འཕགས་པ་འཇམ་དཔལ་གྱ་རྩ་བའ་རྒྱད 132

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following the same procedure as previously explained, should examine the disciples as before and usher them in. He should give the empowerment as before and give them the mantra.⁷⁸¹ He should then explain the stages of samaya and the secret tantra, mudrā, and rites. After examining them for a long time and determining their character, he teaches them the rites for all tantras, mantras, and so forth. He should not teach this to anyone else.⁷⁸² This is the accepted procedure.

“The disciple, for his part, should gratify the maṇḍala master with anything that may be pleasing to him, and offer himself and the enjoyments.

“The maṇḍala master should then regard the disciple as his son, and treat him as such. Like a mother, he should offer him comforts and enjoyments.

“The disciple then, having obtained a particular mantra, should retire to a secluded area, to a place as previously described in more detail, and, in short, employ this mantra for the summoning, dismissing, and offering to the deities a bali consisting of lamps, perfume, and incense, following the elaborate procedure that has been taught as part of the maṇḍala instructions. He should thus summon the deity and present it with a welcome offering and a seat at the three junctions of the day. He should perform ritual ablutions three times a day, wear the three-piece apparel of an ascetic, and recite the mantra every day. Regarding the junctions of the day, the first junction is said to be from the end of the night until the sun is four angular cubits⁷⁸³ above the horizon. The second junction is said to be at midday, for as long as the center of the sun disk traverses in the sky the distance of four cubits. The third junction is said to be at sunset, for as long as it takes the sun to move the full distance of four cubits.

“One should approach a master who is learned and skilled
And has taken up the vow of disciplined [conduct],
One born in a great and illustrious family,
Steadfast and diligent in every respect.

“He must be actively engaged in the art of mantras
And be skilled and judicious in all tasks.