The advantages of Group-practice

As layman disciples of Vajrayana, apart from studying Buddhist scriptures diligently, it is highly recommended that we should participate in group-practice activities since we are still elementary practitioners. During group-practice, fellow practitioners visualize and think of the Mandala (an altar) of the Yidam (the chief object of worship). This resembles the situation that all Vajrayana Dharma brothers are practising cultivation with one another in front of the Mandala of the Guru, the Yidam, the Dharmapala and Dakini (remark: the Dharmapala and Dakini are the protectors of the Buddha-truth). By doing so, the blessings received by each practitioner are much more powerful than that when one practitioner carries out the practice alone.

According to The Rituals for Foundational Practices 《實修儀軌》, “When there are seven or more practitioners practise cultivation together in front of the same altar for seven days, the achievement they will receive is the same as that of a single practitioner who has practised alone for seven years.” It is thus obvious that the power of group-practice as well as the blessings received is extraordinarily remarkable and superior!

Moreover, it is reported that all sorts of obstacles faced by ourselves and during dharma-practice appear more readily in group-practice. This is considered to be a good and normal phenomenon as we, practitioners can pray and ask the Rinpoche, the Guru etc. to teach us the antidotes to overcome these obstacles by the time. Conclusively, having a Vajrayana Altar or Centre around is such a blessing. We hereby sincerely hope that practitioners can value this precious opportunity to take part in group-practice activities and benefit from the pros of practising cultivation together.