文／蓮生活佛盧勝彥
常常有弟子問我：「那一尊佛菩薩，可作為本尊？」
我的回答是：「本尊者，即本來最尊義。行者於諸佛菩薩中，以某尊為本，於生生世世中，本有宿緣，就是本尊。」
我又說：「特別有因緣的，特別最投緣的，特別最歡喜的，特別最敬重的。即是本尊。」
密教選擇本尊，有先綁起眼睛，行者持花，由上師帶入壇城，然後拋花，花朵擲中那一尊，那一尊就是本尊。昔日，空海大師就是擲中大日如來。因此空海大師的金剛號就是遍照金剛。
現在，很多弟子請自己的根本上師來決定根本的本尊，根本上師要推算弟子的因緣，與某尊的因緣，合不合，如果是合，那就是本尊無誤。
也有些弟子，剛皈依受灌頂，就在夢中、定中，看見佛菩薩前來顯現摸頂加持，於是就自己選擇此尊為自己的本尊，這也是可以的。
有人問：「本尊可以二尊嗎？可以三尊嗎？」
答：「原則上一尊。但特殊因緣，也可以二尊，三尊。」
又問：「原先的本尊，自覺不合，想更換可以嗎？」
答：「其實本尊選定，不宜更換。只要認真修持，勵求圓滿，終必相應。因為佛與佛通，菩薩與菩薩通，要做無分別想，普同恭敬。」
問：「真佛宗有八大本尊，可以選擇八大本尊之外的嗎？」
答：「八大本尊只是原則性。金剛界、胎藏界的諸尊，皆可以為本尊。」
我替弟子選擇本尊，有一祕密，是依弟子的「天性」去選擇他們的本尊。
Choosing One』s Principal Deity (Yidam)
Written by Lian-shen Linving Buddha Sheng-yen Lu
Translated by Cheng Yew Chung edited by Victor Hazen
True Buddha Foundation Translation Team
My disciples often asked me this question, 「Who among the buddhas and bodhisattvas is my principal deity?」
My reply is, 「Yidam, or principal deity, means what is principally the most supreme. When the practitioner chooses a certain deity among the buddhas and bodhisattvas as his principal deity who is connected to the individual through many lifetimes, that would be one』s principal deity.」
I added, 「A principal deity is determined when the individual feels there is a special affinity between them, where the connection, the affection and the respect for the deity is most pronounced.」
In Tantric Buddhism, the practice of selecting one』s principal deity involves a method in which the practitioner is first blindfolded. While holding a flower in his hand, he is led by his guru to the mandala where he casts the flower towards it. His principal deity is determined by the deity upon which the flower lands. In the past, when Kobo Daishi (Kukai) cast his flower, it landed on Vairocana. His religious name was thus Henjo Kongo, meaning 『Universally Illuminating Vajra』.
Nowadays, many disciples request help from their Root Guru to determine their principal deity. The Root Guru must ascertain the affinity between the disciple and the respective deity to determine their compatibility. If they are compatible, that would surely be the principal deity.
Some disciples who just took refuge and received the refuge empowerment saw the appearance of a buddha or bodhisattva touching their heads and blessing them either in their dreams or meditation. Hence, they would choose that one particular buddha or bodhisattva as their principal deity. This is reasonable.
A question was asked, 「Can we have more than two or three principal deities?」
Answer: 「In principle, there should be one principal deity. But under special circumstances, one may have two, even three principal deities.」
Question: 「If we are uncomfortable with the principal deity, can we change to another?」
Answer: 「Actually, it is not advisable to change your principal deity once you have made your decision. As long as you practice truthfully and reach for perfection, you shall achieve responses and results. The truth is, there are no barriers between buddhas and bodhisattvas. Therefore we must hold thoughts of non-differentiation and respect all as equal.」
Question: 「There are eight major principal deities in the True Buddha School. Can we choose a deity outside these eight?」
Answer: 「The group of eight major principal deities exists in principle. Other deities that exist in the Vajradhatu and Garbhadhatu Mandala can also be selected as one』s principal deity.」
When I select the principal deity for my disciple, the secret of selection lies in harmony with the very 『divine nature』 of my disciple.
