Can I choose an enlightentened deity as a protector?

[Red Faced Buddha]

I was wondering if I could choose a Buddha or Bodhisattva as an enlightened protector and focus of meditation.I wanted to make Manjushri or Vajrapani a focus of meditation.However,I do not know whether one needs a guru or teacher to choose a personal meditational deity.Some traditions do not need a teacher to meditate on a Buddhist deity(such as Nio Zen which meditate on warrior deities.)however,I was unsure whether or not it is okay to have a meditational deity without a guru.

[tomamundsen]

I think the main issue would be that without the guru, you can't make the connection with the deity via empowerment. But it's not like it's "against the rules" as far as I know.

[Red Faced Buddha]

I think the main issue would be that without the guru, you can't make the connection with the deity via empowerment. But it's not like it's "against the rules" as far as I know.

Thanks,just wondering.

[gregkavarnos]

Definitely need a teacher/lama for the oral transmission of the mantra and sadhana and instructions/explanations of the visualisation, mantra and practice. Of course one does not necessarily need a sadhana to do a practice, you can just receive the short praise and the mantra. But, officially, all of this has to come from a lama or somebody that has completed the preliminiaries for the deity.

Empowerment 100% needs the presence of a qualified teacher. Having said that, empowerment is not 100% necessary in order for you to do a practice. It does take one's practice to another level though.

So yes, you can choose an enlightened deity as a protector. Many protectors (dharmapala) are enlightened beings too. Most protectors are aspects of an enlightened beings activity anyway.

Keep in mind that you may be asked to officially take refuge before a practice is given to you (especially a sadhana). You may also be asked to complete some type of preliminaries (ngondro) too.

[Sherlock]

Well, you might not be able to work with a deity using tantric methods without the transmission, but just by taking refuge, you also come under the protection of many deities.

There are certain deities for whom you don't need the empowerment to meditate on/chant their dharanis, although you still should not visualize yourself as the deity without the empowerment. Amitabha is one example, Medicine Buddha, Green Tara as well. They aren't usually regarded as "protectors" though. Most protectors are wrathful and most teachers will advise you to get an empowerment before chanting their mantras or you can cause problems for yourself.

[Red Faced Buddha]

Definitely need a teacher/lama for the oral transmission of the mantra and sadhana and instructions/explanations of the visualisation, mantra and practice. Of course one does not necessarily need a sadhana to do a practice, you can just receive the short praise and the mantra. But, officially, all of this has to come from a lama or somebody that has completed the preliminiaries for the deity.

Empowerment 100% needs the presence of a qualified teacher. Having said that, empowerment is not 100% necessary in order for you to do a practice. It does take one's practice to another level though.

So yes, you can choose an enlightened deity as a protector. Many protectors (dharmapala) are enlightened beings too. Most protectors are aspects of an enlightened beings activity anyway.

Keep in mind that you may be asked to officially take refuge before a practice is given to you (especially a sadhana). You may also be asked to complete some type of preliminaries (ngondro) too.

So if I want to meditate on Manjushri,I must receive an empowerment?I was thinking more of Nio Zen then Tantra but that's beside the point.What exactly are empowerments?

[gregkavarnos]

So if I want to meditate on Manjushri,I must receive an empowerment?

No. You need the oral transmission of the mantra and prayers.

I was thinking more of Nio Zen then Tantra but that's beside the point.

I know nothing about Nio Zen. Try posting your question in the relevant subforum.

What exactly are empowerments?

http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/ar ... rment.html

[plwk]

I know nothing about Nio Zen.

Here's some ideas on it... 1 2 3

[tomamundsen]

So if I want to meditate on Manjushri,I must receive an empowerment?

No. You need the oral transmission of the mantra and prayers.

While definitely technically true, it's not like anyone's going to start a witch hunt if you make up your own meditation based on Manjushri. Of course, it would be much more effective to go the traditional route and get a transmission, empowerment, and teachings from a lama.

I am a beginner myself, so don't take my explanation as something even close to definitive. My understanding of empowerment is like this. Some Vajrayana master accomplishes a deity practice and makes a direct connection with the deity. This is like the first link in the chain of empowerments and it is what make all the following ones valid. After accomplishing a practice, the master can then give empowerments to connect their students with the deity. Then students can pass this same empowerment down to their students. If you do ever receive an empowerment, you'll see that the lama first has to do his own ritual to receive the empowerment from the deity. Then he can give the empowerment to students. So, if you do your own practice without an empowerment, you don't have this direct connection to the deity and you're just kinda poking around in the dark.

