Visit of His Holiness, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje to Manila, Philippines from Novemebr 11-18, 2006.

Empowerment of the Avalokitesvara
Venue: PICC Plenary Hall on Nov. 12, 2006, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The Six Syllables Mantra:
OM MA NI PE ME HUNG

Empowerment means transmission of teaching by the Guru. The practice of the Avalokitesvara Sadhana seeks prosperity and long life, which are helpful factors in seeking liberation of all sentient beings from the six realms. It is only in the precious human form that the attainment of enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings is possible. However, it is easier to achieve this in a continuous lifetime than many lifetimes where one wastes so much time learning how to use the body in the formative years.

Avalokitesvara made a vow to liberate beings from samsara (cycle of existence). When he found that as fast as he was liberating beings, the space vacated was being refilled. In his sadness, he broke into a thousand pieces. Amitabha Buddha restored his body and made Him into another emanation as the thousand arms, thousand eyes Chenrezig equipped with enormous powers. Chenrezig made a vow to Amitabha Buddha that he will not be liberated to Buddhahood unless samsara is emptied. He promises to lead all sentient beings to Dewachen (the heaven of Amitabha Buddha). In response, Amitabha Budhha gave Chenrezig the Mantra “Om Mani Peme Hung”- the six syllables powerful mantra of liberating beings in the six realms.

OM closes the door to birth as a deva or god, distracted by sensual pleasure and long life; they do not practice the Dharma. Great is their pain when their entitlement is exhausted, and when they find suffering of fall and transmigration. The cause for birth in this realm is pride.

MA closes the door to birth as a jealous semi-god or asura with the suffering of fighting, intrigues, and conflict. The cause for birth in this realm is imperfect good deeds with latent tendency of jealousy.

NI closes the door to human rebirth with the suffering of birth, old age, sickness, and death. The cause for birth in this realm is attachment. PE closes the door to birth as an animal with the suffering of dullness, stupidity, and enslavement. Their lives are always in danger. They are not able to express their hunger and pain. The causes of rebirth in this realm are abuse of others and stupidity.

PE closes the door to human rebirth witht he suffering of birth, old age, sickness, adn death. The cause of birth in this realm is attachment .

ME closes the door to birth as a craving spirit of hunger and thirst. The cause for birth in this realm is greed, avarice and covetousness. In this realm, there is no chance to practice the Dharma.

HUNG closes the door to birth in the hells with suffering of extreme heat and cold. The cause for birth in this realm is hatred. In this realm, the Dharma is never heard.

The merits of the Six-Syllable Mantra “ OM MANI PEME HUNG” are immeasurable and cannot be fully described even by the Buddhas of the three times – the Past, the Present, and the Future.

Some of the benefits are:

1. Whoever keeps this mantra, his body will transform into the vajra body, his bones will transform into the relics of the Buddha and his ordinary mind will transform into the wisdom of Buddhas.

2. Whoever recites the mantra for even one time will obtain immeasurable wisdom. He will eventually develop compassion and perfect the six paramitas. He will be born as a universal monarch. He will achieve the irreversible stage of the Bodhisattva and finally attain Enlightenment.

3. If this mantra is carved onto rocks and mountains, and a human or non-human being comes into contact and sees the mantra, he will develop the cause to be a bodhisattva in the next life, thereby relieving his sufferings.

It is said that the sand of the Ganges and the drops of water in the ocean can be counted but not the merits from the recitation of this Six-Syllable Mantra.

The Six-Syllable Mantra is the speech manifestation and the wisdom energy of all the Buddhas. It purifies our impure perception of sound. It is also a means to protect our mind from its deluded thoughts. It cuts off one’s ignorance and opens up one’s wisdom. It augments immeasurable blessings and peacefulness can be obtained. It can save and alleviate beings from hundreds and thousands of sufferings and difficulties.

This may sound inconceivable to some people. The Bodhisattva, however, has made great aspiration and accumulated countless merits, wisdom and skillful means to help sentient beings. He has the “hook” to liberate beings. If we have the sincerity and deep faith in him and exercise effort in our practice of Dharma, we are likened to having “a solid and unbroken wing”. With our ring of faith, Avalokitesvara will be able to “fish” us out of our sufferings.

Therefore, we should respectfully bring Avalokitesvara to mind, and sincerely and clearly recite the Six-Syllable Mantra. All our worldly and beyond worldly needs will be fulfilled.

Chenrezig is inseparable from the other sources of Refuge. He is the essence of all the Refuges.

In commemoration of the 1st historical trip to the Philippines of H.H.17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje on November 11-18, 2006, statues of the Avalokitesvara are available. H.H. 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje is a manifestation of Avalokitesvara/Chenrezig. The statues are filled with medicine, 5 metals, precious stones, priceless precious substances, and mantra for prosperity and long life. These precious substances are lovingly given to us by Lamas and Rinpoches who have kept them for decades from the time they were given to them by their Masters. If you are a sponsor of an Avalokitesvara puja and as a token of appreciation, are given a statue to be put into your home, office, or other appropriate places, be sure to treat Him with love and respect. An appropriate place means a clean and high place (not on the floor). Each piece is a spiritual power generator because of what it contains. The irreplaceable precious substances are:

1. The brain of Gampopa (1079-1135), founder of Karma Kagyu
2. Tooth of 8th Karmapa Mechod Dorjee (1507-1554)
3. Beads of 5th Shamar Kunchok Yenlag (1526-1583)
4. Cloth of Yogi Drukpa Kunlek
5. Hair of Dharma Dhodhe, son of Marpa (1012-1097)
6. Cloth of Phakmo Drupa (close disciple of Gampopa, the founder of eight minor Kagyu schools)
7. Accumulated blessed Torma of Terton Rinaling Pa, the head of the Nyingma school
8. The black pill of the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa Rangjung Rekpe Dorjee (1924-1981)
9. Accumulated mani pill
10. Holy soil and water from all the holy places of Buddhas

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