Revoking One’s Dharma Power (一)
■Book 148 - The Power of Mantra
■Written by master Sheng-yen Lu
Once, I had a rather strange dream. I found myself flying through mountains and ridges. While ascending to the highest peak, I saw a Tibetan Rinpoche sitting on a flat platform with two lamas beside him. One of them was hoisting a banner while the other was blowing a trumpet.
I simply floated into the space above and soared freely above the Tibetan Rinpoche.
This Rinpoche asked the lamas beside him, 'Who is that Chinese man?' One lama replied, 'He is Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu.' The other lama added, 'Sheng-yen Lu is very famous and possesses great Dharma power. He has been to the Drepung Loseling Monastery to give a discourse on the Buddhadharma.'
The Tibetan Living Buddha paused for a while and then said, 'I want to recall his Dharma power.'
After having this dream, I had another dream involving the same Tibetan Rinpoche.
The Rinpoche and I were standing on the bank of a mighty river. Turbulent rolling waters characterized this river to the point where its depth was simply beyond measure.
The buoyancy of this river was considerably poor. I saw a leaf fall into the river, and it could not stay afloat. It disappeared into the whirling water in no time. This mighty river is like a 'mythical cosmic sea of low-buoyancy,' such that even a goose feather is unable to remain afloat in it.
The Tibetan Living Buddha said to me, 'Sheng-yen Lu, you shall demonstrate your Dharma power and cross this river first. You are not to fly across but actually walk on the water.'
This was a test of my skill and power.
First, I visualized my lineage gurus above my head. Then, I formed the 'Heavenly Water Mudra' with my hands and recited the 'Water Resistance Formula':
This ocean of no mercy
Through millenniums carried no living.
Now I shall walk across.
The massive sea is transformed into a mulberry field.
Execute this order at once. Execute this order at once. Execute this order at once.
I stepped into the water and just as I thought, the water felt like solid ground. Very soon, I reached the other shore of the river with no problem along the way at all.
Now it was the Tibetan Rinpoche's turn. He hesitated for a moment before taking the bold steps, then finally attempted to walk on the water. Then came a sound, 'Splash!' and he fell right into the water. Drenched all over, he was a total mess.
Just as the Tibetan Rinpoche was about to drown and lose his life, the Dharma Protector of the Rinpoche, a gigantic Golden-Winged Garuda came to his rescue. It caught hold of him by his collar, and lifted him and released him onto land.
The Tibetan Rinpoche felt very embarrassed. He turned towards me and said, 'I will revoke your Dharma power.'
These two dreams were very unusual. During that period of time, many Tibetan Rinpoches took refuge with me. I conducted a Dharma ceremony together with His Holiness Ganden Tripa, the head of the Gelugpa Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. I had a meeting with the Dalai Lama. I ascended the Dharma throne and expounded the Buddhadharma at the three largest Tibetan monasteries, and I was the only ethnic Chinese to be given this honor.
My reputation spreads far and wide throughout India and Tibet. Many Tibetan Rinpoches took refuge in me. One of them is Jigme Lhundup Rinpoche, who was formerly the chairman of the Sixth Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies of the Tibetan Government in Exile.
My photo is enshrined in the Ganden Shartse Sockpa Khangtsen Monastery, Drepung Tsawa Khangtsen Monastery, and others.
I figure this will certainly establish a deep affinity with Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. This is naturally a good thing because my lineage transmission had come from Tibet, through Guru Norras, Monk Liao Ming, Thubten Nima, Thubten Dali, Guru Thubten Taerchi, the 16th Great Karmapa, Master Sakya Chenkon and others.
But likewise, there are some drawbacks to this. Because my Dharma power and my reputation are too widespread, this results in attracting much resentment.
Of course, even Rinpoches can be disgruntled by it. I felt that the Rinpoche in my two dreams was discontented as he had repeatedly said that he wanted to recall my Dharma power. These two dreams came as a wake-up call, and appeared inauspicious.
Thus:
Without first realizing one's Tathagata nature
Playing the role of Dharma King is but a worthless pursuit
Unenlightened, yet in this place one dwells
How could anyone ever realize True Nature
By scrambling to be the best and most powerful?
