Awakening Wisdom by Pema Wangyal

Author:Pema Wangyal [Wangyal, Pema]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shambhala
Published: 2023-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910–91)

11. The Practice of Vajrasattva, the Antidote to Aversion

The practice of refuge is the antidote to pride and enables one to dispel subtle and less subtle obscurations, while the training in bodhichitta acts as the antidote to jealousy. To subjugate aversion in all its different forms—anger, aggression, violence, and so forth—all the practices described so far are certainly very useful, but the most effective is the practice of the Buddha Vajrasattva. Moreover, it helps to curb the effects of the new diseases that are rampant these days.

In the eighth century, the great master Padmasambhava had already predicted that in our age the spread of arms and technology would produce all kinds of pollution, thus encouraging the emergence of hitherto unknown diseases that would be very difficult to treat.[7] This is why the great masters of our time, like Dudjom Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, have often recommended the practice of Vajrasattva for people who are in the terminal phase of cancer and other illnesses. To the amazement of their doctors, these people have lived far longer than expected.

Furthermore, by relying on the techniques associated with the meditation on Vajrasattva, it is possible to resolve difficulties that disturb our familial, social, and professional relationships. These troubles come from different blockages or imbalances on a subtle level, which the mantra of Vajrasattva can work on.

The practice of Vajrasattva is based on four powers:

(1) The first, the power of the support of concentration, consists of visualizing above one’s head the radiant form of Vajrasattva, white or transparent like crystal. Each color has a definite effect on the mind: the color white is frequently used in pacification or purification practices. Those who are used to it or are able to do so can visualize the form of Vajrasattva in detail, but the most important thing is to feel his presence.

(2) The next power is the power of recognition. Looking inside at how we have lived until now, we try to find and recognize the causes of the illnesses and difficulties that we have experienced. Such self-examination brings to light the beneficial actions that are to our credit, but it also shows the harm that we have caused others during our life, sometimes unconsciously but at other times knowingly. As Khyentse Rinpoche says,

Consider how many thoughts of ignorance, anger, desire, jealousy, and pride arise in us in the space of a single day. The negative karma that we are dragging along is very heavy, due to our having carelessly indulged in mainly negative activities over many lives. If we had shown as much diligence in positive actions, we would already be buddhas.

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