An Overview of the Buddhadharma By Living Buddha
Sheng-yen Lu Psychic Heat and Treasure Vase Breathing Practice In Tantrayana or Esoteric Buddhism, there is the Psychic Heat Practice, an inner fire practice that enables one to enter into the Flame Samadhi. In the future, I shall discuss the inner fire practice and explain certain key points that are related to the physical body. This is because the central channel is actually disconnected at two places: between the throat and the third eye, and between the root charka and the navel charka. The formula to bridge these two gaps, transforming the central channel into a whole and connected entity, is only explained to students who will engage in this practice. Again, I will teach this sometime in the future. Apart from this formula concerning the central channel, one still must be able to maneuver all the essence in one’s body until it is concentrated at two points – this is the focusing of the light drops. The visualization associated with this practice has to be very clear. We all have chi (vital energy) in our bodies. For example, one’s temper flares when one is hit; this is an indication of the chi. Blushing upon seeing a member of the opposite sex is an indication of the chi in one’s body rushing to the face. When one is mad, blood rushes to the brain. This is also chi. However, the chi involved in each of these cases is just the ordinary kind of chi. In Tantrayana practice, one transforms this ordinary chi into the “wisdom chi.” What is “wisdom chi”? “Wisdom chi” is conscious chi that can be directed and controlled by intent. Such conscious chi may be developed through practice. There is also chi in the air that one breathes. When one breathes in, chi fills one’s entire body; when one breathes out, one becomes deflated. Between the incoming breath and the outgoing breath, one may actually feel the chi moving within the body. Prior to the generation of the inner fire, if one can control this chi and direct it anywhere inside the body with one’s conscious mind, then this chi is known as “wisdom chi.” To develop this conscious chi, one must practice the Treasure Vase Breathing Method. First visualize oneself transforming into a treasure vase. After the chi is inhaled, direct it to fill up and merge with every part of one’s body, all the way to the cellular level. Continue this until all the skin pores and the outermost layer of skin are completely filled with this chi. The whole body, like a treasure vase, completely envelops this treasure vase chi, which is transformed into heat. When one possesses this wisdom chi, one may consciously direct it into one’s hands and then project it away from one’s hand. One may also direct it to fingertips, toes, throat, forehead, crown, or any part of the body. This is the cultivation of chi. (Grand Master demonstrates directing chi to his fingers while the audience applauds.) Through this cultivation, the wisdom chi becomes one’s “truck.” “Truck,” as in a truck that is used to transport cargo. Did I pronounce the word “truck” correctly? Children often make fun of my English. [laughter and audience laughter] I thought perhaps I had pronounce it wrong again. [laughter] This truck inside one’s body is used to transport the “light drops.” What acts as the road, the “freeway”? The central channel is the freeway. Actually, there are many other channels in one’s body besides the central channel. Chi is the truck, and the vital essence in one’s body is placed on the truck and transported by it. The “five chakras” may be considered the five rest stops, or cities, along the freeway, through which run important line communications. In this type of Tantrayana practice, one must first develop the chi. Even if one has an unblocked central channel, signifying an open freeway, one still needs the transportation vehicle, the truck. Without the chi, one cannot transport anything. So, first cultivate the chi. How is the inner fire developed? The inner fire is generated from the stability or stillness associated with meditation. When this inner fire is kindled, it can be used to temper the light drops. When this inner fire is used to burn the light drops, vital essence is produced in the body. When this vital essence is elevated, one becomes the Buddha. When the physical light drops of an ordinary person are elevated, they will finally translate into the essence of Buddhahood. This is what the Tantrayana practice of chi, channel, and light drops is about. One has to develop the capability to maneuver this chi throughout one’s whole body. This way, one will not suffer illness and one’s body will become strong and vigorous. When one maneuvers the chi and the inner fire to circulate throughout the entire body, all emotional afflictions and obscurations will be completely eliminated. One’s central channel will transform into a bright road with the generation of the Clear Light. One will see the Clear Light. When one uses the truck to move and transport the vital essence along the central channel, one will reach the realm where one realizes one’s Buddha Nature, where there is no more out-flow or leakage of physical or subtle light drops. |
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