The following is another gift from Tozen; a Dharani that protects the adept from all evil proclivities and assures proper spiritual refuge:
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To the adept of the Mahayana Light;
Light up some good incense. Bow five times towards your shrine buddha/s at home, if you lack any external buddha statues, arise the Five Dhyani Buddhas in your Minds eye standing radiantly before you. If you see them make various mudras (spiritual sign language) memorize them and look them up here (http://www.buddhas-online.com/mudras.html) as to understand the conveyed.
:
The Unborn Mind Dharani.
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Buddham Saranam Gachami [1]
I go to the Buddha for refuge.
I go to the Dharma for refuge.
I go to the Sangha for refuge.
Having gone to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha for refuge,
I see with right view , through the light of the Unborn Mind,
the four noble truths shine in my heart[4].
I see the truth of distress and Ignorance,
I see the truth of the origin and cause of distress and Ignorance,
I see the truth of the cessation of distress and Ignorance
I see the path leading to the Unborn Mind transcending all distress and Ignorance.
Dhammam saranam gacchami [2]
It is the noble eightfold path, that grantis my spirit
supreme knowledge of the way
as to the transcending of distress and Ignorance
through Supreme release and
no more rebirths in samsara.
Thus I have come to know and accept;
The undivided Light of the Unborn Mind is the imageless refuge,
The undivided Light of the Unborn Mind is the eternal refuge,
The undivided Light of the Unborn Mind is the supreme refuge.
My true nature is this light, and this light is the true me.
Facing it directly and bringing it forth
I gain release from all distress and Ignorance.
Sangham saranam gacchami[3]
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Dharani Commentary;
[1] I go to the Buddha for refuge.
[2] I go to the Dharma for refuge.
[3] I go to the Sangha for refuge.
[2] Spirit
The Buddha is the Unborn (pure) Mind of the Undivided Light, shining effortlessly in all ten directions. It is there for you as you breath and read these very words. It is always with you at your instant disposal.
It even helps you to act in error and disbelief.
That is its foremost proof of undifferentiated unmeasurable compassion. Where else would it be? Why don´t you see it?
The Dharma is the undivided light itself. The undivided light is TRUTH ABSOLUTE. There is no truth beyond IT. Thus you know evil when it comes disguised as good. It grants anyone who takes refuge in it the taste of noble wisdom as to break free from spiritual slavery under Mara.
The sangha is the unified spiritual consciousness of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. It is the vultures peak, where arya-sravakas and arhats go, and bodhisattvas wake up, from the nightmares of samsara.
In dharma,
Tozen
*Tozen also suggests the following dharani, suitable for those linked to the darkness of despair and uncertainty: