Question asked by Dongho
I have been pondering this question for a while. After reading on initiation and life entrustment, I have been wondering on how one knows if they ever had an entrustment to a deity like Palden Lhamo or Yamantaka and so on. How does one know about this? Does there have to be a scrying, mala reading, or what exactly? I am asking because I have been feeling rather more connected to Saraswati than Dorje Shugden and also a more deeper connection to Palden Lhamo for a while now. Is this a sign that those are my patrons?
Also, how does one know their chakra and what exactly is this crystal thing that conncects to a deity like Dorje Shugden? What chakras do Dorje Shugden, Palden Lhamo, Yamantaka, Manjushri, and Saraswati preside in? What are the sacred sounds/mantras for these chakras and their visualization?
Dear Dongho,
Thank you for your questions. In regards to knowing if you have received a life entrustment, in this life if you have received empowerments from a guru, then he or she would have told you what type it was. In the case of previous lives, only those who have some form of clairvoyant power or ability in divination would be able to tell you for certain.
That being said, the deities that you are attracted to in this life, means that you have an affinity with them from previous lives. Therefore, to feel more connected to Palden Lhamo, rather than any other protector is perfectly fine. Just as people have many dispositions, the enlightened beings emanated in various forms to suit those in need. If Palden Lhamo is more attractive to you than Dorje Shugden, that is perfectly fine but you should devote yourself wholeheartedly to her practice and go all the way with it. This ensures that you gain the most benefit from her sacred practice and she can help you along your spiritual path.
The crystal given during Dorje Shugden life entrustment, is known as ‘lado’, this acts as a reminder of the bond created with Dorje Shugden and also of the commitments one needs to keep in order to ensure this relationship stays strong.
As for chakras, there are actually two meanings. The first is the energy centres in the body, this is the convergence of physic channels at various points in the body. The second are protective amulets created during prayer and ritual that have various abilities. The chakra given out during Dorje Shugden life entrustment is one of these protective amulets create through the power of Dorje Shugden.
Mandalas on the other hand are the divine abode of the particular deity and include their retinue, who surround them. This is the same for the various meditational deities and protectors you have mentioned as they are enlightened beings. Therefore each has their own mandala that they reside. The mantras for these deities and protectors are their standard mantras:
Dorje Shugden: OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Palden Lhamo: JO RAMO JO RAMO JO JO RAMO TUNJO KALA RACHENMO RAMO AJA DAJA TUNJO RULU RULU HUNG JO HUNG
Manjushri: OM AH RA BA TSA NA DHI
Saraswati: OM SARASIDDHI HRING HRING
Yamantaka: as this is a Highest Yoga Tantra practice, the mantra is not shared to those who have not received the appropriate empowerment.
I hope these answers help. Thank you.