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'''The protective tent''' ([[Wyl.]] ''bsrung gur'') and protective spheres ([[Wyl.]] ''bsrung 'khor'') sometimes called "vajra tent", are meditated upon in [[Vajrayana]] [[sadhana]] practices to prevent any negative influence from entering the practice space. It is usually done after [[expelling the obstructing forces]] (Tib. ''gek'') and preserved throughout the whole duration of the practice. The traditional example to illustrate this is of thoroughly locking oneself in after expelling thieves out of the house. There are the relative and the absolute protective tents.
'''The protective tent''' ([[Wyl.]] ''bsrung gur'') and protective spheres ([[Wyl.]] ''bsrung 'khor'') sometimes called 'vajra tent,' are meditated upon in [[Vajrayana]] [[sadhana]] practices to prevent any negative influence from entering the practice space. It is usually done after [[expelling the obstructing forces]] (Tib. ''gek'') and preserved throughout the whole duration of the practice. The traditional example to illustrate this is of thoroughly locking oneself in after expelling thieves out of the house. There are the relative and the absolute protective tents.


Visualisation of protective spheres can be more or less elaborate. In its simplest form it is a vajra tent formed of a large [[crossed vajra]] with all the intervals filled with smaller [[vajra]]s so that it is impenetrable. The following animation shows a more complex one, as described by [[Khenpo Chemchok]] in his [[The Words of the Vidyadhara which Bestow the Majesty of Great Bliss|commentary]] to the [[Rigdzin Düpa]] sadhana.


Visualisation of protective spheres can be more or less elaborate. In its simplest form it is a vajra tent formed of a large [[crossed vajra]] with all the intervals filled with smaller [[vajra]]s so that it is impenetrable. The following animation shows a more complex one, as described by [[Khenpo Chechok]] in his commentary to the [[Rigdzin Düpa]] sadhana.
== Animation of the Protection Spheres ==
 
 
== Animation of the protection spheres ==
The animation is a Flash file, so you'll need a Flash player or Flash extension on your browser. <br>
The animation is a Flash file, so you'll need a Flash player or Flash extension on your browser. <br>
Khenpo Chechok's explanation of the different parts is given below.<br>
Khenpo Chemchok's explanation of the different parts is given below.<br>
(click on the yellow arrow in the right corner to play the animation)  
(click on the yellow arrow in the right corner to play the animation)  


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=== Formation ===
=== Formation ===
Your heart emanates wrathful deities, weapons and masses of flame. At the same time, the wrathful weapons and flames you sent out earlier to expel the negative forces now return towards you. At the point where they meet, the vajra sphere is formed, like liquid metal being poured into a cast. 


Visualise that as the weapons of wrath and blazing masses of fire emanating from your heart meet those that come back after having expelled the negative forces, the vajra tent is formed, like molten metal as if poured into a cast [though there is no cast].
=== The Ground ===
 
[[image:Ground of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px|'''The Ground''']]
=== The ground ===
The ground transforms into a great crossed vajra. Small, and even smaller vajras fill all the gaps around and inside the main vajras, so that there is not even one tiny gap remaining.
[[image:Ground of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px| The Ground]]
The ground is transformed into a great crossed vajra, with the spaces filled with smaller vajras.




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=== The inner layer ===
=== The Inner Layer ===
[[image:Inner layer of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px| Ground and inner layer]]
[[image:Inner layer of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px| '''Ground and inner layer''']]
Around the edge of the circular ground, now completely filled with vajras, without any space between them, is a hard and solid circle of vajras positioned vertically, again with the intervals between them filled with smaller ones.  
Arising around the edge of the circular ground is a solid and unyielding wall of standing vajras. Again, all the gaps in this perimeter fence are filled with smaller vajras.  




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=== The outer layer: the net of vajras ===
=== The Outer Layer: The Net of Vajras ===
[[image:Two layers of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px| Outer and inner layer from above]]
[[image:Two layers of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px| '''Outer and inner layer seen from above''']]
Outside this is a net of vajras interlaced in squares, the prongs parallel to the circumference.  
Outside this is a net of vajras interlaced in squares, the spokes parallel to the circumference.  




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=== The Vajra Canopy ===
=== The Vajra Canopy ===
[[image:Canopy of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px| Canopy]]
[[image:Canopy of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px| '''The vajra canopy''']]
On top of this net is the vajra canopy, which is formed from a big double vajra, the spaces between filled with tiny vajras. At the tips are half vajras rising outwards.  
Above this net lies the vajra canopy, which is formed by a large double vajra. Again, all conceivable gaps are filled with tiny vajras. At the four tips of the double vajra are small half vajras that point slightly upwards.  




