I. FORWARD

All schools of Vajrayana teach certain foundational or preliminary practices (Ngondro) that enable practitioners to settle their minds in the Dharma, to remove karmic hindrances, and to increase merits and wisdom. Thereby novices will be able to make smoother progress on the path. Tantric teachings should be learned from authentic lineage teachers, hence the foundational practices are to be conducted as taught by a tantric teacher.

Nowadays Vajrayana Buddhism has propagated widely, and many practitioners are able to receive teachings of different lineages from various tantric teachers. Many teachings of the major traditions have also been published and are available in bookstores. As a result, we can learn from many sources to deepen our understanding of the theoretical aspects of the Dharma, and then digest and assimilate them into a correct view, so as to direct us on the path of practice.

I will report in this work the main points of my findings and understanding of the foundational practices so as to provide a practice manual for Dharma friends' references.

II. GENERAL OVERVIEW

There are two categories of foundational practices: common and uncommon. The former ones are condensed teachings derived from the common principles of Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana, and are organized in a systematic way. Practitioners should begin by contemplating on these reasonings so as to develop a guiding thought toward diligent practice. The uncommon foundational practices are teachings specific to Vajrayana Buddhism, and their main purpose is to eliminate karmic hindrances and increase merits and wisdom.

 A. Common foundational practices

I. Traditional teachings

1) Recognize the rarity of the opportunity to practice the Dharma
2) Remember the impermanence of life
3) Observe the suffering of all sentient beings in the six realms
4) Believe in the law of Karma
5) Understand the superiority of the path to liberation
6) Rely on a qualified spiritual guide

The above classification is in accordance with the teachings of Nyingma tradition, while the Kagyu tradition lists only the first four. It is not enough just to understand these teachings. One must have thoroughly contemplated on them in concentration meditation so as to solidify them into central guiding thoughts. Only then would one be able to renounce worldly engagements and continue to practice diligently without regress.
 

2. My proposed reorganization
a. Understand thoroughly the law of Causation

b. Observe the suffering of cyclic existence (Samsara)

c. Comprehend the joy that is free from suffering

A detailed explanation of this item should include the distinction among Arhat, Pratyeka-buddha, Bodhisattva and Buddha, as well as the Bodhicitta of Will, of Conduct, and of Victorious Significance.

d. Practice the Dharma toward liberation

e. Treasure the opportunity to practice the Dharma

3. A comparison of traditional teaching and my reorganization

The flow of reasoning along the traditional six points is as follows: Opportunities to practice the Dharma in this human life are rare and could easily be lost. Once this life is lost, one would be driven by Karma and thus drifts again in cyclic existence. Within cyclic existence, all the six classes of beings suffer; and the ultimate joy can be attained only through transcendence from cyclic existence. In order to practice the Dharma toward liberation without going astray, one must rely on a qualified spiritual guide. The steps of reasoning in brief are: a) treasure the opportunity to practice the Dharma, b) weary of suffering and aspire toward joy, c) taking refuge and begin to practice the Dharma.The steps of reasoning according to my reorganized points are: a) immutable law of Causation, b) divergent paths to suffering and joy, c) select the joyful path and begin to practice the Dharma.

In the traditional teaching, the steps of reasoning would be more cogent if they are reordered as follows: a) weary of suffering and aspire toward joy, b) treasure the opportunity to practice the Dharma, c) taking refuge and begin to practice the Dharma. Thus, the six points would be rearranged as: 1) Observe the suffering of all sentient beings in the six realms, 2) Believe in the law of Karma, 3) Understand the superiority of the path to liberation, 4) Recognize the rarity of the opportunity to practice the Dharma, 5) Remember the impermanence of life, 6) Rely on a qualified spiritual guide. Please take the suggestion above into consideration.

As to the five points organized by me, first of all, the well-accepted law of Causation is refered to, then the two paths to suffering and joy are described. Both these paths can be explained in terms of Causation: Samsara is based on Karma, and Karma is the causal relationship among ignorance, activities, and their results. The possibility of liberation is based on the cultivatability of results, and the means to liberation is to eliminate the root cause of suffering. We would undoubtedly choose the joyful path after understanding the two divergent paths of suffering and joy. However, according to the law of Causation, we need to cultivate causes for joyful fruits. Therefore, we need to practice the Dharma. The above reasoning is already sufficient to demonstrate the need to practice the Dharma. However, lest beginners would become lazy or procrastinate, based on the consideration of time, a reminder is added as to the rarity of the opportunity to practice the Dharma. With that in mind, those who have not started to practice the Dharma would start immediately, and those who have already started to practice would persevere with diligence, and never regress. Perfection of the conditions for practicing the Dharma is still within the scope of the law of Causation. A schematic representation is given below to demonstrate the structure of this argument in a glance:

It is worth mentioning, in passing, that within the above scheme of argument, if "Understand thoroughly the law of Causation" is replaced with "Understand thoroughly the theory of Dependent Origination," and Dependent Origination is interpreted as that of Karma, Alaya (the Eighth Consciousness), Tathata (Ultimate Suchness) or Dharmadhatu, then the resulting arguments will all hold, even though the intents are all different. However, the explanation of the linkages would be more complicated. Furthermore, as beginners would seldom be familiar with the various kinds of Dependent Origination, it would be unsuitable for inclusion in foundational practices. Using the law of Causation as a basis, the logic and reasoning can be clearly understood and accepted by a wide audience.

4. Compatibility between my system and principles of exoteric vehicles

B. Uncommon foundational practices

1) Taking fourfold refuge, usually including 100,000 great prostrations and 100,000 repetitions of the stanza of Generating Bodhicitta
2) Hundred Syllable Mantra (Vajrasattva Purification Practice)
3) Mandala Offering, usually the seven-offerings Mandala
4) Supplication prayer to lineage Gurus (Guru Yoga), may include mantras of lineage patriarchs

1. Functions of the Four Foundational Practices

2. Supplementary guidance of precepts

3. Relationship among the Four Foundational Practices

The above figure looks like a double vajra; each of its four ends also contains a small double vajra. The four cardinal directions are traditionally associated with the four tantric activities of pacifying (East), increasing (South), attracting (West), and subduing (North) respectively. Traditionally the four directions are assigned on a map with East to the bottom and then South, West and North are assigned clockwise in the given order to the remaining cardinal directions. Arranging the Four Foundational Practices according to their affinity with those tantric activities, the names of the four practices are filled into the centers of the four small vajras in the order of: Taking refuge (R), Mandala offering (M), Guru Yoga (G), and Vajrasattva purification (V). Each practice in turn contains four functions which are indicated in the four directions of each small vajra by F (Immovable Faith), I (Increasing Merits and Wisdom), B (Blessing from Guru and Lineage), and P (Purifying Karmic Hindrances). At the center of the large vajra is the practitioner who pulls together all these activities and functions through diligent practices. Each end of the large vajra is connected to the center by two straight lines representing the parallel use of emptiness wisdom and skillful means in the practices.

In summary, the relationships of the Four Foundational Practices are: each practice includes the effects of all four, and all four practices together complete the functions of each practice.

4. Relationship with practices that precede or succeed the foundational ones

The common foundations are practices to develop foundations for a correct view; the uncommon foundations are the first steps of practice based on the correct view.

After completion of the Four Foundational Practices, one can progress further to the Development Stage practices and then the Perfection Stage ones. In fact, the Four Foundational Practices already include certain visualizations of the Development and the Perfection Stages, such as visualizing the bestowal of empowerment by the Guru and the union of Vajrasattva Father and Mother. However, those visualizations have been simplified to cater for the novices. The practice of great prostrations can straighten one's channels, thus laying a foundation for smoother wind and channel development in the Perfection Stage. Within refuge taking, Gelugpas also include the Nine Receptions of Buddha Wind, while the Nyingmapas sometimes include inhaling Karmic air of sentient beings and exhaling virtuous air to benefit sentient beings in order to cultivate Bodhicitta. Both of these are preparations for wind practices of the Perfection Stage.

5. Sequences of practicing the Four Foundational Practices
a. Complete 100,000 times of one practice before proceeding to another

b. Doing several practices concurrently

The practitioner may also do several session of different practices each day. For example, when getting tired from doing prostrations, one switches to Vajrasattva purification; when getting tired from chanting, it is followed by Mandala offering. It would become easier to persevere in practice, when one adjusts physically and mentally in this way.
 
 

Among the two methods of (a) and (b) above, the practitioner can choose either one by himself or herself. These two methods can also be coordinated together. For example, during short weekend retreats, one can use the method (a) to concentrate on repeating the refuge formula or the mantra of a patriarch in order to complete one item in several retreats. As to lay practitioners burdened with worldly engagements, for their daily session they can adopt a Sadhana which includes all four practices, thus they could hope to complete all the Foundational Practices in several years. As to practitioners who have completely renounced worldly engagements to practice full time, they can adopt sequential sessions of different practices daily in order to complete all the Foundational Practices in the near future.

6. Key points that are common to all the Four Foundational Practices
a. Common basic trainings

b. Common objects of visualization

In both Vajrasattva Purification and Guru Yoga, the Wisdom Being above the practitioner's head is visualized to be identical to the Guru, who is also the essence of all holy beings and scriptures in the entire field of refuge. According to the oral instruction of Yogi Chen, one can visualize the face of the Vajradhara or Vajrasattva above one's head as that of the Guru in order to receive blessings. When reciting supplication prayer to the lineage Gurus whose appearances are not known, one can visualize all of them as Vajradhara.

