Homa Ritual Honoring Vajrasattva

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, Vajrasattva. 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 Vajrasattva and the following half-stanza:

Abiding in the limitless oneness of Dharmadhatu,

The Mandala of Vajrasattva appears within.

2. Generating Bodhicitta

       Stanza:

As snake inside bamboo is the Tantric practice,

Moving upward or downfall, much dangers await!

Only through confession before Vajrasattva, then

By His grace resume purity and can rise up again!

Now some disciples realized their transgressions,

Kneeling to Your Holiness to beseech purification,

May Your Great Compassion leaves no one behind,

Accept this offering, and grant nectars to purify us!

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 purify all transgressions,

The Five Elements produce pure awakening sounds.

The Ewam of pleasure and Sunyata yields nectars,

Purifying all sins and grant resurrection by this grace!

       (c) Incantation of Blessing the Bell and Vajra:

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 purification 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.

       (c) Repeat the Four-Hong Incantation while throwing the mustard seeds:

       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!

       (c) Welcome the Fire God:

       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 Vajrasattva with the following stanza:

Master of Confession in Vajrayana, salvation through Vajra Love, the outer seat;

Compassionate salvation to sinful beings, no one left behind, the inner seat;

Union of pleasure and Sunyata, granting nectars to purify sins, the secret seat;

Abiding constantly in Original Purity, free from all faults, the most secret seat!

       (b) Visualization of Vajrasattva:

Bright as thousand suns, cool as autumn moon, Your rainbow body,

Father and Mother in Union, compassionately grant nectars flowing,

As sinful beings bathed in this shower, all sins and hindrances washed away,

Disciples, realizing their transgressions, all prostrate to you in repentance!

       (c) The Seven-branch Prayer:

We prostrate on the foundation of Hinayana Purity,

We praise through the inconceivable mystic gates of Mahayana,

We take delight in the salvation through unity of pleasure and Sunyata,

We repent by staying in the Chan-joy, free from pretensions.

We plead with you to turn the Great Dharma Wheel to remedy transgressions.

We beg you to stay in the Tathata realm of non-impurity and non-purity,

We are grateful for your tirelessly purifying salvation of all Samsara beings!

       (d) Repeat the Praise to Vajrasattva:

Amid brilliant light of Original Purity,

Cooling nectars showering down,

Appearing as single or dual, as suitable,

Purifying sinful stains till all gone!

Upon unification of Wisdom and Compassion,

Wondrous joy carries out salvation,

Pitiful of sinful beings′ suffering,

Enabling them to resume Original Purity soon!

       (e) Repeat the Supplication to Vajrasattva:

Sins fulfill the worldly realms, past karmas and personal grasping tangle,

Sentient beings′ suffering has neither ending nor break!

Even though awakening path entered, actual renunciation for Dharma practice difficult,

Buddhas′ daughters and sons are trapped in muddy swamps!

Great Wisdom, Compassion and Power, means of Consequence Position wondrous,

Vajra nectars can purify all worldly stains!

Vajrasattva, Master of Confession, union of Wisdom and Compassion grants initiation

Daughters and sons of Buddha resume Original Purity!

(f) Repentance:

All sinful karmas committed in the past are,

Rooted in greed, anger and ignorance since beginning-less time,

They were committed through body, speech or mind,

Now I confess and repent all such transgressions!

Especially sins of practicing Vajrayana yet not obeying Guru,

Vainly grasping to personal opinions mingled with worldly views,

Not renouncing worldly matters fully and mind is still complicated,

May all these faults be showered away to resume Original Purity!

(g) Supplication to Vajrasattva for Blessing (the Stanza is composed by Patriarch Chen based on the significance of the Hundred-syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva):

Homage to the Secret Vows of the Great Vajrasattva,

Instantly let the purity of original essence appear,

At the Buddhahood of Great Vajra Mind,

Let me abide steadily at ease,

Let true nature be apparent to me,

Let utmost superior joy be mine,

Let great openness of true nature appear to me,

Let me follow directly the nature of greed,

Let all accomplishments be attained by me,

Let all salvation activities be accomplished by me,

Let my mind be full of Great Courage,

Let me apply Great Functions of the Five Wisdoms,

All Tathagata, the Great Well-Gone ones,

May the Vajra Nature not leave me behind!

