THE JAMBHALA PRACTICE OF TANTRIC BUDDHISM
Singapore True Buddha School Yuan Xi Tang
(translated by the TBSN Translation Team, first published in http://www.tbsn.org)
In Tantrism, Jambhala practice (also known as wealth deity practice) is an expedient and worldly cultivation-method. Tantric cultivation is divided into ‘Generation Stage’ and ‘Completion Stage’: ‘Generation Stage’ is the foundation; ‘Completion Stage’ consists of practices pertaining to the holy truth and the transcendental methods.
Jambhala practice is a fundamental cultivation-method. It is also an expedient method that can enhance one’s fortune and blessings.
Spiritual-cultivators must possess ‘fortune’, ‘companion’, ‘Dharma’ and ‘land’.
‘Fortune’ is the resources that sustain one’s spiritual cultivation.
‘Companion’ is fellow practitioners that accompany one along the path of spiritual cultivation.
‘Dharma’ means true Buddhist teachings.
‘Land’ refers to the positive psychic energy from the earth.
It is only with the possession of ‘fortune’, ‘companion’, ‘Dharma’ and ‘land’, that one’s spiritual cultivation can be successful. Although the cultivation of wisdom is important in our spiritual practice, we should nevertheless not neglect the cultivation of fortune. Fortune and wisdom complement each other.
Spiritual cultivation will become very difficult if we do not have enough resources. Cultivating the wealth deity practices is equivalent to cultivating fortune as they can enable us to acquire resources. The Buddha is also known as the ‘Most Honored Two-footed Being’; one foot symbolizes fortune while the other wisdom. It is therefore evident that Buddhism places equal emphasis on the cultivation of both fortune and wisdom.
Will cultivating the Jambhala practice increase our greed?
Some people claim that cultivating the Jambhala practice will increase our greed. This is not true. Although the spiritual practitioner has the desire to gain great fortune, his body, mind and speech are nonetheless gradually purified in the process of practicing the Tantric method. From the Dharma Bliss that he has derived from the cultivation, the Buddhist disciple now begins to enjoy spiritual practice. The Jambhala Practice is hence an expedient method that induces sentient beings to practice Buddhism through their desire to obtain fortune.
Cultivating the Jambhala Practice will allow sentient beings to know that they can better their fate and steer clear from adversities through the empowerment of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, heavenly beings and the Dharma guardians. Sentient beings should seek to enhance their fortune and wisdom by practicing Dharma diligently. After the practitioner has gained the Dharma fortune, he should then give to the needy. This perpetuates the karmic cycle of positive cause and positive effect, thus allowing one to accumulate greater fortune.
Therefore, the objective of Jambhala practice is not to increase the greed of sentient beings. When cultivating until the stage whereby every action is purified and transformed into emptiness, we shall then perceive the truth of Empty-nature. All behaviors are empty in nature. When one is pure, all phenomena are pure; when one is empty, all phenomena are empty. After spiritual enlightenment, all our doings will become those of a Buddha. Before spiritual enlightenment however, everything seems to be an obstacle.
In view of the above, we can easily understand that the Jambhala practice is both a worldly and transcendental cultivation-method. Worldly and transcendental methods are corresponding.
"In order to salvage the innumerable minds, the Buddha has preached innumerable teachings. Where is the need for such innumerable teachings, if there doesn’t exist any innumerable minds?" The Buddhas attracts sentient beings through desires, and then draw them towards true wisdom. On the other hand, do not feel discouraged if your prayer is not answered in the practice, for this is another form of karmic consequence.
Red Jambhala
Origin
Red Jambhala is a Hindu god. After the rise of Tantric Buddhism, he became a Tantric wealth deity and is known as the "Lord of Provisions in Tibetan Tantrism". He has great spiritual prowess and can grant fortune and treasures.
Ganesha is the other name of Red Jambhala, who is originally a Hindu guardian god and dwells in the Elephant Trunk Heaven. According to legend, Red Jambhala was in charge of the heavenly treasury that belonged to Lord Mahesvara’s son. Due to his extreme compassion, Red Jambhala had unfailingly answered the prayers of many worshippers. Enraged by Red Jambhala’s indiscriminate charity to both the good and evil, Dharma guardian Mahakala decapitated him. It was only after the wealth deity repents that Mahakala plants an elephant’s head on his neck, and receives him as a retainer.
