07. Teaching 3
02.11.2025
The practice of Buddha Vajrapani. The emphasis of each practice is different, but the framework is the same. The teachings today can be applied to other practices.
Everything has a function. Every tiny detail. The function of engaging in a practice like this is to prevent the blessings of this Buddha from deteriorating. The more you receive the blessings, the deeper our connection becomes. Sometimes we can feel we’re applying effort to our practice but we’re not making much progress. This is because we’re not receiving the blessings. In particular this is to help us to accomplish the enlightened state of Buddha Vajrapani. To transform our very subtle body speech and mind into that of Buddha Vajrapani. We’ve all been born with that potential. Enlightenment is an inner light of wisdom that understands all objects unmistakenly. Held within that wisdom are all the other Dharma realisations and it functions to help all living beings without exception.
It is divided into the preliminary practice and self-generation practice, or common and uncommon practice, or Sutra and Tantra practice.
Sometimes the preliminary practices become familiar and we don’t put effort into them. But they need to be heartfelt so they change our mind and we wish to move from this ordinary appearance to that of a Buddha. It’s a journey of mind. With each part of the practice our mind is changing. We need to feel we are going for refuge to a correct object of refuge. Do we feel that Sangha is as important as Buddha and Dharma? They are! We need to rely on Sangha but we also need to be a good Sangha.
Dharma realisations are the only real protection from suffering. But we can only gain them with Buddha’s blessings and help from Sangha. We need a strong determination, this force, to go for refuge. You should feel very peaceful, but there is power to it.
Why do we say ‘all sentient beings’? Even though they may have no interest in Buddhism? Because we are Mahayana Buddhists. We are going for refuge on behalf of all our mothers, we’re taking responsibility for them, and taking them with us. In this way we make a special connection between ourselves, all sentient beings, and Buddha Dharma and Sangha. Our karmic circle becomes vast. We have to ask ourselves, am I doing this well enough?
For bodhichitta to work it needs to be active - it needs to be with us all the time. It’s not the size of the action, it’s the motivation behind it. With this motivation our small actions become powerful.
We have understanding so we have choice.
When we engage in actions with bodhichitta motivation - path of accumulation. {Explanation of the paths of a Bodhisattva}
Guru Yoga is a method to receive the blessing of all the Buddhas. We’re visualising Buddha Vajrapani inseparable from our Spiritual Guide. Buddha Vajradhara said he would appear as a Spiritual Guide, and as all sorts of things to help living beings. When our teacher is giving qualified Dharma teachings, we should regard them as our spiritual guide. When they are not teaching we should regard them as a normal human being and help them. Buddhas and Spiritual Guides don’t exist from their own side.
The wrathful body of Buddha Vajrapani we see is his emanation body, on his crown is Buddha Vajradhara who is his Enjoyment Body. At his heart is the letter HUM which is his Truth Body which has 2 parts, the Wisdom Truth Body and Nature Truth Body. These are the 4 bodies of Buddha. By visualising and understanding this we are creating the causes to realise it.
Then we make offerings to the Field of Merit. The main or real offering is our practice. If we’re going to offer it it’s got to be worth offering! If we offer our practice to our SG he will be delighted. If we engage mostly in worldly activities he will feel his presence is useless. We can transform our practice into imagined environments and offer them.
Then purify negativity and accumulate merit. A mind of refuge is purifying. We know this - when we’re really practising our mind feels light and peaceful. The more practice we engage in the more merit we accumulate, and with this merit our practice becomes lighter and easier, and we can accumulate more merit.