Vajra Claws

Vajra Claws

Date Posted:
November 2009

Rinpoche gave the following advice to a student doing Vajra Claws practice (a slightly wrathful practice).

The way you are doing your prayer has extensive benefits; it is very meaningful to recite it. This sutra is a very powerful method for certain cases where there is greater benefit for other sentient beings by blocking something, like a court case, where if you don’t block it and instead let others do what they wish, it would cause great harm, and you would only gain a small benefit or even suffer great loss or harm.

The conclusion is that what is most beneficial for oneself is not the main point, the main objective. The main point and best objective is what is best for others, for all living beings. When something is just for yourself, then it is confused and unclear, but when it is for others it is very clear, comfortable, and meaningful, and makes your life happiest, fulfilling, and of benefit for sentient beings. This is the best way to make your life happy and comfortable, and to have a very happy future, like the sun shining, and not just for this life. It has a long effect for many lifetimes, and this causes you to continue to work for the benefit of so many sentient beings.

This practice is wrathful, performed in order to not receive harm, to not suffer, when there is a powerful need to solve problems, when you have tried every other way to benefit. Of course, it is practiced with compassion, otherwise it would become negative karma for you, and it would be so difficult for you to benefit others and become enlightened.