A friend recommended me this website, if you are interested in Manjusri prayer or her tibetan form, Yamantaka. Yamantaka is a buddhist deity that can save you from the underworld Hell, Jigoku ( Japanese term for hell ) www.yamantaka.org
I have been told by family members that this year 2012 is a very special year for Christians as well as for Buddhists.
Since 2011/2012 has been a very special, as well as a memorable year for me, I have a very special wish, that I hope would last for eternity. I wish that Jesus Christ and all of Almighty God's approved religious leaders (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, etc) would gather all their collective efforts, bless and present the newly-polished universe as a whole to Almighty God as a gift. I wish that all souls that were created by God, are created and will be created, would return and forever be nourished under His guardian light. I wish that Jesus Christ and all of Almighty God's approved religious leaders would gather all souls lost in transition and deliver them into the loving hands of God. I wish that all souls in purgatory be eased of their sufferings and instantly receive repentance of their sins, so that, they may realize their mistakes and get forgiveness by God. I wish that all souls that were created, are created and shall be created, remain their innocence and be known, marked and classified as the Children of God.
After all the blessing work done, I wish that all the angels of Jesus and that of all the religious leaders would choose to accept nothing from their meritorious actions, but, instead choose to perform it in secrecy on behalf all the souls that were created, are created or shall be created by Almighty God, the creator of our Universe. I wish that the universe would be engulfed entirely by Almighty God's energy and all darkness be expelled. May all things created, or made aware of by Almighty God, be forever remain blessed within his light. Even though the universe was created by God, but, maintaining the lustre is necessary as our sinful actions over the years tarnish the actual light.
While residing at mahaprajapati monastery at Palm Spring, CA, during the month of Vesak, the following thought about the Life of Siddharta Gautama Buddha occurred to me…. It was hot and dry in the dessert environment, while during my renounciation from social lifestyle, away from the radio and television lifestyle, I was filled with boringness, right down to my very soul. Since I had nothing to do, I figured out that I might as well as pay a tribute to the founder of the monastery, that would be Mahapajapati Gotami, right? It all took place around 2500 years ago, that the first order of female Buddhist monastic was founded. An attempt that was at first failed and rejected by Sakyamuni Buddha. The bare-footed and bald nun, together with a few hundred of her female retinue, never gave up, but continued to plead with Ananda, to persuade with the Buddha for a chance for female monastic to evolve. After a few attempts by Ananda, the Buddha gave in to such a meritorious idea, but, under the condition that female nuns must always respect male monks. Ananda reflected the point that after Queen Maya (first wife of King Suddhodarna and the mother of Buddha) passed away, Mahapajapati ( second wife of King Suddhodana, sister of Queen Maya) nursed the 7 day of infant prince. During the mourning period of the dead Queen, and despite being pregnant with her own son, Nanda, Princess Mahapajapati Gotami took in the crown prince as her actual son. She never quite failed in her role in playing the new Queen, because, she placed Prince Siddharta as the first priority after her actual son, Nanda. There had been no reports about an assassination attempt, plotted against the crown prince. All these loves, affections and commitment, Mahapajapati showed towards her dead-sister Queen Mahamaya. These were some of the points Ananda pleaded with the Buddha, 2500 years ago, that lead to the foundation of the first female Buddhist monastic. All thanks to Sakyamuni Buddha, Ananda, Mahapajapati Gotami and her retinue of bare-footed renounced female disciples.
