Chapter 3. The Initiation Ritual of the All-Merciful One [1]

1. The All-Merciful One: Avalokiteshvara, patron Bodhisattva of Tibet.

Obeisance to Guru Devadike.

Pray grant me all Siddhis Húm!

This is the Fourth Initiation [of the Tantric Scheme], the Initiation of the All-Merciful One.

The Mandala should be arranged as before [2]. The Gtor-ma should be made as the pomegranate in shape and placed in the center of the Mandala. On the right side a glass rosary is placed; on the left side three fossil shells; in the front many precious ornaments; on the west side a white vase bound with ribbons. On the top of the Gtor-ma, the Tsag'li [3] is installed.

2. The ritual containing these instructions is missing from the manuscript. – Ed.

3. Tsag'-li: A miniature flag with the device of a mandala or mantram, one of the Tantric ornaments.

(The aforesaid articles are arranged in preparation for the ceremony. At the time of performing the Initiation, the Vase Ritual and Gtor-ma Ritual may be performed according to the general rules. In the preparation practice for the Initiation, the guru should meditate on the proceeding once: visualize the Self, Front, and Vase as all instantaneously united with the Wisdom Ones [4], and recite the incantation not less than one hundred times. If one wants to practice a more comprehensive and elaborate ceremony, he should perform the Three Purifications [5].)

4. Wisdom Ones: Those Buddhas that give life to the Front Vase, manifestations of the coming Buddhas. See Note 5, Chapter 4.

5. Three Purifications: The ceremony of purifying the body, mouth, and mind.

One should visualize as follows:

In front of me is the Vase-Buddha [6], the All-Merciful One.

6. Vase-Buddha: See Note 2, Chapter 4.

He is white in color with four arms and one face.

He folds his two palms together with his central arms. [p. 49}

The two outer arms hold separately the lotus and the rosary.

His two feet join together in the Diamond Sitting Posture [7].

7. Diamond Sitting Posture: Traditional cross-legged posture of the Buddhas.

All the precious ornaments adorn his body.

Robed in magnificent clothes of silk,

He sits solemnly on the cushion of the Lotus-Moon.

Om Ma Ni Be Mi Húm, the All-Merciful One is here!

Sa Ma Ya, Jia Jia Jia!

Recite and visualize as follows:

In the heart-center of the Vase-Buddha before me, there is a white word, Shri standing straight on the moon disc and encircling the SHhri clockwise are the Six Words. From these Words emanate rays of light shining into the ten directions. Among all the Bodhisattvas, the rays of light choose the All-Merciful One and entreat him, with all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, to descend here. Because the All-Merciful One, Avalokiteshvara, is extremely compassionate. He is the special tutelary Buddha of Tibet. Practicing his meditation makes it easier to attain the grace of bliss. He is nearer to us than other Buddhas. Padmasambhava said, "In the time of defilements, Avalokiteshvara is the most compassionate one. Especially to us, the Kham Pa [8], the Six Words of Incantation are most beneficial and appropriate. The All-Merciful One, His Holiness Avalokiteshvara, is the intimate patron deity of the Snow Country [9]. His Dharma, especially, has a close affinity to the people of Kham. Therefore, in the region of Kham, one sees that men and women alike all recite the Six Words Incantation diligently." This was prophesied by Padmasambhava himself.

8. Kham Pa: People of Kham, or East Tibet.

9. Snow Country: Another name for Tibet.

About the benefits of remembering and meditating on [p. 50} the All-Merciful One, The Thousand-Arms-and-Thousand-Eyes-True-Words Tantra says, "If one takes the initiation and recites the incantation of Avalakiteshvara, his sins will all be cleansed and his obstacles removed. He will obtain the infinite merits [10]; after his death he will go to the Pure Land (of Buddha Amida)." In The Sutra of the Ten Countenances, one reads, "The All-Merciful One himself said, 'If one think of me and call my name, whatever his wishes may be, all will be granted. All injuries to him will be prevented, sins and hindrances will be obliterated; all his fears will be conquered. This man is liberated from the evils and obstacles, and well protected under my shelter. His merits and talents will be promoted. He is hid from all ominous signs and afflictions.'"

10. Infinite merits: Buddhist term for all virtues.

In The Various-Winds-and-Waters Sutra (Chu-rlung-snga-tsogs-mdo) it is also said, "In the future time, any good man or good woman who has heard the merits of the All-Merciful One will gradually exhaust his or her kleshas; the Great Five Unceasing Sins and their like will be exhausted. If one has nothing in his mind but the All-Merciful One [11] and meditates on the merits of Avalokiteshvara for only one month, he will be able to see the All-Merciful One as well as Buddha Amida face to face. He will thus never regress on the Path of Bodhi [12]. He will recollect his lives in the past, follow the teachings he has heard, and wherever he is born will corn across Dharma. He will never depart from Buddhism, and will attain great wealth and enjoy great happiness. Wherever he stays no demons nor illness can seriously harm him."

