Homa Ritual Honoring Medicine Guru Buddha
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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, Medicine Guru 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.
While visualizing the place as transforming into the Land of Pure Lapis Lazuli repeat the incantation of Medicine Guru Buddha and the following half-stanza:
- Abiding in the limitless oneness of Dharmadhatu,
- The World of Pure Lapis Lazuli appears within.
2. Generating Bodhicitta
Having the Bodhicitta as well as your Holiness,
I would like to develop it based on your data.
Now I do Dharma activities on your behalf,
Whatever you had vowed I would do exactly.
- Recite the Twelve Original Vows of Medicine Guru Buddha
The first great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may my body be glowingly bright to shine upon immeasurable countless boundless worlds, and be adorned with the thirty-two marks of a great man and the eighty ensuing refined features. I shall render all beings to resemble me without differences.
The second great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may my body be like Lapis Lazuli, transparent throughout and pure without blemish, with extensive brightness and majestic merits, well at ease, and adorned with aureole brighter than sun and moon. Sentient beings in hell would all be taught the right path. I would engage in all kinds of salvation activities as my intention moves along.
The third great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may I employ countless boundless skillful means of wisdom to render all beings in possession of inexhaustible things of comfort but not to let sentient beings in want of anything.
The fourth great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may I settle well all those who practice the heterodox ways onto the Bodhi path, and establish securely those who practice Sravakayana or Pratyeka-Buddha-yana in Mahayana.
The fifth great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may the countless boundless sentient beings who would cultivate pure conducts in accordance with my teachings all attain no breach of silas and fulfill the three cumulative silas. If they fail to comply or violate silas, upon hearing my name, they would regain purity and not fall into bad realms.
The sixth great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may those sentient beings who are physically inferior with incomplete senses, and are suffering from being ugly, retarded, blind, deaf, mute, victim of convulsion, crippled, humpbacked, leprous, lunatic, or sick with various diseases, upon hearing my name, all attain proper features, become smart, with all senses wholesome, and without any illness.
The seventh great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may those sentient beings who are tormented by diseases but with neither help nor refuge, neither medical treatment nor medication, neither relatives nor family, yet in poverty with much hardship, upon hearing my name, all become free from diseases, attain peace and joy of body and mind, have abundance of family and possessions, and even up to all attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment.
The eighth great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may those women who are tormented by hundreds of sufferings of the female sex, and are extremely weary to the extent of wishing to give up their female bodies, upon hearing my name, all transform into men with proper male features, and even up to all attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment.
The ninth great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may I render all sentient beings escape the nets of evils, and become free from entanglements of heterodox ways. If they are trapped in all sorts of dense forest of perversive views, I will induce and introduce them to right views, gradually lead them to practice the Bodhisattva ways, and help them soon attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment.
The tenth great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may those sentient beings who are condemned by royal laws to be bound by ropes, lashed by whips, enchained in prisons, or executed, and are tormented by numerous other disasters and insults so that they are afflicted by sorrow and anguish, and are suffering in both body and mind, upon hearing my name, through the majestic supernatural power of my merits and virtue, all become free from all sorrows and sufferings.
The eleventh great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may those sentient beings who are tormented by hunger and thirst, and, in order to obtain food, have committed all sorts of evil karma, will have the opportunity to hear my name and will then continue to repeat my name whole-heartedly. Then I shall first satisfy their physical needs with most wondrous foods and drinks, and afterwards provide them with the flavors of Dharma so as to establish them in ultimate peace and joy.
The twelfth great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may those sentient beings who are poor without clothing, tormented day and night by mosquitoes, wasps, cold and heat, upon hearing my name will continue to repeat it whole-heartedly, and then they will obtain all sorts of most wondrous clothing just as they prefer them to be. They will also obtain all kinds of jewel ornaments, floral garlands, perfumes, drums and music, dancers, whatever their hearts desire will all be satisfied.
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 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 brightness of Five Elements spreads with sounds resonant,
The skillful means of Five Wisdoms would convert all beings.
Healthy appearance of being brawny, at ease, and joyful
Indicates that mind, Buddha and all sentient beings are well!
(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 A Hong, 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 pacifying 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. Blessing Place, Aggregates and Realms Stanza:
Place!
Pure, quiet, bright is the lapis lazuli palace.
Body!
Mercy and light shine the whole world, not bloody.
Altar!
It is as well as shadow, and wish and Dharma!
Karma!
Blessed by the above, served for all the Pa and Ma!
