Mantra of Vajrapani Bodhisattva

Chapter 26 – Mantra of Vajrapani Bodhisattva

from Book 51 Highest Yoga Tantra and Mahamudra
by Grand Master Sheng-yen Lu (Publisher: US Daden Culture)
Translate from 《無上密與大手印》

There is a heavenly secret hidden within this article. Those who are able to perceive it have a spiritual connection, and those who do not perceive it do not.

Hidden within this article is a mystery that holds the secret to all Vajrayana teachings. Thus, anyone who is willing to practice this method is truly blessed.

Someone once asked me, ”Who is Vajrapani?”
I replied, ”Only I can answer you.”
”How pompous of you!”
”I am not being arrogant. I truly know the answer.”
”Don’t other practitioners know?”
”If they are not enlightened, then they wouldn’t really know.” I laughed loudly.

Today, if anyone should ask me who Vajrapani really is, I will pose the same question to them and ask, ”Who is Vajrapani?”

Someone told me that Vajrapani Bodhisattva is Vajra Heart Bodhisattva (Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva).
Someone told me that Vajrapani is Vairocana Buddha.
Someone told me that Vajrapani is Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Someone told me that Vajrapani is Trailokyavijaya.
Someone told me that Vajrapani is Vajrasattva.

Today, let me tell you who Vajrapani really is. Vajrapani ranks among the eight major bodhisattvas and he is regarded as the Vajra Holder, who is the Lord of Secrets. As his identity is the Lord of Secrets, few people know who he truly is. Accounts of his identity, as described in the scriptures, are vague. It is stated that while dwelling in the Diamond Mandala, Vairocana manifested and merged into the Samadhi Absorption of Samantabhadra. Then he manifested a great and round moon-like light, which became the body of Vajrapani. This light is the perfect bodhi heart seal.

Amidst the moonlight there is a glowing vajra. Vajrapani is the combined entity of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Vajrasattva.

Vajrapani is the supreme dharma prince of all Tathagatas, the very bodhicitta of all Tathagatas. He is thus the very supreme master of secrecy of all Tathagatas. Hence he is given the title, the Vajra Holder, Lord of Secrets. He is depicted with his right hand brandishing a vajra sceptre. His left hand, which extends to his hip, displays a fist or holds a bell. His right hand, which brandishes a vajra, is held close to his heart.

Okay. So who then is Vajrapani Bodhisattva? Is he Vairocana Buddha? Samantabhadra Bodhisattva? Vajrasattva? Vajra Heart Bodhisattva? Trailokyavijaya? Well, he is all of them and yet he is not all of them. Let me keep the suspense up for another minute.

Just look at my dharma form. I wear a five-buddha crown, which represents the five buddhas. My left hand holds a vajra bell and my right hand holds a vajra scepter. I wear a dharma robe and sit on a lotus throne. Now consider the dharma form of the Vajra Holder, Lord of Secrets. His right hand holds a vajra and his left hand holds a bell. His head is adorned with a vajra crown wherein Vairocana Buddha is in the center and he is flanked by the respective buddhas of the north, east, south and west.

So who is this Vajrapani? Let me say this: All enlightened vajra masters are Vajrapani himself. Vajrapani Bodhisattva is the bodhicitta of all buddhas. Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva is the heart of wisdom. Vajrapani Bodhisattva is the heart secret of all practitioners. Thus, Vajrapani Bodhisattva is the Vajra Heart Bodhisattva, whose heart links sentient beings with all buddhas and bodhisattvas.

I would boldly proclaim, ”I am Vajrapani,” and then point my finger at you and say, ”If you attain realization, then you too shall be Vajrapani.”

Thus, a master sees his heart as the heart of Vajrapani Bodhisattva, and sees his form as the form of Vajrapani Bodhisattva. With that in mind, he propagates the teachings of Vajrayana. This is the true meaning of Vajrayana. This is the true meaning of the Vajra Holder, Lord of Secrets, as seen through the dharma form of the Holy Red Crown Vajra Guru, the Venerable Tantric Master Lian-sheng.

Here is a transmission of the Mantra Recitation of Vajrapani Bodhisattva.

Form the Mudra of Vajrapani.
Visualize that Vajrapani is surrounded by a halo of white light.
Visualize a beam of white light radiating from the third eye of Vajrapani towards the practitioner’s third eye.
Recite the mantra, ”Om po-ri-luo sa-da-po er [Sanskrit: OM VAJRASATTVA AH]” 108 times or 1080 times.

One performs the practice by following the standard procedures outlined in the sadhana practice book. With the mantra, mudra and visualization, along with a great mandala, one can proceed to enter into the samadhi of Samantabhadra and ultimately, attain the samadhi of Vajrasattva. At that time, one receives the buddhas’ blessing and attains the Infinite Dharani Gate of the Infinite States of Samadhi. When one identifies with the incomprehensible dharma power, one is transformed into Vajrapani.

This practice also involves the manifestation of the vajra seed within the Alaya consciousness. Once the practitioner receives the dharma transmission of the Five Wisdoms, he becomes Vajrapani himself.

Vajrapani uses the moon disc of the heart to lovingly bestow blessings upon sentient beings by reciting the following mantra: Om mo-he-mei-di-li soha [Sanskrit: OM MAHA MAITRYI SPHARA].
Vajrapani uses the moon disc of the heart to compassionately liberate sentient beings from suffering, by reciting the following mantra: Om mo-he-jia-lu-na-ye soha [Sanskrit: OM MAHA KARUNAYA SPHARA].
Vajrapani uses the moon disc of the heart to joyously transmit the dharma to sentient beings, by reciting the following mantra: Om sa-po-shi tuo-ben-luo-mo na-sa-po-luo [Sanskrit: OM SARVA SUDDHA PRAMODA SPHARA].
Vajrapani uses the moon disc of the heart to equanimously bestow bodhicitta upon sentient beings, by reciting the following mantra: Om mo-hu bi-qi-sa soha [Sanskrit: OM MAHOPEKSA SPHARA].

During the practice, the master recites each of the four mantras above 108 times, as outlined in the dharma instructions. Whatever the sentient beings wish for, the vajra master bestows their requests. Since a genuine vajra master dwells in samadhi and practices the Vajrapani sadhana, he is able to grant the wishes of sentient beings.

By engaging in the Vajrapani practice, one will be able to see Vajrapani whose light is brilliant. By forming the mudra, the practitioner can hide in the light and gain complete freedom. Such an accomplishment is certainly extraordinary.

Additionally, when one immerses into samadhi, the mantras can treat every affliction and one can gain accomplishment in all Karma [action] Practices. Thus, when one attains accomplishment in the samadhi, all prayers and requests will naturally be answered.

Today, my elucidation of the great teaching of the Vajra Holder, Lord of Secrets, manifested from the Tathagata. These mantras are spoken by the throne holder and they are precious words. When sentient beings are faced with calamities, Vajrapani arrives to succour them. When one practices this teaching, all situations involving possession by spirits, illness, disharmony in the family, or major calamities, will improve due to the merits of recitation. [If one does not practice this teaching], then the individual should quickly seek the help from an authentic vajra master to help him out of his predicament.

Here is a verse in praise of Vajrapani:
From the buddha heart comes the dharma rain.
From the wisdom moon, the rays of compassion shine.
Vajrapani with his vajra scepter
Is indeed the Lord of Secrets.

Who is Vajrapani? He is the bodhicitta of all Tathagatas. When sentient beings put this into practice, they shall gain response with Vajrapani.

Sadhana