Editing Mandala of the Two Realms (section)

=== Practice ===
The Mandala is one of the three key elements of East Asian Esoteric Buddhism, along with [[Mudra]], and [[Mantra]]. While each of these elements preceded the development of mature esoteric Buddhism, the use of all three simultaneously (along with [[Abhiṣeka (Buddhism)|abhiṣeka]] ritual initiation) is the defining element of [[Vajrayana|Mantrayana]] Buddhism.<ref name=":9" /> These "three modes of action" or "ritual technologies" are often tied to the concept of the "Three Mysteries" ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 三密; [[pinyin]]: ''Sānmì''; [[rōmaji]]: ''Sanmitsu''), the "secrets" of body, speech and mind. According to [[Vajracharya|vajracarya]] Śubhākarasiṃha, "The three modes of action are simply the three secrets, and the three secrets are simply the three modes of action. The [[Trikaya|three bodies]] are simply the wisdom of tathāgata [[Mahavairocana]]."{{sfn|Orzech|Sorensen|Payne|2011|p=84}} 

To be allowed to practice the yogic methods of Mantrayana Buddhism, one was required to be initiated into the mandala through the ritual of [[Abhiṣeka (Buddhism)|abhiseka]] (lit. "ablution"). Orzech and Sørensen describe the tantric ritual of abhiseka as follows:{{blockquote|The vows are whispered in the ear of the candidate as he or she first prepares to enter the mandala. While blindfolded, the aspirant tosses a flower onto the mandala to establish a karmic affinity with a particular deity of the mandala. The blindfold is removed and the aspirant then glimpses the mandala for the first time. On the following day the initiate will begin the process of learning how to visualize the deities of the mandala—usually Mahāvairocana and [[Vajrasattva]].{{sfn|Orzech|Sorensen|Payne|2011|p=85}}}}Afterwards, the initiate is taught the secret mudras and mantras of his deity by the [[Vajracharya|vajracarya]] (tantric vajra master), and these secrets are revealed to be none other than the direct expression of Buddhahood itself. Through the use of these "three mysteries," the initiate is seen to ritually manifest the body, speech, and mind of the Buddha.{{sfn|Orzech|Sorensen|Payne|2011|p=277}}