Kim Cang Đỉnh Hàng Tam Thế Đại Nghi Quỹ Pháp Vương Giáo Trung Quán Tự Tại Bồ Tát Tâm Chơn Ngôn Nhứt Thiết Như Lai Liên Hoa Đại Mạn Đồ La Phẩm

At that time, the bodhisattva-mahasattva Avalokitesvara addressed the Buddha: “World-Honored One! Within the assembly of the Dharma King Who Subdues the Three Worlds, I wish to proclaim my own heart mantra. World-Honored One! If one merely recites it, the samadhis of all the Tathagatas will manifest directly before one, and all fears, calamities, disasters, hindrances, and afflicting illnesses will be entirely extinguished.”

The Blessed One then said to the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara: “Excellent! Excellent! You should proclaim it well.”

The bodhisattva-mahasattva Avalokitesvara, following the Buddha’s instruction, then proclaimed his own heart mantra:

– A lỗ lực ca, sa-phạ ha

(AROLIK SVAHA).

As soon as this heart mantra was proclaimed, all the Tathagatas assembled from their own lands in the great assembly upon the summit of Mount Sumeru at the abode of Vairocana, surrounding the bodhisattva-mahasattva Avalokitesvara. He then further taught the great mandala of his own heart mantra:

Once the court and platform are raised,

At its four gates and four corners,

Carefully measure the central place,

Square as a well, aligned with the four approaches.

It thereby forms eight positions,

Divided into eight lotus petals.

One should use the color red;

Avalokitesvara is at the center of the mandala.

Upon each lotus petal,

Paint a Greatly Awakened One.

No gate is made in the inner court;

Within and without are eight pathways.

When this wondrous construction is complete,

The acarya should enter.

Facing the mandala,

He forms the Great Lotus Mudra,

Keeps his body upright and his limbs composed,

And abides in samadhi.

Next he forms the Hook Mudra (Ankusa)

And respectfully invokes the Holy One.

If any sentient being

Enters this mandala,

Even though an ordinary person,

The defilements and offenses of greed and anger are extinguished.

Just as a lotus blossom

Is not stained by water,

So is the one of excellent birth,

Unstained by sensual desire.

The acarya then employs the Great Lotus Mudra: bending the two index fingers like hooks, he invokes the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. The Lotus Hook Mantra is:

– Án, ma ha bạt ná-ma, hồng, nhạ

(OM MAHA PADMA HUM JAH).

At that very moment, the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara comes to the place of awakening, manifests a wondrous form, and emits radiant light. The acarya should then lead the disciples inside according to the Dharma. These disciples should wear white robes; their eyes should be completely covered with white silk, and clean silk should be tied around their heads. After leading them inside, he recites this verse:

Just as a lotus blossom

Is not stained by water,

So is the one of excellent birth,

Unstained by sensual desires.

He then places a lotus in each disciple’s hand and gives a rosary to the right hand. He further recites this verse:

The Buddha’s great lotus

Is within the mandalas.

You should always discern and remember it,

Offering your body to Avalokitesvara.

Only afterward does he teach the mudras and the gateway of samadhi.

The Section on the Lotus Mandala of the Heart Mantra

Furthermore, construct the mandala as before. The practitioner should sit upon the central platform, enter the Samadhi of the Fully Opened Lotus of All the Tathagatas, and recite one laksa (100,000 repetitions). He will then attain the body of Avalokitesvara.

The Section on the Samaya Mandala of the Heart Mantra

Furthermore, use the mandala constructed as before. Take one thousand lotus blossoms, recite the mantra once over each blossom, and place them upon the central platform as offerings. Afterward, lead the disciples inside and recite the samaya pledges (Samaya: vows intended to preserve purity).

The Section on the Karma Mandala

Construct the mandala as before and employ the four kinds of offerings. Furthermore, there is this method of accomplishment: On clean silk, paint the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara seated upon the summit of Mount Sumeru and surrounded by eight Buddhas. Beginning on the first day of the bright fortnight, remain before this image at all times without interruption, enter samadhi, and recite until the image emits radiant light. From within that light, Avalokitesvara and the Tathagatas stream forth and enter the practitioner’s three-star point, the place of consecration. He should patiently abide in this state. At that moment, the practitioner’s essence becomes identical with Avalokitesvara. In a single instant, he sees the Land of Ultimate Bliss, where all beings possess immeasurable lifespans.

– I shall now further explain the method of accomplishment: By reciting one laksa (100,000 repetitions), all coverings and hindrances are purified. By reciting two laksas (200,000 repetitions), all offenses belonging to the five heinous acts are extinguished without remainder. By reciting three laksas, all merit and virtue gather together; one will attain equality with the Tathagatas, and all noble wisdom will manifest directly before one.

