Offering to the Lord of the Site

You can just imagine what the ancient Native Americans thought when they first viewed this haunted place. It is difficult to understand what gave rise to this unusual formation, if not the playful hand of original wisdom. This is in my front yard, so to speak, so I can ponder the consequences at leisure. Having pondered, I came to conclude the spirits of the place -- and if there are no spirits here then there are no spirits anywhere -- deserved an offering.

But, which offering? There are literally hundreds to chose from. Usually, I like the Cha Sum Puja. But, on this occasion, I wanted something light, and simple, that could be used when wandering around from site to site.

So, somebody sent me something very close to the following text, without telling me where it came from. Some online sleuthing revealed that it came from Thekchen Choling, in Singapore. They have it available for download, without saying very much about the root text, or what might be required by way of preparation. 

I therefore made inquiry of some knowledgeable lamas, who fine-tuned the text with helpful comments, and the suggested, lightly revised version is now presented for your use. I like this version. It is handy, to-the-point, and it works.

Offering to the Lord of the Site

and the Hungry Ghosts

The Preliminaries

This offering ritual may be performed by anyone who has, at minimum, (a) formally taken refuge, and (b) received any tantric empowerment. If you lack even those minimal qualifications, then examine your intention very closely. If you are proceeding from a genuinely unselfish wish to benefit others, then what is the harm?

Prepare a common torma of barley flour, with about a teaspoon of honey added. Omit the use of butter.  A corn flour torma may also be prepared, particularly in the Americas. Lacking the ability to make a torma, then obtain rice, wheat, corn, or barley grain, or even dried peas or beans of some sort. The essential point would be to have five different, dry vegetarian substances. The original text suggests using digestive biscuits (what we might call crackers) crumbled up and placed in a bowl of clean drinking water.

This practice is best performed shortly after dusk. This is because some spirits are afraid of light.

The Ritual

OM VAJRA AMRITA KUNDRALI HANA HANA HUNG PHAT

(This is the cleansing mantra of Trowo Dutsi Kyilwa)

OM SOBHAWA SHUDHA SARWA DHARMA SOBHAWA SHUDHO HAM

(This is the purification mantra)

Within the state of empty, basic space, there arises the letter DHRUM. From DHRUM arises broad, expansive vessels made of jewels. These vessels fill the entire realm. Within them, the letter OM melts into light. From these arises a torma with the three great whites and the three sweets, which is instantaneously transformed into a great ocean of the uncontaminated nectar of transcendental wisdom.

OM AH HUM

(recite 3 times)

NAMA SARWA TATHAGATA AVALOKITE OM SAMBHARA SAMBHARA HUM

(Offer the torma with this mantra, reciting 3 or 7 times)

I prostrate to the Bhagavan, the Tathagata Many Jewelled One: Shakyamuni Buddha. 

I prostrate to the Bhagavan, the Tathagata Supreme Beautiful Form: Avalokiteshvara.
I prostrate to the Bhagavan, the Tathagata Infinite Bodied One: Manjushri. 

I prostrate to the Bhagavan, the Tathagata Free From All Fear: Vajrapani.

(Begin ringing bell)

I offer this torma and ocean of nectar, 

Endowed with the five perfect sense objects, 

To BSTAN-MA, the Goddess of the Earth, 

All lords of the site of the three thousand worlds, 

To the Five Sisters of Long Life, 

And to all the protectors who reside in Tibet (and in this land), 

And particularly to the devas, nagas, and lord of the site,
And to the hungry ghosts, 

All who dwell in this very region.

Having thus accepted, I request you to gather, as we wish, 

All conditions conducive for whatever actions 

We and the sponsors perform, 

Without showing anger or jealousy.

By the power of my thoughts, 

By the power of the generosity of the Tathagatas, 

And by the power of the realm of truth, 

May any purpose we desire, any whatsoever, 

Be realized without obstruction.

(Leave the offering of biscuits and water out overnight, and clear the next morning. In rural or remote areas, it is unnecessary to clear them away, as they will benefit insects, birds, wild animals and so forth. )