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=== The intermediate layer ===
=== The Intermediate Layer ===
In the space between the first and second layers of the tent (the circle of vajras positioned vertically and the net of vajras interlaced in squares), there is another net of vajras, hanging down from the top, so that the whole thing looks like a closed cup.  
In the space between the first and second layers of the protective
sphere, there is another net of vajras, hanging down like a
curtain from the top of the vajra canopy. It looks like a cup with
a sealed top.


=== The Vajra Tent ===
=== The Vajra Tent ===
[[image:Tent of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px| The Tent]]
[[image:Tent of Protective spheres.jpg|thumb|120px| '''The vajra tent''']]
Above this canopy is the vajra tent. In the middle at the top is a crossed vajra, the four parts sloping down, and the spaces filled with tiny vajras as before. It covers all the prongs including those of the standing vajras like an iron helmet. On the summit is a blue vajra with spread prongs. Outside blaze the fires of the end of time.
The vajra tent has the shape of a dome and covers all the other layers of the sphere. It is formed from a crossed vajra. The four spokes of the vajras slope downwards, all the way to the ground. As before, any space is totally filled with tiny vajras. The tent covers the spokes of all the vajras, including those of the standing vajras, and looks like an iron helmet. At the summit is a blue vajra with outspread spokes. All around the perimeter of the tent blaze the fires of the end of time.
 




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=== The surroundings ===
=== The Surroundings ===
Imagine that an infinite number of weapons of wrath spread outwards from the protective tent, and chase away all the negative influences.  
Imagine that an infinite number of wrathful deities and weapons spread outwards from the protective tent. They scatter and annihilate all negative influences.




[[Category: Key Terms]]
[[Category: Key Terms]]
[[Category: Sadhanas]]
[[Category: Sadhanas]]
[[Category: Media Library]]

Revision as of 11:14, 14 January 2009

The protective tent (Wyl. bsrung gur) and protective spheres (Wyl. bsrung 'khor) sometimes called 'vajra tent,' are meditated upon in Vajrayana sadhana practices to prevent any negative influence from entering the practice space. It is usually done after expelling the obstructing forces (Tib. gek) and preserved throughout the whole duration of the practice. The traditional example to illustrate this is of thoroughly locking oneself in after expelling thieves out of the house. There are the relative and the absolute protective tents.

Visualisation of protective spheres can be more or less elaborate. In its simplest form it is a vajra tent formed of a large crossed vajra with all the intervals filled with smaller vajras so that it is impenetrable. The following animation shows a more complex one, as described by Khenpo Chemchok in his commentary to the Rigdzin Düpa sadhana.

Animation of the Protection Spheres

The animation is a Flash file, so you'll need a Flash player or Flash extension on your browser.
Khenpo Chemchok's explanation of the different parts is given below.
(click on the yellow arrow in the right corner to play the animation)

<swf width="640" height="480">http://www.rigpawiki.org/Media/Video/ProtectionTent.swf</swf>

The animation can be downloaded by right clicking Protective Tent Animation and choose "save as".

The Relative Protection Spheres

Formation

Your heart emanates wrathful deities, weapons and masses of flame. At the same time, the wrathful weapons and flames you sent out earlier to expel the negative forces now return towards you. At the point where they meet, the vajra sphere is formed, like liquid metal being poured into a cast.

The Ground

The Ground

The ground transforms into a great crossed vajra. Small, and even smaller vajras fill all the gaps around and inside the main vajras, so that there is not even one tiny gap remaining.







The Inner Layer

Ground and inner layer

Arising around the edge of the circular ground is a solid and unyielding wall of standing vajras. Again, all the gaps in this perimeter fence are filled with smaller vajras.







The Outer Layer: The Net of Vajras

Outer and inner layer seen from above

Outside this is a net of vajras interlaced in squares, the spokes parallel to the circumference.








The Vajra Canopy

The vajra canopy

Above this net lies the vajra canopy, which is formed by a large double vajra. Again, all conceivable gaps are filled with tiny vajras. At the four tips of the double vajra are small half vajras that point slightly upwards.







The Intermediate Layer

In the space between the first and second layers of the protective sphere, there is another net of vajras, hanging down like a curtain from the top of the vajra canopy. It looks like a cup with a sealed top.


The Vajra Tent

The vajra tent

The vajra tent has the shape of a dome and covers all the other layers of the sphere. It is formed from a crossed vajra. The four spokes of the vajras slope downwards, all the way to the ground. As before, any space is totally filled with tiny vajras. The tent covers the spokes of all the vajras, including those of the standing vajras, and looks like an iron helmet. At the summit is a blue vajra with outspread spokes. All around the perimeter of the tent blaze the fires of the end of time.







The Surroundings

Imagine that an infinite number of wrathful deities and weapons spread outwards from the protective tent. They scatter and annihilate all negative influences.