Sadhana

Sadhana (Tib. druptap; sgrub thabs) The next stage on the path after accomplishing the ngöndro is sadhana, or literally ‘means of accomplishment’. Having received the appropriate empowerment (Tib. wang), oral transmission (Tib. lung) and instruction (Tib. tri) for a specific practice, we learn to develop an enlightened vision of the world by visualizing ourselves as a buddha or deity, and our surroundings as a pure realm or ‘buddhafield’, while reciting the appropriate mantra. This process is at first artificial, something which is developed or generated, but the visualizations correspond to the visionary experience of enlightened beings. By adopting these new habits of perception, we can weaken the ordinary habits of gross perception based on ignorance and emotional tendencies, and put ourselves in touch with a more subtle level of experience.

In the sadhanas of the outer tantras—Kriyayoga, Charyayoga, and Upayoga—we invoke the presence of the deity in the sky before us, as in Guru Yoga. In the sadhanas of the inner tantras—Mahayoga, Anuyoga, and Atiyoga—we ourselves arise in the form of the deity.

Practices such as: Riwo Sangchö; Tendrel Nyesel; The Wisdom Mind Practice of One Phurba; Dudjom Rinpoche's The Essential Daily Practice of Vajrakilaya; Rigdzin Düpa; Yang Nying Pudri; and Yumka Dechen Gyalmo are all sadhanas. The main time that most of us experience sadhana is during tsok practice twice a month on Guru Rinpoche and Dakinis’ Days.