Dharma, Karuna and Prajna, and Bhavana.

 Bhavana means to cultivate or develop/  It is the practice in Buddhism we do do develop our minds to be compasonate, 

It is the nature of things (Dharma)  This is why candy is sweet, fire is hot, ice is cold.  It is their nature.  Likewise, an animal is wild.  

We all know the story of the frog and the scorpion, which is designed to teach up that one cannot resist hurting others even when it is not in their own interests.   That nature of a being will prevail even if it causes their own death. 

IN another story we can add other concepts to this teaching.  

In this story the master sits next to the water, a scorpion wanders on and falls into the water, struggling and nearly to drown the master reaches down and grabs the scorpion who as soon as out of the water stings the master.  The master drops the scorpion and it again walks into the water.  A passerby has watched this and asks 'it will bite you again if you grab it!'  The master says, it is his dharma (nature) to sting, it is mine to be compassionate (Karuna).   However, learning from my mistakes I will use prajna now (wisdom) and use this stick to help this poor fellow.  

It is often we teach of compassion but do not add in wisdom.  People often think that they must be compassionate or have loving kindness to all beings no matter what.  This is simply not true and not skillful. 

Invocation of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas:

 Invocation of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas:

Make the offerings practical:  water, light, incense, flower, food etc, or the eight offerings at the altar:

Water for drinking, it is crystal clear, cool, sweet, light, soft, free of impurities, 

Water for washing the feet, bathing our object of refuge, and teachers, purification of negative karma and obscurations, 

Flowers, includes medicinal flowers, grains etc, symbolizes thee beauty of the flowering of enlightenment, opening of the heart, also symbolizes impermanence, change and helps us not be so attached. 

Incense, symbolizes morality, ethics, discipline, 

Light, dispelling of the darkness of ignorance, 

Perfume, perseverance and joyful effort that is at the heart of enlightenment.  

Food, symbolizes the clear and stable mind of samadhi, or meditation absorption, 

Music. symbolizes wisdom and the extraordinary compassion . 

Do hand mudras with bell and vajra,  set from left to right.  Inner offering (black tea), vajra, bell, drum, mala, rice bowl. 

REPEAT THREE TIMES:  Ring bell once at beginning and once at the end. 

Oh Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions, you are endowed with great compassion, foreknowledge, having the divine eye, endowed with love and as protectors of all beings, please accept these offerings. (At the altar)

Oh compassionate ones, you have the wisdom of understanding, the love of compassion, the power of doing divine deeds and protecting in incomprehensible measure.

Oh compassionate ones, ________Name of person____, is passing from this world to the world beyond.  She is leaving this world and taking a great leap, she has no friends there, and her misery is great.  She has no defenders, without any protectors or kinsmen.  The light of this world has set, she goes to another place.  She enters thick darkness and falls down a steep cliff.  She has entered a jungle of solitude. She is pursued by karmic forces.  She goes into the vast silence, she is taken away by the currents of the great ocean, wafted on the winds of karma.  She goes in a direction where there is no stability, caught in great conflict. She is obsessed by this worldly spirit.  She is awed and terrified by the messengers of the Lord of Death (Mara), Karma has put her into this repeated existence, and she is weak... and yet must go alone.

Oh compassionate ones, please defend _____Name____ who is defenseless.  Protect her who is unprotected.  Be her force and her kinsmen, protect her from the great gloom of this Bardo.  Turn her from the storm of karma.  Turn her from the great awe and terror of the lords of death.  Save her from the long and narrow passageway of this Bardo.

Oh compassionate ones, please let your compassion be strong, aid her.  Keep her from the miserable states of existence and misery.  Remember your ancient vows; let your compassion be strong.

Oh Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Do not let the power of your method of compassion be weak toward this one.  Catch hold of her with the hook and lasso of your grace.  Please do not let this sentient being fall under the power of evil karma.

Oh trinity, of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha protect her from the miseries of the Bardo.

(REPEATED THREE TIMES)…