Let me abide in true nature of Vajra,

Possessing great secret vows and great courage in mind,

In the totality of oneness, neither born nor dead, "A"!

Arises the great wisdom of pleasure and sunyata in unity, "Hong"!

Pacifying all devils and enemies of Dharma, "Pei"!

7. Blessing the Wood and Oil

       Stanza:

With the sinful-deeds-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 sinful activities and hindrances 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 sins and hindrances,

Help us to fulfill the good wishes through Homa!

       (c) Prayer to the God of Fire:

       Stanza:

I, the Acarya, and all the followers

Do have learned Dharma and done good Karma.

Any kind of obstacles and sins 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 Vajrasattva

       (a) Offer Bodhi-branches:

       Stanza:

Like the Bodhi-tree that shades Buddha on the Vajra Seat,

This offering will yield the attainment of Vajrasattva!

       Incantation (repeat thrice):

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, Po Ti Zhi Qia Ye, Suo Ha.

       (b) Offer black sesame:

       Stanza:

The master of all sins is the perverse view,

May this offering eradicate all grasping to self!

       Incantation (repeat thrice):

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

       (c) Offer mustard seeds:

       Stanza:

Perverse views and crimes are enhanced by grasping,

May this offering pacify the mind to follow the Dharma!

       Incantation:

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, Sha Wa, A Qia, Xi Da Ye, Suo Ha.



(d) Offer five kinds of grain:

       Stanza:

People of this Kali Age lack the stocks of merits and wisdom.

May this offering bring abundance of Wisdom and Compassion!

       Incantation:

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, Sha Wa, Sang Ba Dou, Suo Ha.

       (e) Offer three whites and three sweets:

       Stanza:

All things white and pure contain the joy of Chan;

After offering these may all beings resume Original Purity!

Wondrous flavor of pleasant sweetness, free from impurities,

Would inspire Dharma nectar to imbue the countless worlds!

       Incantation:

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, Sha Wa, Sang Ba Dou, Suo Ha.

       (f) Offer one coconut:

       Stanza:

Sincerely and whole-heartedly dedicate oneself to the Dharma,

Receiving from above the merciful initiations of Bodhicitta,

Pouring to suffering beings below the compassionate rain of teachings,

Benefiting all through constant and enduring aspirations and activities.

       Incantation:

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, Ban Zha, Po Ti Qi Da, Suo Ha.

       (g) Offer walnuts:

       Stanza:

Wondrous joy of Chan, who attained its marrows?

Four joys of Tantric practice, who arrived at the ultimate sphere?

Matching outer form and inner sense through this concord offering,

May we obtain realization that completely harmonizes the two truths!

       Incantation:

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, Ban Zha, Ke Ba Ya, Suo Ha.

       (h) Offer herbs for the five chakras:

       Stanza:

Hundreds of illness as suffered by beings are indeed hard to bear.

All physicians have no treatments and effective prescriptions unavailable.

Relying solely on the purification-of-sinful-stains power of Vajrasattva,

Karmic hindrances dispersed invisibly so that recovery will arrive sooner!

       Incantation:

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

(i) Offer gold foil:

       Stanza:

Priceless teachings are superior to worldly gold and wealth.

May this offer yield Bodhi fruits as genuine as pure gold!

       Incantation:

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, Ban Zha Po Ti Ye, Suo Ha.

       (j) Offer white silk, needles and threads:

       Stanza:

Pure white silk heavenly robe of Sambhogakaya is offered,

May sins soon be purified, and full enlightenment attained!

       Incantation:

Weng, Ban Zha Sa Duo, Hong, A, Weng, A, Hong.