E0067_Homa Ritual Honoring Amitabha Buddha

Homa Ritual Honoring Amitabha Buddha

Based on the Chinese Ritual by Guru Chen

Rearranged for Practice and Translated into English by his disciple Dr. Yutang Lin

(With Guru Chen's original English stanzas preserved as many as appropriate)

1. Getting Permission from the Goddess of the Earth

Visualize the Goddess of the Earth with a yellow body as suddenly appearing from the earth and accepting the blessing of the Master who is no different from the Yidam, Amitabha Buddha. After she offers her approbation, she disappears. The Master wields the Vajra toward the center of the borrowed place where the fire altar is situated to create there a Vajra-cross foundation. Repeat the incantation of Amitabha Buddha and the following half-stanza:

Abiding in the limitless oneness of Dharmadhatu,

The Pureland of Amitabha Buddha appears within.

2. Generating Bodhicitta

Stanza:

With the blessing of Amitabha Buddha,

May I generate the Bodhicitta to help others gain rebirth in Pureland!

From within the original nature in oneness of compassion and Sunyata

I appear as Amitabha Buddha welcoming beings to his Pureland!

3. Blessing the Bell, Vajra and Drum

(a) Visualization:

Visualize that Father and Mother Steadfast Buddha become lights that go into the Vajra and Bell, respectively. Visualize the moon on the right palm and the sun on the left one. With the right hand holding the Vajra and the left one holding the Bell, recite: "Ma Ha, Ban Zha, Hong" and "Ban Zha, Ga Za, A." (All incantations are written in Pin Yin, in accordance with Guru Chen's pronunciation.) Use the Vajra to touch the heart chakra three times, simultaneously ring the Bell three times.

(b) Stanza:

The Five Wisdoms may conquer all evils,

The Five Elements produce the Lion's roar.

The Ewam of pleasure and Sunyata,

Brings Peace to the whole world forever!

Weng, Sha Wa Da Ta Ga Da, Xi Di Ban Zha, San Ma Ya, Di Cha, Ei Qia Si Dang, Da La Ya Mi, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hei Hei Hei Hei Hei, Hong Hong Hong Pei, Suo Ha.

(d) Incantation of Requesting the Blessing of All Buddhas:

Then, while reciting the incantation of Requesting the Blessing of All Buddhas, use the Vajra to touch the heart chakra to awake all the Buddhas that are in one's own Buddha-nature and with the opening of the Bell facing the top of the Master's head, turn the Bell around three times counter-clockwise, then three times clockwise, thus all Buddhas in the ten directions are requested to give blessing.

Weng, Ban Zha, Geng Zha La Li Da, Zhua La Li Da, Shuang Zhua La Li Da, Sha Wa Bu Da Ken Zha, Zhua Zha Li Lei, Zhua Zha Ba Li Mi, Geng Zha Da Na Ya, Shuang Ha Bi Da, Ban Zha Da Ma Xi Da Ya, Sha Wa Qia Li, Hong Hong Hong, Ho Ho Ho, A Kang Suo Ha.

4. Protection

Two pieces of food, prepared in advance, are offered. One is white in color for vegetarian Gods and the other is red for carnivorous Gods.

(a) The Incantation to offer food to the Protectors:

Weng, Ka Ka, Ka Xi, Ka Xi.

(b) Prayer Stanza to the Protectors:

All the eight departments of protectors,

And all the Yaksas and your family,

Please take all this blessed and delicious food.

Protect all the Yogis and their families.

Let all of them be free and have long life!

Gather all merits and sow all best seeds!

And may you inspire all special enjoyments!

Especially help this salvation fire sacrifice,

And let me get all the accomplishments!

Please remember all your excellent vows,

Help me to gain all the attainments.

Get rid of all bad conditions and death,

Destroy all my obstacles and demons.

Pacify all terrible dreams and bad omens.

Protect us from all dangerous risks.

Help to make peace and rich harvests for all,

May plenty of all kinds of corn and Dharma,

And all good pleasures be helped by you!

Do help me to fulfill all my best wishes!

Those who have been divined to darkness

And cannot understand all the Tantras,

Not able to hear and see this secrecy,

Please leave here and go to the places where you belong.

If you don't take my advice right now,

I shall use the powerful and fiery Vajra

To destroy your head into many pieces!

The Karma Vajra throws the two pieces of food in two different directions.

Repeat the Four-Hong Incantation to send the black deities away.

Weng, Song Ba Li, Song Ba Li, Hong Hong Pei!

Weng, Ge Li Ha Na, Ge Li Ha Na, Hong Hong Pei!

Weng, Ge Li Ha Na Ba Ya, Ge Li Ha Na Ba Ya, Hong Hong Pei!

Weng, A Na Ya Ho, Ba Ga Wen, Bi Ya Lan Zha, Hong Hong Pei!

Then the Master visualizes the Vajra Net that covers all ten directions and is formed with the Vajra Net Mudra. Thus from the beginning of the Homa performance until its end, the altar and the Master and his family and followers are protected.

