文／蓮生活佛盧勝彥
有弟子問我：「持多咒好？還是持一咒好？」
我答：「平等，平等。」
關於這個問題，可以延伸到修一法好？還是修多法好？也同樣是一個本尊好？還是多個本尊好？
以前，我的師父指示說，關於這方面，要看密教行者的意願，有些行者樂於多咒多法多本尊，行者的時間也夠，行者是出家人，專門在修行上用功，這可以多咒多法多本尊。
所以說，只要你時間夠，你要修三法、五法、十法，甚至一百法，一百尊也可以。
但，由於現代人修密教，自己在家時間少，在外做事業很忙，不可能多咒多法多本尊，如此，只可能一咒一法一本尊了。要知道單修一咒一法一本尊，由於「專一」的緣故，稱為「速得成就門」，也就是比較容易相應。
所以：
多咒多法多本尊，好處是結緣廣。
一咒一法一本尊，相應速疾最妙。
我常常對人說，你只要一尊有了相應，那麼其他諸尊要相應也就容易了。這就是一法相應，法法都相應，一切功德皆悉成就。所以行者宜從一咒一法一本尊下手實修才是，剛開始不要貪多。
我們真佛行者要記住，「上師咒」、「本尊咒」、「護法咒」這三咒要持滿數。你只要「上師相應法」相應了，本尊法及護法之法，等於相應不遠。
因為本尊及護法均隨著「上師相應」而歡喜下降！
One Mantra, One Practice and One Principal Deity
Written by Lian-shen Linving Buddha Sheng-yenLu
Translated by ChengYewChung edited by VictorHazen
True Buddha Foundation Translation Team
A disciple asked me, "Is it better to recite many mantras or just stick to one ?"
I replied, "It's all thesa me. Allthesame."
Expanding from this question, we may ask if it is better to cultivate just one practice or to cultivate multiple practices ? Is it better to stick to one principal deity or to work with many ?
My Master once instructed me on this. Regarding this matter, it really depends on the individual's wishes. Some Vajrayana practitioners like to embrace the idea of multiple mantras, multiple practices and multiple principal deities. If the practitioner has sufficient time to apply to his practices and he is an ordained monk whose focus is on his cultivation, he can certainly practice this way. Therefore, as long as you have sufficient time to devote to practices, you can cultivate three, five, ten or even a hundred practices, a hundred deities, and it is all right.
However, most modern people are busy at work and spend little time at home. And when it comes to Vajrayana practice, it is almost impossible to cope with the cultivation of multiple mantras, multiple practices and multiple principal deities. Therefore, one can only carry out the cultivation of a single mantra, a single practice, and a single principal deity. Note that by focusing on one mantra, one practice and one deity, the very action of focusing opens the gateway to swift accomplishment, as it is easier to achieve yogic response this way.
Thus:
The cultivation of multiple mantras, multiple practices and multiple deities offers the advantage of a wide network of affinity.
The cultivation of one mantra, one practice and one deity promises swift yogic response.
I often say that after you gain yogic response with one principal deity, it will be easier to achieve union with other deities. It goes to say that when you gain results with one practice, you shall have success with every practice, accomplishing all that produces good merits. Hence, the practitioner should begin with one mantra, one practice and one principal deity, and cultivate truthfully. In the beginning stage, it is advisable not to dabble in too many things.
As True Buddha practitioners, we must remember that we need to complete the required amount of recitation of the Guru mantra, the mantra of the principal deity and the mantra of the protector. When you achieve yogic response with Guru Yoga, you will be a step nearer to achieving union through the Principal Deity Yoga and the Protectorpractice.
This is because when you achieve yogic response with your Guru, the principal deity and protectors will naturally come along and descend to bless you with joy!
