About the Mani practice: Chenrezig is practiced throughout all the Buddhist
lineages. Chenrezig has the nature of compassion. In the Drikung Kagyu lineage,
the Chenrezig 100 Million Mantra Retreat is an old tradition that remains
unbroken since the time of Lord Jigten Sumgon until the present day. Also, Mani
pills are blessed in these retreats, as such retreats have the power to
multiply the power of the mani pills. This also is an unbroken lineage.
The
more Mani mantras we recite, the more love will increase in the minds of
sentient beings, the more hatred will decrease. The minds of beings will become
peaceful and happy, which will also help one’s country. If the minds of humans
become peaceful and happy, then also the minds of spirits will become peaceful
and happy. The Mani mantra practice is supreme in order to bring about peace
and happiness. Therefore, the Mani Retreat is conducted throughout all the
Drikung Kagyu centers in the world. This is the lifeforce of our lineage and we
must uphold it.
For example, the Mani wheel at Gar monastery was brought by the Chinese
Princess Wenchen as a dowry to the king Songtsen Gampo. It was Gar minister who
brought the princess from China to Tibet. Since that time, the wheel spins day
and night.
Of all the prayer wheels, the Mani wheel is most important because by this,
love and compassion will arise in the minds of all beings, their self-grasping
will diminish.
All the Tibetan leaders are also strongly connected to Chenrezig. They are said
to be emanations of Chenrezig. The Buddha Shakyamuni himself gave a prophecy to
Chenrezig to protect the snowy land of Tibet in the future. Up until the
present Holiness the Dalai Lama, all leaders of Tibet have been emanations of
Chenrezig.
Chenrezig is the father of all deities and his nature is love and compassion.
Whoever possesses great compassion can said to be an emanation of Chenrezig.
To engage in the Mani Retreat every year brings great benefit to the world. It
pacifies the outer elements and balances the inner minds of sentient beings.
Outer natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floodings and so on, will lessen.
Comments :
As a sign of the decline in collective virtue, many problems have surfaced in this world: wars, diseases, famine, natural calamities, man-made accidents etc. As an individual, we can help in our tiny way by reciting the Mani mantra and dedicating it to all beings with the force of our love and compassion. If we do this collectively, then the problems will lessen and our collective merits will increase, thereby providing the auspiciousness and causes for further virtuous solutions and endeavors to arise.
If one believes in Dharma and cause-effect, there is no better way to engage in action than by reciting the Mani mantra with a strong wish for the benefit of others.
Why do I say that there is no better way? Of course, one can engage in all sorts of social, political, environmental actions, but without enough merit and without purifying the causes of suffering, ie, the mental afflictions of beings, seen and unseen, all actions have a limited effect or are temporary. One is dogged by all kinds of obstacles in carrying out one’s plans and creates all kinds of other negativities while carrying it out. Without removing the causes, many changes are cosmetic and superficial.
Secondly, in order to have a practical course of action that benefits others, one requires great wisdom, nowadays, we see many acts in the name of helping which have many harmful side-effects or which are misinformed or misguided acts of benevolence.
Thirdly, many people are living at a very hectic pace of life. There is no much time for big plans to help others even if we may have the heart for it. Time, energy and ability are against us. So we need a simple method that the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and prophecies say can help!
Fourthly, there are those who say that the Mani practice is too simple, that we should resort to more intricate and elaborate practices or ceremonies to help this world. That may be true and there is no denying the efficacy of such practices. But for most of us, what is practicable and suitable to our capacities and level of practice is heartfelt prayer.
Sometimes, simple and clear methods give very strong and direct results beyond our expectations. May there be peace, happiness, harmony and virtue in this world!
