Inviting other beings to join your practice?

General discussion, particularly exploring the Dharma in the modern world.
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明安 Myoan
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Inviting other beings to join your practice?

Post by 明安 Myoan »

Does anyone include in their practice an invitation to hungry ghosts, devas, and any other beings?

I remember reading some folks on here say they've seen or felt other beings join their practice, mimicking what they do. It seems like a natural extension of bodhicitta, to invite beings who need merit to join you... even if your session is 30 minutes of coming out of monkey mind over and over again :P I don't have any direct experience with such beings but I don't discount their existence simply because my eyeballs can't see them.

I imagine there's precedent for this so maybe someone's already written up a good prayer to use :)

Thanks for your insight and thoughts.
:buddha1: :heart:
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lowlydog
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Re: Inviting other beings to join your practice?

Post by lowlydog »

I feel all the realms of samsara are part of our practice, we just need to develope the ability to feel their presence and observe their arising and passing away with a balanced mind. :smile:
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Thomas Amundsen
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Re: Inviting other beings to join your practice?

Post by Thomas Amundsen »

During tsok, yes.
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lobster
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Re: Inviting other beings to join your practice?

Post by lobster »

duckfiasco wrote:Does anyone include in their practice an invitation to hungry ghosts, devas, and any other beings?

:buddha1: :heart:
You bet.
I invite all buddhas, past present and future. The hordes of all realms, including the Non Buddhist. The more the merrier. I should imagine it is no different to the lone Zennist but it feels friendlier . . . :group:
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catmoon
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Re: Inviting other beings to join your practice?

Post by catmoon »

I see that kind of invitation everywhere, in water bowl offerings, in MB pujas, even in a simple 7 branch prayer.
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