One Mantra, One Practice and One Deity

Written by Lian-shen Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu
Translated by Cheng Yew Chung edited by Victor Hazen
True Buddha Foundation Translation Team

A disciple asked me, “Is it better to recite many mantras or just stick to one?”

I replied, “It’s all the same. All the same.”

Expanding from this question, we may ask if it is better to cultivate just one practice or to cultivate multiple practices? Is it better to stick to one principal deity or to work with many? My Master once instructed me on this. Regarding this matter, it really depends on the individual’s wishes. Some Vajrayana practitioners like to embrace the idea of multiple mantras, multiple practices and multiple principal deities. If the practitioner has sufficient time to apply to his practices and he is an ordained monk whose focus is on his cultivation, he can certainly practice this way. Therefore, as long as you have sufficient time to devote to practices, you can cultivate three, five, then or even a hundred practices, a hundred deities, and it is all right.

However, most modern people are busy at work and spend little time at home. And when it comes to Vajrayana practice, it is almost impossible to cope with the cultivation of multiple mantras, multiple practices and multiple principal deities. Therefore, one can only carry out the cultivation of a single mantra, a single practice, and a single principal deity. Note that by focusing on one mantra, one practice and one deity, the very action of focusing opens the gateway to swift accomplishment, as it is easier to achieve yogic response this way.

Thus:
The cultivation of multiple mantras, multiple practices and multiple deities offers the advantage of a wide network of affinity.

The cultivation of one mantra, one practice and one deity promises swift yogic response. I often say that after you gain yogic response with one principal deity, it will be easier to achieve union with other deities. It goes to say that when you gain results with one practice, you shall have success with every practice, accomplishing all that produces good merits. Hence, the practitioner should begin with one mantra, one practice and one principal deity, and cultivate truthfully. In the beginning stage, it is advisable not to dabble in too many things.

As True Buddha practitioners, we must remember that we need to complete the required amount of recitation of the Guru mantra, the mantra of the principal deity and the mantra of the protector. When you achieve yogic response with Guru Yoga, you will be a step nearer to achieving union through the Principal Deity Yoga and the Protector practice.

This is because when you achieve yogic response with your Guru, the principal deity and protectors will naturally come along and descend to bless you with joy !