Padmasambhava Personal Deity Yoga Practice
Start by praying for the root lineage blessing: 
First empty the mind. Next, visualize the Root Lineage Guru Living Buddha Lian-sheng appearing above your crown and radiating light on everyone present.
Chant the Root Lineage Guru Heart Mantra, ”Om, guru, lian-sheng siddhi, hum,” 7 times.
Pray to the Root Lineage Guru to empower you so that the practice will be auspicious.
Engender the Four Immeasurable Minds:
Visualize that your father and all your past fathers are on your right, your mother and all your past mothers are on the left, your enemies are in front of you, your friends and loved ones are behind you, all beings of the six realms are surrounding you, and all join you in this practice.
Wake-Up Call: Clap twice, then cross hands and snap thumbs and middle fingers.
1. Recite the Purification & Earth God Mantras:
Speech Purification Mantra:
Om, syo-lee syo-lee, ma-ha syo-lee, syo-syo-lee, so-ha.
Body Purification Mantra:
Om, syo-do-lee, syo-do-lee, syo-mo-lee, syo-mo-lee, so-ha.
Mind Purification Mantra:
Om, wa-dzi-la-dam, ho ho hum.
Earth God Mantra:
Namo sam-man-do, moo-toh-nam, om, doo-loo doo-loo dei-wei, so-ha.
2. Recite the Invocation Mantra (3 times):
We sincerely invoke:
Namo Root Guru Living Buddha Lian-sheng
Namo Great White Padmakumara
Namo Lotus Light Self- Mastery Buddha,
Namo the Lineage Gurus of True Buddha School
(In the place of this note, each local chapter may invoke the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dharma Protectors enshrined at its altar accordingly. When practicing at home, one may invoke the deities present at one’s shrine.)
Namo all Buddhas of the Ten Directions and Three Times, all Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas. Namo Maha Prajna Paramita.
3. Great Homage, using visualization:
(Visualize in the space before and above you the Root Lineage Guru, all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Dharma Protectors, Dakinis, All Heavenly Gods & Devas, they appear like multitudes of twinkling stars, pervading the Empty Space. Touch the brow point [third-eye chakra] with the mudra and visualize the Root Guru emitting a beam of white light entering into your brow chakra. Touch the throat with the mudra and visualize the Root Guru emitting a beam of red light entering into your throat chakra. Touch the heart with the mudra and visualize the Root Guru emitting a beam of blue light entering into your heart chakra. Visualize yourself prostrating fully on the floor to pay homage to the Root Lineage Guru and the boundless universe in all times and directions; finally at the end touch the brow point again and then release the mudra.)
First homage to Root Guru Living Buddha Lian Sheng and all Buddhas in all times and directions (using Buddha Shrine Mudra)
Recite: OM, AH, Hum
Video Demo
Second homage to all Bodhisattvas (using Lotus Mudra)
(Employ the mudra and visualize as above to pay homage to all Bodhisattvas and Mahsattvas)
Recite: OM, AH, Hum
Video Demo
Third homage to all Dharma Protectors (using Vajra Mudra)
(Employ the mudra and visualize as above to pay homage to all Dharma Protectors)
Recite: OM, AH, Hum
Video Demo
Fourth half-bow (using Equanimity Mudra)
Video Demo
(Bow and touch mudra against the brow point before releasing the mudra)
(For a detailed description of visualization of Great Homage, refer to page 24 of A Complete and Detailed Exposition on the True Buddha Tantric Dharma.)
4.
Mandala Offering Mudra:
Video Demo
Interlace fingers (with hands back to back) so that palms and fingers face upwards. Hook the index finger of the left hand over the middle finger of the right. Hook the index finger of the right hand over the middle finger of the left. Press the thumb of the left hand over the little finger of the right. Press the thumb of the right hand over the little finger of the left. Manipulate the ring fingers so that they stand vertically, back to back. Place the Offering Mudra in front of the chest. After visualization, bring the mudra to touch upon the brow point before release.
Visualization:
Visualize the offerings at the altar multiply to first form a row, then multiply again to form a field, and multiply once more to fill all space. Dedicate this space-filling offering to the Root Lineage Guru, past lineage gurus, Eight Personal Deities of the True Buddha School, all Buddhas in all times and directions, all Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas, and all dharma protectors.
Recite the Offering Verse :
Mount Meru together with the Four Continents, sun and moon,
Transforms into precious treasures to offer to the Buddhas.
May the immeasurable merit arise from these treasures
Quickly remove negative karma to realize Buddhahood.
Recite the Offering Mantra:
Om, sa-er-wa, da-ta-ga-ta, ee-da-mu, gu-ru la-na, man-cha-la, kan, nee-lee-ye, da-ye-mee
5. Four Fold Refuge
Visualization: Visualize the Root Lineage Guru, all past lineage gurus, all Buddhas, Dharma, and Sanghas merge into a great white light that empowers one.
Recite the Fourfold Refuge mantra (3 times):
Namo Guru bei
Namo Buddha ye
Namo Dharma ye
Namo Sangha ye
6. Armor Protection
Form the Vajra Mudra before the forehead.
Recite the mantra (7 times):
Om, bo ru lan ze lee
After the recitation, bring the mudra to touch the mid-brow point, then the heart, the left shoulder, the right shoulder, and then back to the forehead. At the moment of releasing the mudra, visualize the Dharma Protector at one’s shrine transform into four bodies that guard the practitioner in all four sides: in the front and behind, left and right sides.
7. Recite the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra
Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,
na mo guan shi yin pu sa,
Namo Buddhaya,
na mo fo,
Namo Dharmaya,
na mo fa,
Namo Sanghaya,
na mo seng,
An affinity with the Pure Lands opens the Dharma Doors.
fo guo you yuan, fo fa xiang yin,
By engaging permanence, bliss, identity, and purity, one is blessed with the Dharma.
chang ler wo jing, you yuan fo fa.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a great spiritual mantra.
na mo mo her bo re bo luo mi shi da shen zhou.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a great wisdom mantra.
na mo mo her bo re bo luo mi shi da ming zhou.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a supreme mantra.
na mo mo her bo re bo luo mi shi wu shang zhou.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, an unequaled mantra.
na mo mo her bo re bo luo mi shi wu deng deng zhou.
Namo the Pure Light Secret Buddha,
na mo jing guang mi mi fo,
the Dharma Treasury Buddha,
fa zang fo,
the Tranquil King Buddha with Lion’s Roar and Divine Speed,
shi zi hou shen zu yo wang fo,
the Sumeru Light King Buddha announced by Buddha,
fo gao xu mi deng wang fo,
the Dharma Protector Buddha,
fa hu fo,
the Vajra Treasury Roaming Lion Buddha,
jin gang zang shi zi yu xi fo,
the Precious Victory Buddha,
bao sheng fo,
the Supernatural Power Buddha,
shen tong fo,
the Medicine Crystal Light King Buddha,
yao shi liu li guang wang fo,
the Universal Light Merit Mountain King Buddha,
pu guang gong der shan wang fo,
the Merit Retaining Jewel King Buddha,
shan zhu guong der bao wang fo,
the Seven Past Buddhas,
guo qu qi fo,
the Future Thousand Buddhas of this fortunate eon,
wei lai xian jie qien fo,
the Fifteen Hundred Buddhas,
qien wu bai fo,
the Fifteen Thousand Buddhas,
wan wu qien fo,
the Five Hundred Flower Victory Buddhas,
wu bai hua sheng fo,
the Ten Billion Vajra Treasury Buddhas,
bai yi jin gang zang fo,
and the Fixed Light Buddha.
ding guang fo.
The Buddhas of Six Directions:
liu fang liu fo ming hao:
To the East the Precious Light Moon Palace Venerable Wonderful Voice King Buddha,
dong fang bao guang yue dian yue miao zun yin wang fo,
To the South the Tree-Root Flower King Buddha,
nan fang shu gern hua wang fo,
To the West the Spiritual Power Flower Blazing King Buddha,
xi fang zao wang shen tuong yen hua wang fo,
To the North the Moon Palace Purity Buddha,
bei fang yue dien qing jing fo,
Above, the countless Vigor Jewel Crown Buddhas,
shang fang wu shu jing jin bao shou fo,
Below, the Tranquil Moon Sound King Buddha.
xia fang shan ji yue yin wang fo.
