Those who study Vajrayana Buddhism know that:
- 四大天王The Four Heavenly Kings are the wealthiest in the heavens.
- 山神The Mountain Deities are the wealthiest on land.
- 龍王The Dragon Kings are the wealthiest in the seas.
The Vajrayana Dragon King Treasure Vase Practice involves placing offerings into a vase symbolizing the Dragon King. After performing the vajrayana practice, the vase is cast into the sea, bringing joy to the Dragon King, who then grants the practitioner's wishes.
Every step of this practice — from selecting the treasure vase, filling it with offerings, performing the practice, and casting it into the sea — requires visualization, mantra recitation, and mudras. Most importantly, the practitioner must wholeheartedly revere the Dragon King, believing in his miraculous power to fulfill their wishes.
During one such practice, as we prepared to cast the vase into the sea, I asked a young disciple, “Why are you performing this practice? What are you hoping to gain?”
The disciple blushed and remained silent.
I encouraged him, “Go ahead, say it. There's no harm.”
He replied, “To have my wishes come true.”
“And what exactly is your wish?”
Still embarrassed, he admitted, “Well… wealth, to begin with.”
He explained that wealth brings luxurious homes, fancy cars, precious jewelry, a good reputation, and romantic relationships. Life becomes more enjoyable with these things.
He added, “Since we practice Buddhism, we also understand the importance of giving to others.”
Seeing me remain silent, he turned the question back on me, “Grandmaster, when you cast the Dragon King Treasure Vase, what do you pray for?”
I was caught off guard and found myself unable to answer.
“Come on, Grandmaster, tell us!”
After a long pause, I replied, “I… I didn't pray for anything… I really didn't…”
The young disciple then answered for me, “Grandmaster must be praying for all disciples to have good health, strong faith, for the True Buddha Tantric Dharma to spread across the five continents, for the Buddha's teachings to save all beings, and for everyone to attain achievement and become Buddhas.”
Hearing this, I was overjoyed — this disciple was truly wise!
Thinking about it now, is there anything in this worldly life that I still wish for through the Dragon King Treasure Vase Practice? Wealth? Fame? Health? Family? Children? None of these. Whether I have them or lack them is of little importance to me.
People's desires arise from ignorance, leading to intense craving and attachment. This attachment makes them cling to possessions without letting go. Most do not understand the natural way of the Tao and instead resort to forceful acquisition. Over time, this pursuit of desires causes them to accumulate karma — both good and bad — through their actions, speech, and thoughts.
The karma of body, speech, and mind is the main cause of the six realms of samsara. One must understand that karma leads to retribution. Good karma leads to positive results; bad karma leads to negative results.
People have “greed” mainly because they believe in the existence of “self” and “mine.” To satisfy “my” needs, they create good and bad karma with their body, speech, and mind. This leads to being trapped in the cycle of birth and death, unable to attain enlightenment or liberation.
I personally feel that the Dragon King Treasure Vase Practice has a deeper meaning, which is “first use desire to attract, then lead to Buddha wisdom.”
- Fulfill wishes.滿願
- Create good karma through giving.布施
- Have no desires.無求
- Become a Buddha.成佛
I believe this is the sequence to follow in practicing the Dragon King Treasure Vase. When one fully understands the original nature of “impermanence,” “suffering,” “emptiness,” and “no-self,” right mindfulness remains firm as ever.
学习密教的人都知道：在天上最富的是“四大天王”。在地上最富的是“山神”。在海中最富的是“龙王”。
密教“龙王宝瓶法”，是将象征龙王的宝瓶，装入行者的供养，在修完了密法之后，抛入大海之中，使龙王心生欢喜，于是，龙王满足了行者的愿望。
修行“龙王宝瓶法”，从选择宝瓶、装添供养、修法、抛瓶入海，都有观想、持咒、手印。最重要的是，一心虔敬龙王，希望不可思议的龙王，赐予行者的愿望达成。
我曾在“抛瓶入海”的仪式中，问一位年轻弟子：“你如此修龙王宝瓶，是为了求得什么？”他的脸红红的，答不出来。
我说：“你说说看，不要紧的。”弟子答：“心想事成吧！”“你心想什么？”弟子不好意思的说：“总要先得财富吧！”
这位弟子告诉我，一个人有财富，当然就会有豪华的住宅，有漂亮的名车，有珍贵的饰品，还有一些名，男女朋友会随着而来，生活会比较如意。
弟子又说：“我们已经学了佛，知道要布施别人。”
这位年轻人见我默默无语，便反问我：“师尊抛龙王宝瓶，祈愿什么？”我一时怔住了，同样答不出。
“师尊说说！”我答：“我…我…我没有祈愿，我没有……。”
这位年轻弟子帮我回答：“师尊一定是祈求众弟子身体健康，众弟子道心坚固，真佛密法弘扬五大洲，佛法救度天下苍生，人人得以早日成就，个个成佛。”
我听了，高兴极了，这位弟子很聪明。
想一想，“龙王宝瓶法”的祈愿，我今天对世俗的世界，还祈愿什么吗？富贵。名位。健康。家庭。子女。我当然不会祈求这些，这些的“有”或“没有”，对我来说，都不是很重要。
因为人们的欲望，来自于“无明”，形成了强烈的贪求渴爱，而有了执取不舍，一般人，不懂得“有道”的自然之理，一味的强取豪夺，久而久之促使我们在追求的过程中，做出了身、口、意的善恶业来。
身、口、意的善恶“业力”是形成六道轮回的主要原因，须知有业力就要承受果报。善业受善报。恶业受恶报。
人们会有“贪欲”，最主要是认定有“我”及“我的”存在，为了满足“我的”要求，便造出身、口、意的善恶业力。因此，导致人们跳不出生死轮回，不能开悟，也求出无期。
我个人觉得，“龙王宝瓶法”有更深一层的意义，正是“先以欲勾之，再令入佛智。”
一、“满愿”。二、“布施”善业。三、“无求”。四、“成佛”。
我认为，这正是修习“龙王宝瓶法”的依循次序，当彻悟“无常”、“苦”、“空”、“无我”的本质，正念永远坚定如故。