Page 9 - Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols

Handbook of Tibetan Buddhis#128 9/1/10 11:23 AM Page viii

viii Contents

THE REALITY-SOURCE OR The wheel of dharma gesture 225
DHARMODAYA 209 The enlightenment gesture 226
The meditation gesture 226
The wheel of joy 209 The palms-folded gesture 227
The reality-source or dharmodaya 209 The humkara gesture or gesture
The dharmodaya of Vajrayogini 210 of victory over the three worlds 228
The spirit-subduing gesture 228
TORMAS AND SYMBOLIC The threatening forefinger 229
OFFERINGS 212 The mandala gesture 229
The cunda gesture 230
The torma 212
The thread-cross 213
The ransom offering of an arrow and APPENDICES 231
spindle 215
Appendix One – The Legend of the
The wrathful offering of the five senses 215
Churning of the Ocean 231
The inner offering 217
Appendix Two – The Five Buddha
HAND GESTURES OR Families 234
MUDRAS 221 Appendix Three – The Three Kayas 237
Appendix Four – The Channel Wheel
The boon-granting gesture 223
System 239
The protection gesture 223
The gesture of giving refuge 224
The earth-touching gesture 224 GLOSSARY 245