Class: Buddhist Path | Latest Meditation Posts
The seven-branch Mahayana prayer is a devotional observe for accumulating advantage. It’s usually carried out as a preliminary to meditation however can be a whole observe by itself. The seven branches are:
Preliminaries to Meditation (together with The Seven-Limb Prayer)
Most of us have rituals we do at the beginning of every meditation observe. We’d clear our house, place contemporary flowers or water bowls on our altar, or fluff and prepare our meditation cushions. Our pre-meditation routine would possibly even embrace brewing the espresso for later, giving our canine a chew or writing one thing down on a to-do checklist so it’s not lingering in our thoughts.
Maybe we begin every observe the identical method, by sitting comfortably and tall, closing our eyes or gazing downwards and grounding ourselves by bringing consciousness to our physique and the rhythm of our breath. These rituals assist put us in a extra settled and spacious way of thinking, so we are able to get essentially the most profit from our observe. In Mahayana Buddhism, preliminaries to meditation embrace the seven-limb prayer.
Translated as seven limbs, seven branches, or seven facets of devotional observe, the most typical model of this prayer is attributed to the Eighth-century Indian sage Shantideva. The prayer is a part of a routine that helps put together the thoughts for meditation. It is usually a robust observe of accumulating advantage and purification in itself. Accumulating advantage is a necessary side of our non secular work, because it creates and maintains the fitting situations for observe, firmly grounds us in advantage and opens our minds to prospects. With out advantage, we’re not in a position to perceive the truths of existence, so the trail to knowledge is blocked.
After we meditate with the mindset of a bodhisattva, we meditate with the intent to profit all sentient beings. In our unenlightened state, nevertheless, we’re not efficient helpers. And so, we do our greatest to succeed in full and ideal enlightenment on this very lifetime by purifying our psychological afflictions.
The seven-branched prayer reminds us of this lofty purpose, the practices that carry it to fruition, and the inspiration of knowledge and skillful strategies on which it rests.
What’s the Seven-Limb Prayer?
As a devotional observe, the seven-branched prayer assumes we now have an object of devotion in thoughts. Shantideva’s prayer thus has a preliminary of its personal. We first take refuge within the three jewels of Buddha, dharma and sangha and reaffirm the intention to meditate for the advantage of all beings.
Whereas the wording of the seven-limb prayer could fluctuate, the essence of observe is as follows. Notice that every limb additionally purifies a selected defilement.
Prostration
Prostrations accumulate advantage and purify ego-centered satisfaction. We thus start by humbling ourselves by bowing to the three jewels. We will bodily prostrate or just think about it. Both method, we maintain reverence for the lecturers, the observe and excessive practitioners reminiscent of bodhisattvas in thoughts.
Providing
Choices are a observe of generosity, an antidote to greed. We will place precise choices on an altar in addition to making choices with our thoughts. As we provide, we recall to mind that which we’re keen to provide for our observe and for the advantage of others, reminiscent of our effort and time. Within the vastness of the Mahayana method, we are able to mentally provide the entire universe.
Confession
Confession, the antidote to aggression, is just acknowledging our humanity and the elements of us which have but to be woke up. Maybe we slipped into aggression or laziness yesterday or we’re scuffling with some side of the ten misdeeds. Acknowledging our errors helps us be taught and develop from them.
Rejoicing
Regardless of our human imperfections, right here we’re, on the brink of meditate! Rejoicing brings consciousness to the nice we’re presently engaged in. We will rejoice within the good deeds and happiness that others have, and even the Buddha nature that’s shared by all dwelling beings. Jealousy is purified after I acknowledge your enlightenment is related to mine, and vice versa.
Requesting Teachings
We humbly beseech each Buddha and bodhisattva to please educate, to bless us and all beings with knowledge, the antidote to ignorance. Asking to be blessed with perception and teachings additionally brings consciousness to our willingness to be taught.
Requesting the Trainer to Stay
Asking our lecturers to please keep acknowledges our personal dedication to observe till the trail of no extra studying. This step additionally purifies flawed view. By adopting proper view, we acknowledge all beings as potential helpers. All issues we expertise, good or unhealthy, can grow to be a part of our observe. We’re eternally accompanied by lecturers.
Dedicating Benefit
Dedicating the deserves of our observe purifies lingering doubt. Religion is fortified after we see the advantages of our observe in motion, having given them away. The dedication of virtuous actions not solely will increase our personal advantage, however reminds us of our intent. We prepare the thoughts not merely for our personal freedom, however for everybody’s. Dedication of even a small optimistic motion for the advantage of others generates not simply good karma however transforms our actions right into a seed for enlightenment.
Within the observe of seven-branch prayer, we use the facility of thoughts to create optimistic aspirations and switch our minds to give attention to that which is helpful. For the reason that thoughts is limitless, our needs could be huge and magnanimous. If at first our needs appear small by comparability, it’s no drawback; we begin the place we’re and step by step our belief and devotion to the trail will improve. Our motivation will not be stagnant; it may be improved and expanded by observe.
The 7-branches are a purification observe in themselves, as they scale back unfavorable afflictions and karma, improve optimistic aspirations and actions, and make our lives significant. This not solely creates pleasure, however fuels our Buddhist observe. Now we’re able to meditate.
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