THE GREAT COMPASSION DHARANI SUTRA
(Also known as:)
Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra
Maha Karunikacitta Dharani Sutra
Nilakantha Dharani Sutra
(The full title is:)
The Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Vast, Perfect, Unimpeded, Great-Compassionate Heart Dharani Sutra.
(Qian Shou Qian Yan Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa Guang Da Yuan Man Wu Ai Da Bei Xin Tuo Luo Ni Jing)
(Tripitaka No. 1060)
(* Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is also known as: Contemplator of the World’s Sounds/Guan Shi Yin/Guan Zi Zai Bodhisattva)
Translated during the Tang Dynasty by Shramana Bhagavat-dharma from west India.
* * * * * *
Thus I have heard, once the Buddha was in the honorable sublime
Way-place of Avalokitesvara’s palace in Potalaka Mountain, sitting on a
noblest lion’s throne decorated with various Mani-jewels. Hundreds of
jeweled streamers were hanging all around.
At that time, The Tathagata intending to explain a teaching of
the Total-Retention Dharani, was sitiing on the throne, along with
innumerable Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas whose names are: Dharani King
Bodhisattva, Precious King Bodhisattva, Bhaisajya-Raja(Medicine King)
Bodhisattva, Bhaisajya-Samudgata(Superior Medicine) Bodhisattva,
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahastamaprapta(Great Strength) Bodhisattva,
Avatamsaka Bodhisattva, Great Sublime Bodhisattva, Precious Deposits
Bodhisattva, Virtue Store Bodhisattva, Vajragarbha Bodhisattva,
Akasagarbha(Space Store) Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva,
Samantabhadra(Universal Goodness) Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva, and
so on. Such Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas are all Abhiseka(Empowerment) great
dharma-princes; also along with innumerable great
Sravakas(voice-hearer), all of whom practise the ten-stages of Arhat,
headed by Maha-Kasyapa; also along with innumerable Devas of
Brahma-Heaven, headed by Sinza-Brahma; also along with innumerable Gods
of heavens of the desire realm, headed by Kubhagha-God; also along with
innumerable four-guardian-gods, headed by Dhritarastra; also along with
innumerable gods, dragons, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garudas,
Kinnaras, Mahoragas, human beings, Amanusyas, headed by the
Heaven-virtue great dragon king; also along with innumerable Devakanyas
of heavens of the desire realm, headed by the Virgin-Eyed Devakanya;
also along with innumerable Sunyatas(Gods of spaces), gods of rivers and
oceans, gods of fountains and spring, gods of natural pond, gods of
herb, gods of forest, gods of houses, gods of water, gods of fire, gods
of earth, gods of wind, gods of ground, gods of mountains, gods of
rocks, gods of palaces, and so on, came together to join the
congregation.
At that time in the congregation, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
secretly emitted his sacrosanct light, illuminated the realms of the ten
directions and made one billion worlds’ color turned to golden. Palaces
of heavens, palaces of dragons and palaces of all gods were all shaken.
Rivers, oceans, Cakravada-parvata Mountains, Sumeru Mountains, Earth
Mountains, black mountains were also shaken. The light of sun, moon,
pearls, fire, and stars all disappeared.
Witnessing this rare scene, Dharani King Bodhisattva was more
surprised than ever before, so he arose from his seat, joined his palms
and asked the Buddha with a Gatha(verse):
“Who achieved the correct-awakening today,
emitting the great bright light universally?
Colors of realms of the ten directions have all become golden,
so do one billion worlds?
Who attained the ultimate freedom today,
manifesting the rare great holy power,
innumerable pure lands of Buddhas are shaken,
so do palaces of dragons and gods?
Now the congregation are all wondering,
don’t know that it’s caused by the power of whom.
Is he a Buddha, Bodhisattva, or great Sravaka,
or Brahman, or gods of heavens?
Bhagavan(World-honored One), by your great compassion,
please tell us the cause of that great supernatural power.”
The Buddha told Dharani King Bodhisattva: “Good man, you should
know that in this congregation there is a Bodhisattva whose name is
Avalokitesvara. He has achieved great kindness and great compassion
since uncountable Kalpas before, and excels at practicing uncountable
Dharma-gates of Dharani. In order to comfort and please all
living-beings, he secretly emits that sacrosanct power.
