Practices for epidemics and pandemics

[Malcolm]

There has been a lot of recommendations one sees in various places on line for what kinds of practices one should be doing during this time. Here is my list of essential practices. Most of these are concerned with pacifying the eight classes, In particular, these diseases are spread by Mamos.


Orgyen Menlha/Medicine Buddha-- best to do for people when they are ill.

Chod practice for those who are ill.

Preventative practices:

Riwo Sangchod-- this or any general rite of Sang is important for everyone to do during this time because these outbreaks are always a result of our general contamination and disrespect of the environment, as well as violation of our three vows. This practice is used to purify ourselves, and in this way, acts as a rite of repelling.

Wrathful pratices such as Takhyung Barwa, Guru Dragpgur, Dorje Drollo, Vajrapani, and so on, which are used to pacify and control the eight classes.

The Golden Libation for the Eight Classes by Nubchen (degyed serkhyem), again, used to appease local deities, etc.

Parnashavari is particularly effective in this time.

Dorje Gotrab, but one needs to do a three day silent retreat on this practice.

Tārā, especially the 20th Tārā mantra.

Reciting Barche Kunsel and Sampa Lhundrup.

For those who do not have Vajrayāna empowerment, reciting the Heart Sutra with the repelling rite is effective.

Obtain and wear a Nagpo Gujor pill. Consult your guru for how to use it best.

Wash your hands frequently, reciting the Seven Line prayer to Padmasambhava slowly while doing so = three happy birthdays.

Stay home and practice.

[Misty]

“For those who do not have Vajrayāna empowerment, reciting the Heart Sutra with the repelling rite is effective.”

Thank you
What is a “repelling rite”?
Is there a simple one that can be offered here for those of us who have not received Vajrayana guidance?

[Malcolm]

“For those who do not have Vajrayāna empowerment, reciting the Heart Sutra with the repelling rite is effective.”

Thank you
What is a “repelling rite”?
Is there a simple one that can be offered here for those of us who have not received Vajrayana guidance?

You add this to any translated version of the Heart Sūtra you find:


Namo homage to the Gurus; homage to the Buddha, homage to the Dharma, homage to the Sangha, homage to the Great Mother, the Perfection of Wisdom, may our words be accomplished in dependence upon the might and power of paying you homage!

Just as long ago, Sakra, the king of the gods, thinking of the profound meaning of the Great Mother, the Perfection of Wisdom, and in dependence on the might and power of reciting the words was able to ward of evil Māra, and so on, likewise, also by our thinking of the profound meaning of the Great Mother, the Perfection of Wisdom, and in dependence on the might and power of reciting the words, by the power of the truth of the Three Noble Jewels, may all that is contrary to me and my companions’ practice of the sublime Dharma be repelled immediately! (clap) May it be prevented! (clap) May it be pacified! (clap) May it be totally pacified! (clap)

May the activities of the māras—
such as deceiving sentient beings about
method, refuge, purity,
Mahāyāna, and renunciation—be averted.

May all misdeeds which arise
from action and affliction—
the cause of unbearable fear and the origin of suffering
for limitless living beings along with myself—be pacified.

[dharmafootsteps]

Thank you for this Malcolm.

[Könchok Thrinley]

Thank you Malcolm! This is a great advice and puts things into context.

Would practice od Dharma protectors, such as Achi, help?

[Misty]

Thank you

[Malcolm]

Thank you Malcolm! This is a great advice and puts things into context.

Would practice od Dharma protectors, such as Achi, help?

Yes, definitely. Especially Palden Lhamo.

[Mantrik]

Thank you.
Would the Riwo Sangcho from the Rigdzin Sogdrub be suitable?
How about Sangchod and Serkyem of the 8 Classes from ChNN?

[Nicholas Weeks]

Two other powerful healing practices are the long Surangama Mantra in Sanskrit or Chinese and the Great Compassion mantra, a much shorter one. Here is a DW thread on the latter, the former has one too.

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=8781

[Malcolm]

Thank you.
Would the Riwo Sangcho from the Rigdzin Sogdrub be suitable?
How about Sangchod and Serkyem of the 8 Classes from ChNN?

Yes and yes.

[Mantrik]

Thank you.
Would the Riwo Sangcho from the Rigdzin Sogdrub be suitable?
How about Sangchod and Serkyem of the 8 Classes from ChNN?

Yes and yes.

Thanks.

[Jangchup Donden]

Also some advice from Bardor Tulku Rinpoche today:

In response to requests from students for advice on how to practice dharma in difficult situations, such as the current global health crisis, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche shared the following guidance on March 12, 2020.

Because our great lineage holders and teachers have offered extensive guidance on what and how to practice, there is not much more I can add. However, if sharing a little about my own approach to practice can benefit others, I will do so.

Whatever practice we engage in, the essence of dharma is love and compassion. For my own daily practice, I start with guru yoga in the morning, followed by yidam practices during the day, and Mahakala in the evening. Through all these practices, I pray to the three jewels—the Buddha, dharma, and sangha—that all obstacles and hindrances for all sentient beings disappear.

Remember that guru yoga and yidam practices are long-term methods to bring benefit to others and oneself. Making a specific sickness the focus of one’s practice—or switching to a different practice to focus on one sickness—doesn’t work too well. When the great Indian pandit Atisha came to Tibet, he explained that where he came from, everyone practiced one yidam as a means to accomplish everything. However, what he saw at that time in Tibet, was people practicing a hundred yidams and accomplishing nothing.

