Dorje Sempa (Vajrasattva)

Dorje Sempa (Vajrasattva in Sanskrit) is a Bodhisattva from the East. Wearing princely robes, he is seated with legs crossed on a moon disc on top of a thousand-petalled white lotus. His radiant body manifests all the major and minor marks of physical perfection. His skin is brilliant white and his black hair is bound upwards, adorned with precious jewels. On top of his head is the Buddha Akshobhya, his root guru and the head of the Vajra family Dorje Sempa belongs to.

In front of his heart, his right hand holds a golden vajra, a symbol of indestructibility and the preciousness of the true nature of the mind. His left hand is on his lap holding a ghanta or bell. Together the vajra and the bell represent the inseparability of compassion and wisdom.

His name means Diamond Mind and he is the union of the purifying powers of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas abiding in the ten directions and the three times. He embodies the innate purity of every single being. Out of his limitless compassion, he works for the liberation of all sentient beings from suffering.

The Hundred-Syllable Mantra of Dorje Sempa is part of the Ngondro, fundamental practices of Vajrayana Buddhism. Ngondro translates to “that which goes before” and pertains to preliminary practices that go before the more advanced practices in the path of Vajrayana. These preparations effect deep purification and profound transformation that create the foundations and necessary conditions for more advanced teachings leading to Enlightenment. In all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dorje Sempa mantra is considered to be the most powerful purification practice.

Through the Empowerment, the Karmapa takes the role of Dorje Sempa and purifies our energy. When we receive the Empowerment, we are connected directly to Dorje Sempa and are permitted to chant the Hundred-Syllable Mantra.This mantra is our acknowledgment that, out of ignorance, we have gone against our samaya precepts. We confess our transgressions and seek refuge in Dorje Sempa, asking for his blessings to cleanse and purify all our negative thoughts and actions. We pledge to continue the process of cleansing and purification in order to free ourselves from the influences of negative karma. We prepare our consciousness by enriching it, allowing true wisdom to take root and develop. We commit to breaking the bonds of ignorance for our liberation and the liberation of all sentient beings from suffering. We allow our true Buddha-nature to arise and attain Enlightenment.

OM BEN ZA SA TO SA MA YA

MA NU PA LA YA BEN ZA SA TO TE NO PA

TIG THA DRI DO ME BHA WA SU TO KHA YO ME BHA WA

SU PO KHA YO ME BHA WA A NU RAK TO ME BHA WA

SAR WA SID DHI MEN TRA YA TSA SAR WA KAR MA SU TSA ME

TSI TAM SHI RI YA KU RU HUNG HA HA HA HA HO

BHA GA WEN SAR WA TA THA GA TA

BEN ZA MA ME MUN TSA BEN ZRI BHA WA

MA HA SA MA YA SA TO AH

By your vow, Dorje Sempa,

keep guard, stay near me, steady me,

satisfy me, enrich me, be loving towards me.

Bestow on me all perfections. In all my deeds, make my mind virtuous.

(“HAHAHAHA HO” expresses laughter and joy at the Realization of our true nature.)

Blessed One, vajra of all Tathagatas, do not abandon me.

Make me vajra-like, Being of Great Vow.

In his boundless compassion, in our trust and humility, and with the purity of our intention, he grants his blessing, purifying us and lifting the veils of ignorance. Pleased by the recitation, the smiling Dorje Sempa answers, “Oh son of good family, all your harmful deeds, obscurations and transgressions are purified from this day forth.”

The measureless immediate and ultimate benefits of reciting Dorje Sempa’s mantra are summed up in an Indian work: “Though they embody the five transcending awarenesses, practices called dharani, mantra, mudra, stupa, and mandala do not amass the merit of one recitation of the hundred-syllable mantra. Whoever chants the hundred syllables is said to gather equal merit to that which adorns all Buddhas, numerous as motes of dust.”