Homa Ritual Honoring Rainbow-body Guru Rinpoche

Based on the Format of Chinese Homa Rituals by Guru Chen

Written in Chinese 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, Red Chenrezi. 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 ″Heart Mantra of Guru Rinpoche″ and the following half-stanza:

Abiding in the limitless oneness of Dharmadhatu,

The Mandala of Guru Rinpoche and his consorts appears within.

Stanza:

The graceful source of Tibetan Vajrayana, Patriarch Padmasambhava,

All with fortunate connections are blessed by your rainbow-body presence.

Universally grant fearlessness, save beings from Five Poisons, and increase their merits and wisdom.

Out of compassion for beings please accept this offering to help plant causes for attaining Sambhogakaya!

Instantaneously the Master transforms into the Golden Chenrezi, wearing Guru Rinpoche′s round-cap.

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:

Bell rings and Drum resonates to wake ignorant and deluded beings.

By observing sounds to realize Sunyata and return to original purity,

Compassion wells up and Guan Yin appears instantly like echoes.

Wondrous sounds, pure sounds, and sounds of ocean tidal waves!

(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.

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 endeavors toward enlightenment,

And let me get all the accomplishments!

Please remember all your excellent vows,

Help me to accomplish all salvation activities!

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!

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) 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 Golden God of Fire:

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

From this "Lang" arises the golden 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 golden 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!

(a) Arrange the seat for Guru Rinpoche with the following stanza:

Pervading the Dharmadhatu Your responding bodies have no definite abode,

Such compassion serves as the supreme seat outwardly.

Salvation activities born of oneness in Dharmakaya continue without ending,

Such merciful kindness serves as the supreme seat inwardly.

Harmonizing Sunyata and Bliss through initiations to nourish White and Red Bodhi,

Such compassionate well-being serves as the supreme seat secretly.

Reveal original purity in Sunyata Brightness to merge into Non-duality,

Such compassionate harmony serves as the supreme seat most secretly.

(b) Visualization of Guru Rinpoche and consorts:

Graceful source of unsurpassable Tantric teachings in snowy realm,

Guru Rinpoche, the rainbow-body Padmasambhava!

The supreme pleasure Wisdom Dakini, Mother Mandarava,

Set paradigm for all posterity by offering herself to Guru Rinpoche!

Compiling all teachings of Guru Rinpoche, and wrote his biography,

′Tis the grace of Mother Yeshe Trogyal in preserving the treasures!

As the unified totality of all attainments of all Buddhas,

All sentient beings with fortunate connections admire and rely on You!

(c) The Seven-branch Prayer:

Paying homage through always remaining in accord with sentient beings,

Repeating the Heart Mantra of Guru Rinpoche as perpetual praising,

Abiding in Bodhicitta is genuine repentance,

Spreading Dharma teachings far and wide serves as giving approval,

Vehemently turn the Dharma Wheel of Universal Salvation,

Long abiding in the compassionate body of oneness of all,

Dedicate merits toward all beings' attainment of rainbow-body.

(d) Praise the Yidam:

Reverently recite the following praises:

Veneration in the Presence of Great Master Padmasambhava and retinue!

Graceful source of the Tantric Ocean, the deathless Lotus-born,

Adorning the salvation, the two deathless Mother Buddhas,

Sustaining the salvation activities, the Venerable Damchen Dorje Legpa,

Right in front you appeared to me in brightness free from hindrances and limits.

Buddha lights bestowed on a large lotus

To save all beings appeared there a boy

Established as prince, the country became prosperous

Through committing sinful acts to obtain renunciation

Learned in all sorts of knowledge and practiced Dharma

Lived in cemeteries, showed miraculous transformations

Tamed evil beings and cultivated Dakinis on the path

Roaming everywhere to spread teachings wide and far

Upon request entered Tibet to establish the first monastery

The root and source of Buddhist Tantra thereby established

Transmitted Tantras in Mandala to twenty-five disciples

Red-robed and white-clothed ones continued the lineages

Essential Sutras and Tantras selected to translate into Tibetan

Dharma treasures thus gathered and stored in snow country

Great Perfection teachings based on original purity of all things

Concealed in Earth, Water, Space and Mind Hidden Treasures

Rainbow body of death-free nature appeared as occasions called for

Disciples of meritorious conditions are all blessed by your compassion

Supplication to Guru Rinpoche

Gracious source of Tibetan Tantra in rainbow body,

Deathless salvation through opportune appearances,

Bright light of Sunyata Pleasure grants universal blessing,

Wondrous bliss of innate purity sets the universe in spring.

