Four empowerments: Difference between revisions

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==The Function of the Four Empowerments==
==The Function of the Four Empowerments==


'''1. The Vase Empowerment'''<br>
=== The Vase Empowerment ===
*purifies all the negative [[karma]] accumulated through [[negative actions]] of the body
*purifies all the negative [[karma]] accumulated through [[negative actions]] of the body
*grants the [[blessing]]s of the vajra body
*grants the [[blessing]]s of the vajra body
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*enables the student to attain the [[nirmanakaya ]] level of realization.  
*enables the student to attain the [[nirmanakaya ]] level of realization.  


'''2. The Secret Empowerment'''<br>
=== The Secret Empowerment ===
*purifies all the negative karma accumulated through negative actions of the speech   
*purifies all the negative karma accumulated through negative actions of the speech   
*grants the blessings of vajra speech
*grants the blessings of vajra speech
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*enables the student to attain the [[sambhogakaya]] level of realization.
*enables the student to attain the [[sambhogakaya]] level of realization.


'''3. The Transcendent Knowledge-Wisdom Empowerment'''<br>
=== The Transcendent Knowledge-Wisdom Empowerment ===
*purifies all the negative karma accumulated through negative actions of the mind   
*purifies all the negative karma accumulated through negative actions of the mind   
*grants the blessings of the vajra mind
*grants the blessings of the vajra mind
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*enables the student to attain the [[dharmakaya]] level of realization.  
*enables the student to attain the [[dharmakaya]] level of realization.  


'''4. The Precious Word Empowerment'''<br>
=== The Precious Word Empowerment ===
*purifies all defilements of body, speech and mind, and all [[karmic obscurations|karmic]] and [[cognitive obscurations]]
*purifies all defilements of body, speech and mind, and all [[karmic obscurations|karmic]] and [[cognitive obscurations]]
*grants the blessings of vajra wisdom  
*grants the blessings of vajra wisdom  

Revision as of 08:36, 18 August 2009

Four empowerments (Tib. wang shyi; Wyl. dbang bzhi) — in general, and according to the inner tantras, there are four levels or stages within any empowerment:

  1. the vase empowerment (Wyl. bum pa'i dbang; Skt. kalaśābhiṣeka),
  2. the secret empowerment (Wyl. gsang ba'i dbang; Skt. guhyābhiṣeka),
  3. the knowledge-wisdom empowerment (Wyl. shes rab ye shes kyi dbang; Skt. prajñājñānābhiṣeka) and
  4. the precious word empowerment (Wyl. tshig gi dbang).

The Function of the Four Empowerments

The Vase Empowerment

The Secret Empowerment

  • purifies all the negative karma accumulated through negative actions of the speech
  • grants the blessings of vajra speech
  • unblocks and re-balances the prana
  • authorizes the student as a receptive vessel for mantra recitation
  • sows the seed for the attainment of the state of a ‘vidyadhara with power over life
  • enables the student to attain the sambhogakaya level of realization.

The Transcendent Knowledge-Wisdom Empowerment

  • purifies all the negative karma accumulated through negative actions of the mind
  • grants the blessings of the vajra mind
  • purifies and enhances bindu
  • authorizes the student as a receptive vessel for the chandali practices of bliss and emptiness (i.e. tsa lung and tümmo)
  • sows the seed for the attainment of the state of a ‘mahamudra vidyadhara
  • enables the student to attain the dharmakaya level of realization.

The Precious Word Empowerment

Further Reading

  • Tulku Thondup, Enlightened Journey (Boston: Shambhala, 1995), Chapter 12 'Receiving the Four Empowerments of Ngöndro Meditation'.