Entering the Mandala of the Soul

Chapter 2       Wisdom Firing Set Prairie Ablaze

2.3. Entering the Mandala of the Soul

One day, when Khyungpo Naljor was searching in some place, he suddenly heard a group of people talking about the story of Niguma’s transfiguration. As soon as he heard the name Niguma, his hair stood on end, and he cried. Like a son who had searched for his mother for many years and finally heard news of her, sorrow mixed with joy in Khyungpo Naljor, and he lost control of himself. He immediately asked for the residence of Niguma. One person said “she went to Suoshalang Cadaver Forest, but we do not know if she is still there.”

Khyungpo Naljor was very happy, picked up his gold and travelled day and night all the way to Suoshalang. When he arrived at the cadaver forest, he prostrated his whole body, performed the highest worship, and recited “Namo Guruya! Namo Buddhaya! Namo Dharmaya! Namo Sangaya!” which meant “Refuge to guru! Refuge to Buddha! Refuge to superior Dharma! Refuge to Treasure of Monks!” He was excited, like having left his mother for a long time and finally meeting her. He frequently shouted “My Guru, Niguma!”

Then, Niguma appeared in the sky above Suoshalang with purple golden skin, a hand drum in her right hand, holding a seal with her left and supporting skull bow containing the amrita of great wisdom, wearing colourful girdles with tassels, incomparably splendid. Khyungpo Naljor so happy he cried, falling to the earth and kow-towing, and begged for dharma transmission. Niguma joked “I am not Niguma, I am a flesh eating dakini. I will eat your flesh and sleep on your skin, are you scared?” Khyungpo Naljor said “I would offer my whole body to guru”. After saying that, he threw all his gold, over a thousand liang, into the sky and an offering to guru, and begged for the empowerment of the Five Golden Dharma of Niguma.

Niguma accepted the gold and threw it into the earth. Khyungpo Naljor thought “why doesn’t guru care about my offering?” Niguma knew what he thought and came down to the earth. Smiling, she looked around, and whatever she looked at became gold. Khyungpo Naljor wondered “is this an illusion or has the earth is really turned into gold?” Niguma laughed “Real gold is like this, and illusion is also like this. Samsara, nirvana and all dharma are only dreams. If you are able to understand this, everything in the world is gold, thus why treasure this small amount of gold you offered?”

Khyungpo Naljor asked once more for dharma transmission. Niguma then looked up and down in all directions, and numerous daka and dakini gathered. Suddenly the mandala of the five great Vajras appeared in the sky, shining with glory. All necessary offerings necessary were present. Inside the Mandala, the five Yidam Vajras and Buddha mothers all appeared as double bodies of great joy and wisdom, and amrita fell like rain into the mouth of Khyungpo Naljor.

Niguma said “Monk of the Tibetan areas, please come to my kingdom.” The twenty-four dakini, hand in hand, led Khyungpo Naljor into the holy place. Dakini sat in a circle inside the Mandala, and Niguma transmitted the Five Golden Dharma of Niguma to Khyungpo Naljor. Then, dakini and daka from the Thirty-two Realms of Chakrasamvara came to join the celebration, playing music, dancing, singing, and making offerings, surpassing all celebrations of the past. Niguma said “From this day on, you are the same as my son. Meditate according to this dharma and you will swiftly achieve the Buddha body. Preach this dharma well to benefit numerous sentient beings. This dharma was transmitted to me from Vajra Dhara and then to you. Until the seventh generation, it should be transmitted to only one guru in each generation. After the seventh generation, it will be allowed to be widely transmitted to all disciples with great cause. Now, return to your hometown. The twenty-four dakini will protect and send you all the way.” As she spoke, a rainbow descended down to the earth, with heavenly music and beautiful flower rain. All dakini sang blessings and sent Khyungpo Naljor back to the earth. Those blessings became the Blessing Sutra of Niguma which we recite every time we meditate in yoga.

After arriving at the Vajra Seat, Khyungpo Naljor collected another thousand liang of gold and held a splendid offering with excellent food and wine rarely seen in this world. Khyungpo Naljor invited all guru, and the over eighty great saints well known in India, Niguma, and all daka and dakini from the Twenty-four Realms of Chakrasamvara and the Dakini Buddha Kingdoms in the Heaven of Ultimate Form. All masters displayed god magic and played in the sky. There were also local guru from India, they all showed very great respect and exclaimed at the unprecedented spectacle.

Niguma prophesised “Your disciples will be born in the birthplace of Mahadingwa, Chakrasamvara and Kawana Avalokitesvara, and they all will receive my prediction. From now on, all disciples in your lineage will be reborn in the pure land of the dakini.”

All big saints also predicted “Khyungpo Naljor will achieve superior merits and enlighten into ultimate Buddhahood. His body will be same as Guhyasamaja, his word will be same as Mahamaya, his mind will be same as Hevajra, his merit will be same as Chakrasambhava and his career will be same as Yamantaka.”