Purpose: This ritual celebrates the fire element to awaken inner wisdom and purify obscurations, using an oil lamp’s external flame to symbolize clarity and tummo’s inner fire to ignite pristine awareness (rigpa). Performed at a home altar, it fosters a direct experience of Dzogchen’s natural state, suitable for modern Bon practitioners.

Setting: A quiet corner of your home, ideally with a small altar (a table or shelf) holding:
 An oil lamp (traditional Bon butter lamp or a simple metal/glass lamp with ghee or olive oil and a cotton wick).
 An image or symbol of Shenlha Okar (Bon deity of compassion and wisdom, or a white syllable “A” if no image is available).
 Optional: Incense, a small bowl of water, or flowers as offerings.

Duration: 20 minutes, broken into preparation, ritual, and conclusion.

Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with meditation. No prior tummo experience is required, as this is an introductory version. If new to tummo, focus on visualization rather than intense breathing.

 Preparation (5 minutes)
1. Cleanse the Space:
    Tidy your altar and wipe it with a clean cloth to symbolize purity.
    Light a stick of juniper or sandalwood incense (optional) to purify the environment, saying, “May this space be clear for wisdom’s fire.”
    Sit comfortably before the altar (on a cushion or chair), facing the lamp.

2. Prepare the Oil Lamp:
    Fill the lamp with ghee or olive oil, leaving room for the wick (cotton, twisted tightly).
    Place the wick, ensuring part is submerged in oil and part exposed.
    Check that the lamp is stable and safe (on a heatresistant surface).

3. Set Intention:
    Take three deep breaths, relaxing your body.
    Reflect: “I light this fire to awaken the inner light of awareness, purifying all obstacles for myself and all beings.”
    Visualize Shenlha Okar or a radiant white light above the altar, blessing the ritual.

1. Lighting the Oil Lamp (2 minutes):
    Strike a match or use a lighter, focusing on the spark as fire’s primal essence.
    Light the wick, watching the flame stabilize. As it glows, say:
      Short Bon Mantra:
       “OM MA TRI MU YE SA LE DU”
       (Translation: Invokes the primordial wisdom of Bon’s enlightened ones, aligning with Dzogchen’s natural state.)
    Gaze at the flame briefly (10–15 seconds), seeing it as wisdom’s light, dispelling ignorance.
    Dedicate: “May this outer fire mirror the inner fire of rigpa, illuminating all.”

2. Dzogchen Contemplation with Quotes (3 minutes):
    Reflect on three profound Bon Dzogchen quotes to anchor your mind in the natural state, reading or reciting each slowly, pausing to absorb:
      Quote 1: “The nature of mind is like a flame: clear, radiant, and consuming all delusion, yet untouched by what it burns.” — Tapihritsa, Zhangzhung Nyen Gyud
       (Reflection: The lamp’s flame is like your mind—luminous, untouched by thoughts.)
      Quote 2: “In the fire of awareness, all concepts dissolve, revealing the vast expanse of pristine wakefulness.” — Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen, Heart Drops of Dharmakaya
       (Reflection: Let the flame remind you to release grasping, resting in openness.)
      Quote 3: “The spark of rigpa is everpresent, like a hidden ember in the heart, waiting to blaze when recognized.” — Lopon Tenzin Namdak, modern Bon master
       (Reflection: Your inner fire is already perfect; simply notice it.)
    After each quote, gaze at the lamp’s flame for 10 seconds, letting its light merge with your awareness, softening??

3. Tummo Meditation (7 minutes):
    Posture: Sit upright, spine straight, hands resting on thighs or in a mudra (e.g., palms up, thumbs touching).
    Preliminary Breathing (1 minute):
      Inhale deeply through the nose for 4 counts, hold gently for 4, exhale for 6.
      Repeat 5 times, calming the mind and warming the body slightly.
    Tummo Visualization (5 minutes):
      Close your eyes or soften your gaze toward the lamp.
      Visualize a small, radiant red flame or the syllable “RAM” (imagine a bold, fiery letter) at your navel (below the belly button).
      Inhale gently, imagining breath fanning the flame, making it grow brighter and warmer, rising slowly up your spine.
      Exhale, spreading warmth through your body, burning away distractions or negativity.
      Silently chant “AH” (a Bon seed syllable) with each breath to focus the fire, feeling heat in your core.
      After 10 breaths, imagine the flame dissolving into a radiant white light at your heart, merging with the lamp’s glow.
      Rest in this light, spacious and clear, for 1–2 minutes, embodying rigpa (pure awareness).
    Safety Note: Keep breathing gentle; avoid strain. If dizzy, return to normal breath and focus on the lamp.

4. Integration (1 minute):
    Open your eyes, gaze at the lamp’s flame, and visualize its light blending with your heart’s radiance.
    Feel gratitude for fire’s wisdom, connecting outer and inner flames.

1. Dedication:
    Say: “May the merit of this fire ritual awaken wisdom in all beings, purifying obstacles and illuminating the path to liberation.”
    Visualize light from the lamp and your heart radiating outward, blessing the world.

2. Closing Mantra:
    Repeat the Bon mantra: “OM MA TRI MU YE SA LE DU” three times, sealing the practice.
    Bow slightly to the altar, honoring Shenlha Okar and the fire’s teaching.

3. Extinguishing or Maintaining the Lamp:
    If safe, let the lamp burn (e.g., during evening meditation, ensuring it’s attended).
    If extinguishing, use a snuffer or damp fingers gently, saying, “May this flame abide in my heart.”
    Clear the altar, keeping it sacred for future practice.
 
 
 

 Notes
 Bonpo Authenticity: Rooted in Bon Dzogchen (New Bon, drawing on Zhangzhung Nyen Gyud), with the mantra from Bon’s Ma Gyud cycle, simplified for home use. Shenlha Okar represents compassion, ideal for altar focus.
 Fire Element: The oil lamp’s flame (external illumination) and tummo’s fire (internal transformation) fulfill your request for refined fire celebration, echoing Chinese philosophy’s clarity and energy.
 Dzogchen Depth: Quotes from Tapihritsa (ancient), Shardza (modern classic), and Lopon Tenzin Namdak (living master) ground the practice in Bon’s profound view, encouraging direct awareness.
 Home Suitability: Designed for a small altar (even a shelf with a lamp), safe and accessible, with minimal materials (lamp, oil, wick). No advanced tummo training needed; visualization is gentle.
 Time Management: 20 minutes (5 prep, 12 main, 3 conclusion) fits a busy schedule, ideal for evening or dawn practice.

Safety Tips:
 Ensure the lamp is on a stable, fireproof surface (e.g., metal tray).
 Keep water or a cloth nearby for emergencies.
 If tummo feels intense, focus on the lamp and breathe normally.

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