[gregkavarnos]

So if I want to meditate on Manjushri,I must receive an empowerment?

No. You need the oral transmission of the mantra and prayers.

While definitely technically true, it's not like anyone's going to start a witch hunt if you make up your own meditation based on Manjushri. Of course, it would be much more effective to go the traditional route and get a transmission, empowerment, and teachings from a lama.

It is true that nobody will start a witch hunt but:
1. Why reinvent the wheel?
2. Wouldn't it be better to rely on a practice conceived of by a realised teacher rather than one based on a mistaken understanding?

[dakini_boi]

Yes, you can take any enlightened being as your protector. All Buddhas embody all the qualities of Buddhahood, and that would include protection from fear.

I believe you can recite Manjushri's mantra without empowerment or lung. Vajrapani, I am not sure. Both are featured in Mahayana sutras, which you can always recite on your own. Why not read some sutras, and find one that you like? At the end of a sutra is usually a mantra, which you can then recite as a prayer.

[tomamundsen]

1. Why reinvent the wheel?
2. Wouldn't it be better to rely on a practice conceived of by a realised teacher rather than one based on a mistaken understanding?

Yes, of course it's better.

[Red Faced Buddha]

Yes, you can take any enlightened being as your protector. All Buddhas embody all the qualities of Buddhahood, and that would include protection from fear.

I believe you can recite Manjushri's mantra without empowerment or lung. Vajrapani, I am not sure. Both are featured in Mahayana sutras, which you can always recite on your own. Why not read some sutras, and find one that you like? At the end of a sutra is usually a mantra, which you can then recite as a prayer.

Thank you.

[CrawfordHollow]

You could always pray to and recite the Vajra Guru Mantra and Seven-Line Prayer. Years ago I started chanting the Vajra Guru as much as I could; at work, doing the dishes, walking the dog. Within a couple months I met my root lama and my practice really took off. I still chant the mantra constantly. Guru Rinpoche is a figure that I have always felt drawn to, there are many other Buddhas you can pray to, it doesn't have to be a formal practice.

If you want to practice a Vajrayana sadhana you definately need to make the connection with a teacher. Gitting the empowerment and lung is like plugging yourself into the circuit of blessings of the lineage. Thats obviously important, but there are many things that you can do now to incorporate these enlightened beings into your practice, you could pray to them, make prostrations, read their sutras or life stories, ect. You could make aspiration prayers that you will meet a teacher who will give you the empowermet that you are looking for. I think aspiration prayers are really important and useful. Its like casting out our good intentions like a fishing lure. Keep at it and you are bound to make a "catch".

If you feel drawn to Manjushri or another deity chances are you already have a karmic connection to that deity or practice. Like somebody pointed out in a past thread, even realized beings who take a rebirth have to go through the process of recieving all of their empowerments again. Don't get discouraged if you can't find a teacher right away. Have faith and good intentions and the rest will fall into place with time.

Best wishes,
Troy

[Red Faced Buddha]

You could always pray to and recite the Vajra Guru Mantra and Seven-Line Prayer. Years ago I started chanting the Vajra Guru as much as I could; at work, doing the dishes, walking the dog. Within a couple months I met my root lama and my practice really took off. I still chant the mantra constantly. Guru Rinpoche is a figure that I have always felt drawn to, there are many other Buddhas you can pray to, it doesn't have to be a formal practice.

If you want to practice a Vajrayana sadhana you definately need to make the connection with a teacher. Gitting the empowerment and lung is like plugging yourself into the circuit of blessings of the lineage. Thats obviously important, but there are many things that you can do now to incorporate these enlightened beings into your practice, you could pray to them, make prostrations, read their sutras or life stories, ect. You could make aspiration prayers that you will meet a teacher who will give you the empowermet that you are looking for. I think aspiration prayers are really important and useful. Its like casting out our good intentions like a fishing lure. Keep at it and you are bound to make a "catch".

If you feel drawn to Manjushri or another deity chances are you already have a karmic connection to that deity or practice. Like somebody pointed out in a past thread, even realized beings who take a rebirth have to go through the process of recieving all of their empowerments again. Don't get discouraged if you can't find a teacher right away. Have faith and good intentions and the rest will fall into place with time.

Best wishes,
Troy

Thank you for your post.

[lobster]

the migtsema which is an open 'available to everyone' YinYana practice covers two of your preferred deities . . .
http://v7.tsemtulku.com/teachings/contemplations/on-tsongkhapa-and-migtsema/

No one, not even the Buddha, can stop the protection and worship of deities . . .

OM YA HA HUM