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The Aura of Wisdom
- Book 154: The Aura of Wisdom
- Chapter 62: The Phenomena and Signs of Attaining Response
- 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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Someone asked, `When the Tantric practitioner attains response from mantra chanting and cultivation, what are the phenomenon and signs that will occur?`
My reply was, `When the Tantric practitioner recites mantra and cultivates his or her practices diligently, he or she experiences many phenomena and signs of response. These phenomena are seen during meditation, in the dream state or the waking state. For example, one may see the appearance of buddhas, bodhisattvas or the principal deity. One may find oneself flying through space in total freedom, or one may reach any of the Buddha Pure Lands. These are signs of great accomplishment.`
`The practitioner may see the lotus throne, may experience consuming a white fruit and vomiting dark filth, or swallow the sun, the moon and the stars. He may see himself radiating light, or may find himself combing his hair where many worms will drop away. Such are the signs of karmic clearance.
`If, in the past, the practitioner could not comprehend a sutra, he will now understand it with clarity, memorize it, and be able to, from its scriptural text, weave a multitude of insights. His wisdom shall improve, and he shall gain mastery in all sutras, vinayas, and sastras. Should he think of his principal deity, he shall at once become one with the deity. He is approaching the level of accomplishment, which is the Yoga of One Taste.
`Some may observe different lights, while others see a variety of strange blossoms of lotus flowers. Some may see smoke, fire or light, or may find the Buddha statue or canopy moving. Some may hear celestial music being played, or experience the growth of a new tooth, or find that one? white hair is turning black again. These are signs of the eradication of greed, anger and ignorance.`
My view is that when a Tantric practitioner gains spiritual responses, he or she should neither reject nor grasp them, and should not be overjoyed, but rather should look at them as normal. He must continue his practice diligently, and should not become vain and proud. But he may share these experiences with his fellow practitioners and seniors as a way of mutual encouragement, but not for self-glorification and personal benefits.
When spiritual responses are attained with the Samaya Dharma teachings, one experiences an enhancement of blessings and wisdom, and yet knows that all that he or she encounters is dream-like and illusory, for he or she realizes the truth that the Dharma realm exists as a singular non-dualistic reality.
At this point, one comes to know that one is abiding in an immovable state of absolute being, where one can freely express oneself and exercise one? spiritual powers and attain the unexcelled state of Perfect Enlightenment. At this point, one seeks only Buddhahood.
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