I have found this to be good advice. With genuine love, compassion and devotion, I know that whatever practice I do will be as good as a hundred deities. This is important to remember.

If you have a guru yoga or yidam practice, continue with it. For those without such a practice, Medicine Buddha and Green Tara practice can be helpful. Also, follow the examples of masters like His Holiness the 17th Karmapa and Sakya Trizin, in cultivating bodhicitta. For those who are ill, from your heart, pray that this sickness ends as soon as possible. When thinking of people who are dying or deceased, pray that they have good rebirths in the future. Recall that outbreaks of sickness like this do happen from time to time in this world. Rather than worrying and becoming upset that it is happening, we can cultivate love and compassion for sentient beings in our hearts and minds. This is most important.

So if you already have a yidam and practice, no need to change things up. Just make sure your intentions and dedications are properly there.

[Nicholas Weeks]

Splendid advice from Atisha via Bardor Tulku Rinpoche!

[javier.espinoza.t]

Thank you Malcolm, this is useful.

[fckw]

Gangteng Tulku's recommendations also included (among other) Dorje Gotrab (including the vajra armour practice) and 20th Tara.

[Knotty Veneer]

Situ Rinpoche has recommended both Green and White Tara practices.

In addition to prayers I think it's important to see the steps you are taking to prevent infection as part of your practice. By washing your hands, self-isolating etc you could be saving someone else's life. By being negligent you might pass on the virus and cause someone else suffering or even death.

Also, many old and immune system compromised folks may be stuck at home and unable to get out to shop etc. Make it part of your practice to look out for your ill or elderly neighbours and family members.

Saying prayers is great and something we should do but don't forget to the practical steps we all need to carry out at this time.

[Terma]

Situ Rinpoche has recommended both Green and White Tara practices.

In addition to prayers I think it's important to see the steps you are taking to prevent infection as part of your practice. By washing your hands, self-isolating etc you could be saving someone else's life. By being negligent you might pass on the virus and cause someone else suffering or even death.

Also, many old and immune system compromised folks may be stuck at home and unable to get out to shop etc. Make it part of your practice to look out for your ill or elderly neighbours and family members.

Saying prayers is great and something we should do but don't forget to the practical steps we all need to carry out at this time.

Great and very important reminders. Practice with pure intention is wonderful of course, but we have to constantly remember that we are aspiring bodhisattva's and act accordingly.

It is perhaps the best form of practice.

[Brunelleschi]

Thanks! Appreciated.

[cjdevries]

I just got this email from Bhaka Tulku's center:

Dear Friends and Sangha,

Given the current situation and for everyone's safety and concern due to the Coronavirus; for now Vairotsana Foundation Garden Grove has suspended all practices until further notice. We wanted to be mindful of your health concerns and we encourage you to practice at home. Please read below on what Bhakha Rinpoche has to say about this disease.

Concerning the recent Coronavirus disease:

Thangtong Gyalpo came around the 13th century. He was born in West Tibet near the holy mountain Chung Riwoche where the Northern Treasures were propagated and near the Yarlung Tsangpo river. He was the emanation of Padmasambhava and wrathful Avalokiteshvara, Hayagriva, combined in order to tame human and non-human beings, wrathful spirits and guardians. He met all the siddhas of India, traveled to Nepal and India for 18 years, and afterwards became a siddha. He composed the Four-armed Chenresig practice whose benefit goes as far as the sky goes and as far as beings exist. The power of blessing can reach that far. Through this prayer, and if you do one good practice, like 1.5 hrs, it can help sick people, living people, dying people. It can benefit everyone.

Then say Sampa Lhundrup prayer:
https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-ma ... 9d9SNwcX6U

In this prayer, there are Gurus who can stop war or invasion, prayers for sick people, even for very serious dangerous diseases. You can pray to blue standing Guru Rinpoche inseparable with Medicine Buddha. Unless the karma calls for the end of a person's life, the prayer can cure even sickness of any disease. It needs strong devotion to get the blessing and strong dedication- then it can really help.

Then there is Guru of Poverty for those who do not have enough food and things- Orgyen Khandro Norlha who can help beings to get good crops and protect from frost and crop failure, or promote wealth increase.

There is a Guru who controls 4 elements including sky- Jungyi Wangyur, holding symbol of universe- one statue of world and holding kapala of dutsi. With him there are 4 wisdom mothers he brought to help beings. Sangye Khyema in the South for Earthquake or Flood, Go Karmo red color dealing with Fire, Mamaki for Water protecting cyclone tsunami and flood, Damtsig Drolma Green Tara- dealing with Wind. Together they can protect the space element and dangers like tornado and lightening. They combine with Guru Rinpoche's blessing to protect others.

If sudden suffering is coming say these prayers.

Then, there are crazy people who shoot innocent people in schools and theaters. To protect from such immediate dangers there is Dorje Gotrab holding sword and lasso. Then, there is Orgyen Nangwa Thaye golden color holding a lotus for those who have passed and have fear and pain when dying, or bad visions when dying if they did bad things.

So do Sampa Lhundrup and Chenresig. Whoever is suffering, has died, or to stop disease people recite Om Mani Peme Hung. It is a powerful mantra for living or dying people. For future happiness, doing mantra is easy to say and can help whoever believes in it a lot.

-Bhakha Rinpoche March 12, 2020

May All Benefit~

[Shako]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone!