| Preliminary Refuge From this moment until the heart of enlightenment is reached, I and all sentient beings as limitless as the sky, Go for refuge to all the splendid accomplished supreme Gurus. We go for refuge to all the yidams, the deities gathered in the mandala. We go for refuge to all Buddhas, the transcendent accomplished conquerors. We go for refuge to all the supreme Dharma. We go for refuge to the noble Sangha. We go for refuge to all the dakas, dakinis, protectors and defenders of the Dharma Who each have the eye of transcending awareness. First Refuge and Raising Bodhicitta (three times) In the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha I take refuge until I reach enlightenment. By the merit of (this practice), generosity and so forth, May I achieve Buddhahood For the benefit of all sentient beings. Visualization of the Deity On the crown of the head of myself and all beings, on a moon, on a lotus, is a HRI. Chenresig arises from this. He radiates bright, clear light of five colors. He gazes with compassionate eyes and lovely smile. He has four arms. The first two are folded in prayer. The lower two hold a crystal rosary and white lotus. He is arrayed in silks and jewels. He wears an upper robe of doeskin. His head ornament is Amitabha, Buddha of boundless light. His two feet are in the vajra asana. A stainless moon is his back rest. He is the essence of all those in whom we take refuge. Make the following prayer, thinking that all beings are making it with you as if in a single voice: Lord, not veiled by any fault, white in color Whose head a perfect Buddha crowns in light, Gazing compassionately at all beings, To you, Chenresig, all-seeing one, I prostrate. Taking Refuge (three times) I take refuge in my Gurus. I take refuge in Buddha. I take refuge in the Dharma. I take refuge in the Sangha. Prostration I prostrate before all the Buddhas who have come in the past, present and future; to the Dharma; and the highest Assembly, the Sangha, bowing down with bodies as numerous as all the atoms of the world. Offering Just as Manjushri and other Bodhisattvas have made offerings to the Buddhas, so do I make offerings to the Buddhas and their protecting sons. Declaration From beginningless samsara, in this and other lives, I have unwittingly committed many non-virtues or caused others to do the same. Bewildered by the confusion of my ignorance, I have rejoiced in my own and other's non-virtue. Seeing these mistakes, I declare all this to you protectors from the depths of my heart. Rejoicing With happiness, I rejoice in the ocean of virtues of developing the mind of enlightenment wishing to bring joy to all sentient beings and working for everyone's benefit. Requesting the Teaching With hands pressed together, I request the Buddhas of all directions to light the lamp of Dharma for those who are groping in the darkness of suffering. Beseeching the Buddhas to Remain These beings, blinded by ignorance, have no one to guide them. O Buddhas, who might wish to pass beyond sorrow, I beseech you with hands pressed together: Please live for eons without number. Dedication By the merit I have gathered from all these acts of virtue done in this way, May all the sufferings of every being disappear. Offering to the Assembly of Buddhas By the virtue of offering to the assembly of Buddhas, Visualized before me, this Mandala, built on a ba, Resplendent with flowers, saffron water and incense, Adorned with Mount Meru and the Four Continents, As well as with the Sun and Moon, May all sentient beings share its effects. idam guru ratna mandala kam nirya tayami |