When doing each practice, one should first visualize one's father by the right side and mother by the left side, all sentient beings related through Karma to the practitioner are in front, and all other sentient beings are encircling behind, in the order of hell beings, ghosts, animals, human beings, asuras, and gods. All these sentient beings are doing the same practice as the practitioner. At the end of the session, dedicate all the merits to each and every sentient being. This belongs to the Victorious Significance of the Bodhicitta of Conduct.

All these common visualizations are, based on the principle of the indifferentiability of mind and phenomena, to practice using the power of mind to purify phenomena, and to liberate the ordinary consciousness which is confined within the limits of phenomena. These visualizations are not conceptual imaginations; when the visualizations mature, one would experience lineage blessings and expand one's mind to the entire Dharmadhatu. Although beginners can seldom perfect the visualizations, as long as one has genuine Bodhicitta and immovable faith, one could still receive blessings from the holy beings. In addition, all objects of these visualizations should be like rainbow, vivid and yet without any concrete substance.

7. Evaluation in terms of quantity and measure of realization

III. INDIVIDUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE UNCOMMON PRACTICES

A. Taking refuge

In addition to the Guru's blessings, practice and realization in Vajrayana also depend on the favor bestowed from Yidams, Dakinis, and Protectors. The traditional teaching of Three Roots indicates that Guru is the root of blessings, Yidam is the root of accomplishments (Siddhi), and that Dakinis and Protectors are the root of activities. Yogi Chen emphasized the special importance of Dakinis and proposed that Dakinis are the root of the bliss of emptiness. The Kagyu tradition teaches sixfold refuge which consists of taking refuge in the Three Jewels and the Three Roots.

Immediately following the refuge formula, a stanza for the generation of Bodhicitta or the stanza of Four Boundless Minds is usually recited and is included in the 100,000 repetition requirement. In my humble opinion, the Four Boundless Minds relates not only to the Bodhicitta of Will, but also to those of Conduct and Victorious Significance. Its recitation would be more effective and comprehensive, therefore I propose to adopt the stanza of Four Boundless Minds instead of the stanza for the generation of Bodhicitta.

In summary, taking refuge includes 100,000 repetitions of each of the three kinds of recitations given below:

1) I take refuge in Vajra Guru, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
2) Namo Guru, Yidam, Dakini, Protector.
3) May all beings have happiness and its causes!
May all beings leave suffering and its causes!
May all beings be inseparable from the joy of no more suffering!
May all beings abide in the equanimity of non-discrimination!

B. Great prostrations

For this practice it is convenient to use a long board in the length of one's body plus one arm. Raise the end toward Buddha about 4 inches high and cover the front half with a surface, such as wall paper, smooth enough for sliding of hands. The area for standing and kneeling should not be smooth lest it cannot yield support. Use a pair of small hand cushion or wear cotton gloves. Beginners may need to use elbow and knee caps (as sold in sports supplies stores) for protection from bruises. After about 20,000 prostrations, the body would feel light and easy, and then these caps would no longer be needed. It is much more convenient to use a tally counter than a mala for counting prostrations. The tally counter can be placed near the kneeling position and pressed once when getting up after each prostration.

The great prostration is done as follows: One stands at the lower end of the board and starts to recite the Great Prostration Mantra. Raise both hands from the sides so that they form a circle that meets in front of the forehead where the palms fold together. Chant "Om" while raising hands, "Namo Man Ju Shi Er Ye" while folding palms at the forehead. Then lower the folded palms to the throat and recite: "Namo Su Shi Er Ye." Again lower the folded palms to the heart and say, "Namo U Da Ma Shi Er Ye." Then bow down while reciting "Soh Ha," and stretch both hands as wide as the shoulder to the front to reach the board, then push out until the whole body touches the ground. Fold the hands briefly in front of the head and then stand back up to complete one great prostration which includes one repetition of the Great Prostration Mantra. Therefore, the accumulation of 100,000 great prostrations actually include also 100,000 repetitions of the Great Prostration Mantra. When refuge taking is combined with prostrations, one should start reciting the refuge formulas right after "Soh Ha" until one stands up. The recitations can be done silently if it is difficult to coordinate the action with chanting.

Great Prostration Mantra:
Om, Namo Man Ju Shi Er Ye, Namo Su Shi Er Ye, Namo U Da Ma Shi Er Ye, Soh Ha.

C. Hundred Syllable Mantra (i.e., Vajrasattva Purification)

The following is a simplified Sadhana of this purification practice. In my view, a foundational practice had better be simple than complicated, so that beginners can concentrate more easily on the practice.

Visualizations before chanting mantra:

1) Lotus, moon disc, and Hung
Visualize a thousand petaled silvery white lotus at one forearm's length above one's head, with a moon disc, lying flat like a white cushion, on top. A white flat syllable Hung ( ) stands on top of the moon disc facing right; the syllable is about one fist's height.