Image and symbolism
Red Jambhala has many images: four-armed, six-armed and twelve-armed etc. He can be found in either the sitting or standing posture. In Tantrism, there is also distinction between the red, white and yellow elephant heads. The four-armed Red Jambhala has a red human-like body, four arms, a big elephant head, smiling face, golden hair, a pair of widely opened green eyes and is surrounded by radiance. His long trunk is extended and curled inwards. He holds a radish in his first right hand, a demon-subduing axe in the second, some radish leaves in the first left hand and a string of chanting beads in the second. He is adorned with many treasures and precious necklaces, covered by a piece of tiger skin and stands on an eight-petal lotus.
The special characteristic of Red Jambhala lies in his trunk. His trunk can be extended to very far distance and hook back whatever object one has prayed for. Various precious treasures are poured from his nostrils. The Red Jambhala also likes to count the radish leaves; from the radish leaves, he can calculate in detail the wealth and possessions of a person in this lifetime.
Benefits
Cultivating the Red Jambhala Practice can enable one to acquire wealth, food, followers, a spouse, power and better human relations. There is also the Red Jambhala magnetizing method that can bless the practitioner with marital bliss and a harmonious family. Wishes are fulfilled and all endeavors become auspicious.
Yellow Jambhala
Origin
Yellow Jambhala is an emanation of Lord Vaisravana, who is in turn one of the "Four Great World-protecting Heavenly Kings". He is the guardian of light in Buddhism, a great charitable deity who grants fortune and protection. Lord Vaisravana lives in the northern region under the Four Heavens, at the northern crystal palace on the fourth level of Mount Sumeru. His servants are either yaksas or bhaisajya-yaksas. According to the Commentary on Lotus Sutra, this heavenly king is extremely knowledgeable as his perpetual protection of the Buddhas has enabled him to receive many teachings.
Yellow Jambhala can be found beside the northern gate of the External Vajra-section Hall in the Garbhadhatu Mandala. He is also situated in the west of the Vajradhatu Mandala, as the lord of yaksas. In both mandalas, the Yellow Jambhala is armored, sits on an elephant, holds a pagoda on his left palm and a precious cudgel on the right.
Lord Vaisravana guards eternally the northern heaven and is the wealthiest heavenly king. He protects Buddhism and likes to help the poor. In addition, Yellow Jambhala comes from a great mystical origin and is a heavenly king transformed out of great karmic conditions. Subsequently, the Firm Earth Deity, flanked by the two bhaisajya-yaksas, Lanpo and Pilanpo, supports Yellow Jambhala’s feet.
Image and symbolism
An ordinary image of Lord Vaisravana is one that holds a precious pagoda in the left, which pours out various treasures. In his Tibetan Tantric images, since Yellow Jambhala is an emanation of Lord Vaisravana, the precious pagoda is replaced by the treasure-emitting mongoose. This is only a change in his image. Yellow Jambhala is actually Lord Vaisravana.
In Eastern Tantrism, Lord Vaisravana holds a precious pagoda that pours out innumerable treasures to benefit sentient beings.
In Tibetan Tantrism, Lord Vaisravana is seen carrying a treasure-emitting mongoose that emits innumerable treasures to benefit sentient beings.
Benefits
Yellow Jambhala is one of the Eight Principal Deities of our True Buddha School. His Holiness Living Buddha Lian-sheng feels that although there are many rich True Buddha disciples, there are also many that are poor. This latter group of disciples wishes to learn a practice that can extricate them from poverty. This is why Yellow Jambhala is being upheld as one of True Buddha School’s Eight Principal Deities. It is hoped that with the great blessings of Yellow Jambhala, True Buddha School’s teachings will be propagated worldwide to salvage all sentient beings. This shall also fulfill our mission to popularize Buddhism.
