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The Benefits of Prostration, Buddhist Fasting Practice Book Excerpt
During the time of Lord Buddha, while a monk was sincerely doing prostrations to a stupa which had Buddha's hair and nails inside it, Ananda asked Lord Buddha about the benefits of doing prostration. Among many benefits, the Buddha said that whatever amount of minute particles of the earth your body covers when you perform a single, sincere prostration, from the surface to the bottom of the earth, one can become a universal monarch that many times and beyond. One of the major marks of perfection of the sublime nirmanakaya buddha body is the unique protrusion on the top of his head, and it is understood that this also comes about from demonstrating respect and honor through prostration. Of course another benefit is that when one displays respect and honor, one receives respect and honor and so on.
Prostration has its place even at the ultimate level. Ultimately speaking, prostration and bowing are to one's own true nature of mind as the root guru, buddha nature; one is respecting and honoring and bowing to that buddha nature.
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More about the book . . .
The Tibetan Buddhist practice of Nyungne ("nyoong-nay") has been gaining increased attention in Buddhist centers across North America; participants say the practice purifies them both physically and spiritually. This volume is the only comprehensive treatment in English of these powerful teachings. Nyungne is a profound two-and-a-half-day practice, a length of time especially helpful for people whose schedules cannot accommodate long-term retreat. It involves the keeping of strict vows; the second day is devoted to complete silence and fasting. The meditation centers on the recitations, mantras, and guided visualizations of the Thousand-Armed Chenrezig, the embodiment of all the buddhas' loving-kindness and compassion. Translated as "abiding in the fast," Nyungne is said to be effective in the healing of illness, the nurturing of compassion, and the purification of negative karma.
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More about the author . . .
Wangchen Rinpoche is a student of Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche, with whom he lived and traveled from an early age. He is a master practitioner of Nyungne. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
© 2009 Snow Lion: The Buddhist Magazine & Catalog
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