their illuminate bodies, all now dwell in the Dharma Chakra in the heart center. Furthermore, all the hairs over your body are identical with the nature of Db'a-wo (Brave Deities). All the Pranas are the nature of Dakinis, all the White-Drops[r_7:11] manifest in the form of the infinite Peaceful and Wrathful Sambhogakaya of the Father Buddhas. All the Red Drops[r_7:12] (Ragda) manifest in the form of the infinite Peaceful and Wrathful Sambhogakaya of the Mother Buddhas. The numerous nadis[r_7:13] of the body are the Dakinis. Therefore, your very body itself is the nature of the Mandala of the Peaceful and Wrathful Buddhas. Hence, you should never despise, abuse, or injure your body, nor should you overstrain your body, practice asceticism, or commit suicide. When you eat or drink you should think that this is the Tantric Sacrament and duly make the offering. If you remain without attachment, you may always wear fire and lovely clothes and adorn yourself as a manner of

Folio 43

[Continuing the text of Folio 42.]

practicing Tantric offerings. At the time of death, the Peaceful and Wrathful Buddhas will come out of your body, extending over all space; thereupon the Bardo visions will begin. Remember! At that time do not be frightened or terrified by the thundering voices and the Three Lights! You should remember that all these Buddhas are your tutelary Buddhas whose initiations I am right now giving to you! You should remember and recognize them. As soon as you recognize them, you will be instantaneously emancipated!

Thus the Pointing-Out demonstration is extensively given to the disciples.

Click to enlarge
PLATE III

The number 5, entering Mahayana Buddhism via Hindu Tantric forms of the Sankhya doctrine, pervades Tibetan Buddhism. This detail, depicting the five Dhyani Buddhas, is from a tanka of the sambhogakaya aspect of the Buddha Amitabha. (Reproduced here by courtesy of the Newark Museum, Newark, New Jersey.)

The foregoing initiation-ritual is given to the disciples to make them understand the teachings of initiation; as said in the Prime King-Initiation Tantra of Vajrasattva:

The Mandala-Offering practice is to be done [now.]

For the unwise disciples,

The Vajrasattava gives the Skull-Initiation,

To elucidate the symbolic teachings.

The disciple should try to understand the Wisdom Initiation,

The Secret Initiation will elucidate the self-experience.

While the Word-Initiation elucidates the non-existence of self.

FOLIO 43b

(The text written on the reverse side of Folio 43.)

Thus says the Tantra of Vajrasattva.

Of this Skull-Initiation (a simpler type or Rite-Free Initiation), that Tantra gives the following explanation: