‧Written by Sheng-yen Lu‧
(continued from pg A7 , TBN issue # 1205)
Why do we visualize the throat chakra emitting red light for protection? This is because the vital spiritual essence (drops) at the throat chakra is the very power that is manifested during the dream state. Our breathing creates vibrations, which in turn produces dreams. Thus, during our visualization prior to sleeping, we should focus on the nerve plexus in the throat chakra. When we perform a visualization during the waking hours, our attention should focus on the third-eye chakra.
In my earlier works I mentioned a practice involving Amitabha Buddha that one can do when one is ill. An individual visualizes himself in the buddha realm of the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss [Sukhavati], and recites the heart mantra of Amitabha Buddha while lying in the auspicious posture. He should maintain his clarity of thought and achieve a level of self control, which in turn will allow him to gain rebirth in the Western Paradise. This is a practice to assist sick people.
Actually, when one is skilled in the visualization method prior to sleep, one may vow to seek rebirth in the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. During one’s visualization, the throat chakra is most significant because it is the place of the pure and joyous buddha land of Sukhavati. Prior to one’s sleep, one should visualize the red light emitted from the syllable AH [in the throat chakra] transforming into visions of Sukhavati, where every adornment is displayed in clarity. If one can achieve such a detailed visualization, then one is bound to attain great accomplishments in the future, and will certainly gain rebirth in the Pure Land.
Thus, the Dream Yoga is an extension of one’s practice after the waking hours. It combines day and night into a single domain, wherein contemplation can be consistently maintained during the day and night. Dream Yoga serves to achieve the continuity of our sacred purity, so that it may not be disrupted by the dream state. Hence, whether it is day or night, there is no room for discursive thoughts to exist, and one can abide in a state of purity. Therefore, a singular state is maintained throughout day and night in which all illusory dreams are eliminated, penetrating into the reality of illusory dreams. In this way, one attains the Truth and gains realization.
I would like to reveal a secret of my practice. Whenever I practice the Dream Yoga, I visualize the presence of Bodhisattva Moonlight [Candraprabha in Sanskrit], also known as the Sacred Moonlight Bodhisattva. I visualize a full moon hanging in the sky, radiating pure untainted light. Its light, endowed with unique cooling properties, shines upon me and protects me while I sleep. It removes all illusory dreams and delusions produced from desires. Bodhisattva Moonlight is depicted as a little child dressed in a yellow robe and seated on a red lotus throne. He holds a closed blossom lotus in his right hand and his left hand holds a lotus flower with small leaves that has a half moon disc above it.”
In the Diamond Mandala, Bodhisattva Moonlight is seated in the outer northwest court. In the Womb Mandala, he is stationed in the Manjushri Court. Here are the key instructions regarding visualization in Dream Yoga:
Visualize yourself lying in the lion’s sleeping posture, like the Buddha entering into Nirvana.
Visualize yourself lying in the lion’s sleeping posture, where the physical body disappears under a cloak of red light.
Visualize yourself lying in the lion’s sleeping posture, where no dust can contaminate you.
One literally sleeps in the buddha realm, where one finds one’s body expanding in size until it becomes space itself and it is emptied of all things. Because the body is emptiness itself, no dust can possibly land on one’s body, for there is no body that any dust can cling to in the first place.
It is the supreme heart essence of Dream Yoga that is being revealed here. It is indeed a divine secret, a secret of the Highest Yoga Tantra.
(The End)
