– I would like to dedicate this English language recension of the Vajrayana rite of self-ordination, or self-initiation, to the Memory of Mr. Gerald Yorke, the Personal Representative to the West of the Dalai Lama the XIIIth (1901-1983) –
Bhikkus, if anyone from a clan of nobles goes forth from the home life into homelessness, and by realizing for himself with direct knowledge here and now enters upon and abides in the deliverance of mind and deliverance by wisdom that are taintless with the destruction of the taints, then he is already a recluse because of the destruction of the taints. (Cula-Assapura Sutta, MN 40)
the Dharmakāya of the Buddha has the perfection of permanence, the perfection of pleasure, the perfection of Self, the perfection of purity. Whatever sentient beings see the Dharmakāya of the Tathagāta that way, see correctly. Whoever see correctly are called the sons of the Lord born from his heart, born from his mouth, born from the Dharma, who behave as manifestations of Dharma and as heirs of Dharma. (Shrimaladevi Sutra)
[To be performed at 5 a.m., with solemn intention and awareness, after bathing. Approach the shrine. Standing before the Buddha, say:]
Buddhist Self-Ordination Ritual
Taking Refuge
The Enlightened One is my teacher,
The teacher is the source of all good,
I take refuge in the teacher.
The teachings of the Enlightened One are my guide,
The teacher is the source of all good,
I take refuge in the teachings.
The community of awakened ones is my inspiration,
The teacher is the source of all good,
I take refuge in the community.
Formulating the Will to Awaken
I vow to seek awakening,
For myself and for all conscious beings.
(Repeat three times)
Purifying the Place
May this universal ground be made pure,
Free from flaw and stain,
Smooth as the palm of a hand,
Gleaming like lapis lazuli.
Magnifying the Offerings
[Ring the bell softly, as needed]
May these offerings — material and spiritual,
Both those I hold and those I imagine —
Expand into vast clouds of gifts,
Filling all space,
Presented to the Universal Sage, Samantabhadra.
Cloud Offering Mantra
Om namo Bhagavate Vajra Sara Pramardane Tathagataya Arhate Samyak Sambuddhaya
Tadyatha Om Vajre Vajre Maha Vajre Maha Teja Vajre Maha Vidya Vajre
Maha Bodhicitta Vajre Maha Bodhi Mando Pasamkramana Vajre
Sarva Karmavarana Vishodana Vajre Svaha
(Repeat three times)
The Power of Truth
I call upon the Teacher, the Teachings, and the Awakened Ones,
I call upon all enlightened beings,
I call upon the twin canons,
I call upon the perfect, ineffable realization,
May these offerings be infused with the Power of Truth.
Invocation
[Light incense]
O Sustainer of all beings,
Who removes obstacles with boundless compassion,
All-knowing, ever-present,
I humbly invite you,
Holy ones, draw near.
[Strike the bell]
Prostration Mantra
[Perform three prostrations, reciting the mantra each time]
Om Namo Manjushriye Namah Su Shriye Nama Uttama Shriye Svaha
Homage to the Enlightened One
I bow to the Teacher, the Founder,
The Powerful Transcendent One,
The Perfectly Enlightened One,
The Destroyer of the Enemy,
The Conqueror,
The Subduer of the Shakya clan.
Inspire me!
I take refuge in the Teacher, the Founder,
The Powerful Transcendent One,
The Perfectly Enlightened One,
The Destroyer of the Enemy,
The Conqueror,
The Subduer of the Shakya clan.
Inspire me!
I offer myself to the Teacher, the Founder,
The Powerful Transcendent One,
The Perfectly Enlightened One,
The Destroyer of the Enemy,
The Conqueror,
The Subduer of the Shakya clan.
Inspire me!
Seven-Limb Prayer
[Strike the bell]
With body, speech, and mind, I bow.
I present vast clouds of offerings, both real and imagined.
I confess all wrongs, without beginning,
And rejoice in the goodness of the awakened ones and all beings.
I implore you to remain,
Turning the wheel of truth for all.
I dedicate this merit,
That all beings may awaken.
Mandala Offering
Short Offering
I dedicate this place to the Enlightened One,
Adorned with flowers, incense, and perfume,
Mount Meru at the centre,
Surrounded by four continents, sun, and moon.
May all beings rejoice.
Inner Offering
I offer my attachments, hatreds, and delusions,
Transmuted as friends, enemies, and strangers.
I offer my body, my wealth, and all my joys.
Without clinging, I give them all.
Please accept these offerings,
And free me from the three poisons.
Idam Guru Ratna Mandalakam Niryatayami
(Repeat three times)
Prostration Mantra
[Kneel on the right knee, place right palm over left]
Om Namo Manjughriye Namah Sushriye Nama Uttama Shriye Svaha
I invite the Enlightened Ones and all awakened beings,
Wherever they abide,
To join me here,
As witnesses to my vow.
The Great Vow of Self-Ordination
Just as those who have gone before —
The awakened ones, the Perfectly Enlightened Ones,
The Destroyers of the Enemy,
Who have completed their tasks,
Laid down their burdens,
And severed the bonds of becoming —
Have sworn the great vow for the benefit of all beings,
So do I, this day,
From this moment forth,
Swear my vow:
To benefit all conscious beings,
To free them from suffering,
To cure hunger and sickness,
To cultivate the 37 aids to awakening,
And to realize the highest, most perfect enlightenment.
Just as those who have renounced all impurities,
In body, speech, and mind,
So do I,
For the sake of all beings,
Renounce these flaws
And devote myself to the pure path of awakening.
(Repeat three times)
Committing to the Precepts
I vow to uphold the precepts,
To swiftly attain awakening,
That all beings, bound by suffering,
May be freed from the cycle of becoming.
Mantra of Righteousness
Om Amogha Shila Sambhara Bhara Bhara Maha Shuddha Sattva Padma Vibhushite Bhuja Dhara Dhara Samanta Avalokite Hum Phat Svaha
(Repeat 21 times)
May my actions be without fault,
Pure and without pride,
Perfected for the benefit of all.
[Prostrate three times]
Dedication of Merit
May the seed of awakening,
Now planted,
Grow strong and unceasing.
May it flourish,
Expanding without end.
By this merit,
May all beings gain wisdom and goodness,
Attaining both the body of truth
And the body of wisdom.
Just as the courageous Manjushri
And the Universal Sage Samantabhadra
Realized true reality,
So may I follow in their footsteps.
I dedicate this merit,
Aligned with the vows of all victorious ones,
Past, present, and future,
That I too may walk the righteous path.
[Conclude with three final prostrations]
Further Reading:
The Direct and Unmistaken Method
The Eight Mahayana Precepts
The Eight Mahayana Precepts Ceremony
The Ritual of the Bodhisattva Vow
Dharmata 