Vajrayana Tibetan Buddhist Full Moon Meditation: 'Gachirinkan'【月輪観】

The Full Moon Meditation or 'Gachirinkan' is one of the meditations that I've learned while I was on my pilgrimage to the 88 Shingon Buddhist temples in the Kanto area of Japan.

This meditation is based on Vajrayana Tibetan Buddhism, which is an ancient form of Buddhism that was originally founded in India by the Mahāsiddhas and includes practices using mantras, mudras, mandalas, etc.

The aim of this meditation is to make one's heart as pure and clear, shining brightly and beautifully like the full moon. Connecting with the moon's energy allows you to become more aware of your emotions, intuitions, and mystical wisdom.

You can practice under the full moon, or on any other days as you hold the image of the full moon in the mind's eye.



As a reference, here are the instructions for practicing the Buddist full moon meditation, Gachirinkan. If you are interested in trying this out, allow yourself a good amount of time to understand the meanings of the mantras and mudras more deeply.



Step 1: Put the image of the moon up on a wall at eye-level when sitting down in lotus pose.

Step 2: Burn 1 incense stick and take 3 bows - place both knees, elbows, on the floor, have the palms of your hands facing up, then place your head on the floor.


Step 3: Sit about 1 footstep away from the image of the moon on the wall, in lotus pose.


Step 4: Bring the palms of your hands together into prayer mudra, chant the mantra 'Namu Daishi Henjō Kongō' (南無大師遍照金剛) to pray for a successful meditation session.


Step 5: Keep hands in prayer mudra as you chant the mantras of the Five Great Wishes (五大願).

      ① The numbers of lives are limitless, I take an oath and pray to be saved.
           衆生無辺誓願度

      ② Blessed knowledge and wisdom are limitless, I take an oath and pray to gather it in this body.
           福智無辺誓願集

      ③ The Buddha's teachings are endless, I take an oath and pray to achieve enlightenment.
           法門無辺誓願覚

      ④ The number of Buddhas are limitless, I take an oath and pray to serve them all.
           如来無辺誓願事

      ⑤ The Buddha's enlightenment is limitless, I take an oath and pray to have the experience.
           菩提無上誓願證


Step 6: Set your hands into Gaigoko mudra (外五鈷印) see image below.

Step 7: Recite the mantra 7 times for Vairocana: Oṃ vajra-dhātu vaṃ


Step 8: Set your gaze on the image of the full moon. Then close your eyes for an inner visualization of the full moon.


Step 9: Gently open your eyes, stroke down your hand from the top of your head to the feet without actually touching the body.


Step 10: Recite the Transfering Merit mantra (回向文)

May the merit of my practice
願以此功德
Adorn Buddhas’ Pure Lands,
莊嚴佛淨土
Requite the fourfold kindness from above,
上報四重恩
And relieve the suffering of the three life-paths below.
下濟三途苦
Universally wishing sentient beings,
普願諸眾生
Friends, foes, and karmic creditors,
冤親諸債主
All to activate the bodhi mind,
悉發菩提心
And all to be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.
同生極樂國


Step 11: Finish by bowing 3 times (as in Step 2).