Shiva Garuda Dharma (The Phoenix-Agape Practice)
Shiva Garuda Workshop tour schedule now available
The Lotus Sutra tells us that the golden-winged garuda is one of the 33 transformation bodies of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. This sutra teaches us that even people with good roots may find it difficult to rise above the hindrances of worldly life. In such instances, the giant-winged garuda bird helps us shed our ignorance and attachments, so we can “do away with wrongheaded delusions and adopt the Tathagata’s unhindered mode of action.”
The garuda bird is called the aruda in Sanskrit and the feng-huang (“phoenix”) in Chinese. In esoteric practices involving Shiva—that enlightened being of unrivaled bliss—Garuda is the consummate guardian. According to the Sutra of Steadfastness, the garuda’s flames are an expression of wisdom, which helps confused beings, escape the ocean of suffering. At the same time, the garuda’s flames are an expression of mighty virtue. The Vajra-Guardian of Mighty Virtue is a transformation of Manjusri Bodhisattva. As stated in the “Golden-Winged King” chapter of Manjusri’s Fundamental Tantra, “Being accomplished in the practice of the Golden-Winged King’s magic, you will be gifted with paranormal powers of understanding, so that you can accomplish all mundane and extra-mundane dharmas.”
There is a related gatha that says, “Fierce flames arise from the heart, resembling the golden-winged garuda.” Tantric scriptures tell us that after an interval of 500 or 1000 years, the garuda will fly to Vajrachakra Peak and be consumed in fire emitted from its own body. Its heart-mind will transform into a jewel called the “As-You-Will Pearl” or “Blue Pearl,” which represents new life emerging from the great bird’s nirvana. This is a precious pearl, emitting lapis-lazuli light; it is birthless and deathless, beyond both “blemish” and “purity,” free from diminishment or augmentation. This is the phoenix’s rebirth from its own ashes, expressed in both Western and Eastern lore.
The Phoenix-Agape Practice comes from Tantric Buddhism and is an essential practice in the Mother Tantra section of Supreme Yoga Tantra texts, which speak of Chakrasamvara,” otherwise known as the Buddha of Delight. In religious traditions of India, Chakrasamvara [Unrivalled Bliss] also refers to Shiva. In our Phoenix-Agape Practice, an imaginary triangle can be drawn from outspread arms to the feet, forming a triangular emblem—indicating motherliness—or “dharma-source,” the source of all life. The Mandala of the Chakrasamvara is the most revered site for cultivating immaterial discipline, and by a path of rainbow light, connects directly to the immaterial vajra mandala of the Heaven of Ultimate Form. By practicing in this sacred site, one can quickly attain Supreme Bodhi. Compared with other methods of Supreme Yoga Tantra, this dharma practice is relatively easy and produces profound results. As we move further into the Era of Declining Dharma, paradoxically, the empowerment from this dharma practice becomes even more effective. As we travel into the Age of Decline, the proliferation of concepts and weak foundation common to many people, makes attainment difficult with other tantric methods, remarkable though they may be. Due to a special confluence of affinities, this particular Chakrasamvara path allows attainment to happen easily.
In India and Tibet, from ancient to modern times, many practitioners have reached unparalleled attainments through this method. Some have even passed away without leaving behind a corpse, because their bodies transmuted and took rebirth with them in a pristine, immaterial land. This dharma path also puts one in touch with “advisors” whom are seldom encountered on the human plane. At some point in practice, certain people will meet guides who manifest in the human world and usher them to an immaterial pure land. Regardless of this possibility, through this practice, anyone can still attain an “inner pure land,” and enjoy the state of someone who has arrived at an immaterial buddha-land, even if they remain in the human realm.
The great Padmasambhava made a prophecy in the 8th Century: “”When an iron horse flies up into the sky, tantric teachings will spread widely in the land of red-faced people (i.e., Indians).” In our increasingly disturbed and discouraging world, we must rely on an expedient and beneficial dharma path to help all living things. The precious Shiva Garuda practice, which was transmitted in secret by advanced monks, specifically answers this need.
Shiva is a being who enjoys perfect self-determination; Garuda is a phoenix. As the karmic winds of the 21st Century blow, only the powerful radiant phoenix, which possesses “wind” as its fundamental nature, can sustain us and provide refuge. It takes wind to rule wind, and only wind can stop wind. Through actual, no-nonsense tantric practice, we can illuminate our fundamental nature and create a reservoir of joy in our lives!
Lama Norbu, the vajra-master of Supreme Yoga Tantra, has made a great vow to transmit this tantric method openly, in keeping with the prophesies of ancestral teachers. Lama Norbu vows to establish a Shiva Garuda center in California, where he can call upon people of affinity to join in supporting this sacred mission and hasten their realization of perfect bodhi.
Let the phoenix’s transforming influence sweep across the land; through its sudden brilliance let us be conscious of emptiness.
May we receive joy from all lineage-bearing masters,
May we receive peace from all hidden vajra protectors,
May we receive serenity from all compassionate dakinis,
May we receive contentment from all wrathful guardians of stillness.
Tashi Delek!
