Maratika is the place where Padmasambhava achieved immortal realization, the state of Buddha Amitayus, the Limitless Light Buddha. In the main cave there is a large rock which is the naturally appearing long-life vase of the Buddha Amitayus, from Padmasambhava’s time.

When Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma sect, came to Maratika nectar flowed from that rock. I also heard that nectar came from the rock when an extremely devoted Japanese student came to Maratika. This is what happens when pilgrims with great devotion go to Maratika; nectar flows from that rock. Actually, the whole area—not just the caves but the whole mountain—is like a miracle.

When you go to Maratika you can recite the Amitayus Long Life Sutra (Tib: tse dö) in Tibetan or English. At least recite the mantra of the buddha of long life, Amitayus (Tib: tse pag mé). Visualize the natural long-life vase as Buddha Amitayus and nectar beams from that initiate you and immediately purify all the negative karma and obscurations collected from beginningless lives, particularly your life obstacles.

Think that the nectar beams enter His Holiness’ holy body, as well as any other gurus you have, so they are able to live for a long time until samsara ends. You, your family and all those people who are doing good things for others, numberless beings, also receive the blessings of these nectar beams.

For those people who are engaged in evil actions, the nectar beams completely purify all their negative karma, obscurations and wrong concepts so they generate the whole path to enlightenment and especially bodhicitta; they stop harming others and instead only benefit the numberless sentient beings.