The person who enters into initiation has to perform twelve labors. These are represented very well in the life of the Buddha, and also in the life of Heracles (Hercules). Heracles is a Greek symbol of Christ. The labors of Heracles are twelve stages of work that apply only to the initiate who has received Christ within, who has embodied that light. This is what we call a Bodhisattva: someone who is on the direct path. Such a person is not just any spiritual aspirant, not even just any Buddha. A person who is on the direct path walks a distinct, unique path. It is different from that of the Buddhas, masters, who walk on the Pratyeka path, the spiral path. It is different from that of Shravakas, followers or listeners of the path.
The twelve labors of Hercules, Heracles, are great works performed only by Bodhisattvas who have entered the direct path. Such persons are very rare. They enter into a very profound work in which they descend into the depths of the mind in order to cleanse it. When they cleanse a given level, they free themselves of suffering in that level. This is represented in twelve areat stades. [anon]