After the Buddha said that, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva arose
from his seat, tidied up his clothes, joined his palms towards the
Buddha and said:
“Bhagavan, I have a mantra of Great-Compassionate Heart Dharani
and now wish to proclaim it, for comforting and pleasing all
living-beings; for healing all illness; for living-beings to attain
additional lifespan; for living-beings to gain wealth; for extinguishing
all evil-karma and weighty sins; for keeping away from hindrance and
disasters; for producing merits of all undefiled-Dharmas; for maturing
all virtuous-roots; for overcoming all fears; for fulfilling all good
wishes. Bhagavan, please allow me to speak.”
The Buddha said: “Good man, you have great kindness and great
compassion, in order to comfort and please all living-beings, you wish
to speak the mantra, it’s the proper time now, please speak it soon, the
Tathagata compliantly rejoice, and so do all Buddhas.”
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then said to the Buddha: “Bhagavan, I
remember that incalculable billions Kalpas ago, there was a Buddha
whose name is Thousand-rayed-King Motionless Tathagata. Because of his
mercy and mindfulness to me and all living-beings, he spoke this
Vast-Perfect-Unimpeded Great-Compassionate-Heart Dharani, rubbed my
crown with his golden hand and said: “Good man, you should hold this
heart-mantra to give great benefit and happiness to all living beings in
the future.” At that time I was just at the first of the ten
Bhumis(stages of Bodhisattva), right after hearing this mantra, I
exceeded the eighth Bhumi. Becoming happy, I vowed: “If I will be able
to give benefit and happiness to all living beings in the future, let me
have a thousand hands and a thousand eyes immediately.” Instantly after
the vow, I got fully a thousand hands and a thousand eyes on my body,
six types of quakes occurred on the grounds of the ten directions,
thousands Buddhas of the ten directions emitted their light to my body
and illuminated unlimited worlds of the ten directions. From then on, in
uncountable Buddha realms and congregations, I repeatedly heard,
accepted and held this Dharani, and I was repeatedly pleased and joyful,
thus I exceeded imperceptible births and deaths of countless billions
kalpas. Since then, I have always recited, held and have never forgotten
this mantra. Because of holding this mantra, I was always born
naturally from lotuses in front of Buddhas, and have never be born from
wombs.”
“If there are monks(Bhikshus), nuns(Bhikshunis),
laymen(Upasakas), laywomen(Upasikas), pure youth and maidens who wish to
recite and hold(keep reciting) this mantra, they should first develop
their compassionate heart for all living beings, and follow me in making
these vows:
(* The pronunciation of “Namo” is [na:mo:] of international phonetic symbols)
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly know all Dharmas;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon obtain the wisdom-eyes;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly ferry all living beings to the shore of liberation;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon obtain good expedient-means;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly board the boat of Prajna;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon cross over the sea of suffering;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly achieve precepts, Samadhi and the way;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon climb the mountain of Nirvana;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly dwell in the house of the uncreated;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon unite with the Dharma-nature body.
If I go towards the mountain of knives, the mountain of knives by itself breaks up;
If I go towards the boiling oil, the boiling oil by itself dries up;
If I go towards the hells, the hells by themselves disappear;
If I go towards the hungry ghosts, the hungry ghosts by themselves become full.
If I go towards the Asuras, their evil thoughts by themselves are tamed.
If I go towards the animals, they by themselves attain great wisdom.”
“After these vows, chant my name(Namo Avalokitesvara
Bodhisattva) sincerely, also chant the name of my teacher — Amitabha
Tathagata(Namo Amitabha) sincerely, then chant this mantra, 5 times or
more in a day, to extinguish weighty sins of births-and-deaths of
billions Kalpas of the body.”
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then said to the Buddha: “Bhagavan,
if humans or God(Deva)s recite and hold the phrases of the Great
Compassion Dharani, upon their death, all the Buddhas of the ten
directions will come to receive them with their hands, and they will be
reborn in whichever Buddha-land according to their wishes.”
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva continued to say to the Buddha:
“Bhagavan, Should any living being who recites and holds the
holy mantra of Great Compassion fall into the three evil paths, I vow
not to achieved the correct-awakening.
Should any living being who recites and holds the holy mantra of
Great Compassion not be reborn in any Buddha-land, I vow not to achieve
the correct-awakening.
Should any living being who recites and holds the holy mantra of
Great Compassion not obtain unlimited Samadhis and eloquence, I vow not
to achieve the correct-awakening.
Should any living being who recites and holds the holy mantra of
Great Compassion not obtain whatever he seeks in his present life, then
it cannot be called the Dharani of the Great Compassionate Heart,
unless it is used by those who are not virtuous or not sincere.
If any woman who recites and holds the holy mantra of Great
Compassion, dislike the troubles of female body and wishes to become
male, but can not become male in the future, I vow not to achieved the
correct-awakening. However, those who disbelieve this Mantra will not
achieve this effect.
If anyone had stolen foods or properties of Sanghas(group of
monks), penitence to his sins is useless even if a thousand Buddhas
appear in the world, but now chant this Great Compassion Holy Mantra,
his sins will be extinguished. If one had stolen foods or properties of
Sanghas, he must repent to teachers of the ten directions to extinguish
his sins. Now when chanting this mantra, teachers of the ten directions
will come to bear witness, then all weighty sins and hindrances will
disappear.
All the horrible sins including the Ten evil deeds, the Five
heinous sins, vilifications to people, vilifications to Dharma, breaking
precepts, destroying towers, wrecking temples, stealing properties of
Sanghas, profaning pure(Brahma) practices, can be extinguished by
chanting this Mantra, except one thing, the one without belief in this
Mantra can not extinguish even small sins and karmas, not to mention
weighty sins. Though the weighty sins don’t disappear immediately, that
chanting can still be the cause of Bodhi in the future.”
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva continue to said the Buddha:
“People and gods who recite and hold the Great Compassionate
Heart Mantra will obtain fifteen kinds of good birth and will not suffer
fifteen kinds of bad death. The bad deaths are:
1. They will not die of starvation or poverty;
2. They will not die from having been yoked, imprisoned, caned or otherwise beaten;
3. They will not die at the hands of hostile enemies;
4. They will not be killed in military battle;
5. They will not be killed by tigers, wolves, or other fierce beasts;
6. They will not die from the venom of poisonous snakes, black serpents, or scorpions;
7. They will not drown or be burned to death;
8. They will not be poisoned to death;
9. They will not be killed by mediumistic insects;
10. They will not die of madness or insanity;
11. They will not be killed by landslides or falling trees;
12. They will not die of nightmares sent by evil people;
13. They will not be killed by deviant spirits or evil ghosts;
14. They will not die of evil illnesses that bind the body;
15. They will not commit suicide;
Those who recite and hold the Great Compassion Holy Mantra will
not suffer any of these fifteen kinds of bad death and will obtain the
following fifteen kinds of good birth:
1. Their place of birth will always have a good king;
2. They will always be born in a good country;
3. They will always be born at a good time;
4. They will always meet good friends;
5. The organs of their body will always be complete;
6. Their heart will be pure and full in the way;
7. They will not violate the prohibitive precepts;
8. Their family will be kind and harmonious;
9. They will always have the necessary wealth and goods in abundance;
10. They will always obtain the respect and help of others;
11. Their riches will not be plundered;
12. They will obtain everything they seek;
13. Dragons, gods, and good spirits will always protect them;
14. In the place where they are born they will see the Buddha and hear the Dharma;
15. They will awaken to the profound meaning of that Proper Dharma which they hear.
Those who recite and hold the Great Compassionate Heart Dharani
will obtain these fifteen kinds of good birth. All gods and people
should constantly recite and hold it without laziness.”