5. Blessing the Offerings

The Master holds the Vajra dippers together, repeats the incantation given below and visualizes much nectar falling down from Father and Mother Yidam upon all the offerings. Thus all worldly offerings become Vajra Nectar of boundless supply.

Weng, Cha Cha Cha Cha Cha!

6. Arranging the Seat of the God of Fire and that of the Yidam

Place auspicious grasses around the fire altar. Then arrange seats for the God of Fire and the Yidam.

A. Praising and Welcoming the White God of Fire

(a) Praise:

Shine upon the dark becoming the bright.

Drive away the demons with big fire!

Your kind smile sends away the sorrows.

Please sit on this good seat and admire!

(b) Visualize the White God of Fire:

"Lang" appears on the moon that is on a lotus.

From this "Lang" arises the white God of Fire!

He has one face and two arms.

The right hand holds the stove.

The left hand holds a fairy bottle.

His hair is very long; his belly big.

He has a white Brahmin thread around his belly!

The Master raises a bunch of auspicious grass up to the sky to welcome the Wisdom God of Fire and repeats the following incantation:

Zha Ge Hong Zha

(d) Praise:

You are the victorious Prince of Dharma.

You have got the initiation of good Karma!

Your wisdom fire can get rid of obstacles!

I, now, beg you to help this Homa!

B. Arranging the Auspicious Seat for the Yidam

(a) Arrange the seat for Amitabha Buddha with the following stanza:

The mind of ultimate renunciation is the seat outwardly,

Precious lotus on golden ground is the seat inwardly,

Compassionate salvation of beings is the seat secretly,

Brightness of supreme pleasure is the seat most secretly!

(b) Visualization of Amitabha Buddha:

In the Utmost Joy Pureland the ground is golden.

The color of Amitabha Buddha is red as agate.

With merciful countenance he looks after the Saha world.

His right hand lowered to grant blessing by picking up beings.

His left hand holds a bowl fulfilled with nectar.

Water of eight merits flows in his Pureland to convey joy of Samadhi.

Sitting atop a moon disk on a lotus, he emits lights of compassion

To enable sentient beings to leave sufferings and arrive at Pureland.

Visualize that the deceased appears as Bodhisattva Guan Yin and stands beneath and close to Buddha's seat.

We salute through realization of original nature.

We praise the Triple Gems in the manner of holy birds in Pureland.

We repent sincerely in the one mind that is free from distractions.

We endorse Dharma by renunciation of the Five-pollution world.

We plead that you turn the Great Compassion Wheel of guiding beings to Pureland.

We beg you to stay in the great safe nursery of Lotus Pureland.

We dedicate merits toward the great service of leading beings to Pureland!

7. Blessing the Wood and Oil

Stanza:

With the calamity-like firewood,

Start up the wisdom fire.

After offering them,

All the Sages, beings, do have the Pleasure!

The pure and clean butter helps the wisdom fire,

May all sufferings in the six realms be burned out!

8. Starting the Fire

(a) Start the fire:

With the fire mudra turn around clockwise thrice on top of the fire altar while repeating, "Lang Lang Lang."

Use a fan with the Tibetan syllable "Yang" to fan the fire thrice while repeating, "Yang, Yang, Yang." Then repeat:

Wisdom Wisdom Great Wisdom!

Wisdom Wisdom Constant Wisdom!

Wisdom Wisdom Samadhi Wisdom!

Wisdom Wisdom Tranquility Wisdom!

(b) Offering to the God of Fire:

Incantation:

Weng, A Na Ye, Sha Ba Li Wa La, Ka Ka, Ka Xi, Ka Xi.

Praise:

You are the sovereign Prince of Dharma.

You have been blessed as King of Karma!

With special wisdom burn up the sorrow,

Help us to fulfill the good wishes through Homa!

Stanza:

I, the Acarya, and all the followers

Do have learned Dharma and done good Karma.

Any kind of obstacles before the Homa is done

Please send away from this Mandala!

Weng, A Na Ye, Sha Ba Li Wa La, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

9. Offering to Amitabha Buddha

(a) Offer Bodhi-branches:

Stanza:

Branches of the seven-layer-gems-trees in the Utmost Joy Pureland,

Having offered these both the deceased and the living are most pleased!

Incantation (repeat thrice):

Weng, A Mi Da Wa, Xie, Weng, Po Ti Zhi Qia Ye, Suo Ha.

Supplication Stanza:

Only your holiness' pure vows are most opportune,

Suffering beings awaiting salvation all rely on you!

When all karmic fruits become mature and present,

Let suffering beings be liberated through Buddha power!

When one is given up by relatives, friends and property,

Let such a one comprehend renunciation and not to worry!

When one is surrounded by karmic creditors and Devil of Death,

Let such a one be mindful of rebirth in Pureland and have no fear!

When one is floating alone in the Bardo state of uncertainty,

Let such a one encounter Buddha and be granted guidance!

When one is forced from obtaining desirable rebirth,

Let such a one see a lotus in the Pureland and go right into it!

When the lotus blooms and one attains awakening in the presence of Amitabha,

Let such a one remember to return to this world to help save all suffering beings!