All the countless Buddhas,
wu liang zhu fo,
Many Jewels Buddhas,
duo bao fo,
Shakyamuni Buddha,
shi jia mou ni fo,
Maitreya Buddha,
mi ler fo,
Akshobhya Buddha,
ah chu fo,
Amitabha Buddha.
mi tuo fo.
All beings in the Central Realm,
zhong yang yi qie zhong sheng,
and those in the Pure Lands,
zai fo shi jie zhong zher,
while moving upon the Earth and through the Heavens,
xing zhu yu di shang, ji zai xu kuong zhong,
shower limitless compassion upon all beings,
ci yo yu yi qie zhong sheng,
affording them equanimity and peace,
ge ling an wun xiu xi,
that they might cultivate day and night.
zhou ye xiu chi.
By constantly invoking this sutra,
xin chang qiu suong ci jing,
one is liberated from the sufferings of birth and death,
neng mie sheng si ku,
and freed from all the many kinds of suffering.
xiao chu zhu du hai.
Namo the great wisdom Avalokitesvara,
na mo da ming guan shi yin,
the observant Avalokitesvara,
guan ming guan shi yin,
the noble Avalokitesvara,
gao ming guan shi yin,
the expansively-minded Avalokitesvara,
kai ming guan shi yin,
the Medicine King Bodhisattva,
yao wang pu sa,
the Supreme Medicine Bodhisattva,
yao shang pu sa,
Manjusri Bodhisattva,
wun shu shi li pu sa,
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva,
pu xien pu sa,
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva,
xu kuong zang pu sa,
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva,
di zang wang pu sa,
the billions of Clear Cool Treasure Mountain Bodhisattvas,
qing liang bao shan yi wan pu sa,
the Universal Light Venerable King Tathagata Bodhisattva.
pu guang wang ru lai hua sheng pu sa.
Chanting this sutra continually,
nian nian song ci jing,
the Seven World-Honored Buddhas recite this mantra:
qi fo shi zun, ji shuo zhou yue:
“Lee-poh-lee-poh-deh, kyo-ho-kyo-ho-deh, toh-loh-nee-deh,
nee-ah-la-deh, pee-lee-nee-deh, mo-ho-kya-deh, jen-len-chen-deh, so-ha.” (7 times)
8. Recite the Rebirth Mantra (7 times).
Na-mo a-mi-doh-poh-ye, doh-ta-ga-doh-ye, doh-deh-ye-ta, a-mi-lee-doh-poh-pee, a-mi-lee-doh seh-den-poh-pee, a-mi-lee-doh pek-ga-lan-deh, a-mi-lee-doh pek-ga-lan-doh, ga-mee-nee, ka-ka-nah, zhi-doh-ka-lee, so-ha.
9. Recite the Root Guru (Padmakumara) Heart Mantra (108 times)
10.Mudra and Visualization
Padmasambhava Vajra Mudra:
Cross the hands, with the right hand in front of the left so that they are back to back. Hook the two little fingers onto each other. Extend the index fingers so they point to the sky at an angle. Press the thumbs upon the middle and ring fingers of each hand respectively so that they clench. Hold the mudra at chest level.
Illustration of mudra:
Visualization: First empty the mind
Chant the Emptiness Mantra:
Om, si-ba-wa, su-da, sa-er-wa, da-er-ma, si-ba-wa, su-do-hang. (3 times)
i). Above an expanse of ocean is a stretch of clear sunny sky. A moon disc rises from the ocean into the sky. Inside the moon disc is red Sanskrit seed syllable「
」”seh,” emitting great pink light.
ii). The「」seed syllable inside the moon disc revolves and transforms into Padmasambhava. Padmasambhava’s body is a pink and he wears a jewel crown.Sitting on a lotus moon disc, he holds a vajra scepter in his right hand, a trident vajra (three pronged staff) in the curve of his left elbow, and a nectar-and-jewels filled skull cup in his left hand.
iii). Visualize the nectar transform into a brilliant white light that travels in an arc to enter and empower one. This nectar eradicates all transgressions, sicknesses, and demonic interferences, resulting in a state of great self-mastery the brow point of the Root Guru, a beam of white light shines onto one’s brow point. From the throat of the Root Guru, a beam of red light shines onto one’s throat. From the heart of the Root Guru, a beam of blue light shines onto one’s heart. The three lights of white, red, and blue merge completely into one’s body-mind.
