How to Consecrate a Buddha or Bodhisattva Figure -- Ling Wang

I consecrated the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva figure enshrined at home today according to the teaching by Master Zhenlin.

This is how it is done:

First, we need to show single-minded sincerity!
Second, we place a very efficacious and marvelous sutra inside the figure, and the consecration is done. The Sutra Of Casket Seal Dharani from the Secrete Whole Bodies’ Relics of All Buddhas' hearts is, or the Sutra of Casket, is the very Sutra we use to concentrate a Buddha or Bodhisattva figure.

When I told my parents that I would like to bring home a Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva figure and make offerings to it, they said, “Will that work? Don’t you have to had it consecrated by someone at the temple? Will it be efficacious?” I assume many Buddhist believers have got the same response as this before. I did not know what to do until I became a disciple of Master Zhenlin and read his Lectures on the Sutra of Casket. It is as simple as putting the very sutra inside the figure. Amitabha-Buddha! My best respect to you, Master!

It should be stressed that all the sutras of the twelve sections of the Tripitaka, the Secrete Whole Bodies’ Relics of All Buddhas' hearts is, or the Sutra of Casket is the only one that can be used to consecrate a Buddha or Bodhisattva figure when placed inside it.

The Sutra of Casket is marvelous in another way that it can be used to ferry over a died ancestor to the World of Ultimate Bliss. Read the mantra contained in the Sutra for seven times, the died ancestor shall be freed from the torture of the hell and enter the World of Ultimate Bliss.

There are some myths about the practice of consecration. I made the following summary based on Master Zhenlin’s teachings.

1- Many people use the Great Compassion Mantra for consecration. It is not the right way. You may use it to clean the alter at the consecration ceremony. Shakyamuni Buddha did not tell us to place the Mantra into a Buddha or Bodhisattva figure. If we do so, we commit an offense of slandering it. How can we expect it to be efficacious?

2- I also learn that some people would read the Sutra of Heart, burn it, and then place the ash inside the figure. They thought that by doing so they have consecrated the figure. No! That is what how we use the Heart Sutra.

3-Some believers are very careful about the date and time when a Buddhist figure is being brought to their home. They also go into details about the exact location and position as to where the figure is enshrined. They certainly do not have any knowledge about how extensive and all-embracing the Buddha Dharma is.

4- Some think that a Buddhist figure brought home from the store at a temple must have been consecrated. This is another myth. The consecration should be done by a master who is well-cultivated and advanced in his practice of the Buddha Dharma, and knows how to enpower the figure with spiritual strength by properly using Buddhist sutras and mantras. At a consecration ceremony, the master shall give a lecture on the Dharma, to prevent his disciples from getting lost in their cultivation and practice and into the proper path. If a master cannot make it, the figure would be no more than a piece of wood even the consecration ceremony is over. There are very few masters so well-cultivated nowadays. (Master Zhenlin is certainly one of the few, who has been a perfect example for we disciples and who guide us to walk on the right path, and make sure that the Proper Dharma abides.)

5-It doesn’t matter if a Buddha or Bodhisattva figure is not consecrated. As long as we show sincerity, keep reading sutras and practising the Dharma before it, gradually it gains spiritual power.

Where to get the Secrete Whole Bodies’ Relics of All Buddhas' hearts?

I got the Sutra of Casket from this website: http://www.bqyj.net/main.php. A special thanks to the fellow-cultivators!

However, as confirmed by Master Zhenlin last night, we may also download it online and print it by ourselves. It is the same efficacious. Most of us are blinded by superstitious teachings that often we lose some very basic common ground. Remember how Buddhist sutras were first circulated? By people hand-writing them down! How come a printed version by ourselves would not work? We only need to show sincerity. Buddha and Bodhisattvas won’t mind whether it is printed by a specialized printing team or ourselves at home.

Background

Many ask whether consecration of a Buddhist figure is a must. This is a ceremony that originated from over 2,000 years ago when Shakyamuni Buddha consecrated His statue. He endowed the wood statue with spiritual power and Buddha-nature with His Buddha energy.

In fact, the Sutra of Casket is meant to bring benefits to all the living beings by Shakyamuni. It can endow a Buddha figure, statue, or pagoda, with spiritual power and Buddha-nature, or what is referred to as consecration by us. Shakyamuni Buddha explains in clear-cut terms the merits, virtues, and wonderful functions of the Sutra. Once it is placed inside a Buddha figure or pagoda, or a Dharma-practice facility, it shall immediately be made by seven gems, and growby the power of this Dharani to Akanistha Heaven (Ornidary people cannot see it with naked eyes. However, people endowed with deva eyes and Dharma eyes can find it). All heavenly kings and gods come down to do offering to it three times day and night. As long as we show single-minded sincerity, make offerings to it, it is very efficacious and we get responses all the time for the wished we make.

Excerpt of the Sutra regarding Consecration

"If anybody writes this Sutra and put it into a Stupa. It will be a Stupa of all Buddhas' Vajra Store. It is also a Stupa of all Buddhas' Dharani Heart Secrete Blessing. It is a Stupa of ninety nine hundred thousand kotis Buddhas. It is also a Stupa of all Buddhas' tops and eyes. It will be protected by all Buddhas' spiritual power. If anybody put this Sutra into a Stupa or a Buddha statue, This Statue will be made by seven gems. It will be very efficacious and will fulfill all wishes. The umbrellas, covers, nets, wheels, plates, bells, bases and steps will be made by power. The material from mud, wood, stone or brickwill become seven gems because of the power of this sutra.

All Buddhas will add their powerful force and continuousely bless this Sutra by honest speech.

Amitabha-Buddha! My best respect to Master Zhenlin! May more people blessed by the kindness and compassion of Shakyamuni Buddha! May Proper Dharma abide forever!