Extract from His Holiness Living Buddha Lian-sheng’s 181st book, “Point Towards A Sunny Path”
Translated by Jaye & James Tan, proofread & edited by Charlotte Frejya-Richwoods
Often, when we see disciples learning the esoteric teachings, they have a “counter” in their hands. They do the “additional practices” as part of their homework, counting the repetitions of their “mantras.” This is because esoteric Buddhism has the concept of “accomplishment through repetition.”
For example, the heart mantra of the guru, one million times or more.
The Yidam’s mantra, one million times or more.
The Dharma protector’s mantra, one million times or more.
Apart from the “three roots” many other mantras with affinity require chanting a million times or more.
The “counter” is used for counting these repetitions.
Additionally, in places where “good books circulate”, on the last page of commonly seen texts like the “White Robed Guanyin Mantra“, “High King Avalokitesvara Sutra“, “Avalokitesvara Sutra“, “Rebirth Mantra“, “Usnisavijaya Dharani“, “Shurangama Mantra“, etc., there is a blank page with circles printed on it.
These circles are also used for “counting.”
Typically, when reciting mantras or sutras, after a certain number of repetitions, a red dot is marked in one of the circles.
When all the circles are filled, it can mean various things:
- Submitting it to one’s own teacher to signify the completion of the practice.
- Burning it as an offering to the empty space, dedicating the merits for rebirth in a pure land.
- Sprinkling the ashes into flowing water, dedicating merits to benefit aquatic beings.
- Burning it in front of an altar, praying for the fulfilment of wishes, and so on.
I have a disciple named “Lianhua Jie Ru.” He has been troubled by nightmares, and in modern medical terms, he has poor sleep quality.
Not only that, he often wakes up in the middle of the night due to nightmares, sweating profusely, screaming in pain, and frequently experiencing insomnia.
In his dreams, he would be bitten by a group of snakes, chased by evil spirits, killed, and even had his hands and feet severed. All his dreams are nightmares, ominous, and evil, to name a few.
So, he recited the “High King Avalokitesvara Sutra” a thousand times. For every ten repetitions, he marked a red dot in the circles, totalling a hundred circles, or a thousand times.
He has great faith in the sutra where:
One is liberated from the suffering of birth and death,
And freed from all the many kinds of suffering,
By upholding a thousand times, all serious sins will be eliminated.
Lianhua Jie Ru accomplished a thousand repetitions, marking a hundred circles with red dots. However, he didn’t know what to do with the page full of circles and dots, nor how to dedicate the merits.
In his hesitation, Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu appeared in his dream.
Grandmaster asked, “What is your doubt?”
“I’ve recited the ‘High King Avalokitesvara Sutra’ a thousand times, but I don’t know what to do with the marked page.”
“What do you seek?”
“To get rid of nightmares and have peaceful dreams.”
In the dream, I instructed Lianhua Jie Ru:
“Fold the paper with circles into the shape of the Bagua, with a hollow center, folding it inwards from all sides. If you can’t, just fold it into a square shape and place it inside your pillow.”
“The pillow is dirty.”
“Buy a new pillow, or clean the existing one.”
So, Lianhua Jie Ru followed my instructions, bought a new pillow, and placed the paper with circles inside. Since then, nightmares no longer occurred, and he had peaceful dreams. The quality of his sleep improved, and he no longer suffered from insomnia.
If he dreamt at all, it was of seeing Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, a Pureland, or himself in a majestic and noble state. He dreamt of himself flying on clouds, being in golden and silver pavilions, or reciting Buddhist mantras.
Before, he used to be very fearful when sleeping, but now he is very joyful.
Reciting the “High King Avalokitesvara Sutra” a thousand times proved to be highly effective.