|
The Aura of Wisdom
- Book 154: The Aura of Wisdom
- Chapter 64: One Mantra, One Practice and One Principal Deity
- Written by Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated and edited by True Buddha Foundation
- Translation Team (Cheng Yew Chung, Victor Hazen, Dance Smith)
|
A disciple asked me, `Is it better to recite many mantras or just stick to one?`
I replied, `It`s all the same. All the same.`
Expanding from this question, we may ask if it is better to cultivate just one practice or to cultivate multiple practices? Is it better to stick to one principal deity or to work with many?
My Master once instructed me on this. Regarding this matter, it really depends on the individual`s wishes. Some Tantric practitioners like to embrace the idea of multiple mantras, multiple practices and multiple principal deities. If the practitioner has sufficient time to apply to his practices and he is an ordained monk whose focus is on his cultivation, he can certainly practice this way. Therefore, as long as you have sufficient time to devote to practices, you can cultivate three, five, ten or even a hundred practices, a hundred deities, and it is all right.
However, most modern people are busy at work and spend little time at home. And when it comes to Tantric practice, it is almost impossible to cope with the cultivation of multiple mantras, multiple practices and multiple principal deities. Therefore, one can only carry out the cultivation of a single mantra, a single practice, and a single principal deity. Note that by focusing on one mantra, one practice and one deity, the very action of focusing opens the gateway to swift accomplishment, as it is easier to achieve yogic response this way.
Thus:
The cultivation of multiple mantras, multiple practices and multiple deities offers the advantage of a wide network of affinity.
The cultivation of one mantra, one practice and one deity promises swift yogic response.
I often say that after you gain yogic response with one principal deity, it will be easier to achieve union with other deities. It goes to say that when one gains results with one practice, one shall have success with every practice, accomplishing all that produces good merits. Hence, the practitioner should begin with one mantra, one practice and one principal deity, and cultivate truthfully. In the beginning stage, it is advisable not to dabble in too many things.
As True Buddha practitioners, we must remember that we need to complete the required amount of recitation of the Guru mantra, the mantra of the principal deity and the mantra of the protector. When you achieve yogic response with Guru Yoga, you will be a step nearer to achieving union with Principal Deity Yoga and the Protector practice.
This is because when one achieves yogic response with one`s Guru, the principal deity and protectors will naturally come along and descend to bless one with joy!
|
|
