The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c9.s3.4

c9.s3.4

The Adhikārin must have a certain equipment before he proceeds to receive his initiation in the Tantra from a preceptor. And, in fact, as the Tantra path is an exceedingly difficult path, the disciple is required to have a great deal more equipment than is necessary for persuing any other Vidyā known to ancient India. First of all, the neophyte must be patient, enduring, devoted and sincere, and he must serve his preceptor with whole-hearted devotion. But the most important equipment necessary for him is that he should be proficient in the art of Yoga and Haṭhayoga without which it is not possible to proceed with any Sādhana worth the name or with any difficult Tāntric practice. The process of the visualisation of the deity requires intensive training as the following account will show.