2/26/2014 Vajra-yogini Sadhana Vajra-yogini Sadhana Introductory Remarks I am going to translate orally to you the third article from my book in Chinese entitled The First Steps of Vajrayana. It consists of three articles: the first one explains how to set up the altar and arrange the offerings, etc. (This one has been translated into English and published as Booklet No. 5 in the Chenian Memorial Series.); the second article explains the foundational practices; and the third article, called Vajra-yogini Sadhana, is written in a special format modeled after one of Yogi Chen's sadhanas written in Chinese and entitled The White Tara Sadhana. I included the Vajra-yogini Sadhana in The First Steps of Vajrayana book because Vajra-yogini is the root of tantric pleasures and there are practices based on Her as a yidam that form a continuous stairway leading up to Buddhahood. First, one learns how to arrange the altar and worship Buddha, etc. Next, one learns the foundational practices among which is the Guru yoga. Guru yoga is the center of the other foundational practices. In the Guru yoga practice the practitioner is instructed to visualize himself/herself as Vajra-yogini. When one continues onto the more advanced practices such as the Six Yogas of Naropa, once again the practitioner is taught to visualize himself/herself as Vajra-yogini. So the Vajra-yogini sadhana is like a bridge which connects the foundational and advanced practices. I have written this sadhana in a simplified form suitable for daily practice and not difficult for beginners. It was written in 1981, but Yogi Chen did not allow me to publicize it right away. Several months passed and then one night I dreamed that a little pig bit me on my right hand. Yogi Chen interpreted this dream as follows: the pig of course relates to Vajra-yogini because there is one on top of Her head; and the right hand is for writing, so the bite on the right hand means Her seal of recognition -- the actual approval of the sadhana by Vajra-yogini. A bite from Her also signifies a bestowal of tantric force -- a kind of empowering blessing. After this dream Yogi Chen said, "OK, you can now publicize the sadhana," so I sent it to Malaysia and it was published as a Chinese booklet by Venerable Poh Kong Khoo. Since the sadhana has been approved by Vajra- yogini, according to Yogi Chen's own words, it must be a very beneficial practice. Also, today is the auspicious full moon whereby you have coincidentally arrived to begin work, and that is another very good sign. The title here will be Vajra-yogini Sadhana. But in the original Chinese work, the title is more elaborate. It points out the special format with its four subdivisions: the practices, the Buddhist philosophy behind them, how they are to be carried out in daily life, and the realizations you will achieve from their practice. But since this is too cumbersome to translate into English I leave it simply as Vajra-yogini Sadhana. This sadhana was compiled by me under Yogi Chen's direction. Before I began I first obtained his permission to proceed, and then during the process he kindly answered my questions. Upon completion, the manuscript was submitted to Guru Chen for his revision and approval. Mike and Jacquelyn requested that they bring the large Vajra-yogini statue from the shrine room to the table where everyone was now sitting. Dr. Lin approved, and remarked on how the circumstances of this statue which was being placed on his altar were very auspicious. It belongs to a Chinese lady named Kuang-Ni Liu, who is presently doing a three year retreat in France. She first saw the statue in Hong Kong and it was love at first sight. She had an irresistible impulse to buy the statue and so she did. The interesting thing is that at that time she was totally ignorant of tantra. She did not even know that it was a Buddhist tantric yidam, nor would she ever have dreamed that in the future she would be undertaking a three year retreat, http://www.yogichen.org/gurulin/efiles/mb/mbk08.html 1/19 2/26/2014 Vajra-yogini Sadhana where Vajra-yogini would be one of the essential practices. Fortunately, she met Yogi Chen about a year before he passed away. She asked him to perform the invoking ceremony to welcome Vajra-yogini to come and reside in the statue. At that time, she said Yogi Chen filled the statue's skull cup with Tibetan nectar pills and brandy. When she went off to retreat she left the statue with me for safe keepings. So it is by very auspicious conditions and we are fortunate to have this remarkable statue blessed by Yogi Chen here overlooking our translation of Her sadhana. Acknowledgement Thanks to Ann Klein and Boris Dopta for improving the English and to Chien-Yun Hsu for typing up the