11. This refers to deep Samadhi in which the thought-flow is stopped.

12. Path of Bodhi: The way to Buddhahood.

The Magnificent Casket Sutra states: "Gotama Buddha says, 'Whoever thinks of Avalokiteshvara will attain to happiness; he will be freed from the sufferings of birth, [p. 51} age, illness, and death. He will go to the happy Pure Land to see Buddha Amida. Those devoted to the All-Merciful One will have no Samsaric sufferings in their bodies, no leshas in their minds; hunger and thirst cannot threaten them, nor will they undergo ordeal in the womb. With sincere devotion growing in their hearts, they will then be born in the lotus [13]. Those relying on the Victorious Master Avalokiteshvara to be their tutelary Buddha will always be able to go to Buddha's paradise and remain there.'"

13. Born in the lotus: A term of the Pure Land Sutras referring to those advanced beings having a higher birth than from the womb.

The benefits and profit of the Six Sacred Words are thus stated in The Sutra of the Hundred-and-Eight Symbols: "Tathagata Buddha says, 'Those good men and good women who contemplate Avalokiteshvara and recite the Six Sacred Words: Om Mani Padme Húm, will never fall into the lower Lokas or the Unceasing Hell. Whoever takes this incantation in his mind and recites it with sound, his body becomes immune from leprosy, ulcer, Bra Gyan and Bas Lhag diseases [14], tuberculosis, asthma, and all kinds of disease. Immediately after death, he will be born in the Happy Pure Land. Wherever he is born he will never be separated from the All-Merciful One.'"

14. Bra Gyan and Bas Lhag diseases: Unknown diseases.

Again, The Magnificent Casket Sutra states: "The Majestic Red Buddha says, 'That good man or good woman who recites these Six Sacred Words will attain the following benefits: his valor and spirit will never diminish, his wisdom will grow, he will become a man with great compassion and kindness, he will complete the Six Paramitas [15] in his everyday activity. He will become the King of Turning-the-Mystic-Holding-Wheel [16]. He will become a Bodhisattva of Non-Regression. He will eventually attain the perfect, peerless Buddhahood.'"

15. Six Paramitas: Six perfections of Buddhist philosophy.

16. Mystic Holding-Wheel: The ruler of a Golden Age holds a golden wheel and rules through love; the king of a Silver Age rules through fear; the king of an Iron Age, whose symbol is the iron wheel, rules through violence. (Asoka is identified with the last type of ruler.)

This initiation practice was revealed by Buddha Amida [p. 52} to His Holiness Mi-rgyur-rdo-rje in the (year of the) Fire Monkey, Dragon Month, when he was twelve years old. This initiation was bestowed upon me [the original lama-scribe. Ed.] by two Living Buddhas; therefore it is a very recent late and close one with great blessing power. Dakinis [17] vowed to give special protection to this instruction. Therefore, together with sincerity and respect you should feel happiness and joy for this opportunity.

17. Dakinis: Tantric goddesses.

The guru says, "You should think that I and the Initiation Symbols are the real embodiment of Avalokiteshvara. With this confidence and devotion follow me in reciting the following prayers:

"I pray to all the Buddhas in the past, present, and future.

Especially I pray to the All-Merciful One!

I pray thee to grant me the invaluable Initiation!

I take refuge in the Three Precious Ones.

I confess to you all the sinful deeds I have done.

I raise my sympathetic joy unto all merits and virtues of the sentient beings.

Forever I shall bear the Three Precious Ones in my mind,

From now on till the time of my attaining the Buddhahood,

I devote and submit myself, my whole being, to all Buddhas!

For the sake of benefiting self and others,

I hereby take the oath for the Devotion for Bodhi [18].

18. Oath for the Devotion for Bodhi: The Bodhisattva's vow.

After the growing of the Heart for Bodhi,

I render my service to all beings as a humble servant.

With joy and vigor I practice the Action of Bodhi.

In order to benefit all the sentient beings,

I sincerely pray the day of my attaining Bodhi will come soon!" [p. 53}

(Repeat not less than three times, using Ku Sha grass to bless the disciples.)

Now, the disciples should practice the visualization of the Arising Buddha. Follow my instructions and visualize them. (The guru reads loudly and slowly.)

"All of you become Avalokiteshvara, the All-Merciful One.

His body is white in color and he has only one face.

His four arms are poised in the following manner:

The palms of the two center arms are folded together.

One arm holds a rosary, and one holds a lotus branch.

The two feet entwine in the Diamond Sitting Posture.

The rare ornaments adorn his body.

Arrayed in silks, he sits solemnly on the cushion of the Sun-Moon-Lotus.

"In such manner you visualize the Arising Buddha. Now you should meditate on the three places from which to draw the wave of grace and blessing:

"Visualize in your forehead a white Om word standing straight;

A red Ah word stands in the forepart of the throat;

A blue Húm word stands in your heart.

In the very center of your heart is a moon disc;

Upon the white moon disc stands a white Shri word.

The Six Sacred Words circle the Shri word.

Because of inviting the Wisdom-Buddha to come here,

From the Shri word emanate infinite rays of light.

These rays of light shine forth to the Pure Land of Happiness,

Also shining forth south toward the Holy Potala [19].

