1920 The Practice of Protecting the Heart Vows of All Tathāgatas

sarva-tathāgata-samaya-rakṣā-sādhana

The Practice of Protecting the Heart Vows of All Tathāgatas

I prostrate myself before the heart of the Tathāgata’s untainted rays of light! I prostrate myself and bow with every part of my body before the specks of dust on the feet of the guru, who bestows all desired siddhis, both worldly and transcendent! [I also] pay homage with every part of my being to the Enlightened Ones, the bodhisattvas, the mighty sons of the Victorious One!
I will explain the practice of the untainted heart of rays of light. In a favorable and pleasant place that is agreeable to the mind, perform ablutions and settle into a comfortable seat. Take refuge in the Three [Jewels], give rise to the enlightened state of mind, and abide in the observance of the vows and the Four Immeasurables.
Visualize that, through the light arising from the syllable “a” within your own heart—from the direction of space—gurus, Enlightened Ones, and bodhisattvas [appear]. Perform prostrations, make offerings, and so on. Then reflect on the nature of emptiness.
oṁ śūnyatā jñāna vajra svabhāva ātma ko haṁ
Next, reflect on the imprint of actions.
From the syllable a, give rise to the Moon and manifest as Vajra. Through this, the corresponding Kamaraja [appears]. He subdues obstacles. Having done so, visualize a triangle with a sphere in the center of space. Visualize a quadrangle with Mount Meru. The quadrangle possesses gates and perfection. Meditate on a dwelling filled with light. On the lotus and the moon at its center [appear the syllable and] “a maṁ mu hriḥ hūṁ.” Among them, a blazing jewel emerges from the syllable a. Although the body’s multicolored hue is indeterminate, it has a single face, two arms, and is adorned with ornaments. With the right [hand] he grants refuge; with the left, he holds the jewel. [He possesses] a collection of marks and characteristics. To the right is the central [deity] Manjushri-Tiksha; behind him is Shakyamuni himself; to the left, visualize Simhanadu. Meditate on Vajrapani before him.
In the space before you, visualize the jñānasattva. Visualize the bestowal of blessings and consecration. Gracefully conclude the offerings and hymns, and meditate with a single-pointed mind. If you grow weary of this, repeat the heart [mantra]. Repeat the mantra for the ushnisha, repeat it [focusing] on the space between the eyebrows, and repeat it [focusing] on the heart. The mantra close to the heart is:
oṁ sarva tathāgata mudra adhiṣṭhite svāhā
Then send them [to their respective places] by offering a torma. Perform the prayers and blessings yourself. Purify manifestations as if they were illusions.
May the delusions be purified through the spiritual merit gained from the fatigue of performing this practice and the diligence in carrying it out! May I manifest in the body of an untainted chakra!
The practice “Protection of the Heart Vows of All Tathāgatas” was composed by the Indian master Dipamkara Śrī Jñāna. Translated by the same pandit and the Tibetan translator Nagtsö Tsultrim Gyalwa.
Translated by Lama Dondrub Dorje Tulku.