The following thought occurred within me. Had the Buddha ever wondered about the characteristics of Queen Mahamaya ? He was only 7 days old when his beloved mother Queen Mahamaya passed away and ascended to Tavatimsa heaven. How can a 7 day old infant say farewell or request for an extension of his mother’s lifespan.? If only he could talk and know how to pray. That is the reason why Prince Siddharta is usually depicted as being an extraordinary gifted obedient child. Who is Queen Mahamaya? Well, In Buddhism, the feast of Sakro Devanam Indra (Saint of the Heaven Realm) is widely celebrated on the Buddhist lunar calendar 1st month 9th day while the feast of Yen Lo (Saint of Underworld Realm) is celebrated on 1st month 8th day. What is so special about Sakro (the heaven light saint # 9) and YenLo ( the underworld dark saint # 8 )?. King Suddhodana ( the father of Prince Siddharta) is the personification of Sakro Devanam Indra ( #9) while Queen Mahamaya ( the mother of Prince Siddharta) is the feminine personification of YenLo (#8). If you were to combine these two parental heritages, you would find that Prince Siddharta was conceived with Virgin Mary blessing (#98). He was destined to be a great human warrior king, which means that all his human fame would last 100 years, or destined to be a great Annutara Samyak Buddha, where his sainthood fame would last for eternity. Because of his obedience nature and his longing for birth mother, he had no sensual pleasure or craving over wealth, fame and fortune. He grew up having everything including a reputation as a crown prince. Every effort sent by King Sudhodana’s order to arouse happiness and longing in the prince, lasted as soon as the entertainment ended. Having had everything, the longing for his birth mother grew (something he couldn’t have). On one occasion, he begged King Sudhodana for permission to visit the city and that was when he encountered 4 omens. The first omen was sickness, the second omen was old age, the third omen was death and the fourth omen was a smiling ascetic. Prince Siddharta questioned his servant, Channa, about these omens and how to eliminate these misfortunes and the mystery behind the happiness of the ascetic. Channa commented that these omens were natural human cyclic existence and that the happiness of the ascetic was due his renunciation.
How much connection was there between Prince Siddharta and Queen Mahamaya? If the feminine Queen Mahamaya was the personification of the masculine Underworld Saint YenLo ( 1 month 8th day). Then prince Siddharta would be the masculine personification of the feminine daughter of the Underworld Saint YenLo ( 4th month 8th day). Hence, his birthday was the Buddhist lunar calendar 4th month 8th day.
How much does he longed for his dead-mother? He renounced from his family, his newborn son (Rahula), his princely title and his wealth, with the aim of not returning until he achieved the secret to immortality. Guess, what was the day of his renunciation? His renunciation took place on the Buddhist Mahayana calendar ( 2nd month, 8th day, probably Rahula's birthday ). Why this date? He yearning for his dead-mother was very strong, that fate had allowed him to renounce on this very special #8 day. Remember that Queen Mahamaya is the feminine representation of YenLo (Saint of the Underworld), then 2nd month, 8th day would slightly resembles the Queen. This is how he longed and yearned for his birth mother, that fate would allow him to desert everything in exchange for the secret of immortality. Something he wished that he had, that would revive his birth mother when he was 7-days old. As fatherhood approached, the need for the immortality secret grew, with the aim of preserving everyone close to him.
Who blessed Prince Siddharta, during his quest for enlightenment? According to the Buddhist Mahayana tradition, Sakyamuni achieved Annutara samyak Buddhahood on the lunar calendar of 12th month 8th day. Does this number signifies anything? The first factor, would be the blessing of Queen Mahamaya and YenLo (Saint of the Underworld). The second factor, would the Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary. Looks like Siddharta Gautama was conceived within the blessings of the number 8 & 9.
My opinion on Queen Mahamaya?
A mother that died when Prince Siddharta Gautama was 7 days old. She was a true bodhisattva by birth. She shared a husband (King Suddhodana) with her own sister , Mahapajapati Gotami. She sacrificed her life and dedicated her merits towards the enlightenment of her son (# 8 days). Even Rahula was born on the date the buddha seeked renunciation from all his princely inheritance. A buddha's success was created from the generous goodness of many souls, which was then reinvested into the lives of many souls. After her death, all the affections of her husband was directed towards Mahapajapati Gotami. She was willing to sacrifice her life and all her material attachments, including her Queenship, so that her sister could have all. There would be no conflict when it came towards the king's affection . This is how much she loved her sister, Mahapajapati Gotami.
