How to Practice the Manjushri Method - III

Verses praising the virtues of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas: Praise to Manjushri, Manjushri Dharma Assembly
The devotion of Manjushri is very prevalent in Tibetan Buddhism, resulting in a large number of Buddhists practicing the Manjushri method. Besides the commonly known "Manjushri Praise", the general liturgy of Manjushri practice entails practicing both the peaceful and wrathful forms of Manjushri." The wrathful deity of Manjushri is "Yamantaka," a method of practice directly counteracting anger, and is not suitable for everyone; it is said that special causes and conditions are required for its practice. Liao Bensheng (廖本聖), himself a Tibetan Buddhist, mentioned that its practice rituals involve tantras; therefore, empowerment/initiation is necessary before practice.
 
Attending Manjushri ceremonies is a common practice among Tibetan Buddhists, who hope to accumulate merit and receive the blessings of Manjushri Bodhisattva. The ceremonies typically involve reciting the "Manjushri Praise" and performing the four practices of "pacifying (Śānta), increasing (Puṣṭi), magnetizing (Vaśīkarana), and subduing (Abhicāruka)" respectively. This is believed to bring resources for spiritual practice and worldly benefits, such as pacifying disasters, attracting wealth, planting blessings, and removing obstacles. The presiding monk will also expound on the merits of practicing the Manjushri method. Finally, a fire offering (burning Tibetan herbs and medical plants) is performed, which is said to accelerate the removal of all obstacles to spiritual practice and receive the blessings of Manjushri.
 
Since Tibetan Buddhism was introduced to Taiwan, the Manjushri Prayer for Blessing Ceremony has been very popular among Buddhists. It has been combined with Taiwanese customs and traditions. During exam seasons, many parents of test takers also attend the ceremony, hoping that Manjushri Bodhisattva will bless their children and help them attain good luck in their exams.
 
Meditation: From the Buddha's Name Recitation with Form to the Buddha's Name Recitation without Form
The Manjushri method of practice emphasizes the ultimate wisdom of emptiness, lacking discrimination. Therefore, the Manjushri method of practice is also called the "Non-Dual method of practice," which also reflects the subtle profundity of the Manjushri method of practice. As for how the Manjushri method of practice can realize emptiness through meditation, we can find some inspiration in the article "Contemporary Practice of the 'One Practice Samadhi (Sanskrit: Ekavyuha-Samadhi)' in the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch" by Venerable Guo Guang (果光法師) from Dharma Drum Mountain. This article explains how the Manjushri method of practice can be combined with meditation, as well as how meditators can practice the Manjushri method.

In her article, Venerable Guo Guang mentions the method of "One-Practice Samadhi," which originates from the "Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra Spoken by Manjushri", also known as the "Manjushri Prajnaparamita Sutra". The meaning of "One-Practice Samadhi" is: "The Dharma Realm has only one true nature; focus the mind on the true nature of the Dharma Realm," emphasizing the undifferentiated nature of the Dharma Realm. There are two main methods of practice. One is the formless Prajnaparamita Dharma Gate, which requires first hearing and studying Prajnaparamita, then focusing on the one true nature of the Dharma Realm—that is, the formless—to truly enter "One Practice Samadhi," making it the most direct method. The other is the recitation with form, which uses the "recitation of the Buddha's name" as its entry point. This involves first focusing the mind on reciting the Buddha's name, then entering "formless recitation of the Buddha's name," thus realizing the formless Dharma Gate of "all Buddhas and the Dharma Realm are without difference." This method has a clear object of focus and thus is called the "Dharma Gate with form." However, the Manjushri Prajna Sutra mentions that the formless Dharma gate of practicing the "One Practice Samadhi" does not have a clear object of focus. It is said that Venerable Yinshun (印順長老) practiced the formless Prajna Dharma gate, but it is not easy for ordinary people to put into practice. Therefore, reciting the Buddha’s name is a clear method for those who are willing to practice the Manjushri Dharma gate.

However, what is the difference between the recitation of the Buddha's name in the "Manjushri Prajnaparamita Sutra" and the recitation of the Buddha's name in the Pure Land School? In his book "Master Sheng Yen on Pure Land Practice (聖嚴法師教淨土法門)", Master Sheng Yen clearly explains the Chan Practice in Buddha-name Recitation. This method aims at realizing a Pure Land within one's own mind, using Buddha-recitation to achieve the effects of meditation. Although the method is similar to the Pure Land School's recitation of the Buddha's name, the goal is different. In fact, the Pure Land School single-mindedly seeks rebirth in the Western Pure Land. When Master Sheng Yen taught the recitation of the Buddha's name, he relied on the following three texts: the "Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva's Chapter on Perfect Penetration through Buddha-recitation (大勢至菩薩念佛圓通章)", the "Pratyutpanna Samadhi Sutra (般舟三昧經)", and the "Manjushri Prajnaparamita Sutra (文殊般若經)". The "Manjushri Prajnaparamita Sutra" specifically discusses the "One Practice Samadhi."

In his book "Master Sheng Yen on Pure Land Practice," Master Sheng Yen mentions that cultivating "One Practice Samadhi" is the same as "Samadhi of Buddha Recitation," which involves reciting the name of the Buddha. This means focusing the mind on the name of a particular Buddha, continuously reciting it without interruption, one after another, in a continuous stream. Through this practice of reciting the Buddha's name with focused attention and single-minded concentration, one enters the formless Buddha recitation of "One Practice Samadhi." Therefore, those who wish to cultivate the Manjushri method of practice can begin with the practice of reciting the Buddha's name with form, gradually progressing to the formless Dharma gate, which is the Prajna method of practice.


Related articles:

​How to Practice the Manjushri Method - I

​How to Practice the Manjushri Method - II

​How to Practice the Manjushri Method - III



Resource: Issue 337 of Humanity Magazine, Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation
Photo: Bao Yun Monastery (寶雲寺)
Translation: Christina 
Editing: Keith Brown, Patricia Yang