Chapter 5: The Ritual Section of the One-Syllable Uṣṇīṣa Cakravartin Sūtra Spoken
At that time, Vajrapani again addressed the Buddha, saying: "World-Honored One, how should a practitioner of the Buddha-Crown True Word Dharma abide in pure precepts and cultivate the visualization of the principal deity? I beseech the World-Honored One to teach a method that swiftly accomplishes the siddhis of the Buddha-Crown and other attainments."
The Buddha said: "Therefore, listen carefully, O Vajra-holder. For the benefit of all beings, and especially for those of lesser capacity who progress slowly, this is taught distinctly. In all mantra teachings, one should abide by the pure discipline in the three periods, be diligent, constantly abide in the samadhi of contemplating the Buddha. One should not contemplate with a scattered, restless mind, nor allow greed and attachment to disturb the mind. One should contemplate the Buddha with single-minded focus, always pervading all sentient beings in the ten directions with the samadhi of loving-kindness. In the three periods, bathe and wash the hands and feet, cleansing oneself according to the method. Those who are vigorous and wise should not be negligent, nor harm life. After changing the inner robe, protect the body with this mantra. The mantra is:"
"Om Mam Hum Ni"
If using earth, do not use earth mixed with insects. The wise should use pure, fragrant earth—not too black, not too yellow, not too red. Such earth is suitable for all practices of accomplishment.
"If you are practicing a method to subdue negative forces, use black clay; red clay can also be used. For methods to increase blessings and benefits, yellow clay should be used. To eliminate calamities and remove obstacles and karmic hindrances, white clay should be used. If you seek to gain the favor of rulers or those in power, use clay that is neither white nor black. For methods to inspire affection and respect, use reddish-yellow clay. In this way, a wise person uses the clay according to the teachings, first empowering it with this mantra before applying it. The mantra for the clay is as follows:"
Om Narah Hum
"With this mantra of the earth, all accomplishments are fulfilled.
With this mantra of the river, bless the flowing waters:"
"Om Vajra Hūṃ"
"This is the blessed river for empowerment, used everywhere.
Divide the earth into three sections, place them in a pure location, a place free from mucus and spit, foul and filthy grounds, where women gather in crowds, where children play and frolic, where animals trample the river, where living beings cluster together. The practitioner should not bathe in such places, nor in narrow, cramped, or treacherous spots, nor in foul and filthy waters. The wise should stay far away. Seek instead a superior river, clear and pure flowing water, free from mud and filth.
On its riverbanks, adorned with various trees, there you should bathe. Its waters deep, smooth, and flowing, always in such a place, where water birds play, adorned with all kinds of flowers, the practitioner should bathe there. Then, with this mantra, empower the pure earth."
The mantra is:
Oṃ Prajñā Hūṃ
Then you should put on your armor, Place your thumb over your heart, And recite the mantra seven times.
The Armor Mantra says:
Oṃ, enter the Vajra realm, Jaya Hūṃ.
"With the armor of a clear mind, the practitioner should apply it, throughout the entire body, it becomes great protection."
The Mantra for Donning the Armor of the Body is:
"Om Vajra Prajna Hum"
"This is called the armor of the body, which the wise should always wear.
Then enter the water, from the waist up to the chest.
The obstacles of Vināyaka, and the harmful creatures in the water—
through this blessing, they cannot cause harm."
The mantra is:
Om, Tṛ, Maṇḍa Svāhā.
"This mantra for accomplishing tasks, the true heart of all Buddhas' crowns,
By remembering it, all obstructing water-dwellers
Who wish to cause harm will have their mouths sealed.
With this, protect the earth, dividing it into three parts,
To be used for purification.
From the feet to the knees, cleanse with the earth,
Removing foul impurities and defilements,
Which the Buddhas declare as pure.
Then use the second portion,
From the waist to the neck;
The third portion washes the upper body,
Cleansing it with the earth.
Free from insects, it may be used.
First set aside the third portion of earth,
Then wash again with care.
With the mantra for accomplishing tasks,
The practitioner blesses the water,
Recites it three times while sprinkling it on the head,
In stillness and silence.
After washing and purifying,
Do not speak to anyone.
Again, with the mantra for accomplishing tasks,
The practitioner blesses oneself.
With the protection of the Unconquerable,
And the Buddha's brow-mark,
The mantra that destroys the Buddha's crown,
Universally praised and guarded.
With the mantra of the Buddha's Eye,
Used exclusively within the Buddha family,
The pure and true crowns of all Buddhas,
Complete the mandala.
Establish the boundaries of the directions,
And protect the companions.
Permitted to use the Destroying Crown,
And accomplish all tasks.
With insect-free water for cleansing,
Recite this mantra once."
The Mantra of Purification says:
Homage to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas! Om, the one who bestows the jewel, the bestower of jewels, svaha.
"This purifying mantra is universally used in the Tathagata section.
Proceed to the recitation chamber, settle your mind with unwavering diligence.
Visualize before you an area of three feet, with a heart of compassion and wisdom combined.
When going to the recitation chamber, wear clean garments— kusha grass robes or hemp cloth.
The wise practitioner should recite according to the prescribed ritual, first chanting the purification mantra, then the invocation mantra.
Bless the grass mat seat and lay it before the image. Recite the name of the principal deity, then invite the sacred assembly.
With mantra and mudra in harmony, frequently visualize the deity's form. Form the lotus mudra and offer the seat.
All Buddhas uphold auspiciousness; the emblem of the Buddha's feet arises.
For all Bodhisattvas, the lotus seat is praised.
The mantra practitioner should not sit on a high seat while visualizing the deity's form; then take up the prayer beads."
The Mantra for Stringing Beads is:
Oṃ Anabudhi Viraje Siddhi Siddhārāṭi Svāhā
A rosary of bodhi seeds ensures the attainment of accomplishment, Be it supreme, middling, or lesser siddhis, suitable for all mantras.
Rosaries made of gold, silver, or similar materials are used for increase, While pure crystal achieves all purposes.
They should be strung with a child’s thread, All in accordance with the prescribed ritual.
One should use one’s own secret mantra To empower them through this practice.
The mantra for the empowerment beads is:
Homage to the Bhagavati, the Accomplished One, the Accomplished One, the Accomplished One, the Perfect One, Svaha.
"With this true mantra, bless the prayer beads. Recite it seven times, holding them in both palms. Sit upon a grass mat, seeking to accomplish all aims.
The auspicious *Mivashu* tree, sandalwood, and heavenly wood— Such kinds of trees make prayer beads most excellent. When performing recitation and fire offerings, use such beads.
The *Qietuoluo* wood tree, *Modu Junavei*, Use this wood for beads to practice the subjugation method; Also use this wood to make a seat or bed.
If wood cannot be obtained, take leaves free from insects, Sit or lie upon them, and sit at the consecration site.
Burn *Jumoyi* ashes, filter water to wash clean, Use fine silk as a filter, carefully observe the filtered water.
If, following the method and holding the secret words, one does not attain accomplishment, Then apply the Crown Wheel King mantra; blessing will surely bring success.
Further, use the Heart-Following-Heart mantra, reciting them together in harmony; If even this does not succeed, use the Buddha-Eye true mantra, Reciting it together in harmony. The World-Honored One's Buddha-Eye Brightness, Spoken by all Buddhas, praised by past Buddhas, I now proclaim. Those seeking to accomplish the Buddha-Crown Should recite and hold it, harmonizing with it, And soon swiftly achieve success; even if one has committed the five grave offenses, Soon they too will be accomplished. If there is no painted image, Direct the mind in contemplative practice, praised by all Buddhas, Then join the palms in reverence to the Buddha, and recite this mantra while in contemplation."
The mantra is:
“I pay homage to the Tathagata, the Arhat, the Fully Enlightened One.
Then, form the great mudra. Visualize upon that mudra a mountain formed of immeasurable jewels. Upon the mountain, visualize a lotus flower formed of the seven treasures, its petals numbering in the countless millions, its calyx vast and its stem broad. Upon it, visualize a pavilion. Within the pavilion, visualize the World-Honored One seated, in the form described by the mantra, as depicted in the sacred image. The World-Honored One is serene, seated in the full lotus posture, forming the Dharma-teaching mudra, possessing the marks of a great being, his body adorned, surrounded by a perfect circle of light. One should contemplate in this manner. The other aspects are also as depicted in the sacred image, visualized within the pavilion. Above the pavilion is a spire with a parasol. Within one's mind, visualize an immeasurable net of pearls and jewels covering it entirely. One may contemplate it as being one yojana in size, or a hundred yojanas, even up to a thousand yojanas in extent, as one practices the visualization. Contemplate it according to one's own intention, even up to the summit of existence. Focus the mind single-pointedly. The wise should not be negligent. With the mind bound to the empowerment of the principal deity and all Buddhas, think thus: 'One who seeks accomplishment practices such visualization.' Purify the great ocean with the mantra of the Stainless Ocean. The mantra is:
Om Vimala Nadi Hum
Empower the mountain with the mantra of the mountain. The mantra is:
Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi
Empower the lotus with the Lotus Mantra. The mantra is as follows:
"Om Hum Kamalasva Ha"
The mantra for empowering all jeweled pavilions and towers is:
“I pay homage to all the Tathagatas. I pay homage to the one who is the essence of all phenomena, the one who is the great, supreme, and all-pervading lord. Svaha.”
Next, one should invite the Buddha, the World-Honored One. Using one's own true mantra, one should visualize the World-Honored One descending from the Trayastrimsa Heaven to the Jambudvipa, arriving at the ritual site, and then offer the argha water, reciting this verse:
"I will abide by my own spiritual power, awaiting the offering you will make."
"Then, using the Six-Syllable Buddha-Crown Mudra to seal the upper boundary, visualize the Buddha bathing, along with your personal deity and the three main deities of the mandala. According to your own tradition and the instructions for each deity, offer fragrant paste, flowers, clothing, ornaments, food, and scented water. If you lack the physical offerings mentioned above, visualize them in your mind and make the offering.
Once this offering ritual is complete, perform the practices of confession, rejoicing in others' merits, requesting the Buddhas to teach, dedicating merit, and making vows. Then, settle your mind at the tip of your nose and recite the mantra single-pointedly until you feel no fatigue. After completing the recitations, offer fragrant paste, flowers, incense, food, lamps, and other offerings once more. Present the water offering, and visualize sending the World-Honored One out through the eastern gate. Then, bow to all Buddhas and bodhisattvas, and rise after paying homage.
Perform this practice three times a day. Since there is no physical image, this ritual is explained in this manner."