The Tibetan Book Of The Dead Part 9

Pract.i.tioners should make these prostrations while clearly visualising before them the form of the deity, in perfect detail, and while experientially cultivating the deity's nature and the inner meaning of the symbolism. Also, as the colophon recommends, the pract.i.tioner should concurrently: 'mentally admit and feel remorse for all one's negativities and obscurations, which have been, are being and will be acc.u.mulated.'

Herein is contained an ancillary chapter of the Liberation by Hearing in the Intermediate States,1 ent.i.tled Natural Liberation of Negativity and Obscuration through [Enactment of] the Hundredfold Homage,2 [which is an extract from] the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities: A Profound Sacred Teaching, [ent.i.tled] Natural Liberation through [Recognition of] Enlightened Intention.3 I respectfully bow down to Samantabhadra and Mahottara, To the a.s.sembly of Peaceful and Wrathful Deities, And to the a.s.sembly of the hundred sacred enlightened families.

Having purified all negativity and obscurations, May I act so as to guide all beings to the pure buddha fields!

I [now] present this Natural Liberation of Negativity and Obscuration through [Enactment of the Hundredfold] Homage, a method for performing a hundredfold homage to the infinite Peaceful and Wrathful Deities of the hundred sacred enlightened families, by which negativity and obscuration may be purified. Cherish your zeal in this [practice] throughout the three times!

NAMO!4.

I bow down to5 Samantabhadra, the Buddha-body of Reality, Father of all buddhas, the natural purity of mental consciousness, The primary buddha, unchanging body of light, Sky [blue], and seated in the posture of meditative equipoise.

I bow down to Samantabhadr, the supreme consort, Natural purity of the sensory spectrum of phenomena,6 Stainless white, like crystal, Mother of all buddhas of past, present and future, Joyously embracing her consort, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Vairocana, [manifestation of] supreme buddha-body, The natural purity of the aggregate of form, Pure without renunciation of delusion, Conch [white], holding a wheel and a bell, [Seated] on an exalted throne supported by lions, The [resplendent] pristine cognition of reality's expanse.

I bow down to Vajrasattva, [manifestation of] supreme buddha-mind, The natural purity of the aggregate of consciousness, Pure without renunciation of aversion, Azure [blue], holding a vajra and a bell, [Seated] on an exalted throne supported by elephants, The [resplendent] mirror-like pristine cognition.

I bow down to Ratnasambhava, [manifestation of supreme] buddha attributes, The natural purity of the aggregate of feeling, Pure without renunciation of pride, Golden [yellow], holding a jewel and a bell, [Seated] on an exalted throne supported by horses, The [resplendent] pristine cognition of sameness.

I bow down to Amitbha, [manifestation of] supreme buddha-speech, The natural purity of the aggregate of perceptions, Pure without renunciation of attachment, Copper [red], holding a lotus and a bell, [Seated] on an exalted throne supported by peac.o.c.ks, The [resplendent] pristine cognition of discernment.

I bow down to Amoghasiddhi, [manifestation of supreme] buddha activities, The natural purity of the aggregate of motivational tendencies, Pure without renunciation of envy, Turquoise [green], holding a crossed-vajra and a bell, [Seated] on an exalted throne supported by cvacvaka birds, The [resplendent] pristine cognition of accomplishment.

I bow down to Dhtvvar, the supreme consort, The mother of the Buddha Family, natural purity of s.p.a.ce, Moonlike [white], holding a wheel and a bell, Joyously embracing her consort, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Buddhalocan, the supreme consort, The mother of the Vajra Family, natural purity of earth, Beryl [blue], holding a vajra and a bell, Joyously embracing her consort, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Mmak, the supreme consort, The mother of the Ratna Family, natural purity of water, Minium [orange], holding a jewel and a bell, Joyously embracing her consort, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Pndaravsin, the supreme consort, The mother of the Padma Family, natural purity of fire, Fire-crystal [red], holding a lotus and a bell, Joyously embracing her consort, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Samayatr, the supreme consort, The mother of the Karma Family, natural purity of wind, Sapphire [green], holding a crossed-vajra and a bell, Joyously embracing her consort, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Ksitigarbha, male bodhisattva who acts for the benefit of beings, The natural purity of visual consciousness, transcendent of renunciation, Snow-mountain [white], holding a seedling and a bell.

