Nirmanakaya Hollow Interior Practice

Meditation on Generating the Channels within the hollow interior

Also called Nirmanakaya Hollow Interior Practice or “Second Tongra.”

First we do the Sambhogakaya Hollow Interior Practice as this practice builds upon that as a foundation. This is why we need to train in the Sambhogakaya Hollow Interior Practice until we are stable in that practice before adding this Nirmanakaya practice on top of that base.

Within the center of the luminous body of the great mother Thugje Kundro, visualize the three channels like three pillars of the body. 

The upper end of the central channel is at the crown of the head. The right and left channels penetrate through the two nostrils. The lower end of the three channels, form a junction four finger width below the naval in the shape of the Tibetan letter “cha” (like a “W.”)

There are many different explanations and numberings of the channel patterns, but here Shardza Rinpoche is using the explanation from the Yetri Thasel and Khandro Sang Dzöd texts. Other texts and teachings may use different numberings. 

In these two texts it says, “In the great bliss chakra at the crown of the head there are thirty-two white channel petals that are facing downward. In the enjoyment chakra at the throat there are sixteen green channel petals facing upwards. In the chakra of reality at the level of the heart there are eight red channel petals facing downwards. In the emanation chakra at the navel, there are four yellow channel petals facing upward. In the chakra of sustaining bliss at the secret place, there are twenty-eight blue channel petals facing sideways.” 

Imagine that all of these channels are held up like the spoke of an umbrella connected to the central channel. All of these channels are located in the same empty hollow space of the central channel. The colors of the channel petals differ from other texts, but the colors we are using are from the intention of the Dzogchen Yangtse Longchen. 

In the center of these five chakras, visualize the five root winds in the shapes of the five Buddha families. In the throat chakra is the upwards moving wind in the shape of a yellow parasol/umbrella. In the heart chakra is the life sustaining wind in the shape of a white precious jewel. In the naval chakra is the fire accompanying wind in the shape of a red wheel. In the secret chakra is the downward clearing wind in the shape of a blue bellow. In all the channel petals of the body is the pervasive wind which is shaped like green sun rays. The Yungdrung Buddha family is not used in this visualization. The essence of all five of these winds is like the form of a misty cloud circling and surrounding the chakras. 

Summary:

1. First, visualize the three channels.

2. Second, visualize the five channel petals of each chakra within the central channel. 

3. Third, visualize the five forms of the winds (color and shape).

If it is difficult to visualize all of this together, then we should first focus on just the central channel until our practice develops.

Imagine the central channel that has four characteristics.

Four Characteristics of the Central Channel:

1. Being straight like the trunk of a banana tree.

2. Blue like the color of coral.

3. Open mouth like an upward facing brass trumpet.

4. Not being established by any inherent nature is like a tube of light.

These three main channels symbolize the three enlightened bodies. The central channel symbolizes the Bonku, the body of reality – dharmakaya. The right channel symbolizes the Dzogku, the perfection body – sambhogakaya. The left channel symbolizes the Tulku, the emanation body – nirmanakaya. The nature of the three channels is the nature of the three bodies. 

These five root winds represent the nature of the five kayas. The upper moving wind symbolizes the dharmakaya. The life sustaining wind symbolizes the sambhogkaya. The fire accompanying wind symbolizes the nirmanakaya. The pervading wind symbolizes the essence kaya, the natural purity of the basic space of reality. The downward wind symbolizes the great bliss kaya, blissful awareness.

The five chakras symbolize the five kayas. The crown chakra and throat chakra symbolize the dharmakaya. The heart chakra symbolizes the sambhogkaya. The naval chakra symbolizes the nirmanakaya. The chakra with the branches channel petals symbolizes the essence kaya, the natural purity of the basic space of reality. The secret chakra symbolizes the great bliss kaya, blissful awareness.

When you visualize the three channels, you can feel that you are connected with the three kayas. When you visualize the five root winds you can feel you are connected with the five kayas. When you visualize the five chakras you can feel you are connected with the five kayas. These channels, winds, and chakras are not substantial or material. They are the nature of the kayas and nature of the enlightened mind.

In all these practices it is very important to settle well – properly sustain the connection – with the channels, winds, and chakras with their own path without falling into the delusion of visualization. If we do this, it is very helpful for directly connecting to Tummo practice, the nature of the blissful fire goddess. 

Practice in this way for three, five, or seven days.