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These four Mandalas exist simultaneously. They are within
the Buddhas and human beings. The four Mandalas of the
Buddhas do not separate from the four Mandalas of human
beings, and vice versa. That is why it is mentioned in the Sutra as
the Four Inseparable Mandalas.
- The Three Secrets
The essential method of practice in Secret Buddhism is the
transcendental meditation on the Three Secrets of body, speech,
and mind. As mentioned above, the six elements are the life force
of all living beings and of the Buddhas, and the four Mandalas
are their forms. The three realms of doctrines relate to the “Body
Secret” of Mahavairocana. All sounds pertain to His speech, and
consciousness pertains to His mind. For the adept, forming a seal
symbol with the fingers relates to the “body secret,” reciting the
Dharani relates to “speech secret”, and dwelling in meditation
relates to the” mind secret”.
The difference between Buddha and living beings is purity
and impurity, wisdom and ignorance, liberation and bondage. To
experience the Buddha nature within yourself and that of the
universe, one has to practice meditation on the Three Secrets.
Forming the Mudra purifies karma from action (body karma).
Reciting the Dharani purifies karma from speaking (speech
karma). Focusing on the yantras or Mahavairocana or the seed-
syllables eliminates ambition, and purifies the thought (mind
karma).
This practice has two major stages:
The first stage is called the “upholding of the granted Three
Secrets”. When the practitioner has his body, speech, and mind
under control, his mind will become clear and still like water, and