I bow down to Maitreya, male bodhisattva who acts for the benefit of beings, The natural purity of auditory consciousness, transcendent of renunciation, Cloud-white, holding a blossoming orange bush and a bell.

I bow down to Samantabhadra, male bodhisattva who acts for the benefit of beings, The natural purity of olfactory consciousness, transcendent of renunciation, Amber [yellow], holding a grain-sheath and a bell.

I bow down to Akagarbha, male bodhisattva who acts for the benefit of beings, The natural purity of gustatory consciousness, transcendent of renunciation, Burnished golden [yellow], holding a sword and a bell.

I bow down to Avalokitevara, male bodhisattva who acts for the benefit of beings, The natural purity of tactile consciousness, transcendent of renunciation, Coral [red], holding a lotus and a bell.

I bow down to Manjurk.u.mrabhta, male bodhisattva who acts for the benefit of beings, The natural purity of mental consciousness, transcendent of renunciation, Minium [orange], holding a lily and a bell.

I bow down to Nivranavikambhin, male bodhisattva who acts for the benefit of beings, The natural purity of the 'ground-of-all' consciousness, transcendent of renunciation, [Green] as the night-flowering lotus, holding a book and a bell.

I bow down to Vajrapni, male bodhisattva who acts for the benefit of beings, The natural purity of 'defiled' consciousness, transcendent of renunciation, Emerald [green], holding a vajra and a bell.

I bow down to white Lsy, [female bodhisattva] whose offerings [delight]

The eyes of [all] Those Gone to Bliss, past, present and future, The natural purity of visual phenomena, transcendent of renunciation, Quartz [white], holding a mirror and a bell.

I bow down to white Pusp, [female bodhisattva] whose offerings delight [The minds of all] Those Gone to Bliss, past, present and future, The natural purity of past conceptual thoughts, transcendent of renunciation, Pearl [white], holding a white lotus and a bell.

I bow down to yellow Mly, [female bodhisattva] whose gestures delight [The minds of all] Those Gone to Bliss, past, present and future, The natural purity of indeterminate conceptual thoughts, transcendent of renunciation, Saffron [yellow], holding a garland and a bell.

I bow down to yellow Dhp, [female bodhisattva] whose offerings [delight]

The noses of [all] Those Gone to Bliss, past, present and future, The natural purity of fragrance, transcendent of renunciation, Golden [yellow] in colour, holding sweet-smelling incense and a censer.

I bow down to red Gt, [female bodhisattva] whose offerings [delight]

The ears of [all] Those Gone to Bliss, past, present and future, The natural purity of sound, transcendent of renunciation, Marsh mallow [pink], and playing a lute.

I bow down to red Alok, [female bodhisattva] whose offerings [delight]

The eyes of [all] Those Gone to Bliss, past, present and future, The natural purity of future conceptual thoughts, transcendent of renunciation, Lotus [pink], and holding a glowing b.u.t.ter lamp.

I bow down to green Gandh, [female bodhisattva] whose offerings [delight]

The bodies of [all] Those Gone to Bliss, past, present and future, The natural purity of present conceptual thoughts, transcendent of renunciation, Poppy [green], holding a perfume-filled conch.

I bow down to green Nart, [female bodhisattva] whose offerings [delight]

The tongues of [all] Those Gone to Bliss, past, present and future, The natural purity of taste, transcendent of renunciation, Marine [green], holding a [deliciously] nutritious food-offering.

I bow down to [Trailokya-]Vijaya, [male gatekeeper] whose wrathful presence Guards against obstacles at the eastern gate, The natural purity of eternalist views, transcendent of renunciation, White, holding a cudgel and a bell.

I bow down to Yamntaka, [male gatekeeper] whose wrathful presence Guards against obstacles at the southern gate, The natural purity of nihilistic views, transcendent of renunciation, Yellow, holding a skull-club and a bell.

I bow down to Hayagrvarja, [male gatekeeper] whose wrathful presence Guards against obstacles at the western gate, The natural purity of egotistical views, transcendent of renunciation, Red, holding an iron chain and a bell.

I bow down to Amrtakundalin, [male gatekeeper] whose wrathful presence Guards against obstacles at the northern gate, The natural purity of substantialist views,7 transcendent of renunciation, Green, holding a crossed-vajra and a bell.

I bow down to Vajrku, [female gatekeeper] whose immeasurable compa.s.sion Guides the six cla.s.ses [of beings] away from [their mundane] realms, White, holding an iron hook that attracts, She embraces her wrathful consort in blissful union.

I bow down to Vajrap, [female gatekeeper] whose immeasurable loving kindness Acts [ceaselessly] on behalf of beings, Yellow, holding a noose that la.s.soes, She embraces her wrathful consort in blissful union.

I bow down to Vajrasphot, [female gatekeeper] whose immeasurable sympathetic joy Embraces [each and every] living being, Red, holding an iron chain that binds, She embraces her wrathful consort in blissful union.

I bow down to Vajraghant, [female gatekeeper] whose immeasurable equanimity Transcends discrimination between living beings, Green, holding a bell that summons, She embraces her wrathful consort in blissful union.

I bow down to Indraakra, [sage] whose emanational buddha form Acts [ceaselessly] on behalf of beings, The natural purity of pride, and guide of the G.o.d realms, White and holding a lute.

I bow down to Vemacitra, [sage] whose emanational buddha form Acts [ceaselessly] on behalf of beings, The natural purity of envy, and guide of the antiG.o.d realms, Green, holding armour and a weapon.

I bow down to Skyamuni, [sage] whose emanational buddha form Acts [ceaselessly] on behalf of beings, The natural purity of attachment, and guide of the human realms, Yellow, holding a begging bowl and staff.

I bow down to Sthirasiha, [sage] whose emanational buddha form Acts [ceaselessly] on behalf of beings, The natural purity of delusion, and guide of the animal realms, Blue, and holding a book.

I bow down to the transcendent Jvlamukha, [sage] whose emanational buddha form Acts [ceaselessly] on behalf of beings, The natural purity of miserliness, and guide of the anguished-spirit realms, Red, and holding a bejewelled casket.

I bow down to Dharmarja, [sage] whose emanational buddha form Acts [ceaselessly] on behalf of beings, The natural purity of aversion, and guide of the h.e.l.l realms, Black, and holding a warming flame and cooling water.

I bow down to Mahottara Heruka, who has three faces, Dark brown, white and red; and six arms: A vajra, khatvga, and small drum in his right hands, And a bell, blood-filled skull, and noose of entrails in his left.

I bow down to Buddha Heruka, who has three faces, Dark brown, white and red; and six arms: A wheel, axe, and sword in his right hands, And a bell, ploughshare, and blood-filled skull in his left.

I bow down to Vajra Heruka, who has three faces, Dark blue, white and red; and six arms: A vajra, blood-filled skull, and axe in his right hands, And a bell, blood-filled skull, and ploughshare in his left.

I bow down to Ratna Heruka, who has three faces, Dark yellow, white and red; and six arms: A jewel, khatvga, and mace in his right hands, And a bell, blood-filled skull, and trident in his left.

I bow down to Padma Heruka, who has three faces, Dark red, white and blue; and six arms: A lotus, khatvga, and cudgel in his right hands, And a bell, blood-filled skull, and small drum in his left.

I bow down to Karma Heruka, who has three faces, Dark green, white and red; and six arms: A sword, khatvga, and cudgel in his right hands, And a bell, blood-filled skull, and ploughshare in his left.

