Prepare for this meditation by focusing your attention on the breath to calm the mind. Then bring the attention to the suffering that all sentient beings undergo: the sufferings of heat and cold; hunger and thirst. Just as I experience many sufferings, remember that all mother sentient beings experience suffering at least equal to--if not greater than--my own. I determine to undertake this practice in order to awaken my own buddha-nature, quickly attain enlightenment, and lead all other sentient beings to that same state of permanent, lasting happiness.
Visualization of Buddha as refuge
In the space before me, at the level of my forehead, I visualize a jewel-encrusted, golden throne. Each corner is supported by two snow lions; the embodiment of bodhisattvas. On a fully opened lotus; on disks of sun and moon cushions sits Buddha Shakyamuni. Buddha's body is made of golden light. Seated in the "full vajra" or lotus posture, He is dressed in the robes of a monk. His face is serene and beautiful; each hair on his head is individually curled to the right; his ear lobes are long; and his eyes are slightly opened. His left hand rests in his lap in the meditation pose, holding a begging bowl filled with nectar. The palm of his right hand rests on his right knee and his fingers touch the moon disk upon which he sits; this symbolizes his great control over anger, attachment and ignorance.
Taking Refuge
From my heart, I recite the refuge prayer and visualize that streams of golden-white light radiate from the Buddha's body in all directions, blessing me and all sentient beings. I imagine also that I am surrounded in space by all sentient beings in human form; I imagine that I lead all these sentient beings in reciting the refuge:
In order to obtain perfect enlightenment, I vow from now on to go for refuge to the Guru and three precious gems, and not abandon sentient beings. I will practice the six perfections. (3x)
Requests and Inspiration
From my heart, I generate the request to the Buddha that he grant me inspiration to follow the path to full enlightenment; on behalf of all living beings trapped in samsara. Rays of light stream from the Buddha. This light enters my body and quickly removes all negativities, obscurations and hindrances, freeing me to progress quickly on the path. This light flows not only to me, but to all living beings in space around me. They all receive inspiration and blessings. Repeat the mantra many times.
OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI YE SOHA
The Blessing of Body, Speech and Mind
I imagine that rays of light stream from the crown of Buddha's head to my crown; this light purifies the negativities of my body and removes the hindrances to attaining the enlightened body of a Buddha.
OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI YE SOHA
Rays of light then stream from the Buddha's throat to mine, purifying the negativities of my speech and removing hindrances to attaining the enlightened speech that communicates clearly to all sentient beings, regardless of their level or capacity.
OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI YE SOHA
Finally, rays of light emanate from the Buddha's heart and enter my own heart center. This light purifies the negativities of my mind and removes hindrances to the awakened, omniscient mind.
OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI YE SOHA
Imagine that these light rays flow to all sentient beings, helping them to quickly reach a state of supreme awareness. I maintain this visualization for as long as I can, reciting the mantra while the light continues to stream from the Buddha to me and all sentient beings. Imagine that nectar accompanies the light and nourishes me completely.
Absorption
The Buddha’s throne is absorbed into the lotus, the lotus into the moon, the cushions into the Buddha. Buddha now comes to the crown of my head, dissolves into brilliant, white light and enters into my body through the crown, filling my body with brilliant light. I feel great bliss and joy as my body, speech, and mind are completely transformed. I hold this feeling for as long as I can, experiencing the removal of all hindrances and obstructions.
From this state, imagine in the space where I am sitting, arising from emptiness, that I am seated in the same aspect as the Buddha before. I visualize and feel that I have attained the enlightened compassion and wisdom of buddhahood.
At my heart appear sun and moon disks. At the center of the moon disk, standing upright, is the syllable MUM. Surrounding this are the syllables of Shakyamuni Buddha's name mantra:
OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI YE SOHA
Streams of light flow from the MUM and mantra at my heart center to all sentient beings, completely removing their hindrances, obstructions, wrong views, delusions and traces of ignorance; thereby transforming them into the form of the Buddha as well. I meditate in this way for as long as possible, reciting the mantra quietly to myself.
Dedication
May my capacity for compassion be infinite. I dedicate these efforts to complete and total enlightenment so that I may be of benefit to all sentient beings. May it be so!
Sarva Manglam
