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Crossing the Ocean of Life and Death
- Book 163: Crossing the Ocean of Life and Death
- Chapter 23:
The Monks at the Deliverance Ceremony
- Written by Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated and edited by True Buddha Foundation
- Translation Team (Cheng Yew Chung, Satch)
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Real deliverance of spirits is embedded with secret and mysterious dharma significance, and is not just a superficial ritual. It includes the four tantras of action tantra, performance tantra, yoga tantra and highest yoga tantra.
One begins by invoking the Buddhas, the Bodhisattvas, the Vajra Deities, the Dharma Protectors, the dakinis, and the Devas. Next, one summons the presence of the bardo spirits needing deliverance. Offerings are then made to the Buddhas and the bardo spirits. The ritual of feeding the Flaming Mouths of the Hungry Ghosts and the Mountain Meng Food Offering Ritual are all included within.
The most important point to note is the presence of an enlightened master who can expound the truth of liberation to the summoned bardo spirits and the assembly of spirits and people who attend the Deliverance Ceremony.
Contemplate on the impurity of the body.
Contemplate on the suffering of emotions.
Contemplate on the impermanence of mind.
Contemplate on the mental phenomena which are devoid of inherent existence.
Suffering, Emptiness, Impermanence, and the Non-existence of the self are truths which help the audience of bardo spirits and other spirits cut the three bonds of greed, anger and ignorance. The enlightened master must explain and expound on the Path of Liberation as transmitted by the Buddha Himself, as it is the very reality which depicts how Prajna helps ferry sentient beings across to the Other Shore. This is taught to those bardo spirits, ghosts, gods, Naga and Deva protectors who are of superior capacities. It would truly be a great blessing if any one of these beings can gain Self-Realization and enter the Prajna of True Reality.
Among these are many bardo spirits, whose numerous existing creditors may take the opportunity of the Deliverance Ceremony to demand karmic payment from them. In this case, the creditor`s hatred is entangled with the bardo spirit in an unresolved mess of emotions. The enlightened master must therefore explain the truth on the equanimity of hatred and affection, and help both parties reach a resolution. All parties of bardo spirits involved must make their vows to resolve their animosity, never to create new ones, and be joyful to seek rebirth in Sukhavati.
There is also the Constant Contemplation throughout the Day. One should magnetize and draw the Clear Light of the buddha and bodhisattva principal deities to receive the spiritual assembly of the attendees` ancestors, the bardo spirits, the creditor spirits, along with the many ghosts and gods who attend the Deliverance Ceremony. In addition, the assembly of Buddhists on the human plane who listens to the discourse of the vajra master will understand the very teachings of the Buddha. Through the Path of Enlightenment and Path of Liberation, one`s Prajna wisdom is developed, and he also gains the supreme benefits of the Dharma.
The Deliverance Ceremony benefits the netherworld and human world, while ghostly and heavenly spirits gain liberation. Everyone believes and upholds the truth. Only then is it called a true Deliverance Ceremony.
I once saw a pseudo-monk of absolutely no substance, who had neither taken refuge with the Triple Jewels nor undergone any monastic discipline, and was certainly not a member of the holy Sangha. He had not even cultivated one single Tantric practice. Yet, he followed others in learning the repentance rituals, and spent a few days learning the funeral rite before venturing out to become a monk.
He wore a Five Buddha Crown which he had purchased. He utilized a horsetail whisk, and kept a head of long hair. He wore pants and a red dharma robe. He also wore a string of mala beads around his neck, and put on sandals. He went to a funeral home to make personal contacts, and requested that all funeral rites be performed by him. He also formed a group of assistants and performed deliverance ceremonies everywhere. He had become a professional pseudo-monk who was driven by money and profits.
The Food Offering Mantra (Kamkani Mantra) he recited was not transmitted by any teacher, nor were the mudras he formed. His performance was purely an act for the funeral rites, yet the deliverance ceremonies he performed grew larger. So the question is, does this kind of monk exist? The answer is yes, and in large numbers.
People are unable to tell the difference between a pseudo-monk and a real vajra master because they do not have the Dharma Eye. This pseudo-monk was unable to remove his own karma, let alone remove the bad karma of those departed spirits. His Buddhist rites were held for the intention of making money, and he had not focused his mind on the work. All offerings from the deceased relatives and loved ones went straight into his pockets.
This pseudo-monk was not behaving in accordance with the Dharma. His mind is clouded and distracted. His discipline is defiled and impure. His acts are irresponsible and reckless. His only recitation is the Sutra of Business.
The pseudo-monk recited as he pleased, and at one point began singing some folk songs whose lyrics no one could really make out:
The young lady is picking tea leaves on the hill top.
The young man is cutting grass right below the hill.
The birds are frightened and begin flying everywhere.
O young lady, run to your man and have some good fun yeah!
The pseudo-monk again recited nonsensically:
The Tao gives birth to one baby.
One baby then becomes two.
Two then becomes three.
And three becomes a whole lot
One whole lot leads to everything yeah!
And he further recited:
Today`s offering is abundant yeah!
Golden needle mushroom, edible fungus, rice noodles, tofu, potatoes, bananas, apples, tangerines, papayas, and pomegranate. Come, everyone, enjoy these food yeah!
The bardo spirits and all departed spirits who had attended the ceremony knew very well, through their five supernatural faculties, that the monk who was officiating the deliverance ceremony was a pseudo-monk. The departed spirits were therefore disappointed with the monk, and even suspected whether the so-called deliverance ceremony would really help them. Their disappointment was extended to the Buddhist teachings, for they saw that the recitation ritual was really not working, and produced absolutely no power at all.
The departed spirits were displeased, and anger was aroused in their heart. This pseudo-monk was really fooling and mocking the bardo spirits and other sentient beings.
The angry departed spirits thought, `Beat up the pseudo monk!` Yet such anger is of little good, for the thought of anger undoubtedly will entangle and pull them towards the miserable states of the spiritual realm. I want to specifically point to the words of the great benevolent friend to remind you when you are in the bardo state:
1. Do not be greedy.
2. Do not be angry.
3. Do not be foolish.
Even if you feel cheated by the pseudo-monk, restrain your anger. Even if you find your descendants unfilial, restrain your anger. Even if you find everyone fighting over your wealth and go to court over it, restrain your anger. When a pseudo-monk cannot save and deliver you, you can only rely on yourself to save yourself. Pray sincerely for your root guru, principal deity and dharma protector, the buddhas and bodhisattvas to bless you with their spiritual lights. Liberate yourself, my disciples!
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