White Jambhala
Origin
White Jambhala, an emanation of Avalokiteshvara (or Guanyin Bodhisattva), is also known as the "White Treasure Lord". According to legend, when Master Atisha was travelling in the Holy Land of Guanyin Bodhisattva at Mount Putuo of the Southern Sea, he saw a sickly and pitiable poor man. Since Master Atisha was a monk, he had no money to give and thus could not help the poor soul. Out of great sorrow, he could not but to cry for the man.
During this time, Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared before him in human form, and asked the reason for his crying. After having heard what Master Atisha had said, Guanyin Bodhisattva empathized with his feelings and shed two drops of tears. The tear from the left eye turned into Deliverance Buddha Mother, while the tear from the right transformed into White Jambhala. Guanyin Bodhisattva then told the White Jambhala to personally empower and teach Master Atisha the rite of his practice, so that the wishes of sentient beings can be fulfilled. The White Jambhala Practice is passed on till this day.
Image and symbolism
White Jambhala has one face, three rounded eyes and two hands, holding in the right a precious cudgel and in the left a treasure-emitting mongoose. A trident tipped katvanga staff rests against his left shoulder. He is wrathful in appearance with the hair, red and yellow color, flowing upwards like flames; adorned with jewel ornaments, a precious headdress and silks of various colors. He rides on the back of a jade-colored dragon sporting amongst the clouds.
Benefits
Cultivating the White Jambhala Practice enables the eradication of poverty and illnesses. It can eliminate sins and karmic hindrances, enhance one’s positive karmic affinities and wealth. This is an excellent cultivation for the financially impoverished Buddhists. The Buddhist disciple should cultivate with the great compassion of Guanyin Bodhisattva, practice formless charity and care for the suffering sentient beings. This naturally leads to spiritual accomplishment and the fulfillment of all wishes.
When cultivating the "Dragon-ridding White Jambhala Practice", we can also pray that he will lead us to hidden treasures. In the olden days, Tibetan Tantric masters placed their precious teachings in caves. These teachings were sealed in the four elements of "earth, water, fire and wind". One needs to employ very special methods to retrieve these Dharma treasures. One must also know the location of the caves where these ancestry masters had practiced in seclusion. We may pray to the "Dragon-ridding White Jambhala", so that he will bring us to these caves where the treasures were hidden.
Singapore True Buddha School Yuan Xi Tang
(translated by the TBSN Translation Team, first published in http://www.tbsn.org)
In Tantrism, Jambhala practice (also known as wealth deity practice) is an expedient and worldly cultivation-method. Tantric cultivation is divided into ‘Generation Stage’ and ‘Completion Stage’: ‘Generation Stage’ is the foundation; ‘Completion Stage’ consists of practices pertaining to the holy truth and the transcendental methods.
Jambhala practice is a fundamental cultivation-method. It is also an expedient method that can enhance one’s fortune and blessings.
Spiritual-cultivators must possess ‘fortune’, ‘companion’, ‘Dharma’ and ‘land’.
‘Fortune’ is the resources that sustain one’s spiritual cultivation.
‘Companion’ is fellow practitioners that accompany one along the path of spiritual cultivation.
‘Dharma’ means true Buddhist teachings.
‘Land’ refers to the positive psychic energy from the earth.
It is only with the possession of ‘fortune’, ‘companion’, ‘Dharma’ and ‘land’, that one’s spiritual cultivation can be successful. Although the cultivation of wisdom is important in our spiritual practice, we should nevertheless not neglect the cultivation of fortune. Fortune and wisdom complement each other.
Spiritual cultivation will become very difficult if we do not have enough resources. Cultivating the wealth deity practices is equivalent to cultivating fortune as they can enable us to acquire resources. The Buddha is also known as the ‘Most Honored Two-footed Being’; one foot symbolizes fortune while the other wisdom. It is therefore evident that Buddhism places equal emphasis on the cultivation of both fortune and wisdom.
Will cultivating the Jambhala practice increase our greed?
Some people claim that cultivating the Jambhala practice will increase our greed. This is not true. Although the spiritual practitioner has the desire to gain great fortune, his body, mind and speech are nonetheless gradually purified in the process of practicing the Tantric method. From the Dharma Bliss that he has derived from the cultivation, the Buddhist disciple now begins to enjoy spiritual practice. The Jambhala Practice is hence an expedient method that induces sentient beings to practice Buddhism through their desire to obtain fortune.
