Part 7 The Tibetan Book Of The Dead

Part 7

[Vajrasattva is] white, radiant, with one face, two arms, and a smiling countenance; The right hand holds a vajra at the heart, [Symbolising the union] of awareness and emptiness, The left hand supports a bell [resting] on the hip, [Symbolising the union] of appearances and emptiness; And the head [is adorned with a garland of] perfect buddhas, [Representing] the five enlightened families of Those Gone to Bliss.

Thus, [Vajrasattva] manifests in the form of the Buddha-body of Perfect Resource, [Exquisitely] adorned with silks and jewels, Seated in the posture of royal ease, With the right leg extended, and the left drawn in.5 [Radiating] at the heart is the seed-syllable HUM, Surrounded by the Hundred-syllable Mantra: OM VAJRASATTVA SAMAYAMANUPALAYA VAJRASATTVA TVENOPATISTHA DRDHO ME BHAVA SUPOSYO ME BHAVA SUTOSYO ME BHAVA ANURAKTO ME BHAVA SARVASIDDHIM ME PRAYACCHA SARVAKARMASU CA ME CITTAM SREYAH KURU HUM HAHAHAHA HO BHAGAVAN SARVA TATHAGATA VAJRA MA ME MUNCA VAJRABHAVA MAHASAMAYASATTVA AH 6.

Having performed the twofold act of benefiting [self and others] through the emanation and reabsorption [of light from these syllables], the obscurations of conceptual thought are purified. Do not be distracted! Recite this quintessential [mantra] of the hundred sacred enlightened families as much as possible, so that the two obscurations may be cleansed.

MAIN PRACTICE.

Having thus purified the [two] obscurations, one should visualise the a.s.sembled Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the hundred sacred enlightened families as a mandala [of deities] within one's body, and pray. It is in this context that the aspirational prayers of the intermediate states are recited. [The combined practice] is as follows: Then, [maintaining the recognition of] oneself as Vajrasattva, In the celestial palace of one's own precious heart, One clearly discerns a seminal point [formed of] the five lights, Whose nature is the five pure essences [of the five elements], [And from this], the thirty-six peaceful buddhas7 radiantly manifest, Amidst a radiant and vibrant mandala suffused by the five pristine cognitions, Their bodies composed of five lights, the unimpeded [union of] emptiness and radiance, [Seated] upon a tier of lotus, sun and moon [cushions], Supported by lion, elephant, horse, peac.o.c.k and cvacvaka [thrones].

OM AH HUM.

Within the expanse of a seminal point located at the centre of one's heart, The primordial lord, the unchanging buddha-body of light, Samantabhadra, the Buddha-body of Reality, blue in colour, And Samantabhadr, the expanse of reality, white in colour, Are indivisibly united, both in the posture of meditative equipoise, Seated upon lotus, sun and moon cushions, [Symbolising the union of] radiance and emptiness.

To you, the supreme ancestors of the buddhas of past, present and future, I bow down, make offerings, take refuge and pray: As soon as we die and begin to transmigrate,8 At that very moment, when the pure inner radiance of reality dawns, May we be welcomed by the father Samantabhadra before us, May we be supported by the mother Samantabhadr behind us; And thus [encircled] may we be guided to the indivisible level of Samantabhadra.9 OM AH HUM.

[In the channel centre of one's heart] is Vairocana in blissful union with Dhtvvar, White and radiant, holding a wheel and a bell, Seated cross-legged, [symbolising the union of] radiance and emptiness, [Amidst a ma.s.s of light, radiating the pristine cognition of reality's expanse].

To you, the princ.i.p.al [deities] of the central Buddha Family, I bow down, make offerings, take refuge and pray: As soon as we die and begin to transmigrate, At that very moment, when the visions of the intermediate state of reality dawn, And we roam [alone] in cyclic existence [driven] by deep-seated delusion, May the Transcendent Lord Vairocana draw us forward, Leading us on the path of radiant light, Which is the pristine cognition of reality's expanse.

