Meditation on the Buddha of Limitless Light Diamond Way Buddhist Centers USA 2002 Edition Diamond Way Buddhist

t Center, P.O. Box 27901-452, San Francisco, CA 94127, USA Tel: + 1 415-661-6467 Fax: + 1 415-665-2241 Email: publishing@diamondway.org www.diamondway-buddhism.org Dear Friends, Nothing is more important than mastering one's death, and meditations on the red Buddha of Limitless Light (Tib. Opagme, Skt. Amitabha) permit one to transform this process into self-liberating joy. They are therefore an incomprehensible gift. Especially before meditation courses on Conscious Dying or Phowa, one should focus on practices that invoke his energy field. In the search for reliable mental states, habit sows the deepest seeds and I am always thankful when my students have done a hundred thousand repetitions of the short mantra given here before their first Phowa. Enjoy! All the best, Yours Lama Ole

Meditation on the Buddha of Limitless Light The Four Thoughts We feel the formless stream of air at the tips of our noses and let thoughts and feelings pass without evaluation. Then we focus on the four basic thoughts, which turn mind towards liberation and enlightenment: We recognize our precious opportunity in this life, that we can benefit countless beings through the methods of a buddha. Few people ever meet Diamond Way teachings and even fewer are able to use them. We remember the impermanence of everything composite. Only the unlimited clear space of mind is lasting and it is uncertain how long conditions will remain for recognizing it. We understand causality. That it is up to us what will happen. Former thoughts, words and actions became our present state and right now we are sowing the seeds for our future. Finally, we see the reasons for working with mind. Enlightenment is timeless highest bliss, and we cannot benefit others while confused or disturbed ourselves. Therefore we now open up to those who can teach us. Refuge For the good of all beings we take refuge. In the Buddha, minds full development; In his teachings which bring us there; In the Sangha; And especially in the Lama, here the 16th Karmapa. He unites blessing, methods and protection and is needed for our fast development. Building-up Phase Above our head and at a reachable distance there now arises a fully open lotus flower. A flat disc of the moon is lying inside it. Upon it the Buddha of Limitless Light (Tib. Opagme, Skt. Amitabha) sits facing in the same direction as we. He is athletic and

luminous and shines like a mountain of rubies in the light of a thousand suns. Radiant and beautiful beyond all concepts, his state is the fulfillment of any possible wish. Being in essence the Karmapa and our root lama, he is seated in the position of meditation. His hands hold a bowl of lapis lazuli in his lap with the nectar of highest bliss. To his right, above our right shoulder and smaller than the Buddha of Limitless Light, stands the united compassion of all buddhas, the white four-armed form of Loving Eyes (Tib. Chenrezig, Skt. Avalokitesvara). To his left and above our left shoulder stands Diamond in Hand (Tib. Channa Dorje, Skt. Vajrapani), the united power of all buddhas, in his peaceful light blue form. He holds a bell to his heart and a dorje towards Limitless Light. The three central forms are surrounded by the lamas of all Phowa lineages. Repeating the mantra for as long as possible, we hold our awareness with the pure land above, and strongly wish to enter the heart of the red buddha. OM AMI DEWA HRI Completion Phase When we finish the repetitions, the lamas and the pure land above melt into the white and the blue bodhisattvas. These dissolve into the Buddha of Limitless Light and become one with him. Then he becomes light and streams down into us. Like water flowing into water, there is no separation. The world is a pure land. Beings appear everywhere, all having the buddha-nature. We are our habitual form, now without weakness or disease. We decide to keep this understanding in all lifes situations and wish that the good impressions that just appeared become limitless. May they bring all beings the only lasting joy, that of knowing mind.