II. The Chöd Connection
The Great Mother
Chöd is a unique method of rapid spiritual development, healing and environmental transformation. It shares the core understandings of Vajrayana Tibetan spirituality, such as the knowledge of the Five Buddha Families, Three Buddha Bodies (see explanation further on), Ultimate and Relative meaning and so on. But there are striking difference too, as we shall see.
The Principles.
Though the practice of Chöd can be intricate and complex, the underlying principles are clear and simple:
- Developed by an enlightened woman, Chöd relies on Feminine Wisdom Energy—the Dakini—expressed in perfect archetypal form, as the white, red or black Yogini.
- Chöd is based on the ultimate generosity of offering our entire self, our body, mind, our biography and life force, to help others.
- This offering is made to the whole of reality, from the highest spiritual forces to the lowest hells, from gods to demons.
- Chöd rapidly clears karmic debts and negative energies.
- There is a built-in system for healing sickness, helping the after-death passage, healing the land, and for demonic exorcism.
- Chöd has a unique system of sacred melody, mantra and instrumentation based on revelations from Wisdom Mind.
Transforming the Body.
With a background drone of drum, bell and human thighbone trumpet, the meditator visualizes leaving their body and taking on the form and mind-state of the Dakini. In a complex alchemical process, one’s corpse is then transformed into an inexhaustible ocean of nectar, which is none other than the purified five elements and Five Wisdoms. This is then offered to the Four Classes of Guests, representing the full scope of possibilities for life in this world realm.
The World as Guest
1. Higher Guests are the enlightened Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Yidams (Meditational Deities), Dakinis and realized sages, teachers and yogis, in both male and female form.
2. Guests of Quality are fierce beings who uncompromisingly protect the Dharma and its practitioners. Some are pure emanations of enlightened mind; Others are powerful worldly spirits who are oath-bound guardians of the spiritual path.
3. Guests of Compassion are all sentient beings existing within the Six Realms: humans, animals, hungry ghosts, hell beings, demigods and gods. Whether high or low, living beings reincarnate endlessly in a cycle of intractable suffering until they realize their true nature.
4. Lower Guests include all beings to whom we owe a karmic debt, as well as demonic forces, harm-givers and the whole pantheon of negative spirits and entities who are linked to us and seek specific retribution. Only through our generosity can they be pacified.
Relentless Generosity
Higher Guests are offered things of great beauty, value and richness. Guests of Quality are offered attributes, objects and residences as befitting their nature and kind. Beings of the Six Realms receive whatever they lack, such as food, shelter, possessions, happiness, companionship, love, health, fulfilment or simply release from pain, suffering and torment. Lower Guests are repaid whatever has been taken from them, or eases their suffering. This may also take the form of our flesh, organs and bones—whatever demonic beings may desire. All offerings are multiplied infinitely, in vast quantities, so that all are completely satiated and made joyful.
Through these actions, the practitioner receives positive blessings and clears negative karma. And by cutting away attachment to the body, status and possessions, he is brought face to face with his true nature and ultimate being. Gaining a sense of fearlessness and freedom, the Chöpa learns to live in this dense world, while still holding to Sacred View and Sacred Experience.