– Furthermore, if one forms the Great Mudra (that is, accomplishes the five aspects), completes the prescribed number of laksas, and then recites throughout one night without limiting the number, by daybreak all the Tathagatas will enter the practitioner’s heart, and his essence will become identical with the Tathagatas. If they enter his mouth, his essence becomes identical with Avalokitesvara.

– Furthermore, for the accomplishment of activities: One recitation protects oneself. Two recitations protect others, together with towns and villages. Three recitations enable one to accomplish all activities. If performing avesa (the rite of pervasive entry), one should burn sandalwood incense (empower it with 800 recitations, burn it in a brazier, and perfume all parts of the body).

If one wishes to eliminate all classes of possessing spirits, add the syllable Hrih (HRIH) when reciting; this will cause all sentient beings to respect and obey one. Empower a vajra flower (a red flower may be substituted) to keep a malicious mind from moving. Use white clay to restrain it (paint the head and feet red as well; paint it evenly, then roll it up and place it in a jar, seal it with white clay, place it back inside the jar, and cover it completely with earth. Visualize this transformation within the chamber as establishing Mount Sumeru; it may be either above or below), causing the siddhiri to cherish and respect one. Empower sumana flowers to cause submission.

Again, if one wishes all birds and beasts in any place to remain motionless, empower white mustard seeds and cast them afar; all the birds and beasts will be unable to move. If one wishes to manifest elsewhere, empower a peacock tail feather and send it afar. If one wishes to know all matters in dreams, recite during the three periods, and one will surely see them that night.

Again, to eliminate evil dreams, perform homa with sesame seeds. To silence slanderous and contentious speech, perform homa with chicken feathers. If the rite concerns the vulva of a lustful woman, perform homa with white silk like the moon (moon-white silk), causing all the Sui Ca La Noa to be bound. If one seeks the accomplishment of all matters, one should make extensive offerings to Avalokitesvara. On the eighth day and the first day, one must not eat at night but should only recite; all wishes will be fulfilled.

Again, before an image of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, recite three times in each of the three periods. After three months, the bodhisattva will fulfill the desired wish. Again, before an image of the Buddha, recite three times in each of the three periods, and the Buddha will fulfill that wish.

The Section on Mudras

– Root Mudra: Join the palms. Cross the two Water fingers (ring fingers) and the two Wind fingers (index fingers). Extend the Earth and Space fingers (little fingers and thumbs) firmly outward, and join the two Fire fingers (middle fingers).

– Great Lotus Mudra, also called the Joined Palms Like a Hibiscus: Without altering the Great Lotus, firmly open the Earth fingers (little fingers) and Space fingers (thumbs). This is the Mudra for Seeking Deliverance from All Offenses.

– Samaya Mudra: Interlace the fingers outward to form the Vajra Bond. Join the two Wind fingers (index fingers) like lotus petals, and raise the two Space fingers (thumbs), pressing them together.

– Karma Mudra (Invoking the Tathagatas): Separate the two hands and form Lotus Fists. Rotate the Wisdom Fist (right fist) around the Samadhi Fist (left fist), making the gesture of opening eight petals.

– Dharma Mudra: Visualize the syllable Hrih (HRIH) upon a lotus within the moon disk at the heart.

– Wisdom Mudra: Contemplate that all dharmas are like lotus blossoms unstained by muddy water; likewise, all dharmas are unstained by desire.

When the Lotus Acarya (Lotus Teacher) wishes to confer the rank of acarya upon a disciple, he places a lotus within the disciple’s joined palms. He further empowers a lotus garland with 1,008 recitations and ties it upon the disciple’s head. The empowering mantra is:

– Án, bạt ná-ma ma la tỷ tiêu tả, lộ kế thấp-phạ la, số sách.

(OM PADMA MALA ABHISIMCA LOKESVARA SA SAH).

Through this, one becomes an acarya (teacher who transmits the teaching) within the Lotus Family.

I shall now explain the disciplinary observance for cultivation within the Lotus Family. According to the rite, first make offerings to the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. One should drink a mouthful of go-mutra; if it contains a small portion of cow dung, everything will immediately be purified. Then visualize one’s own body as the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and recite one thousand times each day for seven days. The observance will then be accomplished. From that time onward, one will not be defiled by any food or any activity.

I shall now explain the universal rite of making offerings. According to the rite, form Vajra Fists with both hands, place them at the waist, and incline the head slightly to the left. This is the Reverential Salutation.

Next, separate both hands at the forehead and move them backward in the gesture of tying on a flower garland; then release and spread the fingers, letting them hang like ribbons. This is the Offering of a Flower Garland.

Next, raise both hands gradually from the navel to the mouth and trace the gesture. This is the Offering of Song and Praise.

Next, from the mouth, rub the two little fingers together and rotate them in the space above the crown of the head, then join the palms. This is the Offering of the Vajra Dance.

Through these offerings, even attainment of the rank of a Tathagata is not difficult, much less other siddhis. Why is this? Because no joy whatsoever equals that of Vajrasattva.