In this meditation we combine our breathing with the recitation of
the mantra OM
AH HUM, which is called the 'mantra of all Buddhas'. There
are many different mantras, but they are all contained within these
three letters. All Buddhas are contained within three groups: vajra
body, vajra speech, and vajra mind. The mantra of vajra body is OM,
the mantra of vajra speech is AH, and the mantra of vajra mind is
HUM. Therefore if we recite these three letters with faith we shall
receive the blessings of the body, speech, and mind of all Buddhas.
A Buddha is someone who is completely free from all faults and limitations,
and who has developed all good qualities to perfection. Therefore
a Buddha possesses special qualities of body, speech, and mind that
are not possessed by ordinary beings. When we recite this mantra we
should have deep faith in these qualities, and generate a strong wish
to develop them ourself.
Even the most exalted ordinary beings such as kings and queens possess
only one body, but a Buddha possesses many bodies. A Buddha's actual
body is his omniscient mind. This is called the 'Truth Body'. Because
only other enlightened beings can see this body, the Truth Body manifests
a subtle Form Body called the 'Enjoyment Body'. This body, however,
is very subtle, and can only be seen by Superior Bodhisattvas, those
who have a direct realization of emptiness. To be able to communicate
directly with ordinary beings, the Enjoyment Body emanates countless
gross Form Bodies called 'Emanation Bodies'. There are two types of
Emanation Body: Supreme Emanation Bodies and Emanation Bodies appearing
as ordinary beings. The former can be seen only by those with pure
minds and pure karma, but the latter can be seen by anyone. According
to Mahayana Buddhism, Buddha's Emanation Bodies pervade the whole
world, although they are not usually recognized by ordinary beings.
Ordinary beings have ordinary minds, and so they see everything, even
an emanation of Buddha, as ordinary.
A Buddha's speech also possess many good qualities. Unlike the speech
of ordinary beings, which does not have much power, the speech of
a Buddha has the power to help all living beings. Everyone wishes
to be free from suffering and to experience pure happiness, and Buddha's
speech explains how to fulfill this wish. Even though we are constantly
seeking happiness, we never find it. Buddha explains that this is
because we are trapped in samsara. If we want to experience this happiness
we must escape from samsara by relying upon the spiritual paths taught
by Buddha. Then we shall experience a permanent cessation of suffering,
and uninterrupted peace and happiness. Buddha's speech, therefore,
is the key that releases us from the prison of samsara and fulfils
our wish for happiness.
Buddhas also possess many unique qualities of mind. A Buddha's mind
is completely free from ignorance and its imprints, like a sky free
from clouds. Because their minds are utterly unobstructed, Buddhas
know directly and simultaneously all phenomena of the past, present,
and future. The mind of a Buddha is the highest level of mental development.
We all have the seeds of a Buddha's body, speech, and mind; and if
we practice pure spiritual paths we can cause these seeds to ripen
and accomplish these special qualities. If we continue to improve
our present minds of love, compassion, and bodhichitta, we shall become
a Bodhisattva. If we then continue to train in pure spiritual paths,
eventually we shall become a Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism our way
of relying upon Buddha is not simply asking him to help us, but striving
ourself to become a Buddha to be able to help others. Therefore we
should try gradually to reduce our faults of body, speech, and mind,
and to develop all good qualities instead. As our faults diminish
and our good qualities increase we shall come closer and closer to
Buddhahood. Eventually we shall become a fully enlightened being.
Many thousands of Mahayana practitioners in the past have attained
enlightenment in this way.
Contemplating these points we should think:
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