2) Vajrasattva
The syllable Hung suddenly transforms into Vajrasattva Father and Mother in union. Their height is about one forearm's length. They are white and luminescent like a thousand suns but cool as the autumn moon. (Minors may be taught to visualize only Vajrasattva without his consort.)

3) Seed syllable and mantra wheel
In the center of the heart chakra (near the heart in the middle of the body) of the Vajrasattva, there is a thousand petaled white lotus with moon disc and white syllable Hung atop. The moon disc is about the size of a quarter (US 25-cent coin). The hundred syllable mantra in white Tibetan script encircles the small Hung in counter-clockwise direction (when viewed from above) at the rim of the moon disc. As the Hundred Syllable Mantra is used here mainly for purifying sins, it ends at "AH" which signifies the "unborn original purity," while the remaining "Hum" and "Pei" are omitted. The full Hundred Syllable Mantra in Tibetan script with English transliteration is provided as Appendix A below and hence not repeated here.

4) Exposing sins
Visualize that all sentient beings are concurrently doing this practice, with one Vajrasattva atop each sentient being. All sins and negative Karma of all beings transform into black smoke, poisonous creatures, filthy stuffs, etc., and are absorbed into the practitioner's body. One's body becomes full of sins and negative Karma, in the form of dirty and poisonous stuffs, of all sentient beings (including oneself) accumulated since beginningless time.

Visualizations while chanting mantra:

5) Mantra wheel
Start reciting the Hundred Syllable Mantra. While reciting the mantra, visualize the mantra script in Vajrasattva's heart chakra revolves around the syllable Hung in clockwise direction. The Hung syllable, moon disc and lotus remain stationary.

6) Purification nectar
Drops of pure white and cool nectar of wisdom and compassion drip out from the syllable Hung and the circling mantra. The bodies of Vajrasattva Father and Mother become full of nectar, which then drips out from their place of union (or the right big toe if only Vajrasattva Father is visualized) and drips into the practitioner's Central Channel through the crown. The nectar gradually fills the entire body, and purifies all sins and negative Karma.

7) Sinful excrements
Purified sins and negative Karma in the form of black water, black smoke, poisonous stuffs, etc., are washed out of one's body through the urinary and anal openings and all pores of the skin. It then goes down a big hole on the ground in front of the practitioner and falls all the way down to hell. In hell, the Lord of Death, who has an Ox head but a human body and is red in color, together with his retinue all open their mouth upward to receive those substances, which have been blessed and purified by Vajrasattva's nectar.

Visualizations at the conclusion of the session:

8) When one is about to conclude the session, the mantra recitation gradually slows down, and the mantra wheel also winds down to a complete stop. Visualize that one's body is filled with nectar and becomes white and transparent, that one is thoroughly purified and free from sins and negative Karma, and that one's merits and wisdom have greatly increased. The Lord of Death with his retinue are all full, satisfied and asleep without caring any more about the practitioner's life span. The practitioner can therefore increase his or her longevity. The hole on the ground also closes up.

9) The Vajrasattva atop each sentient being transforms into light and enters the sentient being below. In this way all sentient beings are transformed into Vajrasattvas. All these Vajrasattvas then dissolve into light and enter the Vajrasattva atop the practitioner. Finally, the Vajrasattva above dissolves into light and enters the practitioner who is then transformed into Vajrasattva instantaneously.

Visualization while not in session:

10) While not in session, visualize one's environment as the Pureland of Vajrasattva and oneself and all other beings as Vajrasattvas.

According to the Nyingma school, the four powers of confession are associated with this practice as follows:

a) Power of reliance: visualization of Vajrasattva, i.e., steps (1) to (3) above;
b) Power of destruction: confession and exposure of sins, i.e., step (4) above;
c) Power of prevention: vowing not to commit wrongful deeds again, i.e., the intention and will that one should maintain in steps (4) to (7) above;
d) Power of antidote: the purification practice, i.e., steps (5) to (10) above.

I propose two changes in the four powers: (i) changing the name of "power of destruction" to that of "power of confession and exposure" to make its meaning evident. Besides, the distinction between "destruction" and "antidote" is not very clear, hence it would be better to avoid using both in a group. (ii)After confessing and exposing sins, the priority should be purification by means of antidote instead of prevention. Only after purification will prevention become proper. Hence the "power of prevention" should be listed after the "power of antidote."

In accordance with the above proposal, the association of the four powers with this practice becomes as follows:

a) Power of reliance: steps (1) to (3);
b) Power of confession and exposure: step (4);
c) Power of antidote: steps (5) to (7);
d) Power of prevention: steps (8) to (10). Visualize Vajrasattva and his Pureland in order to purify one's body, speech and mind, and to exclude worldly contamination.

