Toh 2554A Method for Amassing the Accumulations by means of the Seven Branches according to “The Recitation of the Names of Mañjuśrī”

Explanation of the Scripture: A Method for Accumulating Merit through the Seven Branches according to the Names of Mañjuśrī

Context

This scripture is a treatise (śāstra) of the Northern Tibetan Mahāyāna tradition, focused on bodhisattva practice. The public presentation of a “method for accumulating merit” (tshogs bsags pa'i thabs) reflects the Mahāyāna understanding that, in order to attain buddhahood, a practitioner must accumulate the two stores of merit (puṇya-sambhāra) and wisdom (jñāna-sambhāra). The scripture is especially connected with Mañjuśrī, the great bodhisattva who symbolizes transcendent wisdom, prajnaparamita.

The basis of practice here is the “Seven-Branch Offering” (saptagotra-pūjā, or yan lag bdun pa), a common practice structure in the Northern Tibetan Mahāyāna. This form originates in ancient Mahāyāna scriptures and was later developed by Tibetan masters such as Tsongkhapa into a public and systematic method for purifying the mind and building the foundation of spiritual strength.

Main Content

The Seven-Branch Offering is an inner ritual structure comprising: (1) Offering, presenting the blessings accumulated throughout the three times; (2) Confession, sincerely confessing all faults and obscurations; (3) Rejoicing, rejoicing in all the merit of the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and sentient beings; (4) Exhortation to Teach, exhorting the noble ones to teach the Dharma; (5) Supplication, supplicating to avoid falling into bad destinies and their results; (6) Offering of Blessings, offering all blessings so that all sentient beings may attain buddhahood; (7) Dedication of Blessings, dedicating blessings into the Buddha’s wisdom.

The use of the “Names of Mañjuśrī” (jam dpal gyi mtshan, Mañjuśrī-nāma) as a supportive condition is due to Mañjuśrī’s representing the wisdom of suchness (tathatā-jñāna), a key element in the Mahāyāna. When invoking Mañjuśrī’s name, the practitioner not only recollects this bodhisattva, but also accumulates the power of wisdom, helping the gathered blessings to be accumulated without confusion or limitation.