Praise to Patriarch Mandarava

Born of royal status as a princess yet enjoyed renunciation

Led five hundred maidens to practice toward original purity

Wisdom eyes capable of recognizing Guru Rinpoche's virtues

In devotion to Guru offered her body beyond worldly ways

Huge fire on large pile of firewood turned into a clear pond

The whole kingdom overwhelmed, and all took refuge in Guru

In the Cave of Death Ceased practiced Tantric Love

Bone ornaments adorned her rainbow-like light body

Saved a girl from peril and led her to become a Dakini

Thus, set a supreme epitome of upbringing posterity

Staying in this world and appeared as patriarch Niguma

Graceful virtues illustrative of boundless longevity

Praise to Patriarch Yeshe Tsogyal

Worldly fames and honors had long since learned to renounce

Capable of practicing Tantra that is so sublime and profound

Able to gather and sustain all heart essences of Guru Rinpoche

Supernatural abilities displayed ever so often to convert and help

Stayed up in snow mountain caves to practice until almost dead

Carried out Tantric Love practices to harmonize joy and light

Transmitted teachings through Termas to wait for suitable vessels

Thanks to you, graceful source of Tibetan Tantras spread and remained

Supplication to Patriarch Yeshe Tsogyal

In front of beloved grandma of Tantric practices

Dharma grandson is here to salute you in prostration

Our golden lineage came down to this degenerated age

Had become even thinner and scarcer than a thread

Those have fortunate connections can be counted by fingers

Alas! How many of them are capable of actual practices

Hindered by self-set limits are often the cases

Devoted and dedicated ones mostly encountered difficulties

Even though trials might have piled up like mountains

Ardent Bodhi aspiration has never wavered a bit

Simply for the sake of liberating all beings from sufferings

Dedication of this life is not worth any considerations

Only begging dear grandma for compassionate blessings

To protect and guide genuine Tantric practitioners

So that they may sooner realize union of joy and light

And thus, become capable of advocating the path of Greed

Just as grandma's grace spread far and wide through ages

We will save all beings because they are as dear as our own mothers

Grace of the Presence of Guru Rinpoche

Round face, round eyes, baby Guru Rinpoche was so alive,

Round hat flew up all by itself, what supernatural power!

Compassion encompassing all beings, want to read news,

All sentient beings being equal, Guru appeared as a puppy!

Supplication to Guru Rinpoche for Round-cap Blessing

Merciful Guru Rinpoche displayed self-rising of his round cap

Asked for newspapers to teach compassion for the delinquent age

Appeared as puppy to show offering to beings amounts to offering to Guru

Benefiting all those with karmic connections, one remembers this teaching constantly

May all receive blessing from Guru Rinpoche to attain Great Perfection soon

Reverently had a round cap duplicated to seek earnestly your special favor

May whoever see or hear about this round cap be blessed as in your holy presence

That their karma dissipated, and wisdom and merits grow to the boundless sphere

Supplication to Damchen Dorje Legpa

Capable of sustaining Guru Rinpoche's boundless salvation activities

Compassionate protection continues to benefit all lineage followers

Tantric practices often encounter all sorts of dangers and hindrances

Only relying on Your mighty powers can the path be smooth and even

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!

(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!

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.

Stanza:

Once protected Sakyamuni Buddha to attain Enlightenment and realize original purity,

Serving as adornment to the Mandala and blindfold to worldly views outside it,

Bodhi branches form great shade for the uncontrived original state,

After offering them Four Bliss of Sunyata pleasure will reveal supreme brightness!

Incantation (repeat thrice):

Weng A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Po Ti Zhi Qia Ye, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

Ignorance as the cause grasped by black and white karmas,

Perverse views, disasters, and sufferings, all transform into offering.

After this offering one would realize that ignorance is originally of empty nature.

Reveal Dharmakaya for all beings so that all would attain great tranquility.

Incantation:

Weng A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

The self-nature of all evils and enemies is originally vacuous and inactive.

After offering mustard seeds all evils will perish automatically.

Seeing through that form and emptiness are originally non-dual,

In the compassion of oneness lie great salvation and great rest.

Incantation:

Weng A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Sha Wa, A Qia, Xi Da Ye, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

All things white and pure contain the joy of Chan;

After offering these may all beings dine on form born of Sunyata.

Wondrous flavor of pleasant sweetness, free from impurities,

Would inspire Dharma nectar to imbue the countless worlds!

Incantation:

Weng A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Sha Wa, Sang Ba Dou, Suo Ha.

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 A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Ban Zha, Po Ti Qi Da, Suo Ha.

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 A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Ban Zha, Ke Ba Ya, Suo Ha.

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 great rainbow-lights power of Guru Rinpoche,

Karmic hindrances dispersed invisibly so that recovery will arrive sooner.

