Thanks for Vajrasattva Group Retreat

Thanks for Vajrasattva Group Retreat

Date Posted:
September 2006

Rinpoche received an email from a group of practitioners who had completed a Vajrasattva retreat. They wrote offering Rinpoche all the merits from their retreat and dedicating the merits so that all his wishes are fulfilled. Rinpoche sent the following response.

My very dear Vajrasattva retreatants,
Thank you very much for your kind email.

The fact that you have been able to complete the Vajrasattva retreat is amazing. Even just being able to do one session, let alone completing it, is incredible. So many sentient beings in the world do not have this opportunity, even many Buddhists (Buddhists are just a small group compared to other religions). Most beings do not have this opportunity, and don’t even know about such a purification practice, that can purify even broken tantric vows, and is so powerful that it can purify even the heaviest negative karma. So, the fact that you have all completed it is incredible.

Especially, it is wonderful that you have performed the retreat with bodhicitta. That makes it incredibly powerful. Even reciting one Vajrasattva mantra can purify the karma of a fully ordained monk having broken all four root vows. Even one recitation is so powerful.

The fact that you have practiced Vajrasattva with the thought of emptiness makes the practice perfect.

If you rejoice in this, your merits increase, they double, which is great! Every time you rejoice you double your merits. It is like having done the retreat twice.

So, thank you very much. I will dedicate the merits for your quick enlightenment, and thank you very much for every single breath and every single passing bead of your mala. Even if you recited a mantra mentally or in your sleep, thank you very much.

With much love and prayers...