Cultivating the Jambhala Practice will allow sentient beings to know that they can better their fate and steer clear from adversities through the empowerment of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, heavenly beings and the Dharma guardians. Sentient beings should seek to enhance their fortune and wisdom by practicing Dharma diligently. After the practitioner has gained the Dharma fortune, he should then give to the needy. This perpetuates the karmic cycle of positive cause and positive effect, thus allowing one to accumulate greater fortune.
Therefore, the objective of Jambhala practice is not to increase the greed of sentient beings. When cultivating until the stage whereby every action is purified and transformed into emptiness, we shall then perceive the truth of Empty-nature. All behaviors are empty in nature. When one is pure, all phenomena are pure; when one is empty, all phenomena are empty. After spiritual enlightenment, all our doings will become those of a Buddha. Before spiritual enlightenment however, everything seems to be an obstacle.
In view of the above, we can easily understand that the Jambhala practice is both a worldly and transcendental cultivation-method. Worldly and transcendental methods are corresponding.
"In order to salvage the innumerable minds, the Buddha has preached innumerable teachings. Where is the need for such innumerable teachings, if there doesn’t exist any innumerable minds?" The Buddhas attracts sentient beings through desires, and then draw them towards true wisdom. On the other hand, do not feel discouraged if your prayer is not answered in the practice, for this is another form of karmic consequence.
Red Jambhala
Origin
Red Jambhala is a Hindu god. After the rise of Tantric Buddhism, he became a Tantric wealth deity and is known as the "Lord of Provisions in Tibetan Tantrism". He has great spiritual prowess and can grant fortune and treasures.
Ganesha is the other name of Red Jambhala, who is originally a Hindu guardian god and dwells in the Elephant Trunk Heaven. According to legend, Red Jambhala was in charge of the heavenly treasury that belonged to Lord Mahesvara’s son. Due to his extreme compassion, Red Jambhala had unfailingly answered the prayers of many worshippers. Enraged by Red Jambhala’s indiscriminate charity to both the good and evil, Dharma guardian Mahakala decapitated him. It was only after the wealth deity repents that Mahakala plants an elephant’s head on his neck, and receives him as a retainer.
Image and symbolism
Red Jambhala has many images: four-armed, six-armed and twelve-armed etc. He can be found in either the sitting or standing posture. In Tantrism, there is also distinction between the red, white and yellow elephant heads. The four-armed Red Jambhala has a red human-like body, four arms, a big elephant head, smiling face, golden hair, a pair of widely opened green eyes and is surrounded by radiance. His long trunk is extended and curled inwards. He holds a radish in his first right hand, a demon-subduing axe in the second, some radish leaves in the first left hand and a string of chanting beads in the second. He is adorned with many treasures and precious necklaces, covered by a piece of tiger skin and stands on an eight-petal lotus.
The special characteristic of Red Jambhala lies in his trunk. His trunk can be extended to very far distance and hook back whatever object one has prayed for. Various precious treasures are poured from his nostrils. The Red Jambhala also likes to count the radish leaves; from the radish leaves, he can calculate in detail the wealth and possessions of a person in this lifetime.
Benefits
Cultivating the Red Jambhala Practice can enable one to acquire wealth, food, followers, a spouse, power and better human relations. There is also the Red Jambhala magnetizing method that can bless the practitioner with marital bliss and a harmonious family. Wishes are fulfilled and all endeavors become auspicious.
Yellow Jambhala
Origin
Yellow Jambhala is an emanation of Lord Vaisravana, who is in turn one of the "Four Great World-protecting Heavenly Kings". He is the guardian of light in Buddhism, a great charitable deity who grants fortune and protection. Lord Vaisravana lives in the northern region under the Four Heavens, at the northern crystal palace on the fourth level of Mount Sumeru. His servants are either yaksas or bhaisajya-yaksas. According to the Commentary on Lotus Sutra, this heavenly king is extremely knowledgeable as his perpetual protection of the Buddhas has enabled him to receive many teachings.