(b) Offer black sesame:

Stanza:

All sins accumulated since the beginning of birth

Will no longer be of concern after this offering!

Incantation (repeat thrice):

Weng, A Mi Da Wa, Xie, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

Compassionate power can overcome any evil of hindrance.

Through this offering the deceased will gain rebirth in Pureland.

Incantation:

Weng, A Mi Da Wa, Xie, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

(d) Offer three whites:

Stanza:

By offering three kinds of milk product that are pure and clean,

May the three karmas of body, speech and mind be purified!

Incantation:

Weng, A Mi Da Wa, Xie, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

(e) Offer three sweets:

Stanza:

Wondrous flavor of pleasant sweetness, delightful as nectar,

May they inspire Dharma connection with virtuous beings!

(f) Offer lotus flowers:

Stanza:

Lotus rises from mud and yet is famous for its pure and noble quality.

Having offered such bloom one will attain a lotus seat in Pureland.

Incantation:

Weng, A Mi Da Wa, Xie, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

(g) Offer lotus seeds:

Stanza:

Lotus seeds and flower coexist simultaneously.

May I rely on Lotus to carry out salvation activities!

(h) Offer supreme pleasure pills:

Stanza:

The western quarter has the wondrous name of Lotus Department.

The Samadhi of sisterhood is worthy of admiration and veneration.

The ones who are capable of producing supreme pleasure wisdom,

May I soon unite with such Lotus Dakinis in Vajra Love!

(i) Offer grass-root or offer needles and threads:

Stanza:

Even Sakyamuni Buddha demonstrated Impermanence,

After all, the Lotus Pureland is our true homeland!

Through the merits of offering this Homa sacrifice

May the deceased gain rebirth in Pureland and the living stay healthy!

When the holy salvation is accomplished for a period

May I lead all sentient beings back to the Lotus Pureland!

If there is even one being that has not been saved through Dharma,

May I remain alive without end through the power of Buddha!

Incantation:

Weng, A Ma Na Ni, Jiu Wang Di Ye, Suo Ha, Weng, Ban Zha, A Yu Ke, Hong, Suo Ha.

(j) Offer the eight offerings:

Stanza:

With water of merits and equality to pacify eight kinds of suffering,

With innate virgin-vase flowers to pacify greed and attachment,

With the aimless incense of oneness to pacify violation of silas,

With the lamp that shines in all directions to pacify the darkness of ignorance,

With the perfume of non-preference to pacify the five poisons,

With the food of neither increasing nor decreasing to pacify poverty,

With the music of no playful talks to pacify the eight worldly winds,

After offering all these, sins are purified and mind is clear to enjoy great pleasure.

Incantation:

Weng, A Mi Da Wa, Xie, Weng, A Gang, Ba Dang, Bu Bei, Du Bei, A Nu Gei, Gen Deng, Nu Wei Dou, Xia Da, Zhua Di Zha Ye, Suo Ha.

10. Giving thanks to the God of Fire

Stanza:

Brightness shines, warmth and heat felt.

As incense smokes float and spread so are the grand Dharma activities.

Nectars from Amitabha Buddha moisten the whole universe,

While the grace of the God of Fire extends throughout the Dharmadhatu.

Incantation:

Weng, A Na Ye, Sha Ba Li Wa La, Ka Ka, Ka Xi, Ka Xi, Weng A Hong.

11. Dedication of the Merits

(a) General One:

Stanza:

Wisdom life was born of Gurus.

Corporeal life was born of parents.

Offerings were born of donors.

Fire, the fire god; water, Dragon King.

Place belongs to the country; companions are others.

In all these there is neither I nor mine.

Good coming from whatever causes and conditions

Is the natural fruit of those causes and conditions.

The great tranquility that all beings possess originally

Is beyond the sphere of causes and consequences.

May this Homa that transcends causes and consequences

Bring about the great fruit of great causes!

All calamities, sufferings and hindrances to meditation,

Those arise before attaining the great fruit,

May they all be pacified in the light of Dharma nature!

(b) Special One:

Stanza:

Any violation in light of the three classes of Silas,

May it turn into ashes through this Homa redemption!

Any insult to Dakinis of the Five Buddha Families,

May it be forgiven and our speedy reunion attained!

Any hindrance to rebirth in Pureland for the deceased,

May it be redeemed and rebirth in Pureland realized!

Any sin committed by the living that took part in this Homa,

May it be forgiven and all karmic entanglements dissolved!

May I stay long in this world to give guidance on Dharma matters,

And the Amitabha Buddha of my original nature remain immaculate!

12. Amendment

Repeat thrice the 100-Word Incantation of Vajrasattva.

13. Repeat Original Vows

Recite the practitioner's Bodhi Vows to pray for continuous and never ending progress of Dharma activities.

14. Mudra

Hold Amitabha Buddha Mudra while reciting his mantra.

15. Circumambulation

Circumambulate clockwise the Homa platform thrice as gesture of reverence, and then bow thrice to Amitabha Buddha in reverence to express gratitude.

Auspicious Completion

July 28, 2005

El Cerrito, California

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