Using an object
The second method is to rest the mind lightly on an object. Many people find this method very useful. This method is also very effective. You can use an object of natural beauty that invokes a special feeling of inspiration for you, such as a flower or crystal. But something that embodies the truth, such as an image of the Buddha, or particularly our master, is even more powerful. Our master is our living link with the truth. Because of our personal connection to our master, just seeing his or her face connects us to the inspiration and truth of our own nature. If we have faith in our master, it will be like this: just seeing his or her image connects us to the inspiration and truth of our own nature.
Padmasambhava from the holy land of India, came to Tibet in the 8th century. By the enormous power of his spiritual personality, he brought the teaching of Buddha to Tibet. We have a special connection with Padmasambhava, because Northern Buddhism is also prevalent in Tibet, and Padmasambhava is also the patriarch of the Vajrayana tradition. In reality, he is the emanation of Shakyamuni Buddha’s body, Amitabha Buddha’s mind, and Avalokiteshvara’s speech.
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche said: “The one who has the greatest compassion and blessing toward beings in this difficult age is Padmasambhava, who embodies the compassion and wisdom of all the Buddhas. One of his qualities is that he has the power to give his blessing instantly to whoever prays to him. And whatever we may pray for, he has the power to grant our wish immediately.”
If we have faith in Padmasambhava, we can meditate on his image. The second method is to use an object, and we can use the image of Padmasambhava as the object of meditation. People with faith can eliminate their negative karma after looking at a Buddha image. Even a single glance at a dignified Buddha image can eliminate boundless negative karma. If you look at a Buddha image and prostrate with joy, devotion, reverence, and absolute faith, you can quickly eliminate negative karma. You should look at the image clearly, connect by heart, and then prostrate. This can quickly eliminate negative karma.
When prostrating, I notice that some people remain lying on the ground for a long time without getting up. This is not good. If you feel tired when prostrating, you can stand there with your palms together, visualize the Buddha image clearly, generate bodhicitta, and then prostrate again. When prostrating, you should almost never stop, but should get up in a second at most. If you feel tired after lots of prostrations, you can stand and visualize carefully for a little longer, and then prostrate again. You cannot stay lying on the ground without getting up. It’s wrong.
Regarding the second method, you can look at the image of your guru, patriarchs, or Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. This is also a very good method. We can add prostration to this method: After standing and visualizing for a moment, then make a prostration, which is pretty good. This is the second method.
