Akasagarbha Practice

Brenda asked me about Akasagarbha Practice. Since I am a big fan of this particular Buddha, I will give a short introduction. The Akasagarbha Mantra is the first one million mantra I read.

Who is Akasagarbha Buddha

Mantra

http://www.tbsn.org/Multimedia/Video/Practice/Sound/hikonzon.ram

Brenda can write down the pin yin for me. I still dont know my pin yin very well.

Merits and Dedications

Akasagarbha Bodhisattva is also known as the Emptiness Store Bodhisattiva, which means that his wisdom is as vast as the emptiness. It is said in the  Akasagarbha Sutra that those who wish to obtain wisdom, respect from others, excellent voice, prestigious status, wealth, loving spouse, and compliments and fames after charitable deeds should often recite the epithet of the Akasagarbha Bodhisattva and their wishes will be fullfilled"

practice procedure

Date: On the solar or lunar eclipse day
Preparation:
      Lit the incense and render offerings to Akasagarbha Bodhisattva. Prepare a cup of water and place it in front of the cultivator.

Procedure:
In the primary session, follow the True Buddha Tantric Dharma practice as usual. When comes to visualize the Personal Deity, visualize Akasagarbha Bodhisattava, picture provided above. Form the Aksasgarbha Mudra, picture provided below.

Visualization: clearly visualize Akasagarbha Bodhisattva appearing in the emptiness. Visualize the white flame of Akasagarbaha's sword radiating an arch shape of  flame,  the Wisdom Sword Flame,  to the  water in front of the cultivator. The flame will  eradicate one’s  karmic ignorance and stupidity accumulated of past lives.

Then visualize the muni on the Akasagarbha Boddhisattva's hand illuminating  a beam of brilliance, the Wisdom Muni Brilliance,  to the same water. The brilliance  will  enhance one's wisdom and memorization.

Now, visualize solar and lunar eclipse to the  water, which now has the Wisdom Sword Flame, Wisdom Muni Brilliance, solar eclipse brilliance, and lunar eclipse brilliance. Drink the water at once. Pray the complete union of the Akasagarbah with the cultivator.

Follow the True Buddha Tantric Dharma procedure as usual for the rest of the practice.

Date

Now, the day is very important. You only have solar/lunar eclipse so many times in a year. Supposingly,  you should recite 1 million mantra first to get the spiritual effect. But, you can always practice. I do advise you to practice for 7 days though


check the schedule below.

Namo ah-kyah-sih-jeh, poh-yeh
Om, ah-lee, kya-mah-lee, moh-lee, swaha

##modified mantra to be more accurate

a friendly reminder that you need empowerment to practise

;)

Can i Practise Akasagarbha Practice without empowerment?
If can, what should i do first ?
If can't, how to get empowerment?, give explanation and example to get it, because i don't how to get empowerment.

Hello Ethan and welcome.   :)

1.) Have you taken refuge in Grand Master Lu?

2).You will need the empowerment.

First write a letter to:
Sheng-yen Lu
17102 NE 40th Ct.
Redmond, Washington,     U.S.A
98052

Ask that you been given the Akasagarbha Practice Empowerment.
Please include a donation.
As soon as you receive a letter back you will be able to do the practice.


Brenda

I never take refuge.
so after i send the letter and i receive the letter back, i can pratice Akasagarbha ?

hi, ethan,

from what i can read from your response, you are confused about the difference between "taking refuge" and "getting empowerment" for a particular practice? correct me if i am wrong, ok?

"taking refuge" means believing whole-heartedly in our Guru and taking vows that will bind that teacher-student relationship. A formal explanation can be obtained from: http://www.tbsn.org/english/intro/tour/sg7.htm

if you wish to take refuge, then you have to do certain things. For one, you have to write a letter to Seattle. More steps and precise instructions can be found at:
http://www.tbsn.org/english/intro/tour/howtref.htm

After getting a certificate affirming you are a disciple, and after you have done the necessary steps as listed in the above webpage, you can start practising. For starters, you are required to start with Four Fundamental Practices/Guru Yoga as listed in (http://www.tbsn.org/english/cultivation/gurucont.htm) or see attached

The package that comes with being a disciple of TBS is: you can practice Guru Yoga/Four Fundamental Practices (which is also called Vajrasattva Practice).

However, if you want to practise the Akasagarbha PRactice, you have to write in to Seattle again for empowerment. In other words, permission to practice. OTherwise, it will be regarded as Dharma stealing, and the punishment can be equivalent to Vajra Hell after one dies.

In fact, any practice needs to have empowerment first before you can get any effect (or "response" to be more precise).

You should only practise Akasagarbha PRactice after you have done 100,000 times of Padmakumara mantra during Four Fundamental Practices/Guru Yoga (http://www.tbsn.org/english/cultivation/gurucont.htm)

Even after chanting 100,000 times and one has started practising Akasagarbha PRactice, one should not forsake the practice of Four Fundamental Practices/Guru yoga cos' tat is your lineage.

hope i answer your question.

i must admit that i equate Four Fundamental Practices with Guru yoga because Grandmaster is also Vajrasattva.

(Anyone, Pls correct me if i am wrong in any of my explanation above because it'd be bad to give wrong views.) Ethan, i would advise you to go to a chapter at least a few times to familiarise yourself with the Practices first. Especially Four Fundamental Practices which is the basis of all Vajrayana.

Hi, Jessie,

    I have read with interest on this thread and I would like to ask a question that maybe similar to what Ethan has asked.
    If I want to chant Unsia Vijaya mantra for X times, do I have to chant Padmakumara's mantra 100000 times first ?
    I already have empowerment for the Usnisa Vijaya mantra.
    Could I do both (Guru's mantra and Usnisa vijaya mantra) concurrently?


Regards
Xin Kai

The reason for chanting Padmakumara mantra for 100,000 times is to get that lineage strength. as to whether or not you can concurrently do both practices at the same time, the conventional answer you'd get from any master would be to build your foundation first -- finish the homework of 100,000 times Padmakumara mantra first.

(If you wish to ask a master, you could point out the fact that you are still working on your homework, while at the same time practising Usnisa Vijaya practice...you can ask athe chapter in Austrailia.)

I dunno whether you have read the Usnisa Vijaya book written by Master LianHan? He said that if you wish to use Usnisa Vijaya mantra urgently, you must first recite Grandmaster mantra first for 108 times.

I know I haven't really answered your question eh? :(   There is a chapter in Grandmaster's book which depicts how he taught a gangster guy to chant Usnisa Vijaya short mantra (from what i read, it seems that that guy does it concurrently...have you read that before; would be good if you can find it to verify) But i guess you can try to practice both concurrently first while sending a letter to Seattle. pls send a letter and tell me your findings ok?

but I still think strongly that one must reach 100,000 times Padmakumara mantra first; otherwise no matter how much you put your effort in your other practice, it may be not as effective. in the case of ethan, he sounds so new, and I feel that we should start off with GM's mantra first..

I am concentrating on Four Fundamental Practices at the moment and I think it does wonders...maybe I am very strict on myself...

Sorry, I am rambling.

Hi , Jessie,

     Thanks for the reply.
     Yes, I agree that one should finish the 100000 times too.
      However, there are many "versions" as to whether the number is 100000 or 1 million times.I heard a view that says that for disciples who take refuge in the early days  , or those who has only "lian" in their dharma names need to complete 100000 times only.For those  whose dharma names with " lian hua" would need to chant more than 100000 times.I have even heard that disciples who taken refuge after 1990 need to chant 1 million times.
      This goes to show that there is much rumours and personal views going on in TBS, even on such issues!!
      Once, I was very confused, I thought I have to finish 1 million times of Guru's mantra ,which is probably going to take me 3 years to complete!!
        Anyway, I have read Master Lian Han's book and I Chant guru's mantra first ( a few rounds of my chanting beads) then I continue with Usnisa Vijaya mantra.
        Btw, I think that in a urgent or special situation, like the post I posted in "Spiritual experince " column( "a response after chanting Usnisa Vijaya mantra"), one could chant Guru's mantra with Usnisa Vijaya mantra concurrently.
        Regarding the "famous" :)) chapter where GM taught the gangster , ( that chapter inspired me alot.One should not look down on anyone.It is just like the story of the Ugly Duckling.All of us are ugly duckling once), I do not think the gangster done it concurrently.But, I maybe wrong.
        Yes, I would write to seattle and ask them about it.Thanks for the help!!:))
        Its nice to hear that you have done the four foundation practices well.  


Regards
Xin Kai  
     

Xin Kai and Jesse

Let's me share my personal experience. I have recited about 10 million mantra. I dedicated one million mantra to each Deity, except 2 million to GM. After my 10 million mantras, I stopped using counter because I am forcing myself to recite the mantra without counter. It is tough..counter is a very good reminder :-(


My first mantra, as I have mentioned, is the Akasagarbha Mantra.  Of course, it is best to recite Guru Mantra first, however, I was dying to become smart and Guru Mantra was too foreign to me. I recited my 1st million mantra and finished it in about 7 months. Well, did I get any special result? Akasagarbha did not make me smarter but he saved my life. I was detinated to dye at age 20. (another story) I really started to feel that I became bit smarter many years later.

It is best to recite the Guru Mantra first. Of course; however, if you do feel strongly with a Deity, I think that you should just recite it. Otherwise even when you recite the Guru Mantra, you will be thinking about that Deity anyway right?

I dont suggest to recite two mantras at the same time. You see...exactly my point. Now, you feel strongly about the Deity, just recite that Deity's mantra.

however, when you are done with that Deity, go to recite Guru Mantra. My 2nd and 3rd million mantra was with GM. It was after I met GM and had a strong faith in him.

If I were you, I would NOT write to the Seattle temple. I feel that they will tell you the same thing. Besides, Use your wisdom and judge the manner. That is the wisdom that Akasaghabha taught me :-)

Mimosa

Hi, Mimosa,

    Thanks for the advice.
    I am now embarking on the "journey" to my first million times of Usnisa Vijaya mantra. (sounds like making my first million dollars:) )
      I was wondering how you could accomplish 1 million times in 7 months?
    Don't you have to work, cook, do house work ?    
    In any case, you have achieved greatly in chanting 10 million times!!

Regards
Xin Kai

##   I am now embarking on the "journey" to my first million ##times of Usnisa Vijaya mantra. (sounds like making my first


I am happy for you!!!! Just concentrate. Trust me!! Your spiritual response will be enhanced!! You will see a great change in yourself.


##  I was wondering how you could accomplish 1 million times ##in 7 months?    Don't you have to work, cook, do house ##work ?      

I was a college student at that time. I had a lot of school works, projects, papers due! Just like you...well...I had a very close boyfriend. I spent too much time with him and was on the verge of failing my class! I **pushed** myself very hard to recite the mantra so my school would give me a second chance to keep my scholarship/grant. If I didnt get that money, I would not have money to continue my school. It was a very serious time in my life. See what love could do to you :-)

Well, I recited the mantra like crazy. Besides study, walking, waiting, even computer rebooting, I recited the mantra!! Yup..no kidding, that was how I finished my 1 million mantra in 7 months. Not easy at all. After that, i just do 1 million mantra in one year... that is much better :-)

Mimosa

i am so ashamed...I usually chant Padmakumara mantras 108x per day; i didn't even do it while walking etc...

Thanks Mimosa and Xin Kai. Makes me wonder at myself...just did a calculation: if i chant 108 per day, that makes 39,420 per year. Can't even reach the target of 100,000 yet...

:(

so ashamed.... and i was telling people they must try to complete 100,000 first...i guess i am wrong. Thanks for unknotting that stubborn adherence to rules...

xinkai, just finished attending a "Happy Birthday Grandmaster" ceremony last night in Singapore -- i dedicated some Usnisa Vijaya paper money to my debtors, and then i developed a heavy headache, which only dispersed after the ceremony...I hope that means something, issit? I am so happy !! :)

yeah, mimosa, love is a very strong pull -- makes u do all sorts of thing-- i remember nearly forsaking my daily practice just to spend time with my boyfriend. it was a lesson i hold dearly to my heart -- nothing really matters more than cultivation..

am so ashamed...I usually chant Padmakumara mantras 108x
#Jessie, please dont say that. You have already tried. that is a good start already.


so ashamed....
#dont say that. **HUG**

and i was telling people they must try to complete 100,000 first...i guess i am wrong. Thanks for unknotting that stubborn adherence to rules...
##you are not wrong. That is probably the best method. However, Dharma can be quite flexible. No need to be so stubborn about it. Did you read the mantra chanting on the Chinese forum. One guy was making some strictly rude. I had to rebuke. His posting is more discouraging than encouraging.


hope that means something, issit? I am so happy !!  
## I am glad! we just bought a lot of offerings for GM's birthday. My sister and I will celebrate it at home.

just to spend time with my boyfriend. it was a lesson i hold dearly to my heart -- nothing really matters more than cultivation..
##I have been there. ...... Love can hurt one so deeply; but the right kind of love can give you unlimited support.

Mimosa

i already have  Empowerment for AKasagarbha Practice (i already receive the letter )
When can i do AKasagarbha practice?, i don't when the solar or eclipse day?

Can i do a practice Everday ?, if can what procedure i should follow for Everyday pratice?

Thank you

first of all, you have to recite the mantra one million times.
have you done that?

Mimosa

What Mantra ?

You asked for Akasagarbha Practice, of course, the Akasagarbha mantra  ;D

mimosa

I think that most people have a lot more free time than they realize for reciting mantras. Ruling out TV or listening to music takes care of quite a bit of time, although if the music is appropriate and not intrusive, one can do both. And, no matter what our occupations, we spend so much of our time waiting for something to begin. From what I understand, the mantras need not be recited audibly. I once sat on a plane for five hours and a lady across the aisle had her electronic counter in her hand and was silently reciting a mantra, only moving her lips, for the entire flight. I guess electronic or mechanical counters are the modern day equivalent of beads.
Mantras have a lot of uses. Primarily to reinforce the heart bond with the Guru or deity. I look at it as something like fine tuning the frequency on a radio. Of course, different people have different affinities, but the Guru yoga is not to be disregarded as a 'beginner' practice. I have run into people who were quite proud of practicing at an 'advanced' level. But unless and until one receives a response at the fundamental level, then, imho, he is just spinning his wheels.
GM has said that a response in one practice is equivalent to a response in all. What is a response? Well, that is another topic. Somebody should post it. I will.

Can i know whare can get Akasagarbha Bodhisattva Sutra?
Because i want know more about Akasagarbha Bodhisattva?  

he is mentioned in the Buddhist Canon, which consists of 20-40 books....quite intensive.. you can do a search on google to find out more about the buddha

Mimosa

But i still can not find Akasgarbha Sutra.
Maybe someone can help me to find it.
thank you.

regarding chanting the mantras, usually I am always on the move so when I have time I can only do 100x here and there throughout the day . Even sometimes I can only chant 20x before someone comes into my office. But by the end of the day I have chanted more than 7000x.  What if there is a break in the chanting? Will it be okay? After the breaking I just continue to chant again. And do we need to chant in front of altars or shrine because it's hard for me to do so at workl.

alenachan

tomorrow is another eclipse!

read my above attached schedule

dont miss it. It is the last one this year!

Mimosa