After saying that, the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva joined his
palms and stood upright in front of the congregation, with his great
compassionate heart open for all living beings, he smiled and in this
way spoke the wonderful holy phrases of the Vast, Perfect, Unimpeded,
Great-Compassionate-Heart Great Dharani. The Dharani is:
Namo ratna-trayaya
Namo ariya-valokite-svaraya
Bodhi-sattvaya Maha-sattvaya Maha-karunikaya
Om sarva rabhaye sudhanadasya
Namo skrita imo
arya-valotite-svara ramdhava
Namo narakindi heri Maha-vadhi-sa-me
Sarva-arthato-subham ajeyam
Sarva-sat Namo-vasat Namo-vaka mavitato
Tadyatha
Om avaloki-lokate-krate-e-hrih Maha-bodhisattva
Sarva sarva
Mala mala
Mahi Mahi ridayam
Kuru kuru karmam
Dhuru dhuru
vijayate Maha-vijayati
Dhara dhara dhrini
svaraya cala cala
Mama vimala muktele
Ehi ehi sina sina
arsam prasari
visva visvam prasaya
Hulu hulu mara
Hulu hulu hrih
Sara sara siri siri suru suru
Bodhiya Bodhiya Bodhaya Bodhaya
Maitreya narakindi dhrish-nina bhayamana svaha
Siddhaya svaha
Maha siddhaya svaha
Siddha-yoge-svaraya svaha
Narakindi svaha
Maranara svaha
sira simha-mukhaya svaha
Sarva maha-asiddhaya svaha
Cakra-asiddhaya svaha
Padma-kastaya svaha
Narakindi-vagalaya svaha
Mavari-sankharaya svaha
Namo ratna-trayaya
Namo arya-valokite-svaraya svaha
Om Sidhyantu mantra padaya svaha
When Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva had finished speaking this
mantra, the earth shook in six ways. The heavens rained precious flowers
of beautiful colors. all the Buddhas of the ten directions were
delighted, while the heaven-demons and heretics were so afraid that
their hair stood on end. Members of the meeting achieved different
fruitions, including the fruitions of stream-enterer, once-returner,
non-returner, and Arhat, while others achieved the first Bhumi(stage of
Bodhisattva), the second Bhumi, the third, fourth, fifth …… up to the
tenth Bhumi. Innumerable living beings arouse their Bodhi-Heart(The
resolve to help all living beings to attain upmost enlightenment).
Then the great Brahma king arose from his seat, tidied up his
clothes, joined his palms respectfully, and said to the Avalokitesvara
Bodhisattva: “Great, Mahasattva! I had been in innumerable
Buddha-meetings and heard of many kinds of Dharanis, but never heard of
the wonderful holy phrases of this great Dharani of the unimpeded great
compassionate heart. Mahasattva, please tell us the feature and figure
of this Dharani, all of us will be pleased to know that.”
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva told the Brahma king: “For the
convenience of benefiting all living beings, you have asked me this
question. Now you listen carefully, I’ll tell you in brief.”
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said: “The great kind and
compassionate heart, the fair heart, the uncreated heart, the unpolluted
heart, the heart of emptiness observation, the respectful heart, the
humble heart, the uncluttered heart, the heart without attachment to
one’s own view, the upmost Bodhi-heart, is the feature of this Dharani.
You should practise in such manner.”
Then the great Brahma king said: “We now know the feature of
this Dharani, from now on, we’ll recite and hold it and never forget or
give it up.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said: “For all virtuous men and all
virtuous women who want to recite and hold this Mantra, they should
arouse their vast Bodhi-heart that wish to ferry all living beings to
the shore of liberation, and be vegetarians. They should arouse their
fair(impartial) heart to all living beings, keep reciting this Mantra,
never give up. Reside in a clean room, wash themselves clean, in clean
dress, hang streamers and light up lamps, make offerings with fragrance,
flowers, vegetable foods of hundreds tastes, concentrate their mind,
don’t think about others, recite and hold the mantra in correct manner.
