On Dec 29, 2006, at 3:10 AM, cardemaister wrote:
40. By conquering the current called Udana the Yogi does not sink in
water or in swamps, he can walk on thorns etc., and can, die at will.
Udana is the name of the nerve current that governs the lungs and all
the upper parts of the body, and when he is master of it, he becomes
light in weight. He does not sink in water; he can walk on thorns and
sword blades, and stand in fire, and can depart this life whenever he
likes.
--------------------
utkrAnti f. stepping up to VS. S3Br. ; going out ; passing away ,
dying Katha1s.
It's a common yogic term. The term used when one is initated into
conscious "transference" is saMkrAnti: transference. The Tibetans
call it
Consciousness Transference
From RangjungYesheWiki
Consciousness Transference ('pho ba)
The process of the transference of consciousness (Skt. saṃkrānti)
at the moment of death enables the deceased to acquire liberation
from cyclic existence during the intermediate states. If capable the
deceased will have trained in the distinctive practices of
consciousness transference during his or her lifetime, and then
directly apply the technique at the time of death. Otherwise, the
transference may be successfully applied on behalf of the deceased by
an accomplished practitioner. Diverse modes of consciousness
transference may be applied. Among them, the optimum modes are:
consciousness transference into the buddha-body of reality (chos
sku'i 'pho ba); consciousness transference into the buddha-body of
perfect resource (longs sku'i 'pho ba); and consciousness
transference into the buddha-body of emanation (sprul sku'i 'pho ba);
but there are also techniques enabling ordinary persons to transfer
consciousness into more favourable modes of rebirth (tha mal pa'i
'pho ba) whether they die gradually or suddenly. The technique of
consciousness transference may be taught in the context of the
preliminary practices (sngon 'gro) of meditation, as in the tradition
of 'Jigs-med gLing-pa, or in the context of the perfection stage
(sampannakrama) of meditation, as in the celebrated Six Yogas of
Nāropa (na ro chos drug), while, in the tradition of the Great
Perfection, the term 'great consciousness transference' or "great
transformation" ('pho ba chen po) refers to the actual attainment of
the rainbow-like buddha-body of form. All practitioners are advised
to undertake training in the technique of consciousness transference
in the course of their lives. Among the signs of successful training,
a minute hole will appear at the anterior fontanelle on the crown of
the head, enabling consciousness to depart from the central channel
should death occur. In this regard, it is important to recognise the
signs indicative of the onset of death as and when they arise, and to
apply the ritual antidotes which might avert these signs and postpone
death. Only when such signs constantly recur without the possibility
of being averted by ritual means, and death becomes imminent, should
the dying person take recourse to the transference of consciousness.
'pho ba [Tib.]
From RangjungYesheWiki
Phowa. Ejection of consciousness to a buddhafield at the moment of
death [RY]
1) transport/ transfer; 2) go; 3) death; 4) changing [emanating,
descent, ejection, dying, ejection of consciousness, change place,
shift the transformation at death into a higher realm of existence] [IW]
90 minute period, change, transform, transfer, transmigration, change
place, go, move oneself away, migrate, depart, shift, descent,
ejection, alter, SA spo ba, meditation on transferring the
consciousness, movement, cycle of breaths, force of the breath,
flowing of the breath [JV]
transference of consciousness; to transfer/ shift; isc. shift in
perspective/ paradigm shift [RB]
phowa, transference of consciousness [RY]
'pho ba, 'phos pa, 'pho ba intr. v.; the transference of
consciousness; to transfer, shift, transit, transpose;
transformation; changing, emanating, descent, ejection, dying,
ejection of consciousness, transferring, to change place, shift. the
transformation at death into a higher realm of existence. ft. of 'pho
ba; transference of consciousness; to transfer/ shift; to transmit;
to enter [the heart]; to be transferred [RY] rang rgyud la 'pho ba
that they may receive in themselves [RY]
ejection of consciousness A yogic practice in which consciousness
leaves the body. One of the yogas of Naropa [RY]
1) transport/ transfer; 2) go; 3) death; 4) changing [IW]
