Question asked by Kenneth Daviknes Hansen
Hello, I have a question regarding the Vajrayogini tea ceremony, which I have seen on this site, as it says "I visualize myself as the deity at the center of the dharmachakra" how does this relate to self-generation which one requires initiation to do? I am curious as to the difference between these,
I hope you can answer this question,
Best wishes,
Kenneth Daviknes Hansen












































































































Dear Kenneth Daviknes Hansen,
Thank you for your question. I’m very happy that you have read the post on the Vajrayogini Tea Offering (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tea-offering-to-vajrayogini-for-the-1st-time.html). This offering is very beneficial for practitioners, whether one has Highest Tantric initiation or not. In fact as the post mentions, anyone can make this particular offering to Vajrayogini.
With regards to tantric prayers, they are mostly composed to be recited by those who have received tantric initiation. Since this prayer is tantric in nature, it therefore contains tantric elements. One of these elements is the generation or visualisation aspect of the practice.
When engaging in tantric meditation, there are two ways in which one visualises the deity in question. The first is called ‘front-generation’ during which one visualises the deity in front of oneself during the prayer. This is the visualisation that those without initiation engage in. The second is called ‘self-generation’. This is the visualisation that those with initiation engage in, after learning how to do so from a qualified guru. This involves the practitioner visualising his or herself as the particular deity, in this case it is Vajrayogini.
When the prayer refers to “I visualize myself as the deity at the center of the dharmachakra” it is referring to the tantric element of the practitioner visualising him or herself as Vajrayogini. If you have tantric initiation, you should consult the guru who gave you the initiation as how to best to practice this offering. If you are not an initiate then you simply visualise Vajrayogini in front of you. I hope this helps.
Thank you.