Prostrations are the first of these preliminary methods. We begin by taking Refuge, and what is most important here is where we look for that refuge. If we seek security in impermanent things like money, status, youth or beauty, we will have empty hands one day, with no dividends coming in. If, however, we take Refuge in the timeless nature of mind, weŽll find something which is endlessly rich and can never diappear. This is the reason we practice.
The Refuge with prostrations, aims at clearing away obscurations and accumulating good impressions. It is a very physical and powerful practice, focusing mainly on activities of the body.
We read the text. While reading the text we open ourselves to the Lama (Karmapa), surrounded by the lineage, to the Yidams, the Buddhas, the teachings, the practicing ones and the powerful Protectors. While visualzing this Refuge tree we do the physical prostrations and recite the Six-Line Refuge Prayer.
Recite this 7, 21 times or so often as you can.
When one has finished the 111,111 prostrations, something has happended. The body is no longer a hindrance, a thing one has to drag around. Instead, it has become a pleasant tool and a useful servant to the mind. It functions with less drama and can contain more joy. One may now experience waves of blessing and states of psychological richness, and feel grateful for no reason at all.
Download the Kagyu Refuge Thanka (512x768 pixels, 16 Million colours, 121 kByte).