D. Mandala offering

The universe visualized in Mandala offerings was taught by the Buddha; we should not cast doubt into its truthfulness based on the limitation of our senses. We should understand the indifferentiability of mind and matter, so as to trust that the merits obtained from visualized offerings are no different from those gathered from actual material offerings, and that it is certainly not like child's play.

If there are two Mandala plates, one is used as representing the object of offering and the other for the act of making offerings. However, the following description of this practice use the visualized field of refuge as the object of offering, and therefore only one Mandala plate is needed.

The Kagyupas and Gelugpas both emphasize the visualization of 37-offering Mandala. However, the requirement is to make 100,000 repetitions of offering the 7-offering Mandala while repeating the following stanza:

Earth, the foundation, has been purified
With incense, Sumeru, the continents four,
The sun and the moon, I offer up to thee,
Together with the Pureland's radiant store.
May all sentient beings, that suffer pain,
Everlasting Supreme Enlightenment obtain.
(p. 412, Yogi Chen's Buddhist Meditation, 2nd ed.)

Offerings to the Nirmanakaya:

Thousand million of thousand million world systems,
Each full of seven treasures and wealth of gods and humans,
Together with my entire body and belongings are completely offered,
May I attain the throne of the universal monarch of Dharma.

The Pureland of Secret Adornment with unexcelled great bliss,
Complete with five definite attributes and the five aspects of Wisdom,
Offered with supreme offerings gathering as inconceivable masses of clouds,
May I attain the enjoyment of Sambhogakaya Pureland.

The originally present, pure and youthful body in the vessel,
Being adorned with immutable compassion,
Identified with the Land purified of the attachments to body and drops,
By offering it, may I abide in the realm of the Dharmakaya.

The 7-offering Mandala is done as follows: While sitting on the ground, put a tray or wide container of rice on the lap or in front. With small amount of rice in both hands, hold the rim of the Mandala plate with the left hand. Rub the peripheral surface of the plate with the right inner wrist in clockwise rotation for 3 times, while reciting "Om Samaya, Ah Samaya, Hung Samaya" and then the Hundred Syllable Mantra. At the same time, visualize the negative Karma of oneself and all beings is thereby purified. Then rub in counter-clockwise rotation for 3 times (or more until finishing the Hundred Syllable Mantra), while visualizing the merits of the Buddha's three bodies descend into the practitioner and all sentient beings. After finishing the Hundred Syllable Mantra, sprinkle the rice in the right hand on the plate surface and recite "Om Benza Bumi Ah Hung" while visualizing a Vajra earth foundation. Take some rice with the right hand and sprinkle them clockwise along the rim of the surface while reciting "Om Benza La Ka Ah Hung" and visualize an iron mountain range along the edge of the world; it represents a protective wall of precepts. Then, while repeating "Om Ah Hung" place seven small heaps of rice on the plate surface. The order and symbolism of the seven heaps are shown in the following diagram:

When the seven heaps of rice have been placed, raise the Mandala with both hands up to the front of the forehead and recite the Three-Kaya Mandala stanzas and visualize accordingly. Then pour the rice toward oneself into the rice container and visualize Buddha returns blessings after receiving the offerings. Thus completes this 7-offering Mandala offering once. Then repeat a desired amount for the given session. After one session, most of the rice used should be given away outdoors for the birds, while a small portion is kept in the container to symbolize the continuing blessings of the Buddha. Adequate amount of unoffered rice is added for each subsequent session. The repetitions of the Hundred Syllable Mantra recited during Mandala offerings are not counted in the 100,000 repetitions of the same mantra in Vajrasattva Purification.

In Nyingma school, the Chod practice originated from the female Chodpa master Machig Labdron is also listed as a Foundational Practice. It is mentioned here because this practice is also a method for gathering the two accumulations of merits and wisdom by practitioners of extreme poverty. My book Chod in Limitless-Oneness and the references listed there contain valuable teachings on this practice. Interested readers please refer to those works.

E. Guru Yoga

Practicing the Guru Yoga would certainly increase the harmonious correspondence between the Guru and the disciple. However, in my humble opinion, if a disciple can truly renounce all worldly engagements to rely on the Guru and share the load of the Guru's Dharma activities, then it would be even easier to attain harmonious correspondence with the Guru. Almost all the great Siddhas have done the same. Those among us who are dedicated to the Dharma should endeavor to follow their examples.

The following is a summary of the essential points of the Guru Yoga as taught in the Nyingma school:

1) Visualize oneself as the Vajra-yogini who is indistinguishable in essence from Yeshe Tsogyal, a prominent consort of Guru Padmasambhava. Padmasambhava as visualized throughout this practice should be recognized as identical to one's Guru.

2) Visualize Padmasambhava, in the form of an eight-year old boy, sitting in the space about one-arm length above one's head and providing blessings to the practitioner. Recite the mantra of Padmasambhava:
Om Ah Hung Benza Guru Pema Siddhi Hung
Usually, the basic requirement of accumulation for this practice is 1,200,000 repetitions of this mantra.

