Chenrezig practice question

[Johnny Dangerous]

We we're talking about Chenrezig practice in another other thread, and it brought a question to mind..so to speak;) pardon if it's a silly question, but what is a "normal" Chenrezig practice for one's everyday, home practice in general, if there is such a thing?

I plan on asking the Lama this of course before doing anything, i'm just wondering if there is something people do regularly beyond just 108 om mani padme hum's, which I take it you can do whenever, whereever. Is it normal to always do the visualization practice with these in one's practice? I have been doing the mantra on my own for a bit now which is great, i am just wondering if most traditions see a sort of 'limit' on what you are supposed to do in your own practice, as opposed to the group Sadhanas.

[kirtu]

We we're talking about Chenrezig practice in another other thread, and it brought a question to mind..so to speak;) pardon if it's a silly question, but what is a "normal" Chenrezig practice for one's everyday, home practice in general, if there is such a thing?

I plan on asking the Lama this of course before doing anything, i'm just wondering if there is something people do regularly beyond just 108 om mani padme hum's, which I take it you can do whenever, whereever. Is it normal to always do the visualization practice with these in one's practice? I have been doing the mantra on my own for a bit now which is great, i am just wondering if most traditions see a sort of 'limit' on what you are supposed to do in your own practice, as opposed to the group Sadhanas.

If you have the empowerment, then you can practice it at any time and you would normally practice visualization. However you can recite mantra and do the visualization just buy themselves as well or just recite the mantra or just rest the mind in the visualization. In general, visualization in the Tibetan traditions is a form of calming meditation or shamatha although visualization does not end there,

If you do not have the empowerment, you can still do this kind of sadhana at any time however you don't visualize yourself as Chenrezig.

Also in the visualization you can do things like sending wisdom light to all beings, eliminating them of all purity and sickness and transforming them all into Buddhas, etc. This is very beneficial.

Kirt

[futerko]

...216 Om mani padme hums... 324 Om mani padme hums...
You can do as many as you like, just remember that it might be a good idea to take a break if you have trouble staying focused.

...oh yes, and as Kirt said, send compassionate light rays from your heart centre in all directions to all sentient beings.

[conebeckham]

I strongly recommend Bokar Rinpoche's book, "Chenrezig:Lord of Love," which contains complete short practice and explanation. Also, see www.kdk.org for a short daily practice, as well. These are both based on Thangtong Gyalpo's root Sadhana, which is the core of many center's Chenrezig practices.

[Dhondrub]

I second Cone's recommendation and would add this short commentary by Drubwang Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche including the condensed form of the practice by Thangtong Gyalpo
http://sugatagarbhatranslations.com/201 ... ing-space/

Generally you need Wang, Lung and Tri as this is a Vajrayana practice, but I heard from Lamas who say it's not totally necessary in this case

[conebeckham]

Here's a direct link to the daily condensed Chenrezig from KDK

http://www.kdk.org/images/chenrezig_sadhana.pdf

[Johnny Dangerous]

Thanks guys!

[duckfiasco]

I strongly recommend Bokar Rinpoche's book, "Chenrezig:Lord of Love," which contains complete short practice and explanation. Also, see http://www.kdk.org for a short daily practice, as well. These are both based on Thangtong Gyalpo's root Sadhana, which is the core of many center's Chenrezig practices.

One of my teachers just recommended this very book. I'll have to pick up a copy. Thank you!

[Johnny Dangerous]

So I asked the lama and senior students whether I could practice Chenrezig visualization, it seems I was told that I could do the same visualization as the group practice on my own. So for my own practice obviously the question is answered.

I'm wondering what is the root of the disagreement here in different schools of thought, I see some sources saying you cannot do the self-generation as Chenrezig without empowerment, and others saying it is ok. In both cases of course empowerment is encouraged regardless.

One thing I notice about the practice, the self-visualization stuff is really intense, like a direct attack on the ego almost...is this perhaps why it might be seen as dangerous?

[TaTa]

Recently i have added some mantra recitation to my practice and after finishing I visualizethe blessings in form of light entering trough my forehead, throat and heart and resting in the calm as recommended by my lama. This is really beautiful and fulfilling. I was wondering if i could do this with chenrezig even do if i dont have the empowerment. I do have 1 thousand arm chenrezig empowerment. Can i?

[lobster]

Chenrezig:Lord of Love
is a great book as mentioned. chenrezig, like cundi, tara and a host of others is an open practice.
There is nothing but benefit in the practice.