‘The Teaching of Tantric Practice’ – Strength Through Trials And Tribulations

‘The Teaching of Tantric Practice’ – Strength Through Trials And Tribulations

by Vajra Master Lian Tzi

Dharma Talk from Oct 2022, translated by Jaye Tan, edited by Charlotte

For Tantric practitioners regardless of their cultivation levels, whether they are at early stages or more advanced level with high attainments, there are both socio-psychological hold-ups and external barriers being inevitable impediments along the way.  Cultivation is a journey that takes on hardships, with one’s sheer willpower to sail through all adversities.

The hurricane that was reported by the American media had Florida completely battered; the powerful wind gusted in high speed ripping across the entire city causing widespread flooding from the sea, causing over two millions of the population to evacuate as the city was submerged.  Sharks were spotted thrashing around in the flood water, and even in drenched residential homes. The flooding was so severe that it reached the second floor of houses; this is nothing but a complete horror from massive natural disasters.

We take a look at all calamities around the world; they are simply and utterly gut-wrenching. There are earthquakes, flooding, wind disasters, hurricanes, tornados, fire disasters, and the wildfires that are still unextinguished in some countries as we speak, these extrinsic disasters seem to have happened more frequently than used to be. 

Another one comes to the human disaster that is armed conflicts between countries. The ongoing Ukraine-Russia war has gone beyond 7 months that it has sparked fear and concerns about it turning into a nuclear war, one step forward to the real human catastrophe.

Under the threats of all natural disasters and calamities caused by human ignorant actions, everyone is living a nervous life. We must learn a way to self-protect albeit easing on pandemic restrictions. We shall remain vigilant and keep it low key while walking on streets, simply because the surging numbers of Asian hate crimes and incidents have caused great fear amongst the society,  exacerbating concerns of social security.

The economy is mostly entering a recession, money is depreciating and losing its purchasing power rapidly in a short period of time; inflation will keep soaring, leaving those who used to enjoy dining out less affordable now, putting a greater burden on big families. Many have now turned to food banks for necessities relief; Dubai is one of the richest countries, while there are ones living a privileged live, and we often seeing tourists soaking up lavish holidays over there, yet, there are vending machines on the streets supplying residents with free breads; the world is seemingly in a shortage of food.

The recurrences of natural and man-made disasters are still present amongst China, Europe and Americas etc.; fields are experiencing floods if not droughts, any effort to farm has no avail. Even if there are food supplies, with logistical interruptions, deliveries will be made impossible.  With supply chains being stuck, even those that are more financially well off may not necessarily stand better chances in getting hold of life necessities, this is how tough life has become.

To work our way through such difficult times, it is vital to restore and maintain calmness, especially for those being the main support within the family, one must possess strong resilience.  The key is to preserve a good psychological balance that is beneficial to good orders in life, and effectively helps to avoid any possible strains that could potentially affect friends and family around you.

And I reiterate that True Buddha practitioners should have the willingness to protect themselves during such times, to do that, we cultivate ‘Armour Protection’.  Grandmaster has once exhorted that practitioners often cultivate in hope of obtaining spiritual resonances with the highest Buddha that are from the verge of vast space, yet, there is slim chance that given you are in the human realm.  The heavenly realm is way above us; it is advisable to pray to those who are closer to us for better resonances. 

Marici being one great Vajra protector of the True Buddha School, Marici is an emanation of Vairocana Buddha to provide protection to the human realm; Marici is extremely powerful that she is virtually invincible, and known as ‘Courageously Battling Vajra’ and ‘Power Showing Vajra’. She has the celestial goddess look as well as an esoteric prominent presence.  She is typically depicted with eight arms each holding different Dharma vessels, riding on a fiery chariot pulled by seven golden boars showing exceptional courageousness.

Marici holds great power over all of the Big Dipper Constellation, the Twenty-eight Mansions, the Thirty-six Heavenly Spirits and the Seventy-two Earthly Fiends, Sky Canopy.  She is also in charge of Surya and Candra, being the most unconquerable amongst all bodhisattvas, hence, living up to the name of ‘Daomu’ in Taoism and ‘Marici Bodhisattva’ in Vajrayana Buddhism.

Marici is effective in eradications of disasters and calamities including those from:

1, Sovereign and political nuisances;

2, Robberies and burglaries;

3, Travel adversities from holidays trips, boat trips and flight travels;

4, Natural disasters such as those from earth, water, fire, and wind;

5, Armed action troubles;

6, Demons and evil spirits;

7, Poisonings and toxic incidences;

8, Wild beasts;

9, Malevolence and malicious acts from others; as she holds needles and threads in her hands she can sew up the eyes, mouths and hands of the enemies. 

Thirty years ago, when we first established our [Lotus Light Vancouver] school, in an area where social disorders and thieves almost entirely constituted the district of Chinatown, burglaries happened so often that you would be alerting the police a few times in a single day.  The donation box got broken into; even joss paper was amongst the stolen items. The food and wine offerings to earth god and Dharma protectors by the entrance would be completely taken.  Even shoes of the disciples who came to attend Dharma ceremonies did not get spared, everyone ended up on their return journey home barefooted. 

When Grandmaster came to visit, and seeing how we had fenced off with layers of metal railings all securely chained up, he advised: ‘You shall worship Marici Bodhisattva to help you get through all of these.’  And it had been proven to effectively restore peace gradually upon worshipping the golden statue of Marici Bodhisattva.  Therefore, cultivators must practise ‘Armour Protection’. Marici masters great skill in invisibility; being highly revered by the Japanese Ninjas, the cultivation of ‘Invisible Body Practice’ from Marici allows one to acquire the power of invisibility and be completely concealed and invisible to spiritual debtors, robbers and enemies.

The ‘Invisibility Mudra’ of Marici is formed by holding the left hand in a fist form with the top being wider than bottom part just like a conch shell, then cover the left hand with the right one, simultaneously visualising yourself being disguised inside of that.  Anyone who frequently recites the Marici mantra ‘Om Ma-ri-zhi-yu So-ha’ along with the ‘Invisibility Mudra’ is deemed to escape the notice of malicious persons; thieves will not find their way to your door.  Marici has taken an oath of being one great Dharma protector to the True Buddha School.

Quoting from the Dharani sutra of Marici:

Protect me while travelling,

Protect me when not travelling,

Protect me at daytime,

Protect me at night time,

Protect me in the enemy’s house,

Protect me from political oppression,

Protect me from robbery,

Protect me from all misfortune everywhere at all times

This is the vow of Marici to protect all sentient beings.

We are living in a period that is in a constant state of turmoil with continuous adversities, how can we endure with ‘strength through trials and tribulations’?  The answer lies in ‘Armour Protection’!