I bow down to Krodhevar, wrathful Queen of [Reality's] Expanse, Dark blue, holding a vajra, Offering a blood-filled skull to her consort's mouth, She joyously embraces him, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Buddhakrodhevar, the Buddha Queen of [Reality's] Expanse, Red-brown, holding a wheel, Offering a blood-filled skull to her consort's mouth, She joyously embraces him, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Vajrakrodhevar, Vajra Queen of [Reality's] Expanse, Pale blue, holding a vajra, Offering a blood-filled skull to her consort's mouth, She joyously embraces him, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Ratnakrodhevar, Ratna Queen of [Reality's] Expanse, Pale yellow, holding a jewel, Offering a blood-filled skull to her consort's mouth, She joyously embraces him, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Padmakrodhevar, Padma Queen of [Reality's] Expanse, Pale red, holding a lotus, Offering a blood-filled skull to her consort's mouth, She joyously embraces him, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Karmakrodhevar, Karma Queen of [Reality's] Expanse, Pale green, holding a crossed-vajra, Offering a blood-filled skull to her consort's mouth, She joyously embraces him, in supreme bliss.

I bow down to Gaur of the eastern direction, Acting on behalf of living beings as one of the Mtarah, Wrathful, white, and aloof on her throne of human corpses, Brandis.h.i.+ng a human corpse as a cudgel To destroy the conceptual landscape of cyclic existence.

I bow down to Caur of the southern direction, Acting on behalf of living beings as one of the Mtarah, Wrathful, yellow, and aloof on her throne of human corpses, Shooting an arrow from a bow To bind indivisibly skilful means and discriminative awareness.

I bow down to Pramoh of the western direction, Acting on behalf of living beings as one of the Mtarah, Wrathful, red, and aloof on her throne of human corpses, Holding a crocodile victory-banner To resist [the seductions of] cyclic existence.

I bow down to Vetl of the northern direction, Acting on behalf of living beings as one of the Mtarah, Wrathful, black,8 and aloof on her throne of human corpses, Holding a vajra and a blood-filled skull [To sustain recognition of] the unchanging reality.

I bow down to Pukkas of the south-eastern direction, Acting on behalf of living beings as one of the Mtarah, Wrathful, red-yellow, and aloof on her throne of human corpses, [Clutching and] devouring entrails To draw [sentient beings] free from the dissonant realms.

I bow down to Ghasmar of the south-western direction, Acting on behalf of living beings as one of the Mtarah, Wrathful, green-black, and aloof on her throne of human corpses, Drinking blood from a skull To consume [the turning circle of] cyclic existence.

I bow down to Candl of the north-western direction, Acting on behalf of living beings as one of the Mtarah, Wrathful, pale yellow, and aloof on her throne of human corpses, Tearing apart the head and body of a bloated corpse To sever erroneous thoughts [at their roots].

I bow down to Sman of the north-eastern direction, Acting on behalf of living beings as one of the Mtarah, Wrathful, blue-black, and aloof on her throne of human corpses, Tearing apart [the head from] a human corpse To sever the b.u.t.tresses of cyclic existence.

I bow down to brown-black, lion-headed Sihamukh, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a Pic, Carrying a corpse in her mouth, and shaking her mane To stir cyclic existence to its depths.

I bow down to red, tiger-headed Vyghrmukh, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a Pic, With her two arms crossed, and staring with bulging eyes To overwhelm attachment to cyclic existence.

I bow down to black, fox-headed Srglamukh, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a Pic, Brandis.h.i.+ng a razor, and devouring lungs and a heart To purify dissonant mental states in their basic nature.

I bow down to blue-black, wolf-headed Svnamukh, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a Pic, Tearing apart a corpse, and staring with bulging eyes To stir the pit of cyclic existence.

I bow down to white-yellow, vulture-headed Grdhramukh, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a Pic, Clawing a bloated corpse, and extracting the entrails To sever the three poisons from their roots.

I bow down to red-black, kite-headed Kakamukh, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a Pic, Carrying a bloated corpse, draped over her shoulder To extract [beings] from the pit of cyclic existence.

I bow down to black, crow-headed Kkamukh, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a Pic, Brandis.h.i.+ng a sword, and drinking blood from a skull To consume and liberate dissonant mental states.

I bow down to blue-black, owl-headed Ulkamukh, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a Pic, Holding an iron hook,9 and carrying a blood-filled skull To draw [beings] free from the false mentality of cyclic existence.

I bow down to horse-headed Aku at the eastern gate, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a female gatekeeper, Horse-headed, white, and holding an iron hook, The force of her immeasurable compa.s.sion Guiding [those trapped in] cyclic existence away from the lower realms.

I bow down to sow-headed P at the southern gate, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a female gatekeeper, Sow-headed, yellow, and holding a noose, The force of her immeasurable loving kindness Constricting the false mentality [of beings].

I bow down to lion-headed Sphot at the western gate, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a female gatekeeper, Lion-headed, red, and holding an iron chain, The force of her immeasurable sympathetic joy Shackling the dissonant mental states generated by ignorance.10 I bow down to snake-headed Ganth at the northern gate, Acting on behalf of living beings in the form of a female gatekeeper, Snake-headed, green, and holding a bell, The force of her immeasurable equanimity Subduing the cognitive resonances of the five poisons.11 I bow down to the Projectress who Casts a Noose,12 Manifestation of the natural purity of reality, Clothed in flayed hides, she unites the three levels of existence With the [pure buddha] fields, however these may manifest, And casts her noose of solar rays, Projecting [beings of] the trichiliocosm into higher rebirths.

I bow down to the Projectress who Casts a Pike,13 [Holding] a blood-filled skull, and casting a pike, She purifies the five dissonant mental states To dispel permanently the diseases of conceptual thought, The force of her compa.s.sion, rich in skilful means, Projecting human beings into higher rebirths.

I bow down to the Projectress who Rings a Bell,14 Holding to her heart a blood-filled skull, She subjugates the entire trichiliocosm To secure ignorant sentient beings in [reality's] expanse, The resonance of her charisma Projecting [beings of] the chiliocosm into higher rebirths.

I bow down to the Projectress who Carries a Garuda,15 Her body an exquisite white-yellow, [Signifying] her proficiency in the rites of pacification and enrichment.

Holding to her heart a blood-filled skull To overpower the five sensory desires, She carries a vajra and a large garuda, Projecting the G.o.ds into higher rebirths.

I bow down to the Projectress who Casts a Shooting Star,16 Her awesome body an exquisite blue-black, [Holding] a vajra and casting a shooting star To avert the intensity of 'The Great Battle',17 She drinks blood from a skull, Projecting the antiG.o.ds into higher rebirths.

I bow down to the Projectress who Holds a Thunderbolt-garland,18 Her body part red and part black, [Signifying proficiency in the rites of] subjugation and wrath, Her facial expression fixed in domination.

To purify and ease outer and inner obscurations, [She wields] a vajra and thunderbolt-garland, Projecting anguished spirits into higher rebirths.

I bow down to the Projectress who Wields an Eagle-feathered Banner,19 Her body part white and part black, [Signifying] her proficiency in the rites of pacification and wrath, Drinking blood from a skull To dissolve delusion [into emptiness], [She holds] a vajra and wields an eagle-feathered banner, Projecting animals into higher rebirths.

I bow down to the Projectress who Holds a Sword,20 Her body part yellow and part black, [Signifying] her proficiency in the rites of enrichment and wrath, Drinking blood from a skull To dissolve the h.e.l.ls into emptiness, [She holds] a vajra and a sword, Projecting the h.e.l.l-beings into higher rebirths.

I bow down to yak-headed Manurksas, The brownish white yogin, holding a vajra and skull.

I bow down to snake-headed Brahmn, The yellowish white yogin, holding a vajra and lotus.

I bow down to leopard-headed Raudr, The greenish white yogin, holding a vajra and trident.

I bow down to weasel-headed Vaisnv, The bluish white yogin, holding a vajra and wheel.

I bow down to brown bear-headed Kaumr, The reddish white yogin, holding a vajra and pike.

I bow down to black bear-headed Indrn, The white yogin, holding a vajra and noose of entrails.

I bow down to bat-headed Vajr,21 The yellow yogin, holding a jewel and razor.