February 16, 2020, Vajrapani Bodhisattva homa ceremony, Rainbow Temple
Lamdre Exposition by Dharma King Lian-sheng
Summary of Dharma Talk
[TBS News]

On February 16, 2020, Dharma King Living Buddha Lian-sheng presided over the Vajrapani Bodhisattva homa ceremony at Rainbow Temple.

As stated in the Vajrayana scriptures, Vajrapani Bodhisattva is the great sphere of moonlight which emerged when Vairocana entered the Samadhi of Samantabhadra within the Diamond Mandala. This moonlight is the perfect bodhicitta seal. Amidst the moonlight there is a brilliant vajra. This transformation indicates that Vajrapani Bodhisattva is the combined entity of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Vajrasattva. Hence, Vajrapani Bodhisattva is the supreme Dharma prince of all tathagatas, the very bodhicitta of all tathagatas. He is thus the supreme secret master of all tathagatas. Hence he is given the title "Vajra Holder, Lord of Secrets."

In the mantra of Vajrapani Bodhisattva, 'Om, bo-ru, lan, zhe li', the 'bo-ru' refers to Vajrapani Bodhisattva. The Dharma King taught everyone a protection method, "Before you put on your clothes, clench your right fist, place it on top of the clothes and chant the Vajrapani Bodhisattva heart mantra 7 times. The mantra is, 'Om, bo-ru, lan, zhe li.' When you put on the clothes later, the clothes become an armor that is similar to an ancient army soldier's. The armor will protect you, so that demons cannot attack you. This is a very good method of boundary protection. Similarly, if you wish to accomplish anything, you can ask Vajrapani Bodhisattva to give you a hand. Vajrapani Bodhisattva represents power."

The Dharma King also talked about how everyone should handle the serious COVID-19 situation. The epidemic has made everyone realize that being a human being is not about earning as much money as possible or possessing a great house. It all boils down to having good health and life. The Dharma King said, "Only with good health can a person's life be truly enriching and fulfilling. What matters is living life to the fullest. At the end of it all, true success belongs to the person who has really lived his life well."

The Dharma King posed a question, "Why are we living in this world?" Spiritual cultivation is very important; saving people is very important. On a daily basis, it is important that everyone should do at least one thing that is beneficial to one and other sentient beings.

The Dharma King added, "Everyday, you must lead a meaningful life. Do something meaningful so that it benefits you and sentient beings. Do at least one good thing everyday, for only then can life have any meaning."

The Dharma King continued with the discourse on Lamdre.

According to the Lamdre, "Use the four awakening realizations to protect against outer demons. Use the four marks of empowerments to protect against the inner demons."

The Dharma King explained, empowerments are a kind of protection. From the outer-dharma empowerments (right up to that of the Yidam), one gets protection from the Yidam. From the inner-dharma empowerments, one is able to use Qi, channels, and lightdrops as protection. From the empowerment of the Highest Yoga Tantra, one gets protection from the dakinis in the cosmic space (they are the dakinis of the Highest Yoga Tantra). Karma dakinis also protect the practitioner. From the Dzogchen Great Perfection empowerment, one gets protection from the highest Vajra protectors. The four empowerments are for protection.

In addition, inner and outer demons are sometimes interrelated, for they cause disturbances on the outside as well as on the inside. Their deeds can be said to be interoperable.

Many hindrances can arise from spiritual experiences and sufferings. For example, when one tries to fold one’s legs to meditate, the legs become painful and numb; as a result, one is unable to meditate. The Dharma King said, "This is also a disturbance. I believe that a person can still meditate while sitting on a chair or standing. There is no need to do the Vajra cross-legged posture."

In addition, during spiritual cultivation or meditation, if Qi enters a bodily channel that is deteriorating, one will also experience unpleasantness.

Said the Dharma King, "At that time, you must have the clear-bright wisdom to discern and know that Qi has entered a deteriorating bodily channel and that you are having an unpleasant experience because of it. You must let go (by comprehending the concepts of be-at-ease and letting-the-will-be)."

The Dharma King explained further, "Unpleasant spiritual experiences take place because of imbalance of the four major elements." Upon such encounters, the practitioner should temporarily calm down and stop meditation. The practitioner should then rely on the food he or she consumes to adjust. "However, don’t rely entirely on rice, because that is not sustainable in the long term," said the Dharma King.

If a practitioner can really enter meditation, he or she will surely be able to attract sentient beings so as to save them. The Dharma King explained, “You will inadvertently have radiance emanating from your body, so that when demons see you, they will shun you immediately because they cannot stand the light that is piercingly shining upon them and they will leave.”

After the discourse, the Dharma King bestowed the empowerments of the dharma of Vajrapani Bodhisattva and the 100-Syllable Mantra of Wrathful Deity. The ceremony ended in auspiciousness.

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19.