Yellow Jambhala can be found beside the northern gate of the External Vajra-section Hall in the Garbhadhatu Mandala. He is also situated in the west of the Vajradhatu Mandala, as the lord of yaksas. In both mandalas, the Yellow Jambhala is armored, sits on an elephant, holds a pagoda on his left palm and a precious cudgel on the right.
Lord Vaisravana guards eternally the northern heaven and is the wealthiest heavenly king. He protects Buddhism and likes to help the poor. In addition, Yellow Jambhala comes from a great mystical origin and is a heavenly king transformed out of great karmic conditions. Subsequently, the Firm Earth Deity, flanked by the two bhaisajya-yaksas, Lanpo and Pilanpo, supports Yellow Jambhala’s feet.
Image and symbolism
An ordinary image of Lord Vaisravana is one that holds a precious pagoda in the left, which pours out various treasures. In his Tibetan Tantric images, since Yellow Jambhala is an emanation of Lord Vaisravana, the precious pagoda is replaced by the treasure-emitting mongoose. This is only a change in his image. Yellow Jambhala is actually Lord Vaisravana.
In Eastern Tantrism, Lord Vaisravana holds a precious pagoda that pours out innumerable treasures to benefit sentient beings.
In Tibetan Tantrism, Lord Vaisravana is seen carrying a treasure-emitting mongoose that emits innumerable treasures to benefit sentient beings.
Benefits
Yellow Jambhala is one of the Eight Principal Deities of our True Buddha School. His Holiness Living Buddha Lian-sheng feels that although there are many rich True Buddha disciples, there are also many that are poor. This latter group of disciples wishes to learn a practice that can extricate them from poverty. This is why Yellow Jambhala is being upheld as one of True Buddha School’s Eight Principal Deities. It is hoped that with the great blessings of Yellow Jambhala, True Buddha School’s teachings will be propagated worldwide to salvage all sentient beings. This shall also fulfill our mission to popularize Buddhism.
White Jambhala
Origin
White Jambhala, an emanation of Avalokiteshvara (or Guanyin Bodhisattva), is also known as the "White Treasure Lord". According to legend, when Master Atisha was travelling in the Holy Land of Guanyin Bodhisattva at Mount Putuo of the Southern Sea, he saw a sickly and pitiable poor man. Since Master Atisha was a monk, he had no money to give and thus could not help the poor soul. Out of great sorrow, he could not but to cry for the man.
During this time, Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared before him in human form, and asked the reason for his crying. After having heard what Master Atisha had said, Guanyin Bodhisattva empathized with his feelings and shed two drops of tears. The tear from the left eye turned into Deliverance Buddha Mother, while the tear from the right transformed into White Jambhala. Guanyin Bodhisattva then told the White Jambhala to personally empower and teach Master Atisha the rite of his practice, so that the wishes of sentient beings can be fulfilled. The White Jambhala Practice is passed on till this day.
Image and symbolism
White Jambhala has one face, three rounded eyes and two hands, holding in the right a precious cudgel and in the left a treasure-emitting mongoose. A trident tipped katvanga staff rests against his left shoulder. He is wrathful in appearance with the hair, red and yellow color, flowing upwards like flames; adorned with jewel ornaments, a precious headdress and silks of various colors. He rides on the back of a jade-colored dragon sporting amongst the clouds.
Benefits
Cultivating the White Jambhala Practice enables the eradication of poverty and illnesses. It can eliminate sins and karmic hindrances, enhance one’s positive karmic affinities and wealth. This is an excellent cultivation for the financially impoverished Buddhists. The Buddhist disciple should cultivate with the great compassion of Guanyin Bodhisattva, practice formless charity and care for the suffering sentient beings. This naturally leads to spiritual accomplishment and the fulfillment of all wishes.
When cultivating the "Dragon-ridding White Jambhala Practice", we can also pray that he will lead us to hidden treasures. In the olden days, Tibetan Tantric masters placed their precious teachings in caves. These teachings were sealed in the four elements of "earth, water, fire and wind". One needs to employ very special methods to retrieve these Dharma treasures. One must also know the location of the caves where these ancestry masters had practiced in seclusion. We may pray to the "Dragon-ridding White Jambhala", so that he will bring us to these caves where the treasures were hidden.