The Benefits of Circumambulations
Concerning the benefits of circumambulating the supports for worship and stūpas which are representations of the Sugata’s enlightened body, speech, and mind, in the Verses of Circumambulating Stūpas, it says:
What are the benefits of circumambulating
The stūpas of the Protector of the Universe?
As for that, with mere words
It cannot be demonstrated well, even over the period of a whole day.
And:
The praiseworthiness of any person who circumambulates
The stūpas of the Protector of the Universe,
Even if it were expressed for a million eons,
Could not be exhausted.
And:
Through circumambulating stūpas,
The eight non-freedoms are abandoned.
Through circumambulating stūpas,
One will be endowed with mindfulness and imbued with intelligence,
Have good complexion and wisdom,
And all will make offerings to one.
Through circumambulating stūpas,
Gods and likewise humans
Will gain long life thereby,
And attain great fame as well.
And from the Vinaya:
Any skillful person who, with intensely clear mind,
Walks around the stūpas of the Buddha,
Will be like unto one hundred thousand times
The weight of the gold in Earth’s rivers.
And from the Circumambulation Dhāranī:
ADORATION TO THE BHAGAVAN, THE TATHĀGATA, THE ARHAT, THE PERFECTLY COMPLETE BUDDHA RATNADHVAJA, JEWELED VICTORY BANNER!
[CHOM-DEN-DAY DE-ZHIN SHEK-PA DRA-CHOM-PA YANG-DAK-PAR DZOK-PAY SANG-GYAY RIN-CHHEN GYEL-TS’EN LA CHHAK TS’EL LO]
NAMO BHAGAVATE RATNAKETU RĀJĀYA/ TATHĀGATĀYA/ ARHATE/ SAMYAKSAMBUDDHĀYA/ TADYATHĀ/ OM RATNE RATNE MAHĀRATNE RATNA VIJAYA SVĀHĀ
By reciting this and circumambulating even once, it causes it to become immeasurable.
So it is taught. In this way, if one circumambulates a representation of the Sugata’s enlightened body, speech, and mind while reciting this dhāranī-mantra, the benefits become much more powerful. Since it taught thus, it is important that everyone do so.
From Opening the Door to the Excellent Accumulations: A Compendium of Benefits
Compiled by the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute.
Translated by Erick Tsiknopoulos.
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