19. Holy Bodala: Pure Land of Kwan Yin, traditionally located in this world in a region of the Chinese coast, Chekiang province.

There by numerous forms of Avalokiteshvara, big as mountains, small as mustard seeds, [p. 54}

With the Six Sacred Words, and the white Shri word in their bodies,

As snow falling, they all descend here.

They enter your body like the rainfall and penetrate deep in you."

(Play all musical instruments. All chant in rhythm.)

"Húm! I think, I think of the All-Merciful One!

Listen! the All-Merciful One and Buddhas rise up,

From the Great Place of the South the Buddhas arise!

With retinues and assemblies they descend here.

Well dressed is the crown of the head,

The precious ornaments are as glossy as sun rays.

Accompanied with music and dance, you come here.

Your grace and blessing are beyond human apprehension.

Without any closefistedness, you grant us the Siddhis.

From the great place full of wonder,

With an unlimited compassion you come down here.

I pray thee with my utmost sincerity and yearning

Grant me your grace and blessing!

Pray thee, embrace me in your care under your boundless compassion!

Pray look after me and bestow on me the Siddhis.

Come here, thou gracious one!

Safeguard me, you compassionate one!

Oh, father Guru himself is the All-Merciful One!

To whom I pray with one single thought (concentrated attention).

May all the wishes of ours be granted!

Om Ah Húm Shri Svaha! Om Mani Padme Húm! Be Tsa Ah Bi Sha Ya Ah Ah!"

(Play musical instruments; then place the Vajra on the [p. 55} head. Visualize the Wisdom Buddha becoming steady.)

Di Tsha Be Tsa!

(Hold the vase in hand and read the following words.)

Húm! the Beyond-Measure Palace

Where the All-Merciful One and his retinue abide,

Whereby the Four Initiations of Vase I wish to attain.

(Place the symbol on disciple's head.)

Om Mani Be Mi Húm Ga La Shu Kura Sar Jia, Tsa Tu Ah Bi Di Tsa Húm!

(Give the water in the Vase to disciples and let them drink it. Then hold the Gtor-ma in hand and read as follows.)

Húm! This Gtor-ma itself is the embodiment of Avalokiteshvara.

His myriad retinues are also contained within it.

To you my disciples, the Four Initiations of Avalokiteshvara

Are now completely being given!

I pray Buddha Amida, the Dharmakaya,

I pray Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the Sambhogakaya,

I pray the teacher Padmasambhava, the Nirmanakaya,

I pray the Dakini and the Victorious Ocean Wisdom,

Ye-shes-mtsho-rgyal,

I pray the twenty-eight followers and one-hundred-and-one Treasure Finders,

I pray all accomplished Illumination Holders [20].

20. Illumination Holders: Tantric yogis.

Pray the All-Merciful One, Lord of Transiency, One with the Eyes of Compassion,

Mighty being! Also pray all the accompanying holy beings to bless this disciple of Diamond Vehicle, and grant them the Initiation! [p. 56}

Pray to cleanse the Hindrance of Passion, Hindrance of Knowledge [21], and all Habitual Thinking for them forever!

21. One freed of the passions may yet have Hindrance of Knowledge, [p. 59} not being omniscient. Such a one is an arhat, but not yet a fully enlightened being – Buddha.

Pray forever close the gate of Sanmara and Lower Path for them!

Pray bestow your gracious blessing to them and deliver them to the West Pure Land at the moment of their departure!

Om Mani Padme Húm! Gaya Waga Tsida Sarva Ahbi Aitsi Húm!

(Recite this incantation three times. Hold the image in hand and read.)

Húm! Pray the All-Merciful One and his accompanied Deities,

Grant you, the disciples, the complete Four Initiations.

(Place the image on the disciple's head.)

Om Mani Padme Húm Gaya Ah Bi Ai Tsa Húm!

(Holding the Vase, Vajra, rosary, and conch in hand read the following prayers.)

Húm! Pray the All-Merciful One grant you, the well-destined disciples, the Initiation of Body, Mouth, and Mind.

Om Mani Padme Húm, Gaya Waka TsiDa Kica Ah Bi Ai Tsa Húm!

(Place all the symbols on disciple's head. Throw the flowers and sing the benediction psalm and dedications.)

Húm! May all the gurus who possess the Trikaya [22] grant us the blessing and prosperity.

22. Trikaya: The Three Bodies of Buddha.

May the tutelary Buddha, Deities, and Dakinis grant us the blessing and prosperity!

May all the Guardians of Dharma, the Ocean-like Samaya [23] Holders bless us.

23. Samaya here means the Tantric precepts

[p. 57}

Among the ocean-like teachings in the Mind-Treasury of Heavenly Dharma in the Whisper-Succession there are forty initiation teachings. This one, the Initiation of Avalokiteshvara with Six Sacred Words, is one of them. From now on you should always submit yourself to your tutelary Buddha, the All-Merciful One, and recite the Six Sacred Words regularly; therefore follow me in taking this oath.

From now on, till the time of my attaining Buddhahood, I will regard the All-Merciful One as my tutelary Buddha.

Sa Maya Narayan!