ATIKOPA

After completing the preliminary practices, between the common preliminary practices and the uncommon inner preliminary practices, there are two more practices: liberation and reliance on the guru.
By practicing the preliminary practices, we can understand the suffering of samsara. Since samsara is suffering, no one wants to be trapped in it, and there will inevitably be a desire for liberation.
"Liberation" refers to escaping the great sea of suffering of samsara and attaining the stages of Arhat, Pratyekabuddha, or perfect enlightenment. Any of these stages is "liberation".
Beginning with the understanding that "human life is precious," one should harmonize one's own mindstream and then enter into the "uncommon preliminary practices," starting with "taking refuge" until the completion of the main practice. Each practice has its own merit, which is the cause of liberation.
The three stages of enlightenment—Śrāvaka, Pratyekabuddha, and perfect enlightenment—are all peaceful and cool, and one is liberated from the suffering of samsara. Therefore, one should rejoice in them.

Return to "Generation Stage"

• • • • • • Vows and Precepts
          • Preliminary Foundations of the Path
          • Generation Stage
          • Meditation Practice
          • Precious Human Rebirth
          • Impermanence of All Things
          • Infallible Cause and Effect
          • Suffering of Samsara
          • Liberation and Benefit
          • Reliance on the Guru
          • Refuge
          • Prostration
          • Generate Bodhicitta
          • Vajrasattva Mantra Practice
          • Accumulating Merit
          • Guru Yoga