11. Recite the Padmasambhava Heart Mantra:
Mala Beads Visualization:
Hold mala beads in front of the chest and move each bead with the thumb during chanting. Visualize the left hand transform into a vajra bell and the right hand into a vajra scepter. The mother bead or emblem transforms into the Many-Jewels Buddha’s Stupa and the four ”divider beads” transform into the Four Deva Kings. The tassel transforms into a ”lotus hand” while the string threading through the beads transforms into a circle of inherent white light of Vajrasattva. During mantra chanting, when a bead is moved, visualize Padmasambhava appearing inside the bead and come to the forefront.
Padsamakumara Short Mantra: (108 times)
Om ah hum, be-dza, gu-ru, beh-ma, sid-dhi, hum, seh.
12. Nine Cycle Breathing and Entering Samadhi
Nine Cycle Breathing:
1. Visualize white light enter the right nostril. Here it becomes red light and descends the right channel to enter the left channel at the dan-tien; then, still as red light, it ascends the left channel to exit the left nostril as dark light.
2. Visualize white light enter the left nostril. Here it becomes red light and descends the left channel to enter the right channel at the dan-tien; then, still as red light, it ascends the right channel to exit the right nostril as dark light.
3. Visualize white light simultaneously enter both nostrils, transform into red light, descend down both side channels and enter the central channel at the dan-tien, ascend to the top [crown chakra], then return to dan-tien to enter both side channels, exiting as dark light at both nostrils.
4. Breathe in through left nostril and out at the right (as in 2).
5. Breathe in through right nostril and out at the left (as in 1).
6. Breathe in and out through both nostrils (as in 3).
7. Breathe in and out through both nostrils (as in 3).
8. Breathe in through right nostril and out at the left (as in 1).
9. Breathe in through left nostril and out at the right (as in 2).
Entering of the Deity into Oneself (Ru-wo Guan):
1. Visualize the Deity (in this practice, Padmasambhava) sitting atop one’s crown opening.
2. Inside one’s body, the lotus located at the central channel at the heart chakra opens up to reveal a moon disc. On the moon disc is the Deity’s seed syllable radiating light.
3. Visualize the Deity at one’s crown transform into a light pearl the size of a grain of rice. This light pearl enters through the crown opening to descend down one’s central channel. Upon reaching the heart chakra, the light pearl rests atop the lotus at one’s heart chakra.
4. The Deity at the heart chakra lotus gradually enlarges until becoming exactly the same size as one. Visualize one becoming the Deity. There is no separation between one and the Deity.
Release of Oneself into the Cosmic Consciousness (Wo-ru Guan):
Visualize oneself as the Deity, ascending the central channel and entering into the Void and merging into the Cosmic Ocean of Great Light. Release the self completely by entering and merging with the Void, the Cosmic Consciousness, and the Ocean of Light. The Cosmic Consciousness is one’s own consciousness. Both the shrine and the universe are radiating great light. If one is not able to release the self, immediately visualize oneself as the Deity again. After achieving a clear visualization, release the self and enter the Void again. This process is known as ”alternating cessation with visualization/observation” or ”dual employment of cessation and visualization/ observation.”
Breath Counting Method:
Mentally count one’s own inhalation and exhalation until arriving at the ”stillness” condition of ”no-thought.” Then, release oneself into the Cosmos.
(For a detailed description of the Empowerment of Three Lights, Chanting of Heart Mantras, Nine Cycle Breathing, Entering into Samadhi, and Breath Counting, refer to pp. 78~130 of A Complete and Detailed Exposition on the True Buddha Tantric Dharma.)
13. Emerging from Samadhi
The procedure for emerging from Samadhi is a reversal of ”Entering of the Deity into Oneself” and ”Release of Oneself into the Cosmic Consciousness” as described in step 11. Visualize oneself emerge from the Void to return to one’s body. The Deity then contracts to rest upon the heart chakra lotus and transforms into a light pearl. The light pearl ascends the central channel to exit through the crown opening and transforms back into the Deity. One emerges from Samadhi
Praise Verse:
Padmasambhava, Great Lineage Guru, Chief Holder of Light
You appear whenever called upon
Instill light into out herats
And eternally guard the mind of Bodhicitta
Lian-shi zhong chi da-guang-ming
Sui-qing sui-zhi da-zu-shi
Guang-ming guan-zhu zhong-sheng xin
Pu-ti da-xin heng hu-chi
14. Recite the Principal Heart Mantras
Om, ah-mee-deh-wah-seh.
