Page 24 - EH58

22 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

Empowerments (the authorization to hear, study and This is a very good question. This is related to my earlier
practice the Vajrayana teachings) will be very beneficial answer. Asians, particularly those of Chinese descent
for those with such devotion in the Buddha Dharma. naturally find it easy to adapt to the Dharma practice
with devotion and faith. It is not a new culture coming
Why Medicine Buddha Empowerment? Kunzang to them and thus, tend to readily accept the Vajrayana
Chokhor Ling (Buddhist Society, Selangor) requested Buddhist practice.
this Dharma Teaching and Medicine Buddha
Empowerment for the benefit of Malaysian devotees. There are different ways of receiving empowerment –
either just as a blessing or as one’s own main practice.
[Editor’s Note: It is stated in the Medicine Buddha Sutra
that the Medicine Buddha has made great vows to bless If it is receiving empowerment as blessing, anybody
the devoted to live in prosperous land free from natural can be included in that mandala (literally, center and
disaster and war and gain release from suffering of circumference).
illness and other woes.]
In the case of taking it as a main practice, there
Personally, I don’t feel I am so qualified to give can be many different levels, dependent on one’s
empowerments but since I have received teachings and capacity. For example, (integral) in receiving Vajrayana
blessings from many great masters and out of devotion empowerment is the development of pure vision. If
to them, passing down the blessings and teachings of one can generate pure vision where one perceive one’s
the lineage will be of benefit to more. guru as the Buddha, one will receive the blessings as
from the Buddha. If one’s capacity is visualizing Arahat/
The practice of the teachings of the Medicine Buddha is Bodhisattva, one will receive blessings from Arahat/
not just good for health. It combines the whole practice Bodisattva or if one’s visualization is an ordinary monk
of accumulation (of merit and wisdom) and purification or another human being, one will receive blessings from
(of obscuration). Even though it is called Medicine an ordinary monk or human being. It depends on one’s
Buddha teaching, it is a complete practice within that. capacity and devotion.

Empowerment in Vajrayana Buddhism is a very [Editor’s Note: Rabjam Rinpoche once told this story of
scared ritual, and there are also requirements before Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s youngest daughter making
a student may begin it, especially the commitment to full prostration around Samye, the first monastery
the guru. Unfortunately, many people in Malaysia are in Tibet built by Padmasambhava, Shatarakshita and
only attracted to empowerment because they think King Trisong Detsen. There was garbage, urine and
of it as magical or that it can bestow good fortune for excrement everywhere.
mundane purposes. Should Vajrayana masters be
more cautious in offering empowerment rituals to After some time, Khyentse Rinpoche asked her
anyone who wants it? wouldn’t she find it difficult and feel disgusted in doing