What is the purpose of Invocation Sutra?
The Invocation Sutra is to request the presence of Heavenly Lord, Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and Saints, to bestow a temporary spiritual shield surrounding the Tao temple premise during the transmission of Tao. True Dharma which can only be transmitted with heavenly mandate, thus, the Transmission of Tao must be done under the divine protection of holy spirits.
The Transmission of Tao is considered precious and significant one. Only the person with affinity can receive this precious Tao. In I-Kuan Tao, one can escape the cycle of reincarnation thru the receiving of Tao, which begins with series of rituals: Lighting Ritual, Fruits Offering, Invitation Sutra, and so on. The Master who holds the heavenly mandate will recite the Invitation Sutra to request the divine spirits to guard the holy Tao Temple from any disturbance caused by the evil spirits.
The invocation Sutra can be traced in the ancient time during the transmission of Dharma/Tao.
After Shakyamuni Buddha became enlightened, he gave many sermons. However, during one sermon in particular he stayed silent yet hold up a golden lotus flower in his hand. From thousands of disciples, none can understand the profound teaching. It is said that upon seeing it, the senior disciple, Mahakasyapa, was smiled and was immediately enlightened.
Buddha went on: “I possess the Dharma hidden in eyes, the Marvelous Mind of Nirvana, the True (實) Form of the Formless, and the Subtle Dharma Gate, not in the written form Transmitted beyond doctrine. This I have entrusted to Mahakashyapa.” Later Shakyamuni Buddha bestowed the True Dharma (Tao) to Mahakasyapa. During the transmission of Tao, a golden robe (samghati) was used as screen to cover the scene. Buddha passed on the golden robe and the begging bowl so his successor, Mahakasyapa. The golden robe and the begging bowl had been passed down to 28 times in India and 5 times in China. Master Hui Neng, the 6th Patriarch in China was the last one who held the golden robe and the begging bowl.
The golden robe served as an important function as screen during the transmission to Dharma/Tao from the era of Shakyamuni Buddha (248~207 BC) to Master Hong-ren (960~1279 AD) who bestowed them to the final holder, Master Hue-Neng.
Without further passing of robe and begging bowl, the Invocation Sutra has been used as an invisible spiritual screen to protect the transmission of Tao from evils spirits. Invocation Sutra is usually chanted by a Master who holds heavenly mandate. During the Tao ceremony, while Master is reciting the Invocation Sutra, the attendees sometimes can feel the presence of divine beings.
If one wants to be embraced by the blessing of Heavenly Lord, Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and Saints, the best way is to receive Tao by going thru this holy experience oneself. A life-time experience one will truly cheer.
The Invocation Sutra is to request the presence of Heavenly Lord, Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and Saints, to bestow a temporary spiritual shield surrounding the Tao temple premise during the transmission of Tao. True Dharma which can only be transmitted with heavenly mandate, thus, the Transmission of Tao must be done under the divine protection of holy spirits.
The Transmission of Tao is considered precious and significant one. Only the person with affinity can receive this precious Tao. In I-Kuan Tao, one can escape the cycle of reincarnation thru the receiving of Tao, which begins with series of rituals: Lighting Ritual, Fruits Offering, Invitation Sutra, and so on. The Master who holds the heavenly mandate will recite the Invitation Sutra to request the divine spirits to guard the holy Tao Temple from any disturbance caused by the evil spirits.
The invocation Sutra can be traced in the ancient time during the transmission of Dharma/Tao.
After Shakyamuni Buddha became enlightened, he gave many sermons. However, during one sermon in particular he stayed silent yet hold up a golden lotus flower in his hand. From thousands of disciples, none can understand the profound teaching. It is said that upon seeing it, the senior disciple, Mahakasyapa, was smiled and was immediately enlightened.
Buddha went on: “I possess the Dharma hidden in eyes, the Marvelous Mind of Nirvana, the True (實) Form of the Formless, and the Subtle Dharma Gate, not in the written form Transmitted beyond doctrine. This I have entrusted to Mahakashyapa.” Later Shakyamuni Buddha bestowed the True Dharma (Tao) to Mahakasyapa. During the transmission of Tao, a golden robe (samghati) was used as screen to cover the scene. Buddha passed on the golden robe and the begging bowl so his successor, Mahakasyapa. The golden robe and the begging bowl had been passed down to 28 times in India and 5 times in China. Master Hui Neng, the 6th Patriarch in China was the last one who held the golden robe and the begging bowl.
The golden robe served as an important function as screen during the transmission to Dharma/Tao from the era of Shakyamuni Buddha (248~207 BC) to Master Hong-ren (960~1279 AD) who bestowed them to the final holder, Master Hue-Neng.
Without further passing of robe and begging bowl, the Invocation Sutra has been used as an invisible spiritual screen to protect the transmission of Tao from evils spirits. Invocation Sutra is usually chanted by a Master who holds heavenly mandate. During the Tao ceremony, while Master is reciting the Invocation Sutra, the attendees sometimes can feel the presence of divine beings.
If one wants to be embraced by the blessing of Heavenly Lord, Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and Saints, the best way is to receive Tao by going thru this holy experience oneself. A life-time experience one will truly cheer.
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Written by Joanna Lin
11/16/2017 |
