Question asked by Daniel
Happy Saraswati Day!
Hello, I am a devote to Saraswati(aka. Yangchenma) and have a few questions on her sadhana. One is that does her visualization have to match exactly what is on the thangka, or can we think of adding some details of our own? Also, is it alright to mix her prayers and mantra together? From what I found, I managed to find a sadhana from the supposed "True Buddha School", but the sect does raise suspicion for me so I decided to avoid it. Then I tried mixing the Sakya prayer to Saraswati and her mantra in the Gelug sect "Om Sarasiddhi Hrim Hrim" along with the prayer made by Lama Tsongkhapa together with her Sakya mantra as Vajra Saraswati. Is this alright if you don't have a guru/lama and can't find a proper sadhana? As for the visualization, how does one visualize themselves as a woman if they are a man? I kind of find it hard to visualize that.
Also, is Dorje Yudronma's mantra "Om Benza Dramaha Hring Hring Soha"?
Dear Daniel,
Thank you for your question. It is very good to read that you are devoted to such a wonderful Buddha. Her practice is very powerful and beneficial. In regards to the visualisation, you should follow what is either described in the prayers, and or follow the visual representations that are correct according to iconography, such as thangkas. This is because each part of a Buddha’s form, right down to their colour, clothes and position, has a specific meaning. Meditating on this, one can gain spiritual realisations as their body is in essence a road map to enlightenment. Therefore, we are taught not to add to our own details to the change the form of the Buddha in any way, unless the changes are deemed ok by your guru.
As for the prayers to Saraswati and the mantra to recite, you should keep to one lineage and mantra. The reason for this is that although each of the lineages are entirely valid, the blessings of Saraswati will flow stronger through the practice when you concentrate on one particular prayer and one particular mantra. For example if you are following the Sakya tradition, they will have a certain sadhana and prayers to recite, while if you follow the Gelug tradition, the sadhana and prayers will be slightly different. Even though different, both will lead you to Saraswati, but we must put in our own efforts into practicing one of them strongly in order to do so. Therefore what you should do is to choose which tradition you would like to follow and then practice the prayers and mantras from that particular tradition strongly. This will create the necessary conditions and connection, that in the future you will be able to receive the practice following this lineage and gain attainments through her practice.
As for visualising yourself as Saraswati, this is only done so after one has received tantric initiation into the practice. For those of us that have not yet received her practice, we should visualise Saraswati in front of us, rather than generating ourselves as Saraswati.
You can find a prayer written by Lama Tsongkhapa, who relied on the practice of Saraswati and even promoted it, here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#16. If you like you can recite this prayer, and concentrate strongly on the mantra of Saraswati. This in itself will bring you a lot of benefit. I hope this helps.
Thank you.