Being short of dharma knowledge is not a bad thing at all...there are so many who's cups are full and have no room to really learn anything.

Regarding transmission, there are some transmissions that contain whole cyles of teachings. traditionally the master will give transmission (lung) for a particular teaching by verbally reciting the Tibetan text of the teaching in the presence of the student. This recitation is typically done after detailed instructions have been given; for example, at the close of a retreat. By receiving the transmission, a student is empowered to study and practice the teachings on his or her own.

However, transmission is not limited to a lung. the lung is the reading transmission but there is also empowerment.

Transmitting means passing on the tantric teachings, which are original tantric texts. These texts include descriptions of unique tantric practices, methods of practising tantra, and explanations of attainments reached when the practices are completed.

The Yidam is the meditational deity. It is an aspect of the Buddha, and of the lama. Tranmission by empowerment is a means to ripen the disciple's mind for the practice. During an empowerment, the master takes the form of the yidam, and brings the disciple into the his mandala where he/she confers the initiation upon them.

After receiving the initiation, the disciple is allowed to practise the tantra of the yidam whose initiation he or she has received.

The same yidam or diety can take several forms also and may have more than one practice associated with it....i.e. peaceful, blissful, or wrathful.


Mark is practicing for us all :)