December 8, 2019, Mahapratisara Bodhisattva Homa Ceremony, Rainbow Temple

December 8, 2019, Mahapratisara Bodhisattva Homa Ceremony, Rainbow Temple
Lamdre Exposition by Dharma King Lian-sheng
Summary of Dharma Talk
[TBS News]

On December 8, 2019, the Dharma King Living Buddha Lian-sheng presided over the Mahapratisara Bodhisattva Homa ceremony.

Mahapratisara Bodhisattva is also known as the Great Wish-Fulfilling Vajra. In Mahayana and Tantrayana Buddhism, she is not as well-known [as the major Bodhisattvas], hence there are not many cultivators of the Mahapratisara dharma around. Mahapratisara Bodhisattva endeavors to grant wishes as long as sentient beings pray to her for blessings. Mahapratisara Bodhisattva usually emits enormous brilliance in glorious majesty.

Living Buddha Lian-sheng debuted the transmission of the Mahapratisara Dharma on August 13, 2011 at Taiwan Lei Tsang Temple, during which he also instructed on the Eight Mudras of Mahapratisara. These are the Inner Five-pronged Mudra, the Kalachakra Mudra, the Yamantaka Mudra, the Ushnishavijaya Mudra, the Three-pronged Mudra, the Single-pronged Mudra, the Akasagarbha Mudra, and the Scripture Mudra. At that time, the pith instructions taught by the Dharma King were: “When you form the eight mudras, rub the palms three times and then clap three times. Such gestures will touch Mahapratisara Bodhisattva’s heart [mind], and the Bodhisattva will hear your voice in its heart [mind] and fulfil your wishes.” However, sentient beings must make wishes with a balanced attitude: The wishes should not be made in a cavalier way; they must be suitable for themselves. The Bodhicitta of singularity in pure thought is very important. If a person learns Buddhism in the right spirit and adheres to the precepts, Mahapratisara Bodhisattva will definitely grant wishes on him or her.

The Dharma King recalled an incident that took place when he visited Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Pureland, also known as Cui Wei Pureland. At that time, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was away (the Bodhisattva did not take his Five-Buddha Crown along). The Dharma King noticed two ghosts trying to steal the Crown and fighting over it. The Dharma King advised the ghosts to stop fighting and let him be the mediator – whoever could answer a quiz set by the Dharma King would win the Crown. The two ghosts agreed, handed the Crown to the Dharma King and waited for the quiz. However, the Dharma King promptly placed the Crown on his own head and immediately took off to look for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. This act infuriated the ghosts, one of which was Hell’s Blood-Guzzling Mara (known today as the Ghost Lady XX). As for the other ghost, Hell’s Flesh-Devouring Mara, the Dharma King does not know who he or she is today.

What purpose does the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Crown serve? The Dharma King explained, “As long as one wears the Five-Buddha Crown, one is able to visit the lands of the Buddhas of the Ten Directions from the Past, Present and Future, or even any place in the Ten Dharma Realms. Such is the emanation of powers as a result of wearing of the Crown.”

In addition, anything that a person wishes for will come out of the Five-Buddha Crown. Said the Dharma King, “If one wishes for treasures from Mahapratisara Bodhisattva, all kinds of treasures will come out of the Crown, and one would have an endless supply of them. The Five-Buddha Crown is therefore a wish-fulfilling crown that can completely deliver -- whatever one desires, one will get.”

[Living Buddha Lian-sheng teaches the Mahapratisara dharma in the hope that by having their wishes completely fulfilled, disciples will reach the state of “seeking nothing” and finally be “without desires.” As a result, one will have accomplishment in cultivation and attain Buddhahood.]

The Dharma King talked about a saying, “Hard clicking, big sounds; soft clicking, soft sounds. No clicking, no sounds.”

The Dharma King explained, “All sentient beings will surely have wishes. If you pray very hard for something, Mahapratisara Bodhisattva will present you with a great gift. If you make little effort in praying for something, then Mahapratisara Bodhisattva will only satisfy you at the basic level. If you don’t wish for anything at all, then you won’t get anything.” The Dharma King continued, “All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are impartial. However, to Mahapratisara Bodhisattva, you should make a wish with the greatest purity of the mind, sincerity and respect. That is all it takes.”

The Dharma King continued with the discourse on Lamdre.

In the practice of Tantrayana, Qi in channels can be allegorized as transportation trucks on roads. Inner Fire and Lightdrops can be likened to the goods that these trucks carry.

The Dharma King emphasized that one must ensure that the bodily channels are unblocked. This is because there are 32 spots on the bodily channels that can easily get major entanglements, with the channels becoming too narrow or congested. Once congestion sets in, sickness ensues. “Hence, when one cultivates the Treasure Vase Practice, one must push open [any entanglement in] the central channel by allowing Qi to enter continuously. This will ensure that the flow in the channel is smooth.”

The Dharma King explained further, “If one pushes open three entanglements [in the bodily channels with Qi], one advances a step up on the ‘ladder’ of the 10 Bhumis. Thus, one becomes a 10th-Bhumi Bodhisattva if one pushes open 30 entanglements. Upon accomplishing 32 push-throughs, one gains Buddhahood. Indeed, becoming the 10th-Bhumi Bodhisattva is equivalent to receiving the Fourth-Level Empowerment.”

The Dharma King continued, “In this world, there aren’t many people with true ability. Those who don’t have ability will choose to become scammers.”

The Dharma King warned, “As learners of Buddhism, the same scenario applies. You must open your eyes wide and see who the scammers around you are; only then will you not rely on them spiritually. In fact, if a person is really capable, there will surely be [spiritual] validation in some way.”

After the dharma discourse, the Dharma King bestowed the empowerment of the Mahapratisara on everyone. All ended well.

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