Vajrasattva (Forgiveness and Purification) Practice

(For Podcast, click here.  For ITunes version, click here.) 

In Tibetan Buddhism, there is a visualization practice including an enlightened being called Vajrasattva, and it is one of the preliminary practices that monks and nuns do to prepare themselves for the deeper Buddhist teachings.  Some good news about this practice: there is now scientific research that shows the physiological benefits.  There was a study done recently at the University of Oregon that tested the physical impact of performing visualizations that included positive imagery and that integrated the mind/body connection.  The results showed that these practices do in fact reduce our stress hormones, our cortisol levels, and through the use of fMRIs, they recorded that after about eleven hours of practice, students actually began to grow new axons, new neural pathways, just like we did when we were children.  Positive visualizations actually make our brains a little bit bigger and healthier!

It’s nice to know the scientific validation of the physiological impact, but equally valuable is the spiritual benefit of transforming how we experience ourselves and our circumstances in daily life.  The Vajrasattva practice is about purification and forgiveness.  It is an opportunity for us to let go of some of the baggage that most of us carry around, the “stuff” that gets in the way of living life fully.  Think about yourself as a newborn baby, fresh and open to all the possibilities.  Then, over time, we have experiences, thoughts, emotions and reactions that sometime do not serve us, that can drag us down and make life sometime seem like a struggle.  The practice of purification and forgiveness is an opportunity for us to let go, to free ourselves, from some of the old unskillful stuff that seems to get in the way of us simply experiencing the beauty of life moment to moment. 
As we begin this process, it’s helpful to visualize in great detail.  I can give you some ideas about what to “see” in your mind’s eye, but it’s important to make it your own, to connect deeply with your own experience.  Below are a series of steps included in the visualization.  I encourage you to experiment, and see what it might feel like, to forgive, to let go and to start fresh. 

Vajrasattva:  Name given to a Bodhisattva (enlightened being) who realized that every thought, emotion, word and action can be part of our transformation and encouraged the use of visualizations to experience forgiveness and fresh starts.

Vajrasattva Purification (based on Ven. Thubten Chodron’s Pearl of Wisdom, Book II)

1.      Begin by visualizing Vajrasattva (or a radiant being of love-kindness and 

compassion) above and in front of you

2.      Begin by reciting the refuge vows three times:

In Buddha, Dharma and Sangha

We go for refuge until fully awakened

Through the power of Generosity, Ethics, Patience, Enthusiastic Effort, Concentration and Wisdom

For the sake of all beings, may we realize and demonstrate our innate goodness.

3.      The Power of Regret – reflect, with deep regret, the specific negativities that you have created, and ask for Vajrasattva’s help in guiding you from this misery.

4.      The Power of Remedial Action – a process to purify all past experiences.  While reciting the 100 syllable mantra 21 times or the shorter version “om vajrasattva hum” 108 times, visualize the flow of purifying light and love from Vajrasattva down through the crown of your head cleansing and purifying your thoughts, emotions, words and actions.

5.      Purification of Body – Your disturbing attitudes and negativities take the form of black ink.  Flushed out by the healing light, they leave your body through the lower openings, like filthy liquid flowing down a drainpipe.  Feel completely empty of these problems; they no longer exist. 

6.      Purification of Speech - …take the form of liquid tar. ..flow out the upper openings of your body…

7.      Purification of the Mind/Emotions - …take the form of darkness in your heart…the darkness completely disappears…

8.      Simultaneous Purification – Do the three above visualizations simultaneously.  Feel completely free of these obscurations.

9.      The Power of the Promise – To create a fresh start, make the following promise, “From this moment forward, I vow to practice skillful thoughts, words and actions .”  Vajrasattva is extremely pleased and says, “My spiritual child, all your negativities, obscurations and degenerated vows have been completely purified.”

With delight, Vajrasattva melts into light and dissolves into you.  Your body, speech and mind become inseparably one with Vajrasattva’s luminous body, speech and mind. 

10.     Dedication – “Due to my purified thoughts, words and actions, may I soon attain the enlightened state of Vajrasattva, that I may be able to liberate all beings from their suffering.  May innate goodness and wisdom arise and grow.  May it have no decline, but increase forever more.”