May the supreme consort [Aka] Dhtvvar support us from behind, And thus [encircled] may we be rescued From the fearsome pa.s.sageway of the intermediate state, And be escorted to the level of an utterly perfected buddha.10 OM AH HUM.

In the eastern channel branch of one's heart, Is Vajrasattva, in blissful [union] with Buddhalocan, Blue and radiant, holding a vajra and a bell, Seated cross-legged, [symbolising the union of] radiance and emptiness, Amidst a ma.s.s of light radiating the mirror-like pristine cognition.

To the right is white Ksitigarbha, holding a seedling and a bell, To the left is white Maitreya, holding a blossoming orange bush and a bell, To the front is white Lsy, holding a mirror and a bell, And to the rear is white Pusp, holding a flower and seated with one leg extended and the other drawn in.

To you, the sixfold princ.i.p.al and encircling [deities] of the Vajra Family, I bow down, make offerings, take refuge and pray: As soon as we die and begin to transmigrate, At that very moment, when the visions of the intermediate state of reality dawn, And we roam [alone] in cyclic existence [driven] by deep-seated aversion, May the Transcendent Lord Vajrasattva draw us forward, Leading us on the path of radiant light, Which is the mirror-like pristine cognition.

May the supreme consort Buddhalocan support us from behind, And thus [encircled] may we be rescued From the fearsome pa.s.sageway of the intermediate state, And be escorted to the level of an utterly perfected buddha.

OM AH HUM.

In the southern channel branch of one's heart, Is Ratnasambhava, in [blissful] union with Mmak, Yellow [and radiant], holding a jewel and a bell, Seated cross-legged, [symbolising the union] of radiance and emptiness, Amidst a ma.s.s of light, radiating the pristine cognition of sameness.

To the right is yellow Samantabhadra, holding a grain-sheath and a bell, To the left is yellow Akagarbha, holding a sword and a bell, To the front is yellow Mly, holding a garland and seated with one leg extended and the other drawn in, And to the rear is yellow Dhp, holding incense and [also] seated with one leg extended and the other drawn in.

To you, the sixfold princ.i.p.al and encircling [deities] of the Ratna Family, I bow down, make offerings, take refuge, and pray: As soon as we die and begin to transmigrate, At that very moment, when the visions of the intermediate state of reality dawn, And we roam [alone] in cyclic existence [driven] by deep-seated pride, May the Transcendent Lord Ratnasambhava draw us forward, Leading us on the path of radiant light, Which is the pristine cognition of sameness.

May the supreme consort Mmak support us from behind, And thus [encircled] may we be rescued From the fearsome pa.s.sageway of the intermediate state, And be escorted to the level of an utterly perfected buddha.

OM AH HUM.

In the western channel branch of one's heart, Is Amitbha, in blissful union with Pndaravsin, Red and radiant, holding a lotus and a bell, Seated cross-legged, [symbolising the union of] radiance and emptiness, Amidst a ma.s.s of light, radiating the pristine cognition of discernment.

To the right is red Avalokitevara, holding a lotus and a bell, To the left is red Manjur, holding a sword and a bell, To the front is red Gt, holding a gong and seated with one leg extended and the other drawn in, And to the rear is red Alok, holding a b.u.t.ter lamp, and [also] seated with one leg extended and the other drawn in.

To you, the sixfold princ.i.p.al and encircling [deities] of the Padma Family, I bow down, make offerings, take refuge, and pray: As soon as we die and begin to transmigrate, At that very moment, when the visions of the intermediate state of reality dawn, And we roam [alone] in cyclic existence [driven] by deep-seated attachment, May the Lord Transcendent Lord Amitbha draw us forward, Leading us on the path of radiant light, Which is the pristine cognition of discernment.

May the supreme consort Pndaravsin support us from behind, And thus [encircled] may we be rescued From the fearsome pa.s.sageway of the intermediate state, And be escorted to the level of an utterly perfected buddha.

OM AH HUM.

In the northern channel branch of one's heart, Is Amoghasiddhi, in blissful union with Samayatr, Green and radiant, holding a crossed-vajra and a bell, Seated cross-legged, [symbolising the union of] radiance and emptiness, Amidst a ma.s.s of light, radiating the pristine cognition of accomplishment.

To the right is green Sarvanivranavikambhin, holding a book and a bell, To the left is green Vajrapni, holding a vajra and a bell, To the front is green Gandh, holding a conch and seated with one leg extended and the other drawn in, And to the rear is green Nart, holding a food-offering, and [also] seated with one leg extended and the other drawn in.

To you, the sixfold princ.i.p.al and encircling [deities] of the Karma Family, I bow down, make offerings, take refuge, and pray: As soon as we [die and] begin to transmigrate, At that very moment, when the visions of the intermediate state of reality dawn, And we roam [alone] in cyclic existence [driven] by deep-seated envy, May the Transcendent Lord Amoghasiddhi draw us forward, Leading us on the path of radiant light, Which is the pristine cognition of accomplishment.

May the supreme consort Samayatr support us from behind, And thus [encircled] may we be rescued From the fearsome pa.s.sageway of the intermediate state, And be escorted to the level of an utterly perfected buddha.

OM AH HUM.

In the channel branch at the eastern gate of one's heart, Are white [Trailokya]vijaya and Aku, In [blissful] union, and dancing.

In the channel branch at the southern gate of one's heart, Are yellow Yamntaka and P, In [blissful] union, and dancing.

In the channel branch at the western gate of one's heart, Are red Hayagrva and Spoth, In [blissful] union, and dancing.

In the channel branch at the northern gate of one's heart, Are green Amrtakundalin and Ghant, In [blissful] union, and dancing.

To you, the eight emanational gatekeepers, male and female, I bow down, make offerings, take refuge, and pray: As soon as we die and begin to transmigrate, At that very moment, when the visions of the intermediate state of reality dawn, And we roam [alone] in cyclic existence [driven] by deep-seated habitual tendencies, May the four Mahkrodha male gatekeepers draw us forward, Leading us on the path of radiant light, Which is the four pristine cognitions combined.11 May the supreme consorts, the four female gatekeepers, support us from behind, And thus [encircled] may we be rescued From the fearsome pa.s.sageway of the intermediate state, And be escorted to the level of an utterly perfected buddha.

OM AH HUM.

Amidst an expanse of light in the channel branch of the energy centre of great bliss at one's crown, Within a radiant and vibrant mandala, that is a l.u.s.trous white seminal point, [Stands] Sakra, sage of the G.o.d realms, white in colour, and playing a lute.

May he obstruct pride, which is the entrance to rebirth in the G.o.d realms!

Amidst an expanse of light in one's occipital channel, which resembles the horn of an ox,12 Within a radiant and vibrant mandala, that is a l.u.s.trous green seminal point, [Stands] Vemacitra, sage of the antiG.o.ds, green in colour, bearing armour and a weapon, May he obstruct envy, which is the entrance to rebirth in the antiG.o.d realms!

Amidst an expanse of light in one's 'life-force' channel, which resembles a crystal tube,13 Within a radiant and vibrant mandala, that is a l.u.s.trous yellow seminal point, [Stands] Skyamuni, sage of human beings, yellow in colour, and carrying a mendicant's staff.

May he obstruct attachment, which is the entrance to rebirth in the human realms!

Amidst an expanse of light in the energy centre of one's navel, Within a radiant and vibrant mandala, that is a l.u.s.trous blue seminal point, [Stands] Sthirasiha, sage of animals, blue in colour, and carrying a book.

May he obstruct delusion, which is the entrance to rebirth in the animal realms!

Amidst an expanse of light in the channel branch at one's bliss-sustaining secret place,14 Within a radiant and vibrant mandala, that is a l.u.s.trous red seminal point, [Stands] Jvlamukha, sage of the anguished spirits, red in colour, carrying a [wish-granting] casket.

May he obstruct miserliness, which is the entrance to rebirth among the anguished-spirit realms!

Amidst an expanse of light in the energy centre at the soles of one's feet, Within a radiant and vibrant mandala, that is a l.u.s.trous black seminal point, [Stands] Yama Dharmarja, sage of the h.e.l.l beings, black in colour, and carrying a flame and water.

May he obstruct aversion, which is the entrance to rebirth among the h.e.l.l realms!

To you, the six sages, the Buddha-bodies of Emanation, Who act for the benefit of living beings, I bow down, make offerings, take refuge, and pray: As soon as we die and begin to transmigrate, At that very moment, when the visions of the intermediate state of rebirth dawn, And we roam [alone] in cyclic existence [driven] by deep-seated habitual tendencies, May the three sages of the higher realms draw us forward, Leading us on the path of radiant light, Which is the four pristine cognitions combined.

May the three sages of the lower realms support us from behind, And thus [encircled] may we be rescued From the light paths of the six impure states [of existence], And be escorted to the level of an utterly perfected buddha.

OM AH HUM.

The forty-two deities of the peaceful a.s.sembly blaze with rays of light: Radiant, vibrant, resplendent, and naturally beautiful.

Their bodies are supple, slender, handsome, upright, and youthful, Exquisitely ornamented and [splendidly] endowed with the major and minor marks.

To you, the a.s.sembled peaceful deities of the indestructible expanse, I bow down, make offerings, take refuge, and pray: As soon as we die and begin to transmigrate, At that very moment, when the visions of the intermediate state of reality dawn, And we roam [alone] in cyclic existence [driven] by the five deep-seated poisons, May all the peaceful male deities draw us forward, Leading us on the path of radiant light, Which is the five pristine cognitions combined.

May the supreme female consorts, Queens of the Expanse, support us from behind, And may the male and female gatekeepers support us from the perimeter, And thus [encircled] may we be rescued From the fearsome pa.s.sageway of the intermediate state, And be escorted to the level of an utterly perfected buddha.

OM AH HUM.

At this time when we dwell within the intermediate state of living, The forty-two a.s.sembled peaceful deities, Are radiantly present within the celestial palace of our own hearts, Embodied in the form of a cl.u.s.ter of five-coloured lights.

Yet, as soon as we die and begin to transmigrate, This a.s.sembly of peaceful deities will emerge from our hearts, And fill the s.p.a.ce before us.

Each of the innumerable central and peripheral forms Will be [fully endowed with] the ornaments and attire [of the peaceful deities],15 Each composed of the five-coloured lights [indicative of the union] of radiance and emptiness, And [encircled] by an expanse of rainbow light.

Vibrant beaming shafts of light, indicative of the five pristine cognitions, Emanating five[-coloured] seminal points, sounds, lights and rays, Radiant, vibrant, resplendent, clear, and naturally resonant, Will beam out, as if piercing our hearts.

Concomitant with these lights of the five pristine cognitions, The six light paths indicative of the six cla.s.ses of deluded impure beings will also dawn before us.

At this moment, O compa.s.sionate a.s.sembly of peaceful deities, Blessed Transcendent Ones, Beings of Compa.s.sion, Do not withhold your compa.s.sion, But draw us forward on the path [of radiant light], Which is the four pristine cognitions combined, And draw us back from the paths [of the dull lights], Which are [the doors to] the six states of impure [existence]!

OM AH HUM.

In the celestial palace of perfect resource, within one's own throat, Amidst an expanse permeated with rainbows and lights, In the central channel branch of the energy centre of perfect resource, Is Padmanatevara, the great Awareness Holder of Maturation, Red and radiant, glowing in [an array of] five[-coloured] lights, And embraced by the Dkin of Pristine Cognition, [Their union symbolising the coalescence of] bliss and emptiness.