Vision 4 As with all heart disciples of venerated masters, Khedrup Rinpoche was constantly overawed with the Great Lama Tsongkhapa’s works throughout his life. Even after this eminent master had passed on to Parinirvana, Khedrupje often thought of his master affectionately, missing him dearly and wanting his master to be around to give pointers to certain teachings he wasn’t well versed with. And it was during this time, his deep devotion coupled with his pure offering of the Great Mandala of 37 Heaps to his Lord Guru touched the Divine. Thus Lama Tsongkhapa appeared in a miraculous form manifesting as a Mahasiddha or a madman-saint. With a complexion of reddish tint, the great lord appeared in a form of a half naked man unconventional to that of a monk. He held aloft his right hand up into the air, a blazing-wisdom-sword, signifying his very own essence as the Bodhisattva Manjushri. Before his heart, he upheld a skull-cup full of ambrosia representing the fact that he had personally tasted all four classes of Tantras, awakened and unsullied, full of bliss of his emancipation. He holds it at his heart telling us how efficacious the Tantric teachings are if we really take them to heart. His long hair is tied into a bun and adorned beautifully with skulls representing the wisdom of the Five Buddha Families which has transcended all conventions. His ride is a ferocious tiger, symbolic for his strength and fierce boldness of his very own enlightened mind. The tiger is a very important symbolism in the teachings of his order, indicating that Lama Tsongkhapa is fearless in expounding the highest, most esoteric practices and displaying intimidating Dharma activity. In this majestic form, with glory a thousand fold the essence of all the Sugatas’ teachings, Lord Tsongkhapa was seated in the middle of the 84 great Mahasiddhas whom have appeared throughout India and Tibet and answered Khedrupje’s fervent prayer: “Son, do not be disheartened! I do not think you are separated from me Do not think that I am separated from you How could I abandon you to go anywhere else! Whenever you think of me, Just read again the treaties I composed On the two stages of generation and completion Of the authentic Path of the Tantras In general, Sentient beings are of small merit And their mental perturbations are strong Open for them the door of the Teaching”