In a book about Suzuki Shōsan, about a samurai who became Zen monk there are advices for beginners with bad karma, as well as other teachings.
Suzuki Shōsan learned from a tantric Zen master, cultivated vital energy (as Ki is called in this book) symbolized by two guardian deities - Niō - who stand on either side of the temple gate. Each carries a thunderbolt-like weapon (kongōsho) that, according to esoteric Buddhism, symbolizes the diamond-hard wisdom mind.
The advices for beginners, especially for those with bad karma are as follows:
'Become a Vengeful Spirit of the Buddha Dharma.
(...)
To practice Buddha Dharma, you should model yourself after Buddhist images. But beginners should not focus on the image of the Tathagata, for they are not yet able to do Tathagata Zazen. They should focus on the Niō and Fudo* and do Niō zazen.
(...)
If you try for quick results, you'll only regress.'
* Fudo Myō-ō, a wrathful figure, a form of Dainichi Nyorai / Sanskrit: Mahavairocana-tathagatha, the Buddha who expounded Esoteric Buddhism (...) Like the Niō, he possesses the vital energy neccessary to fight deluded thoughts.
-=- click images to enlarge, if You wish. -=-
Blog author's comment.
After reading more about Suzuki Shōsan's life and teachings, i did some of Mahakala's - also Buddhist Protector Deity - practices.
... i found that my mind-state shares a lot with view of Suzuki Shōsan. Perhaps i was his student in previous lives.
... i've started a war against my ego, releasing anger at my ego's parts.
This felt the painful and hopeless struggle to fight so stupidly, had insights that this is glimpse on my karma from a lot of my past lives, when i was warrior without much of informations, who fought blindly, was used by others and suffered greatly because of that.
... i've read Lama Ole Nydahl's words about Ego, he wrote that ego is quite strong, but dumb as ox.
... i decided that i should fight against ego wisely, and calmly - unleashing anger only a little when i need it's power to overcome inner foes.
... i think it's too timid and dumb to neglect anger release completely, as is stupid and dangerous to release too much of anger as well.
... when i'll feel abused, i'll get a little angry since now - unlike of what i did so far, as i was too good and tolerant for abuses - for my own good.
... i decided that i won't expect quick results, initially prepared for a very long war against ego - on the Mahakala Way, on the Way of Mahakala Buddha, that i identify with.
It seems wise to follow Suzuki Shōsan's advice to identify with a wrathful protector, when one is beginner with a lot of bad karma.
One should not tolerate abuses against oneself and others, no matter if they come from one's own ego or from real people.
Spells & Mantras.
It is Arful Eye!
Empower!
MA DAG MA
HUM
