(continued from issue #718 P.3)

I have also already explained about the incense burner. For rectangular incense burner, the offering powder cake (dough) should be made into an elongated shape. If you roll your offering into a round shape, then use the type of round type burner that I used for the practice yesterday. Kindle the offerings like this. After you kindle the offering, you can start a group Smoke Offering as well. You can even use alms bowls, the alms bowls of monks and nuns, as the incense burner (offering container and burner). Or you can also use the Buddhist ching bell as the incense burner. As I have already explained earlier, the things you have to prepare are some incense powders, five grains powders, fabrics of five colors, brown and white sugar, some milk powder. Mix them together into a powder cake, and bake them dry. When these offerings are completely dry and combustible, use an incense stick to kindle it. Then, you can start the practice.

《The Golden Winged Garuda Mudra Signifies the Smoke is Soaring in the Air》

Yesterday, I explained that this Smoke Offering practice has to be performed at an area where air can circulate. Students from Singapore have said that their residences don't have balconies. Then, you should open your windows and perform the practice facing toward the windows.

I mentioned the principle deity of yesterday's ceremony was the Four-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. The Four-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's mantra is 「Om Mani Padme Hum Seh.」 This syllable 「Seh」 doesn't sound good in English. It sounds like you are cussing at someone 「shit on you.」 That is not good. In reality, this 「Seh」 is a mantra syllable in Vajrayana.

What good is this 「Seh」？ It is a mantra！ It is Amitabha Buddha and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's seed syllable. Starting from a moon disc, a 「Seh」 syllable transforms into Four-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. You need to know the Merging of the Self and Deity contemplation. Of course, before hand, you should perform the Great Homage, Great Offering, the Four-fold Refuge, the Armor Protection, and chant the Hundred-Syllable Mantra. You may also chant the High King Sutra. After you performed all these rituals, you can start to practice the Four-Armed Avalokitesvara practice.

(to be continued)