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Om Ah Hung

 

We should all pray to Buddha Amitabha to be born in Dewachen when we die—that is the prayer here.

 

In praying to the Buddha Amitabha, people might think that there is one big Amitabha from somewhere, but that is not how it is.

 

The outer form is Amitabha; and inside, the mind is the Buddha, it is buddha-nature, together with all the minds of all sentient beings.

 

The outer nirmanakaya should be visualized above the crown as Amitabha. There are as many Amitabhas as there are sentient beings.

 

It is important that one actually visualizes Amitabha above one’s crown. When you visualize Amitabha, what is the benefit?

 

Our mind is like a mirror—primordially pure, as it is said in Dzogchen.

 

The primordial nature of the mind itself is the Buddha. And all beings are buddhas, the Buddha said.

 

This mind of sentient beings is the cause of buddhahood. The Buddha is like this mirror. There is nothing there.

 

It is clear and empty—it’s not that it is nothing, because it is clear; but it’s also not something, because it is empty, like a mirror.

 

Due to this, if you have faith and trust in Amitabha and you instantly remember Amitabha, the mind becomes Amitabha.

 

And if you think “I" and you cling to the “I”, then together with that “I” all the imprints and karmas since beginning-less time that are within that self will cause you continue to wander in samsara.

 

When you recognize this, you’re a Buddha; and if you don’t recognize it, you’re a sentient being wandering in samsara.

 

When you die, instantly give rise to faith in Buddha Amitabha, and when the consciousness leaves the body, just think of Amitabha and visualize him above your crown.

 

In general, there as many Buddha Amitabhas as there are sentient beings. When you think of Amitabha, the mind becomes Amitabha, and the appearance of Dewachen will arise, and then you are already there.

 

The light of Amitabha is naturally Dewachen, and I’m explaining this today in order to clear away any doubts about this.

 

If you cultivate devotion to Amitabha from the bottom of your heart, then later when you know you’re dying, you just think of Amitabha at that time, and nothing else.

 

Then, the moment the consciousness leaves the body, it becomes Amitabha, and you take birth in Dewachen. Your mind has transformed into Amitabha. This should be understood.

 

Now I have explained to you the relation among these three: the image of Amitabha, the Prayer of Dewachen, and the example of buddha-nature (the mirror).

 

My Dharma friends, faith and trust is most important.

 

Just like a reflection in a mirror, whatever you think of, that is what will appear. When you think of the Buddha Amitabha, then Amitabha will appear, there is no doubt.

 

Therefore, you can develop a trusting faith in that.

 

*Translated by Ina Bieler in 2019.