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 Medicine Guru Buddha with the following stanza:
Bright and clear is your transparent seat outward;
The twelve great pillars of vows, your seat inward;
The great Compassion, your holy seat secretly:
The deep Sunyata, your holy seat most secretly.
(b) Visualization of Medicine Guru Buddha:
Your body is holy with deep blue light;
Best fruit on best gesture is so bright;
Your merciful looking is at all beings;
Without moving your seat do your saving.
(c) The Seven-branch Prayer:
On your jewel ground I bow down;
With your kind vows I sing the song;
Rid of all mental diseases in my confession;
Through Sunyata I agree in your conversion.
Please turn your great Dharma Wheel,
And abide on the non-death meditation
To lead all beings under your Salvation!
(d) Praise the Medicine Guru Buddha:
In the East, productive and growing direction,
The glassy Gem and famous world even be seen.
The transparent body with your merciful mind,
Makes all beings satisfied as I am praising.
Recite the Stanza of Supplication:
My Lord Buddha!
Your great compassion influences till now.
Sentient beings!
Beg you for Salvation and don't know how.
Calamities!
Besides nine usual ones, there is still a mass!
Lives!
Easily to be finished even like those grass.
Desires!
Just like a moth flies by itself to the fire!
Fire!
Bombs fall like rain; they fight without tire!
Karmas!
Big battle outside with madness inside!
Medicines!
It is only you who can cure and guide!
Adultery causes one to get leprosy!
Cupidity causes one to be mad and crazy!
Gluttony causes one to get enterostomy!
Killing many animals causes deformity!
Committing sins against the law results in punishment!
Running after the false view, causes mad excitement!
Practitioners have many kinds of diseases!
Avidya is the deepest one hardly to cease!
Desire is the wildest one which makes double illness!
Four hundred and four kinds of ailments with sadness!
Delusions and drowsiness are the meditative ills.
In one's body, channel and energy have sicknesses still!
If there is a hope, it will also be a disorder!
If something to want, 'tis a thing to pardon!
It's a distemper, if you don't know the sequence!
It's an illness if you seek power with diligence!
Teaching not in time, good lessons may be bad!
Doubts rise when realization has not been had!
A little power makes pride which is not nice!
Fear the mass, like only to be alone is not wise!
Envying of others' merit is a disease!
Seeking many disciples will be without peace!
Lecturing with prejudice is a kind of error!
Hence all actions or rests are with sorrow!
May all of them be saved by your mercy!
Deliver them from ills to Your Excellency!
Rid of outer, inner, and secret obstacles!
Increase wisdom, mercy, and power of miracles.
It's time for you to fulfill your oaths.
Releasing their diseases is also among your vows!
Neither you have no such wills or ability,
Nor is it not the time, nor I haven't asked Your Almighty.
As the echo, I beg for your inspiration,
Speedy recovery with your best medicine!
7. [[Blessing the [Wood and Oil]]
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.
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!
(c) Prayer to the God of Fire:
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 Medicine Guru Buddha
(a) Offer Bodhi-branches:
It is able to shade Buddha well.
No disorder will one feel.
The Bodhi-Tree will shine great light.
Your first two vows you do fulfill.
Incantation (repeat thrice):
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Po Ti Zhi Qia Ye, Suo Ha.
(b) Offer black sesame:
Black sesame symbolizes all kinds of sins,
May all our desires and bad things be purified!
Incantation (repeat thrice):
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.
(c) Offer mustard seeds:
Handcuffs, fetters and all cruel punishments,
False views and demons' nets make the ailments.
I beg you to remove all kinds of obstacles
According to your ninth and tenth vows.
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Sha Wa, A Qia, Xi Da Ye, Suo Ha.
(d) Offer herbs for the five chakras:
Weakness or deterioration of the five chakras
Would yield all kinds of illness of the whole body.
These herbs are offered according to your sixth and seventh vows,
May all four hundred and four kinds of illness be absent in beings!
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.
(e) Offer five kinds of incense:
With offering of five kinds of incense to match your eleventh vow,
Life after life may we practice the path through five wondrous senses.
Fulfilling your fifth vow the incense of Silas constantly perfumes us,
So we stay healthy and pure and remain in the world without aging!
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Ban Zha, Du Bei Ye, Suo Ha.
(f) Offer mahasukha pills:
Inducing freely without tiredness,
I offer this pill to get brightness!
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Ban Zha, Ma Ha Su Ka, Suo Ha.
(g) Offer butter:
Tenth and twelfth vows to save all the poor.