final version. Preface Homage to the Guru Konga who is undifferentiable from Vajra-yogini. This sadhana is based upon the Vajara-yogini sadhana which was written by the Master Jamgon Ten Tung. (Note 1: There will be same mantras in this text, although I could look up the exact Tibetan pronunciation, I choose not to do so. Instead, I will follow the tantric tradition which is to pronounce the mantras exactly as your personal Guru pronounces them -- regardless if the Guru's pronunciation is scholarly correct or not. Why? Because when a Guru has true lineage and sufficient realization to invoke the protectors then those protectors will help only students who have received the mantras from the Guru. People who got mantras from books, even though they pronounce them scholarly correct, could not invoke help from the protectors.) It was taught to Yogi Chen by Lama Konga Rinpoche. The format is based upon the White Tara Sadhana written by Yogi Chen in Chinese for the purpose of daily practice. Before I wrote this sadhana, I first obtained the permission of Guru Chen, and he kindly answered my questions during my writing. After I finished the manuscript I presented it to Guru Chen for his revision and obtained his approval. A. Explanation of the format. Each section of the sadhana consists of five parts: 1. The Summary Word in the top center of left-hand page permits one to quickly see what section they are in without disturbing their meditation. 2. Recitation and Visualization describes the content of these practices for this section. 3. Three Tantric Forces tells what to do with the body, speech and mind. One will gain spiritual experience more quickly by coordinating body, speech and mind in the prescribed manner. 4. Victorious Significance points out the deeper meaning to prevent one's superficial participation, such as, just mouthing the words without knowing the meaning or concentration. 5. Reflection makes sure that one's daily life is in harmony with the meditation practice. B. Preparatory Remarks. Before sitting down to practice the meditation one should contemplate the following: 1. Impermanence and renunciation -- one realizes how one is captured by the illusive web of http://www.yogichen.org/gurulin/efiles/mb/mbk08.html 2/19 2/26/2014 Vajra-yogini Sadhana worldly things that have no real significance and no real merits. However, practicing the sadhana is doing what is most precious. Only this can benefit one's wisdom life. Even after you die such merit will improve your next life. Unlike worldly merits which end at death. Make the determination that during this practice your body is not going to mix up with worldly things. Your speech will not involve in worldly talks, and your mind will think of nothing but this practice. 2. Remember and maintain three attitudes while practicing: a. Be relaxed and at ease. b. Be comfortable. c. Be sincere. 3. Arrange the offerings while chanting "om-ah-hung om-ah-hung om-ah-hung ...." At the beginning of each session replenish or add offerings. 4. Follow the sadhana closely. While doing the refuge, your body should be reverently performing prostrations. When you do the small prostrations with palms turned upward, think that you are holding up the soles of Vajra-yogini's feet and that she is not different from your guru. After you sit down it is best to maintain your samadhi uninterruptedly. 5. Before you actually practice this sadhana, study the Victorious Significance of each section. After you practice the sadhana, you should review to make certain you have followed the prescribed visualization and recitation exactly. If not, correct yourself in the next practice session. 6. When one examines one's spiritual advancement the essential thing is not that we see some lights or images, but rather that we see if one's Wisdom and Compassion are improving. One must make sure that day by day one's heart is becoming more and more compassionate, and that one increasingly understands the philosophy of sunyata. Order of the Sections: 1. Refuge 2. Bodhicitta 3. Boundless 4. Sunyata 5. 6. 7. Vajra-Yogini 8. Offering 9. Union 10. Buddhas 11. Self-offering 12. Praise 13. Chanting 14. Repentance 15. Dedication 16. Dissolution 17. Jump Vajra-yogini Sadhana http://www.yogichen.org/gurulin/efiles/mb/mbk08.html 3/19 2/26/2014 Vajra-yogini Sadhana Refuge 1. Summary Word : Refuge 2. Recitation and Visualization The common four refuges: I take refuge in the Vajra Guru! I take refuge in the Buddha! I take refuge in the Dharma! I take refuge in the Sangha! The uncommon four refuges: I take refuge in the Vajra Guru Konga Rinpoche! I take refuge in Vajra-yogini! I take refuge in the Vajra-Yogini Sadhana! I take refuge in all the holy beings in Vajra-yogini's mandala! 3.