Dedicating our dharma practice for the Coronavirus situation
Gill (Rigpa)
POST UPDATED 21 March
The coronavirus epidemic and the world’s reaction to it are now affecting much of our world and this is beginning to have an impact on all of our lives.
Several Lamas have shared their advice on which practices can be effective in offering protection and healing against diseases such as this. Here are some of these recommendations, including those of Rigpa’s main spiritual advisers, so you can connect with whichever practice is most meaningful and appropriate for you.
In addition to the practices mentioned below, you could do the practice of loving kindness or tonglen or simply dedicate whatever practice you do so that all suffering arising from the coronavirus epidemic may be relieved.
Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche shared that at Mindroling they have been reciting ‘The Verses that Saved Sakya from Sickness: A Prayer for Pacifying the Fear of Disease’ by Thangtong Gyalpo. Thangtong Gyalpo is said to have composed this prayer at a time when a serious infectious disease was rampant and nobody could do anything about it. This is also a practice that HH Mindroling Rinpoche and Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche would recommend whenever there were dangers of diseases for which the cure is difficult.
This prayer can be done as the concluding verses for any practice session, as a group practice or a daily recitation.
HH Sakya Gongma Trinzin has given the lung for this prayer here.
Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche recommends chanting the Vajrakilaya mantra, as this was always advised by HH Penor Rinpoche in situations of epidemics like this. He also recommends the Vajra Guru mantra along with Dü Sum Sangyé and that we dedicate our practice towards the removal of the virus.
Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche advises:
—for one’s own protection, recitation of the Dorje Gotrab mantra (‘The Vajra Armour mantra’), a terma of Guru Rinpoche that is especially effective in protecting against all kinds of disease and epidemic. Please note that an oral transmission (lung) of the mantra by a lineage holder is necessary to do this practice;
—for the situation in the world, accumulate as many recitations as possible of Riwo Sangchö practice.
HH Sakya Gongma Trichen recommends students to listen to and, if possible, chant the mantra of Bodhisattva Loma Gyonma.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche similarly advises Tara practice in general and also emphasizes the form of Tara known as Parnashavari (Tib. Loma Gyonma), who appears in the 20th verse of the Twenty-One Praises to Tara.
You can hear Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche reciting the prayer here.
How wonderful it will be if all dharma practitioners unite in directing our prayers towards a swift end to the suffering caused by the coronavirus; and for the protection, healing and well-being of all humanity. If we could create a momentum, based upon our pure motivation, and our deep confidence in the unfailing power and truth of the Dharma, we would surely be making a most meaningful contribution.
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Since this post was originally written more precious advice has been shared by several lamas - Dzogchen Rinpoche, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.