3) Visualize oneself in one's ordinary form and Padmasambhava appears in the space in front. While repeating Padmasambhava's mantra, visualize Padmasambhava bestows the four empowerments successively as follows:
a) The white syllable "Om" in Padmasambhava's crown chakra emits white light ray into the practitioner's crown chakra. This is the first empowerment.
b) The red syllable "Ah" in Padmasambhava's throat chakra emits red light ray into the practitioner's throat chakra. This is the second empowerment.
c) The blue syllable "Hung" in Padmasambhava's heart chakra emits blue light ray into the practitioner's heart chakra. This is the third empowerment.
d) A second blue "Hung" emerges from the blue "Hung" in Padmasambhava's heart chakra and then flies into the heart of the practitioner and melts into oneness with the practitioner's essence. This is the fourth empowerment.
The significance and functions of these four empowerments are detailed in Yogi Chen's monumental work in Chinese: "A Treatise on Vajrayana Empowerments."

4) Again, visualize oneself as Vajra-yogini. The Padmasambhava in the space in front emits a warm red light ray from his heart chakra. When the red light ray touches the body of Vajra-yogini, the latter dissolves into red light and contracts to the size of a pea. This tiny red light ball then flies into Padmasambhava's heart and melts into oneness with the essence of Padmasambhava.

5) Padmasambhava dissolves into rainbow light and melts away into the boundless space of luminescence. Remain in this state of meditation for as long as possible.

IV. COMBINING the FOUR FOUNDATIONAL PRACTICES IN ONE SADHANA

Following the above order of presentation, a practitioner may practice in one session all of: taking refuge (including three kinds of recitation), great prostrations, Vajrasattva purification, Mandala offerings, and Guru Yoga. The practitioner can determine the amount of repetitions of each practice during such a session based on the time available and the speed of each practice. This arrangement is suitable for lay practitioners in general who can practice only one session a day. If there is not enough time in each session, one may reduce the number of items practiced.

Dr. Lin's The First Steps of Vajrayana consists of three parts. In addition to its Part 2 which is presented above, Parts 1 and 3 are available respectively as booklets in English. They are:

Part 1: A Brief Introduction to Setting up a Buddhist Altar; Chenian Memorial Series No. 5

Part 3: Vajra-yogini Sadhana; Chenian Memorial Series No. 8

In the Introductory Remarks of this booklet, one would find a detail explanation on why these three parts are chosen and how they are related to form the first steps of Vajrayana practices.

The third edition of the original book in Chinese is now available.

Buddhist practitioners should practice extensive offerings to Guru, Three Jewels, Tantric deities and Dharma Protectors to supplicate for their blessings and protection. Consequently, one would be free from demons and obstacles and attain accomplishment soon. However, worldly offerings are too inferior and contaminated for the unexcelled Three Jewels; one should therefore practice the superior and transcendental Mandala offerings. For ordinary practitioners of the exoteric vehicle to complete the Paths of Accumulation and Preparation, they need to gather merits for one Asamkhyeya-Kalpa, while Vajrayana practitioners can complete the same within one lifetime through Mandala offerings.

There are several kinds of Mandala offering practices: traditional ordinary Mandala, the uncommon Three-Kaya Mandala of Nyingma, and Yogi Chen's uncommon Three-Kaya Mandala of Nyingma.

Ordinary Mandala (Yogi Chen meant the 37-offering Mandala) is common to all traditional Vajrayana schools such as Gelug, Kagyu and Nyingma, and it is done according to the traditional Indian method. The time required to practice this kind of Mandala is less than the other two kinds introduced below. Success in this practice can result in merits similar to those of Vaishravana (i.e., the Northern Heavenly King, or the Heavenly King of Treasures), and thereby speed up the progress toward Buddhahood. That the ordinary Mandala offerings can result in merits similar to Vaishravana is due to the fact that this practice involves visualized offerings of the entire universe: Mount Sumeru, Four Continents, all kinds of supreme treasures, with such pure and supreme offerings appearing in abundance like clouds and oceans.

The uncommon Three-Kaya Mandala offerings of Nyingma is only taught by the Nyingma school. Ordinary Mandala ultimately can yield only merits similar to those of Vaishravana, and yet the Three-Kaya Mandala of Nyingma includes visualized offerings to the Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya (the three bodies) of a Buddha, therefore the resulting merits are far superior than those of the ordinary Mandala. The cause of making offerings to Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya will eventually result in the accomplishment of Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya and Nirmanakaya. This is a special and precious practice of the Nyingma school. Nowadays many Gelug students are aware of the Three-Kaya Mandala offering; and yet unfortunately they are unwilling to learn it because of sectarianism. Since the Three-Kaya Mandala involves visualization and placement of three layers of offerings, it is far more time-consuming than ordinary Mandala to practice.

Yogi Chen's Three Kaya Mandala is basically the same as the Three-Kaya Mandala mentioned above. The difference is that Yogi Chen has added special offerings to Dakinis at the Sambhogakaya layer. Such additional offerings consist of more precious substances than those included in the other Three-Kaya Mandala offerings. Since Dakinis can speed up the accomplishment of practitioners, we should not neglect our offerings to them. In addition to the rice and gold offered in the normal Three-Kaya Mandala, this method includes other objects that assist in the visualization and dependent origination of the offerings, for example, coins of various countries, small globe, golden ornaments, and pistachio nuts. As a result, the time required for offering this kind of Mandala is about three to four times that of a normal Three-Kaya Mandala.

As one of the Four Foundational Practices, Mandala offerings should be repeated for at least 100,000 times. Practitioners may choose between the ordinary Mandala and the uncommon Three-Kaya Mandala of Nyingma to practice for the 100,000 repetitions. For the reason mentioned above, it is of course better to practice Three-Kaya Mandala offerings. The three Mandala offering practices are described as follows:

I. Ordinary Mandala

Refer to the main text. (Please refer to other works for the details of the 37-offering Mandala; e.g., Jamgon Kongtrul, Judith Hanson Trans., The Torch of Certainty, Shambhala, Boston, 1977.)
 

II. The Uncommon Three-Kaya Mandala of Nyingma

This is a very precious practice transmitted from Lola Rinpoche and Konga Rinpoche (note: Yogi Chen's two main teachers), practitioners should endeavor to practice it well.

There are three layers in a set of Three-Kaya Mandala plates. If the bottom plate is also counted, there are actually four layers. The pinnacle ornament symbolizes the Mani Jewel (the wish-fulfilling jewel). Mandala plates would best be made of gold, of silver is next, but of copper is also acceptable. Copper ones that are gold or silver plated are also fine. Each layer of the Mandala plates is engraved with images of the Seven Jewels or the Eight Treasures. In order to make the offering, one should sit cross-legged on the floor, place a (approx.) two square feet cloth on a bamboo tray (or other kind of suitable container) with enough rice for the three layers of the Mandala. Place a small box of rice to the right of the practitioner. Start with putting a small amount of rice in both hands (symbolizing non-empty) and then hold with one's left hand the bottom Mandala plate (like a bowl upside down) by the rim. While reciting "Om Samaya, Ah Samaya, Hung Samaya" (which means respectively the precepts of body, speech and mind) and then the Hundred Syllable Mantra once, rub the plate surface with the inner side of the right wrist in circular clockwise rotation three times, and visualize that the body, speech and mind of oneself and all sentient beings are thereby purified. Then continue to rub the plate surface counter-clockwise for three times, visualizing the seeds for the merits and wisdom of the three Bodies of all Buddhas are obtained by the practitioner and all sentient beings. Guru Tsongkhapa once said, "I did not attain comprehension until my wrist had ruptured." Sprinkle the rice in the right hand on the plate and recite "Om Benza Bumi Ah Hung" while visualizing a Vajra earth foundation. Place the first layer Mandala ring on top and recite "Om Benza La Ka Ah Hung" while visualizing an iron mountain range along the edge of the world; it represents a protective wall of precepts. Put in a gold coin and fill up the first layer Mandala ring with rice. Recite the following verses and visualize accordingly:

Thousand million of thousand million world systems,
Each full of seven treasures and wealth of gods and humans,
Together with my entire body and belongings are completely offered,
May I attain the throne of the universal monarch of Dharma.

This is the offering to the Nirmanakaya. If the practitioner has a specific wish, he or she can place the corresponding symbols of each Mandala ring toward oneself in order to assist in the visualization. For example, one can place the Dharma wheel toward oneself if wishing for Dharma; one can place the engraving of auspicious grasses toward oneself if wishing for auspiciousness, etc. Then place the second layer Mandala ring on top of the even surface of the first layer which is filled up with rice, put in a gold coin and fill up the second layer Mandala ring with rice. Recite the following verses and visualize accordingly:

The Pureland of Secret Adornment with unexcelled great bliss,
Complete with five definite attributes and the five aspects of Wisdom,
Offered with supreme offerings gathering as inconceivable masses of clouds,
May I attain the enjoyment of Sambhogakaya Pureland.

This is the offerings to the Sambhogakaya. Then place the third layer Mandala ring on top of the second layer, put in a gold coin and fill it up with rice. Recite the following verses and visualize accordingly:

The originally present, pure and youthful body in the vessel,
Being adorned with immutable compassion,
Identified with the Land purified of the attachments to body and drops,
By offering it, may I abide in the realm of the Dharmakaya.

Then put the pinnacle of Mani Jewel on top. With a small amount of rice in the right hand, raise the entire Mandala with both hands. This is the offering to the Dharmakaya. When raising the Mandala to offer it, visualize the Mandala multiplying into five, five multiplying into twenty-five, etc. until the entire Dharmadhatu is completely filled with Mandalas, as shown below:

When putting down the Mandala, visualize all Mandalas in the Dharmadhatu are merging back into the Mandala before one.

The above is one offering of the Three-Kaya Mandala. Then pour the rice in the Mandala toward oneself into the bamboo tray and repeat the Mandala offering. When repeating the offerings, use the offered rice in the bamboo tray to fill each layer until almost full, then top up each layer with new (not being offered before) rice from the small rice box; this is to symbolize new merits adding to old merits and become continuously without end.

If a practitioner completes this uncommon Three-Kaya Mandala Offering for 100,000 times, the merits accumulated would be inconceivable.
 

III. Yogi Chen's Uncommon Three-Kaya Mandala

This practice is basically the same as the previous one, but the objects of offering are not limited to rice and gold coins. It also includes coins from countries around the world, but coins from communist countries that destroy Buddhism and oppress people must not be offered. The practitioner thus wishes that all sentient beings and practitioners are replete with food, clothing and other things needed for practice. The Mandala also includes a small globe to symbolize the offering of the entire Dharmadhatu (Keep the globe clean by cleaning it about once every two weeks). Furthermore, in order to please Dakinis, goddesses, and dragon goddesses, one also offers various ornaments of gold, jade, gold chains, earrings, and pistachio nuts. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete this Mandala offering once. Therefore, if it is not feasible to offer it daily, then offer it on the 10th day of each lunar month to Guru Padmasambhava, on the 15th day to the Yidams, on the 25th day to the Dakinis, and on the 29th day to the Dharma Protectors.

Since there are many items of offering in this Mandala, it would be inconvenient to hold the Mandala plate with one hand. Besides, most of the precious objects need to be add on with both hands, hence, first put the base Mandala plate on a circular container (e.g., a tray) covered with yellow cloth and then place the whole thing firmly on a low bench. Use both hands to raise the whole Mandala after all three layers are filled. When adding offerings to each layer, recite the corresponding offering stanzas and visualize accordingly. At the beginning, hold the base plate by the left hand, with a small amount of rice in both hands, rub the plate surface clockwise and counter-clockwise thrice, recite the Hundred Syllable Mantra, etc.; all are done as in the previous kind of Three-Kaya Mandala offering.

Coins or gold coins of various countries can be placed on the first, second and third layers. The small globe should be put in the center of the first layer. Each layer should be filled up with rice, and some new rice should be added on top of each layer, symbolizing the ever increasing of new merits, enjoyment and offerings.

Gold and jade ornaments engraved with auspicious words, such as "merit,""prosperity," "wealth," "longevity," "love" and "joy," should be placed according to their colors and meanings in the directions of the corresponding Five Buddhas: white in the East (toward the practitioner), yellow in the South (the right hand side of the Buddha), red in the West (toward the Buddha), green in the North (the left hand side of the Buddha), and blue in the center; "longevity" in the East, "merit"and "wealth" in the South, "joy" and "love" in the West, and "prosperity" in the North. [Yutang Lin: The cardinal directions are arranged in this way because the Buddha is assumed to be seated at the center of the Mandala, facing the practitioner, to receive the offerings. Hence, the Buddha's front is the East and the rest follows in a clockwise circle. As to the Buddha that is located in the diagram below, we are referring to the Buddha on the Altar.]

Earrings should hang on the second layer Mandala ring in pairs (left-right, front-back). Necklaces should hang from the second layer (note: like hanging on the neck), and colors of pendants should correspond to the directions of the Five Buddhas as described before. These offerings are ornaments for Dakinis, goddesses, dragon goddesses of all the Sambhogakaya Buddhas so that they will be pleased and help the practitioner to attain siddhis (accomplishments) soon. Pistachio nuts are foods for Dakinis, so they are also put in the second layer. If one is to repeat the offering in a session, be careful not to pour everything into the bamboo tray when dissembling the Mandala lest the earrings, necklaces, etc., will tangle up. One should instead pick them up piece by piece, put coins, rings and jades in two separate boxes, and lay necklaces one by one on a bench. Thus, it will be convenient for the next offering, and there would be no need to waste time in untangling them. After taking these objects out, pour the rice back to the bamboo tray and repeat the offering.

Do not dissemble the Mandala after the last offering of a session. The Mandala is usually placed on the altar. Thereafter, every day add some new rice and pistachio nuts to the Mandala, and then, while raising the Mandala with both hands, the practitioner makes a complete clockwise turn and recites the Three-Kaya Mandala stanzas once, then put the Mandala back on the altar. [Yutang Lin: The clockwise turn signifies making the offering to all the Buddhas and holy beings in all directions.] If properly visualized, this is also a good offering with the same merits.

This talk concludes here with the wish: May all be auspicious!