The Mantra of Light（二）
■Book 148 - The Power of Mantra
■Written by master Sheng-yen Lu
The water ghost realized an invisible energy field was covering the four corners of the bed, shielding me like a net of light. The bed itself was transformed into a lotus flower. I was transformed into a vajra. A net of light encircled me. The water ghost knew he had met his match and knelt down with his palms together. I asked, ''Are you Dodo?''
''Yes.''
''Have you harmed and taken many lives?''
''I'm ashamed of myself!''
''Why did you do it?''
Dodo replied, ''So we have a chance at reincarnating to a better state.''
I asked, ''How did you die?''
''I committed suicide.''
''Why didn't you take up spiritual cultivation?''
''I had no teacher to teach me. If I can follow you, I would achieve something.'' Dodo was curious and asked, ''How come there is a glow around you and that you're surrounded by a net of light?''
I answered him, ''This radiance and net of light is a result of my cultivation of the Mantra of Light. If you promise not to harm any more lives, I will transmit the Mantra of Light to you and you will be liberated together with your other little ghostly friends. The sutra states that if any sentient being commits the Ten Evil Deeds, the Five Deadly Sins and upon his death descends to the lower realms, reciting this mantra one hundred and eight times will allow the deceased to ascend to the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. It also states that if any sentient being listens to this mantra for two, three or seven times, all his karmic hindrances will be eradicated.''
The water ghost Dodo was thrilled to hear this and immediately took refuge and requested the transmission of this mantra.
I recited: ''[transliteration:] Om, a-mo-ga, huai-lu-jia-na, ma-ha-mu-de-la, ma-ne-ba-de-ma, ji-fa-la, bo-la-fa-er-da-ya, hum [Sanskrit: OM AMOGHA VAIROCANA MAHAMUDRA MANI PADMA JVALA PRAVARTAYA HUM].''
I said, ''This Mantra of Light is the Mantra of Light of the Great Empowerment of Vairocana Buddha. When you recite this mantra, visualize a moon disc in your heart, with a golden Sanskrit seed syllable AH on it. This syllable AH radiates light and illuminates on all sentient beings. Anyone in contact with this light will be liberated from suffering and receive joy. This mantra is the very Illuminated Vairocana Seal with which one may take refuge in Vairocana Tathagata. It is as good as receiving a jewel, a lotus, a rebirth and illumination, where liberation is instantaneous and all vows are fulfilled.''
I told Dodo, ''Tomorrow afternoon, I will write the Mantra of Light and cast it into the lake. I hope all of you will recite it diligently and be liberated.''
The water ghost Dodo bowed and left.
* * *
During the afternoon on the following day, I wrote the Mantra of Light onto a piece of yellow paper and cast it into the lake. I sincerely chanted, ''As the Mantra of Light enters this lake, the lake will become pure water. If commanded to wash one's feet, this water will perform this task. If commanded to wash one's knee, this water will do so. If commanded to wash one's waist, this water will carry out the work. If commanded to wash one's neck, this water will accomplish this task. If commanded to wash the internal organs, the internal organs will be purified. If commanded to clean the dirt off one's heart, the heart will become clear. If commanded to empower, one receives the Light Empowerment.''
I recited: ''As the Mantra of Light enters this lake, countless treasures lie within. The net of light spreads across the sky and all kinds of dharma sounds will be heard, spreading the words of Buddha. Surrounding the lake one will find the illumination of glowing light, dazzling in spectacular beauty. A wind of a meritorious nature blows naturally over the lake, creating ripples, offering a tenderness and warmth to the water. An intricate mix of soft and gentle fragrance also permeates the area. It is simply unimaginable.''
I saw Dodo transforming into a huge water snake, and all the little ghosts transforming into many smaller snakes. They came to the lakeside to receive the Mantra of Light Empowerment. Upon the completion of the empowerment, a wind blew across the jewel trees, creating the purest musical sound. All the water snakes received bliss and joy. The lake with its soft appearance released an all pervading fragrance. The snakes were transformed into dragons in an instant, breaking the water surface and riding on the wind towards the sky above.
