th e key elements c 205 The reference here to a sentient being [called] gandharva [“subsisting on odors”] is made because the body of the intermediate-state being is identical [in nature] to the wind-mind inseparability.47 To summarize, during the cycle of existence, the coarse, karmic body is repeatedly discarded Nevertheless, the pure-essence body, which is the inseparability of wind and mind—and the ground for the actualization of the illusory body—continues without interruption throughout all one’s lifetimes in the beginningless cycle of existence until the attainment of total enlightenment For this reason, it is called the “innate body.” It is this innate body that creates the mental body of the intermediate state at the conclusion of the four empties during the process of death It is this same innate body that, at the conclusion of the four empties of sleep, appears as the dream body formed of [karmic] imprints Even on the levels of the formless [realm], although there is no evident appearance of a body due to the intoxication of meditative absorption, the innate body is present as a latent subtle body Practitioners of the creation phase apply on the path [the innate body] itself as the form dimension [in these ways]: In the Guhyasamaja, at the end of dissolving the visualization into luminous clarity, the innate body is generated as one’s lord.48 In the Chakrasamvara, Hevajra, and other tantras, the innate body is the hum (or other syllable) that enters [the main deities] when the causal vajra-holder is in union [with consort] In the Luipa [tradition of ] Chakrasamvara, the innate body is the nada that purifies the intermediate existence.49 Practitioners of the completion phase apply on the path [the innate body] as the form dimension in the following ways: Father-tantra practitioners accomplish [the stage of ] focus on the mind on the basis of vajra recitation, and by means of that [mind-focus], familiarize themselves repeatedly with the definite entry into and re-emergence from pristine awareness As a result of that, [re-emerging] from the luminous clarity of the all-empty, they attain the illusory pristine-awareness body created from just wind and mind Mother-tantra practitioners, on the basis of the inner-fire [practice], develop the mind isolation that comes from the special four joys of blazing and dripping, caused by the pristine-awareness winds being gathered into the central channel, the supreme [of channels] At the conclusion [of the stage of mind isolation], they attain the ordinary illusory body 206 C t he treasury of knowled ge Then, true luminous clarity purifies the ordinary illusory body of stains In the end is attained the special illusory body Accordingly, [Nagarjuna’s] Five Stages states:50 That consciousness triad in itself Truly possessed of the winds Again arises as the body of the yogin: That is known as the “illusory body.” Naropa’s Elucidation Summary of the Five Stages states:51 Although formed of merely wind and mind The illusory body has an actual appearance Moreover, according to the Five Stages, that illusory body arises from luminous clarity in the way a fish springs from water The special illusory body is called the “body of union,” or the “dimension of complete enjoyment.” A Related Point [ii] The remaining four of the six instructions are branches of those two As stated by Tilopa, Naropa, and others, the remaining [four] of the six instructions—dream, luminous clarity, and so on52—are branches of those [inner fire and illusory body] The natures of the four will be briefly treated in subsequent [sections of the Infinite Ocean of Knowledge] and therefore are not commented upon at this point 12 Luminous Clarity and the Completion Phase of Union bb The Ultimate: The Great-Seal Completion Phase of Luminous Clarity [II.B.2.d.iii.bb] 1 The Preamble 2 The Detailed Exposition a The Meanings of Luminous Clarity b Meditation on Luminous Clarity i Meditation Methods ii The Contemplations of the Eight Freedoms cc The Inseparability [of the Relative and Ultimate]: The Completion Phase of Union 1 Distinctions Within Union 2 The Method of Meditation on Union [This chapter concludes the description of the three key elements of the completion phase Presented now are part two: the ultimate, the completion phase of the great seal of luminous clarity; and part three, the inseparability of the relative and ultimate, the completion phase of union.] Part two, the ultimate, the completion phase of the great seal of luminous clarity, begins with a preamble followed by a detailed exposition 208 C t he treasury of knowled ge The Preamble [1] The ultimate, the great-seal completion phase of luminous clarity, is as follows: [Here] is presented the completion phase of the great seal of luminous clarity, which strikes the crucial point with respect to the ultimate nature [of things] The Detailed Exposition [2] This section has two parts: a general elucidation of the essential meanings [of luminous clarity] to be understood; and a discussion specifically on the subject of meditation [on luminous clarity] The Meanings of Luminous Clarity [a] The true nature and what manifests during sleep and at death are the ground At the time of the path, the view of emptiness, the true nature, is the general sense The unceasing clarity of that emptiness’s own luminosity is the literal sense The innate joy from the winds dissolving in the central channel is the hidden sense; Accompanied by duality, it is the example luminous clarity; without duality, the true Nonconceptual pristine awareness brings about realization and the ultimate result [Maitreya’s] Jewel Affinity states:1 Mind nature is luminous clarity It is changeless, just as space is The luminous clarity of the ground, as spoken of in that [citation], is the luminous clarity of the true nature, the primordially pure, naturally clear luminous clar ity and th e c ompletion phase c 209 and luminous basis of phenomena It is, moreover, the luminous clarity during sleep and luminous clarity at death since those definitely manifest for everyone—meditators on the path and non-practitioners alike— regardless of whether they are recognized or not During the time of the path, that [luminous clarity of the ground] is understood—through analyses based on reasonings and scriptural sources and through the strength of experience—as unborn emptiness, the true nature of all phenomena This view represents luminous clarity in the general sense [from a perspective] shared by [the way of ] the perfections All phenomena made to enter luminous clarity by way of either [the contemplation of ] total apprehension or that of successive destruction2 is luminous clarity in its general sense [from a perspective] unique to the indestructible way The unceasing clarity of that emptiness’s self-luminosity is luminous clarity in its literal sense This is essentially identical to what was discussed [above], the luminous clarity at the time of the ground Through cultivation of and familiarity with those [various types of ] luminous clarity, the winds dissolve in the central channel, and the luminous clarity of the fourth empty, or the innate [joy], the fourth joy, is recognized as a direct experience This is the actualization of luminous clarity in its hidden sense The innate [joy] or fourth empty accompanied by the duality of subject and object is the luminous clarity that is an example The innate [joy] or fourth empty free from the duality of subject and object is the true luminous clarity Those [types of luminous clarity] form a link with the direct realization of emptiness through the nonconceptual pristine awareness that is the true nature of things That direct realization is [luminous clarity] at the stage of training [Luminous clarity] at the stage of no more training is [reached when] all phenomena manifest fully as pristine awareness, and through the merging of mother–luminous clarity and son–luminous clarity,3 arise as the infinite expanse of the dimension of reality That is said to be luminous clarity as the ultimate result Meditation on Luminous Clarity [b] This section has two parts: the actual meditation methods; and a supplementary discussion on the contemplations of the eight freedoms ... phase of the great seal of luminous clarity; and part three, the inseparability of the relative and ultimate, the completion phase of union.] Part two, the ultimate, the completion phase of the... great seal of luminous clarity, begins with a preamble followed by a detailed exposition 208 C t he treasury of knowled ge The Preamble [1] The ultimate, the great-seal completion phase of luminous... illusory body is called the “body of union,” or the “dimension of complete enjoyment.” A Related Point [ii] The remaining four of the six instructions are branches of those two As stated by Tilopa,