179 - Flowers Falling in the Dream

Preface – The Great Disaster Relief Mantra

Those of us who study Tantrayana (Vajrayana) Buddhism are familiar with the teaching that: “The Maha Prajnaparamita is the great transcendent mantra, the great illuminating mantra, the supreme mantra, and the incomparable mantra.” [A quote from the Heart Sutra.]

But what is “mantra”?

The term “mantra” literally translates to“true words” in Chinese.

For those of us who study Buddhism, thereare essentially two main purposes:

1) The path to liberation

2) The path to enlightenment

Let me tell you: this world of form istransient, illusory, and filled with suffering. Yet, due to the influence of “desire” and the craving for the pleasures of  “sensory contact,” all sentient beings remain bound by their physical bodies. Therefore, it is our duty to help all beings. We must guide them to understand “suffering,” “emptiness,” and “impermanence,”so they are not trapped in the endless cycle of birth and death.

Our Vajrayana teachings represent a form of mystical Buddhism, focused on the practices of “mantras,” along with“mudras” and “visualizations.” Through these methods of salvation, beings can be liberated from the cycle of samsara and ultimately attain buddhahood.

Recently, I have sensed in the unseen realm that the world is enduring a great natural disaster, with casualties reaching tens of  thousands. This is a profound calamity [referring to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami].

I recite a mantra and dedicate it to all beings:

“Ta-chi-zha-zha-la, ta-chi-lu-lou-li, ma-ha-lu-lou-li, ah-la-mo-la, duo-la, so-ha.”

This is a rescue mantra. When sentient beings are in distress, I recite this mantra to aid them.

Someone may ask, “Grand Master Lu, this is the Great Disaster Relief Mantra, but a great natural disaster has already occurred, causing countless deaths. Shouldn’t we instead recite the Rebirth Mantra?”

My answer is this:

“As for the Rebirth Mantra, I have already taught it. I have also transmitted the Manjushri Rebirth Mantra and theVairochana Buddha’s Six Paths Rebirth Mantra. By reciting the six syllables—Ah,He, Sa, Sha, Ma, Ha—those who have passed away can be reborn.

“However, when the Great Disaster Relief Mantra is invoked, those who have narrowly escaped death, as well as those trapped in disaster zones, will be protected. This mantra will inspire governments to prioritize rescue efforts and mobilize charitable organizationsto provide aid. It will also prevent post-disaster survivors from suffering long-term consequences, such as pandemics and other after effects.”

So:

For those who have passed away, the Rebirth Mantra is used to guide them to rebirth. (The Great Disaster Relief Mantra can also assist in guiding the deceased.)

For survivors, the Great Disaster Relief Mantra is used to protect them. (We also contribute funds to aid in disaster relief.)

Who transmitted this Great Disaster Relief Mantra to me?

I tell everyone, this is a very secret, very hidden buddha. This buddha is called Da Zizai Wang Fo (Maheshvara Buddha).

To be honest, I have already attained the“right concentration” of samadhi. I am able to perform all actions within this state of samadhi. I can guide those who have died in disasters to rebirth in the pure lands, and I can also offer protection to survivors after disasters.

Please don’t dismiss what I have said as mere “myth” or “legend,” or assume that I have blurred the line between myth and reality.

I tell everyone:

I can be considered a fully liberated immortal. In “samadhi,” I possess the ability to fly and transform. I have thirty-two transformation forms and eighty kinds of supernatural powers. I have long embodied the “Lotus Light Unhindered Buddha.”

My achievements are known to the buddhas, but not to worldly beings.

I originally hail from the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds as Padmakumara, an emanation of Amitabha.

Whether or not all sentient beings believe this, it does not matter.

I am who I am.

The buddha is the buddha.

Living Buddha Lian Sheng Sheng-Yen Lu

17102 NE 40th Ct.

Redmond, WA 98052

U.S.A.