deities" such as Mahakala.

[n_1:28]. The Buddhas of the four types of initiation.