Mediations Using Pure Mental Images
Buddha Images are generally drawn and painted from a ruler and compass to express perfection. Colors, posture, implements held, body adornments and background are styled to transmit meaning and to realize through meditation. They are not meant to be an image of a being in heaven but represent how that being helps all beings return to heaven. These are inherent identifying characteristics.
In practice, the image is visualized as pure colour and form with any substantiality, thus pure. A worldly image is meant as a guide to dissolve worldly attachments and aversions that one has to one's own form. One respects the worldly image as one would any spiritual teaching for if one has contempt for the teaching spiritual progress is very difficult.
No false images before one means that all beings must reach enlightenment, There is a prayer or vow that one will not cease to exert effort until all beings reach enlightenment. This make some unconformable due to unresolved hatred or anger.
These are characteristics that one should recall as one awakens to who one really is.
A good meditation to start with is Avalokitesvara, the lord of compassion. An emanation of Avalokitesvara teaches the Heart Sutra (see below on the main page).
Avalokitesvara is relative simple and can be practice in a short period of time (an hour) depending on how many mantras are chanted. Avalokitesvara is very profound and is one of the best methods for reaching enlightenment as the development of compassion is central to all practices.
Avalokitesvara holds the wish fulfilling jewel that all enlighten beings commit to. The jewel is held by two hands level with his heart. The other two hands hold a mala (string of beads; right hand) and a lotus in his left hand. This lotus has a sense of protection and guidance until one reaches enlightenment. One sits in this lotus when one becomes enlightened. This is connected to naked insight without support mentioned in Tranquility Meditation.
The mantra is Om Mani Padme Hum Hri
See web page Get Started Guide to Practice
but substitute the image below and the mantra.
Understanding and realizing the seed syllable Hri is very important.
See web page Meaning of Christ and Jesus for a more detailed description of understanding what is discussed on this page from a Christian point of view.
When one perfects a mediation using pure mental images the beings appears such as Avalokitesvara appears before one and thus there is no impure image before one.