觀自在菩薩大悲智印周遍法界利益眾生薰真如法

Relying upon the Sacred Decree of Vairocana Buddha, I shall expound the Dharma of the Mahā Jñāna (Great Wisdom) Mudrā (Seal) of Avalokiteśvara. If a practitioner of Yoga wishes to be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss in the West in order to bring benefit to sentient beings, he should follow an Ācārya endowed with the Heat of Wisdom (the warmth of Wisdom) and receive the ritual method of the Lotus Vajra, extensively setting out offerings and performing the method of recitation. Within the Maṇḍala Platform he sets out an incense burner, and that incense burner wholly embraces the all-pervading aspect of the Dharma Realm of Avalokiteśvara.

What is taken as the Aspect? That is to say, the Incense Seal should form the syllable HRÌHÏ (猭), which represents the principle that "the Karma of Wisdom cannot be attained," embracing the four meanings of HA (HA—成), RA (RA—先), I (I—珂), and AHÏ (AHÏ—珆), which combine into a single syllable, the Sanskrit HRÌHÏ (猭).

The syllable HA (成) means that the CAUSES of all dharmas cannot be attained.

The syllable LA (先) means pure, without defilement.

The syllable I (珂) means sovereign freedom, which cannot be attained.

The syllable AHÏ (珆) means originally unarising and unceasing.

Originally unarising and unceasing; sovereignly free, which cannot be attained; pure, without defilement; the CAUSES of all dharmas cannot be attained. This is the meaning in reverse order. The forward and reverse orders correspond to one another, revealing the text of the Incense Seal. Now I shall draw this diagram so as to represent it.

( Beginning: the Causes of all Buddhas cannot be attained, pure without defilement, sovereignly free which cannot be attained, sovereignly free which cannot be attained, originally unarising and unceasing, originally unarising and unceasing, sovereignly free which cannot be attained, pure without defilement, sovereignly free which cannot be attained, pure without defilement, pure without defilement, the Buddhas cannot be attained: end ).

This Wondrous Incense Seal is named "Great Compassion Removing Suffering." Why is this so? Because, following the proper sequence, it is burned so as to reveal the TRUE principle. When the time of burning is completed, it represents that whether in forward or in reverse order, all return to the Dharma of EMPTINESS.

Therefore that which is contemplated is this: from the single syllable HRÌHÏ (猭HRÌHÏ) are born the five syllables OMÏ VAJRA DHARMA (湡向忝叻廕OMÏ VAJRA DHARMA). Within each single syllable are born immeasurable Syllable-Gates. Each single Syllable-Gate transforms into all the bodies of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Each Transformation Body pervades the entire Dharma Realm, bringing benefit to sentient beings. For this very reason the Practitioner obtains immeasurable merit, fulfills the Siddhi, and, relying upon the empowerment of the Buddhas, in this very life the Practitioner attains peace and security without any obstruction, like a wondrous Lotus Flower that all who behold it love and delight in. Having transformed this Body, he is then reborn within the Lotus Flower of the Highest Grade in the Land of Ultimate Bliss, possessing keen faculties, Wisdom, and Skillful Means.

In this life he meets the Buddha and obtains the Dhāraṇī Name (the appellation of the Total Retention) and is not defiled by the world. Wherever he is born, his body emits a subtle and wondrous fragrance that fills the lands of the ten directions, and the sentient beings who are perfumed by it all realize the stage of NON-RETROGRESSION. Such Merit and Virtue cannot be fully described.

Upon the canopy above that incense burner one may engrave the syllables VAJRA DHARMA (向忝叻廕), and at the beginning add the syllable OMÏ (湡), making the five syllables (which may be turned in the forward direction). At the very center of that canopy one should erect upright the form of the SAMAYA. Upon the single-pronged vajra place a half-opened eight-petaled lotus flower, and let the five syllables above encircle this Samaya.

The Samaya is the Form of the Original Vow. If one beholds this form and pays homage, single-mindedly reciting, one then realizes the LOTUS NATURE; and for this reason one who is born in the Land of Ultimate Bliss is not defiled by the world. Even should he come and go in the World to deliver sentient beings, he is like the Lotus Flower that is not defiled by any kind of filth—all of this being, by the power of the ORIGINAL VOW made in past lives, the realization of this Fruit-Realm.

For this very reason, when the Practitioner sets up this form of the Samaya, he should single-mindedly recite and form the contemplation thus: "The incense-smoke of that HRÌHÏ syllable (猭) forms this Samaya form. This form then becomes the bodily form of the Chief Honored One, representing the Original Vow at the TIME OF THE CAUSE, and likewise becomes the form and appearance at the TIME OF THE FRUIT—this being the meaning of the Samaya.

At the time of burning the incense, one binds the SEAL OF THE CHIEF HONORED ONE and recites that Original Mantra and Seal, and thereupon attains accomplishment."

The diagram of that canopy is like this image:

Having entered this Wheel, all the way up to Supreme Bodhi, if one wishes that it not be interrupted, one should constantly recite the Mantra.

However, for a person who has not yet been able to depart from the mind of grasping at conditions (clinging to causes and conditions), and who is doubtful and indolent, he need only rely upon this Wondrous Seal, and should burn the incense of the group of: Sandalwood, Wondrous Lotus, and so forth. In this way, performing the Method of BURNING INCENSE each day, he then accomplishes it, ever constantly reciting and upholding the Vajra Dharma Luminous Mantra (the Luminous Mantra of the Vajra Dharma). Why is this so? Because the meanings of the syllables of the Mantra above are all contained within this Incense Seal and can be revealed.

The ROOT SEAL is: with the two hands bind the Vajra Bond, join the tips of the two index fingers like lotus petals, and press the two thumbs firmly together—thus it is formed. The Mantra is:

湡 向忝叻廕 猭

OMÏ VAJRA DHARMA HRÌHÏ

If a person upholds this single-syllable Mantra, he is able to remove all calamities, disasters, and illnesses, and after the end of his life he will be reborn in the Highest Grade of the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Moreover, as for the various aspirations sought, both the Great Vows of the World and those Beyond the World, whatever he upholds will surely be accomplished—how much more so for one who cultivates in accordance with this Teaching, who before long will fulfill all the Siddhis.

THE WONDROUS INCENSE SEAL OF AVALOKITEŚVARA

( One Fascicle — End )