Incantation:

Weng A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Sha Wa Ba Bang, Xin Deng Gu Lu Ye, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

Yidam's Dakini and consorts in the four cardinal directions,

In addition to those at the four corners, net of wondrous beauties,

Wisdom Dakinis full of secret skills gathering like clouds,

To enable each and every sentient being to enjoy pleasure more.

Incantation:

Weng A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Ban Zha, Zha Ge Ni Ye, Bu Bei, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

Guru Rinpoche and Dakini are melted together like oil and liquor,

Four levels of Joy in Sunyata are sizzling up all the way,

Each and every being in the oneness of Dharmadhatu has gained

More and more enjoyment of pleasure in tranquility.

Incantation:

Weng A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Sha Wa Nuo Ga, Wa Xiang Gu Lu Huo, Weng, Ban Zha, A Yu Ke, Hong, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

Heavenly garment of wondrous touch matches Sunyata-form.

Red and white Bodhis increase through union of Vajra Love.

Straight channels and pure winds induce light of original purity.

Live long in the world to save countless sentient beings.

Incantation:

Weng A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Sha Wa Nuo Ga, Wa Xiang Gu Lu Huo, Weng, A Ma Na Ni, Jiu Wang Di Ye, Suo Ha, Weng, Ban Zha, A Yu Ke, Hong, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

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 A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Ban Zha, Ke Ba Ya, Da Ma Ka Ya, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

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 A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, Weng, Ban Zha, Mu Ni Ye, Suo Ha.

Stanza:

With water of great compassion to moisten and purify,

With wondrous pretty flowers to show variegated colors and styles,

With Kunda-Bodhicitta to imbue body and mind with fragrance,

With the wisdom lamp that shines continuously up high to dispel the darkness of ignorance,

With the perfume of great compassion to spread aroma all over the oneness of all,

With wondrous food of Chan joy to harmonize wisdom and bliss through Vajra Love,

With wondrous sounds of innate joy from the Mandala of Lotus-born, after offering,

May we instantly attain the non-abiding rainbow-body of Guru Rinpoche!

Incantation:

Weng A Hong, Ban Zha Gu Lu, Bei Ma, Xi Di, Hong, 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.

Stanza:

Brightness shines, warmth and heat felt.

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

Rainbow lights of Guru Rinpoche shine all over 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.

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 the Bodhi causes of this Homa bring about great fruits,

And those with Guru Rinpoche's blessing will spread to all beings!

All sentient beings will share the Bodhi fruits!

Peace and happiness pervade the world, and calamities and hindrances vanished!

All opportune conditions for Dharma propagation and practices gathered!

All sentient beings in the Six Realms attain emancipation!

Dharmadhatu right away is the Pureland!

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.

Stanza on Constant Illumination and Wide Spreading of Dharma

Engulfed in the Five Poisons, sentient beings in the Six Realms are trapped in delusions;

May all in sufferings thereby turn to seek the path of emancipation!

Worldly problems having no solutions, lingering therein will gain only toil and distress in vain;

May all become awaken and escape from entanglements without further deliberations and cares!

All are impermanent and there is no possibility of control and management on changing;

May all become keenly aware of this and no longer linger in comparisons and calculations!

Essence of Dharma difficult to comprehend and paths of Dharma practices are variant and at odds;

May all mature in Wisdom to renounce partial grasping and reach harmonious comprehension!

Intertwining knots of body and mind have been accumulated, layers over layers, like a cocoon;

May all sustain resolution in resolving all such knots on the path of Dharma practices!

Personal grasping, not extinguished, attainment of enlightenment lacks full completion;

May all, through diligent Dharma practices, readily attain the state of non-self!

Full attainment of Dharmakaya yields incomprehensible display of Wisdom and Compassion;

May all attain Full Enlightenment to conduct salvation activities without limits and ending!

14. Mudra

Hold the Mudras of Guru Rinpoche and consorts while reciting their respective mantras three times.

15. Circumambulation

Circumambulate clockwise the Homa platform thrice as gesture of reverence, and then bow thrice to Guru Rinpoche and consorts in reverence to express gratitude.

Epilog

On June 6, 2020 disciple Ben Jing (Originally Pure) sent me an email, asking me to recall the grace of Guru Rinpoche′s appearance to me in the early hours of September 14, 2007, when He expressed concern for the conditions of the world, and thereby be motivated to compose reverently a fire puja ritual in honor of Guru Rinpoche so as to express a bit the sincere gratitude felt, and also to facilitate Buddhists in having opportunities to beseech blessings. Hence, I composed this ritual in Chinese yesterday, and translated it into English today.

June 8, 2020

El Cerrito, California