འཕགས་པ་འཇམ་དཔལ་གྱ་རྩ་བའ་རྒྱད 175

175

“He¹⁰⁴⁶ should have confidence in the maṇḍala,
Be initiated into all its mantras,
Always apply himself to the tantra,
And be able to perform the rite of self-protection.¹⁰⁴⁷

“The master, possessed of great splendor, should also protect
His assistants with demon-slaying [mantras] and examine them carefully.¹⁰⁴⁸
He should be well established as a spiritual master
And keep his observances.

“He should have profound insight, be always gentle,
Noble, and compassionate,
And look for the same characteristics
In all his assistants.

“One should accept as disciples those who are well qualified—
One, two, or three,
Or perhaps eight or more of them—
But avoid [accepting too] many.

“One should always follow, for this maṇḍala,
The procedure as previously explained.
Those possessing the ten powers declared
This to be the best of maṇḍalas.
One should therefore draw no other maṇḍala,
And follow no other rite but Mañjughoṣa’s.¹⁰⁴⁹

“I will now give the measurements
Of this very magnificent maṇḍala.
It should be four cubits, two cubits,
Or perhaps eight, or more, in diameter.

“One should draw it in a clean place,
Especially a riverbank or a mountaintop.
One should use powders of five colors
And follow the previously taught procedure.

“The maṇḍala should have four corners, four doors,
And be adorned with four gateways.
Its four sides should be of equal length,
And its splendor should equal a divine enclosure.

“The paints should be of bright, vivid colors,
Pure and beautiful,
With a nice fragrance and other aspects.
One should start painting it with the help of a companion,

“While observing silence and one’s temporary vows,
As well as the eight [precepts].¹⁰⁵⁰
One should be untroubled in mind, moderate in eating,
And virtuous; continually recite the mantra;

“And refrain from evil activities,
Performing only those of pacifying and enriching.
One should start in the center
And draw the Teacher using paints.¹⁰⁵¹

“First, one should paint Tathāgata Ratnaketu,
Complete with adornments of various jewels,
Sitting inside a cave,
And of great splendor.¹⁰⁵²

“He sits in a cross-legged posture
And turns the wheel of Dharma.
One should draw on the canvas
Everything that is normally offered to the Teacher.¹⁰⁵³

“It should be adorned with mudrā symbols
Arranged in three rows.