Third oath with wisdom to add merits
And show the Bodhi of Mahayana.
Please take this and fulfill the fourth and fifth.
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Ban Zha, San Ba Dou, Suo Ha.
(h) Offer one large sausage:
Females who are old and weak, having passed the age for practicing Tantra,
Detest their having a female body and would like to transform into a male.
This large sausage is now offered in accordance with your eighth great vow,
May they soon attain male bodies to adorn Buddha's compassion for them!
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Ma Ha Su Ka, Ban Zha Xi Di, Hong.
(i) Offer twelve coconuts:
May all achieve the Rainbow Body
Like you possess wisdom light of Bodhi.
No darkness, only light shines in the Dharmadhatu.
Bless us with fulfillment of the first and second vows.
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Ban Zha, Bo Di Qi Ta, Suo Ha.
(j) Offer blue silk, needles and threads:
May Longevity unite with health.
Health with realization, no less!
And realization unite with Holy Karma,
Such a long life, I would hold dear for Dharma!
Offer this soft and wonderful silk. May all sentient beings release all ills!
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Ban Zha, A Yu Ke, Hong, Suo Ha.
(k) Offer fresh fruits:
Compassionate aspirations to benefit others is the fruit of Nirmanakaya.
Completion of merits and wisdom is the fruit of Sambhogakaya.
Dependence-free light of original purity is the fruit of Dharmakaya.
The above three indistinguishable is the fruit of Sahajakaya.
Wisdom rainbow-body born of great pleasure is the fruit of Mahasukhakaya.
Soon fulfill wisdom and compassion to attain perfect fruit of Buddhahood.
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Ban Zha, Ke Ba Ya, Da Ma Ka Ya, Suo Ha.
(l) gold foil:
Priceless teachings are superior to worldly gold and wealth.
May this offering inspire compassion that is like the wish-fulfilling gem.
All resources needed for propagation of Dharma and salvation of beings
Through pure applications would inspire their flowing in like springs.
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, Weng, Ban Zha, Mu Ni Ye, Suo Ha.
(m) Recite prayer to supplicate for supernatural powers to save all beings in the Six Realms:
To rid the heavens' five declined fortunes,
Help me get the power of the Supernatural.
To rid all Asuras of sins of killing,
Help me get the special power of saving.
To rid mankind's two great obstacles,
Help me get the might of miracles.
To rid all animals of ignorance,
Help me get the power of influence!
To rid all ghosts of hunger and thirst,
Help me get the power to give abundance!
To rid Hell of pain and suffering,
Help me to be able to do salvation there.
You have accomplished the Buddha's power,
And are able to help me become a Savior.
Let me do as well as your Holy Healing,
No less than a Yidam of the same feeling.
Send all your twelve marshals
To assist me as my own officials.
Great Dharma activities will all be accomplished!
(n) Offer the eight offerings:
When offering the water, may it rid the beings of fierce sorrows.
When offering the flowers, may they rid the beings of mental error.
When offering incense, may it purify all the vinaya and be in accordance with the Bodhi.
When offering the lamp, may it get the same kaya as your lapis lazuli body!
When offering perfume, may I rid all Rheumatism.
When offering food, may I practice Mahayana Buddhism.
When offering music, may the Dharma be in sweet sound,
And use my equanimity to help those all around!
Incantation:
- Weng, Pi Ka Jiu, Pi Ka Jiu, Ma Ha Pi Ka Jiu, Lan Zha Sha Ma Ka Die, Suo Ha, 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
Brightness shines, warmth and heat felt.
As incense smokes float and spread so are the grand Dharma activities.
Nectars from Medicine Guru 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:
If I and my followers and my sponsors have done anything which may make the Gods or Goddesses, Buddhas, Herukas unhappy, may this Homa performance be a confession. If my followers and sponsors have violated some silas or vinayas, have been disturbed by false views, and consequently have been deserted by protectors, may this Homa be a redemption and get the permission to be forgiven. May the merits of Homa be helpful toward the attainment of Buddhahood.
(b) Special One:
May the power of your great will and Holy Karma, and the power of the True Dharma nature, and the power of the Master's Bodhicitta, deserve your helpfulness and your pleasure!
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 Medicine Guru Buddha Mudra while reciting his mantra. Then hold the Mudra of his twelve marshals.
15. Circumambulation
Circumambulate clockwise the Homa platform thrice as gesture of reverence, then bow thrice to Medicine Guru Buddha in reverence to express gratitude.
Source
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)
yogichen.org
