The visualization of Vajrasattva and the recitation of his hundred-syllable mantra are the supreme methods for cleansing obscurations. Both Indian and Tibetan masters have in common the practice of Vajrasattva mantra recitation. Patrul Rinpoche, from his book The Words of My Perfect Teacher, states: “Vajrasattva promised that if one recites Vajrasattva’s mantra one hundred and eight times in one session, without mingling it with mundane speech, through single-pointed visualization it will definitely purify all the defilements and non-virtues of the violations of vows in the past and present lives.” The Tantra of Stainless Confession further asserts:
“’“The hundred-syllable mantra is the heart essence of all the Buddhas and the means of purification for all the obscurations and afflictive emotions and thus is considered to be the king of confession that purifies the lapses of vows and liberates from the downfall of rebirth in the three lower realms. If someone recites the mantra of Vajrasattva and accepts him as his or her personal deity, then the Buddhas of the three times will bless and consider him or her as their heart son or daughter in this very lifetime and they will definitely become a prominent Dharma holder in the next life. Likewise, if a tantric practitioner who has even violated the major and minor vows of Tantrayana carries out the visualization of Vajrasattva and recites his mantra twenty-one times daily according to the instruction, it will purify these downfalls and halt the multiplication of non-virtue. And, reciting the mantra one hundred thousand times will completely eradicate all defilements.”
The text entitled Essence Ornament states: “If one visualizes Vajrasattva on the crescent moon of a white lotus seat, and recites the mantra twenty-one times according to the means of accomplishment, then it will purify the effect of non-virtuous actions and also stop them from multiplying. Thus, practise this continuously as instructed by the accomplished master. Reciting the hundred-syllable mantra one hundred thousand times make one completely pure, an exalted one.”
These days, particularly in those countries where the Tantrayana teaching has flourished, it is very rare to find any person who has neither received empowerments nor entered onto the path of Tantrayana. As a tantric practitioner, if one fails to observe its vows, he or she will fall into the lowest hell realms. On the other hand, practitioners will attain Buddhahood if they observe the vows and samayas accordingly. It is said that a tantric practitioner is like a snake that enters a hollow bamboo pole. The snake has to come out either from the upper or lower opening.
The Precious Treasury of Virtues says:
A tantric practitioner has no third option except to go to the lower realms or a Buddha field.
So, it is very important to visualize Vajrasattva as one’s personal deity and recite his hundred-syllable mantra twenty-one times daily as an antidote for violating vows. Seeing Vajrasattva as the condensed embodiment of the hundred peaceful and wrathful deities and meditating on Vajrasattva as one’s root guru is the ultimate Guru Yoga practice.
The preliminary guidance text of the Namchö Cycle explains that if one makes confession through four powerful antidotes then one’s heinous non-virtue and obscurations, as well as the violation of vows, can be purified. The four powerful antidotes are as follows:
1. Making prostrations to Vajrasattva is the power of the support
2. Visualising Vajrasattva and reciting his mantra is the power of the antidote
3. Recalling and regretting through confession of past misdeeds is the power of regret
4. Taking a firm oath after knowing the consequences of misdeeds is the power of resolve
Purification will not be successful if one’s eyes and mouth are preoccupied elsewhere, or if one just utters sounds from one’s mouth. Therefore it is absolutely fundamental to include all four powerful antidotes in any confession in order to cleanse defilements and obscurations. Even reciting the mantra just once will purify obscurations and all the non-virtues one has accumulated for incalculable eons, because of Vajrasattva’s great prayers. Practising according to the perfect method will have the following benefits:
1. One will be free from sickness and evil forces
2. One will be protected by Dharma protectors at all times
3. One will be free from obstacles while practising the generation stage and perfection stage
4. One will easily attain realization
In brief, through practising Vajrasattva alone one will attain Enlightenment. Since beginningless time, we sentient beings have been accumulating limitless non-virtues, so to strive in the meditation and recitation of Vajrasattva with the four powerful antidotes is recommended at all times.
By Padma Mani Translation Group