(Amitabha Buddha Heart Mantra)
Om, mani padme hum.
(Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Heart Mantra)
Om, pun-lah-moh lin-toh-lin, so-ha.
(Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Mantra that Removes Fixed Karma)
Om, ha ha ha, wei sam-mo-yeh, so-ha.
(Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Heart Mantra)
Om, dze-lee dzu-lee, zhun-tee, so-ha.
(Maha Cundi Bodhisattva Heart Mantra)
Om, jum-bah-lah, chan-lan chah-nah-yeh, so-ha.
(Yellow Jambhala Heart Mantra)
Om ah hum, be-dza, gu-ru, beh-ma, sid-dhi, hum, seh.
(Guru Padmasambhava Heart Mantra)
Om ah hum, gu-ru-bei, ah-ha-sa-sa-ma-ha, lian-sheng sid-dhi hum.
(Padmakumara Bodhisattva Heart Mantra)
Deh-yah-tah, om, beh-ka-dzee-yeh, beh-ka-dzee-yeh, ma-ha beh-ka-dzee-yeh, la-dza-sah-mo-kyah-doh-heh, so-ha.
(Medicine Buddha Heart Mantra)
15. Recite the Buddha’s Name (3 times)
Na-mo san-shi-liu-wan-yi yi-shi-yi-wan jiu-qian-wu-bai tong-ming-tong-hao ah-mi-tuo-fo.
Namo the 36 trillion 119 thousand and 500 Amitabha Buddhas.
16. Dedication
May my great resolve to cultivate
Enable me to quickly attain the realization of Padmasambhava
By becoming one with him
I will help all beings arrive at the Buddha Realm
May all who uphold the name of Amitabha Buddha
Be born together in the Pure Land of His Western Paradise.
Repaying the Fourfold Generosity from above,
And aiding those who suffer in the Three Paths below.
Upon seeing the Buddha,
May I be liberated from the cycle of birth and death,
And may I develop the qualities of Buddhahood,
And thus free all who suffer.
I, ________ (your name), dedicate the merits of this practice to the Root Guru. May the Root Guru always be healthy, remain in Samsara, never enter Nirvana, and forever turn the Dharma Wheel. May everyone be healthy, free of hindrances, strong in cultivation, and may all circumstances become auspicious. May all supplications be completely fulfilled. May all hindrances be removed. Wun!
(For a detailed explanation of this dedication, please refer to page 165 of A Complete and Detailed Exposition on the True Buddha Tantric Dharma.)
16. Recite the Hundred Syllable Mantra (3 times)
Om, be-dza, sah-do sa-ma-ya, ma-nu bah-la-ya, be-dza sah-do deh-nu-pah-deh-cha, zhe-jo mi-bah-wa, soo-do ka-yu mi-bah-wa, soo-poo ka-yu mi-bah-wa, an-nu-la-do mi-bah-wa, sa-er-wa, sid-di, mi-bu-la-ya-cha, sa-er-wa, ka-er-ma, soo-cha-mi, ji-ta-moo, see-li-yam, gu-ru hum, ha-ha-ha-ha-hoh, bah-ga-wan, sa-er-wa, da-ta-ga-ta, be-dza, ma-mee mun-cha, be-dzi-ba-wa, ma-ha sa-ma-ya, sah-do-ah, hum, pei.
17. Tender the Great Homage with Visualization (same as step 3)
First homage to Root Guru Living Buddha Lian Sheng and all Buddhas in all times and directions (using Buddha Shrine Mudra)
Recite: OM, AH, Hum
Video Demo
Second homage to all Bodhisattvas (using Lotus Mudra)
(Employ the mudra and visualize as above to pay homage to all Bodhisattvas and Mahsattvas)
Recite: OM, AH, Hum
Video Demo
Third homage to all Dharma Protectors (using Vajra Mudra)
(Employ the mudra and visualize as above to pay homage to all Dharma Protectors)
Recite: OM, AH, Hum
Video Demo
Fourth half-bow (using Equanimity Mudra)
Video Demo
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