HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche
Some people practice daily but do not get any experiential signs. This is not because the Triple Gems or Three Roots have no blessings. The main reason is that one’s karmic obscurations are too heavy and one is not diligent enough. Some people do not put in much efforts in Dharma practice but go around saying many grand and empty words, telling all sorts of lies. Even if such people practice for many years, it will not be meaningful.
(Note: Telling lies degenerates the power of mantra)
Although it is not really possible to attain the common and uncommon siddhis and all the rest of the accomplishments within a short time during this degenerated age, the truth of interdependence (cause-and-effect) will never fail us. As long as we continuously strive on in practice, due to the undeceiving force of interdependence, the corresponding qualities and benefits will arise for us. We will definitely get some signs of warmth through the practice. This is not difficult to achieve at all.
(Note: “Signs of warmth” means that the practice is beginning to bear results.)
Of course, to attain the stage of Samantabhadra Buddha in this life is undoubtedly more difficult, however if we practice diligently, getting some signs of accomplishment is not difficult at all.
For instance, during this Grand Puja of Vidyadharas, there are tens of thousands sangha practicing together. I believe that as long as everyone visualize seriously and recite, all your wishes in this and future lives will be auspicious and free of any obstacles. Humans and non-humans will be respectful to you.
I think such signs are not hard to obtain at all. Some celestial beings who have accomplished the power of speech to a certain extent are already able to use mantras to curse others successfully. If even such celestial beings with impure merits and qualities are able to say mantras that work, how could the Buddha’s mantras deceive sentient beings (and not work)? Even if something impossible like water mixing with fire becomes possible, still it is impossible for the Buddha to deceive us.
A normal mantra has various functions, but the mantras spoken by Buddha have unsurpassed qualities. The various mantras spoken by Buddha in Sutra and Tantra arose from his wisdom mind and possess profound pure blessings. Similarly, the teachings of Buddha have unparallelled qualities. It is not inferior and flawed like scriptures composed by a normal person or celestial beings.
For instance, when we recite the Mani mantra single-mindedly and pray, even if we meet the greatest obstacle, it still can be resolved. But if one were reciting the mantra without serious visualization and without sufficient faith, such a recitation possesses merits but will not give rise to the signs of accomplishment quickly.
When the causes are complete and present, the result will definitely arise. It is absolutely impossible for mantras of the wisdom deities to be ineffective. Although the practice texts of our pujas are not complicated, if you do not receive even the slightest response or sign, then it means that your visualization has been lacking or your recitation has not been diligent enough. It means that your mind is caught up in distractions.
There are some people who even fail to finish the required numbers of mantras during the puja. Then you can only blame yourself (for not having any signs). It doesn’t mean that the deity did not bestow blessings. Therefore, whenever we have pujas, everyone should recite diligently with strong faith.
