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The Aura of Wisdom
- Book 154: The Aura of Wisdom
- Chapter 46: Radiating Light Invocation
- Written by Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated and edited by True Buddha Foundation
- Translation Team (Cheng Yew Chung, Victor Hazen, Dance Smith)
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Somebody once asked me: `How does one invoke all the buddhas and deities in the Tantric teachings?`
I replied, `We must form the Invocation Mudra and chant the Invocation Mantra. First, the practitioner should hold the thought that all buddhas and bodhisattvas, the Three Jewels, are filling the space with their omnipresence. The assembly of buddhas and mahabodhisattvas of the ten directions, seen with their majestic golden bodies, are seated on lotus thrones, encircling the field in endless multiple rows and radiating lights of great luminescence.`
`Are there any secret keys in the invocation?`
`Yes,` I answered. `For example, the secret key for invoking my principal deity, Amitabha, is called the `Radiating Light Invocation.` Visualize Amitabha`s seed syllable HRIH seated within the moon disc at your heart chakra, radiating three beams of red light which travel upwards through the central channel, projecting through the crown chakra into space. At once, Amitabha shall respond naturally with the light of invocation and descend.
Another secret key lies in the use of the Vajra Hook Mudra for invocation. The practitioner visualizes the hook attaching itself to the cloud that the respective buddha or bodhisattva rides upon, and the buddha or bodhisattva shall definitely descend.
Other approaches of invocation include:
Visualizing a lotus throne ascending to welcome and receive the respective buddha and bodhisattva.
Visualizing the respective buddha`s or bodhisattva`s sleeve fluttering as he or she approaches.
Visualizing the respective buddha or bodhisattva raising his or her foot.
Visualizing the jewels and adornments worn by the respective buddha or bodhisattva tinkling as he or she moves.
In general, the most important of all invocation practices in Tantric Buddhism is the `Radiating Light Invocation.` The emission of the three lights relies completely on the working of the heart. This means that your heart is radiating light of great luminescence. As long as your heart emits light of great brilliance, countless buddhas and bodhisattvas shall all radiate lights upon you.
The Radiation of Light itself carries vast significance, which includes the significance of magnetism, the significance of seeking refuge, the significance of alertness, the significance of making offerings, the significance of merits, and the significance of infinite Dharma. In Tantric Buddhism, it carries the significance of infinite lights!
Should you exercise your heart and radiate lights to invoke the buddhas and bodhisattvas, they shall definitely descend.
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