Then the Sunshine Bodhisattva, Moonshine Bodhisattva and innumerable
gods and fairies will come to be witness and enhance the effect of the
Mantra. At that time, I will shine them with a thousand eyes and protect
them with a thousand hands, from then on, they will be able to
understand all books of the world, and also perfectly understand all
sorceries of other religions and all scriptures of Vedas. The one who
recites this mantra can heal 84000 categories of diseases of the world,
and also can command all ghosts and Devas, vanquish heaven-demons, tame
all heretics. For anyone who is reading sutras or practicing Zen(Dhyana)
in mountains or fields, if there are any mountain-spirits, ghosts,
demons, monsters or Devas come to disturb and make the practitioner
unable to concentrate, recite this mantra once, then all those ghosts
spirits will be tied up. If one can recite this Mantra in correct manner
and have merciful heart to all living beings, I will command all
virtuous gods, dragon kings, Vajra secret-traces deities to guard him,
the guardians will always be with him and protect him as their own eyes
and lives. ” Then Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said the Gatha:
“I command the Vajra secret-traces deities, Ucchu, Kunda, Ankusa, eight clans of celestials and ShangKalas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Mahesvaras and Narayanas, Kumbhirabas and Kapilas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Pajis, Sahassakkhas, perfect-virtuous chebuds and Kimnaras,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Sajamahoras, Kumbhandas, Katabhutanas, and Banjras,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Bhipagara kings, and morality Vitasaharas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Brahma king Sambra, five clans of pure-abode heavens and Yamarajas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Sakra Devanam indra, thirty-three celestials(gods), Sarasvatis and Vardhanas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Dhritarastra king, Haritis, goddess and great strength Devas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Virudhaka king, Virupaksa king and Vaisravana king,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the golden peacock-king, and twenty-eight clans of great fairies,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Manibhadra, and Pancika-imperator Phalava,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command Nanda, Upandanda, and the Sagara dragon-king Ibhra,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the Asuras, Gandharvas, Karunas, Kimnaras, Mahoragas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
I command the gods of water, fire, thunder, lightning, Kumbhanda king and Pisacas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;
“Those virtuous gods, dragon-kings and goddess, each along with
500 retinues of great-strength Yaksas, will always follow and guard the
holders of the Great Compassion Holy Mantra. If the Mantra-holder dwells
alone in void mountain or wilderness, those virtuous gods will guard
him by turns to eliminate misfortunes. If the Mantra-holder loses his
way in remote mountain, because of reciting this Mantra, virtuous gods
and dragon-kings will transform to benefactors and tell him the correct
way. If the Mantra-holder lacks water or requires fire in mountain,
forest, or wilderness, the dragon-king will create water and fire for
him.”
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then said a misfortune-eliminating refreshing cool Gatha(verse):
“When walking in wilderness, mountain or marsh,
if encountering tigers, wolves, or other fierce beasts,
or snakes, spirits, demons, monsters, ghosts,
they will be unable to harm the Mantra-holder when they hear this Mantra;
When voyaging on river or sea,
poisoned dragons, flood dragons and Makaras,
Yaksas, Rakshas, fishes, and soft-shelled turtles,
will dodge when they hear this Mantra;
If besieged by battle arrays or robbers,
or being robbed by villains,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
those villains will show mercy and go back;
If one is imprisoned by government official,
jailed, chained and locked,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
the officer will show mercy and set him free;
If entered a house of a poisonous insects raising family in a woody path,
the family purpose to venom with drinks, foods or medicines,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
the poison will turn to nectar;
When a woman is giving birth to a child,
evil demons comes to obstruct the birth and causing suffering and oppressive pain,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
the demons will disperse, leaving a safe and comfortable birth;
If evil dragons or pestilence ghosts spread poison,
people are infected by pyrexia and about to die,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
diseases will be healed and lives of people will be lengthen;
If evil dragons or ghosts spread the tumescent diseases,
people suffer from carbunculosis, sore, abscess, ulcer and bleeding,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
then spit three times to the abscesses and it will be cured.
If there are muddled and wicked living beings who aroused immoral minds,
causing hatred by sending nightmares, ghosts and curses to you,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
these evil spirited spells will retreat back to its original perpetrator.
When Dharma is about to disappear,
the world is evil, feculent and disordered,
people are concupiscent and swear black is white,
having adulteries with others behind their spouses,
and think of lust days and nights.
If they can recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
the fire of eroticism will quench and the evil minds will go out.
If I glorify the effect of this Mantra in detail,
even one Kalpa is not enough for the glorification.”
Then Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva told the Brahmas: “Recite this
Mantra 5 times, use threads of 5 colors to tie knots, then recite 21
times, tie 21 knots, wear it on neck. This Mantra has been spoken by
previous 9.9 billions Ganges-river-sands Buddhas.
Those Buddhas spoke this Mantra for practitioners who practise
the Six-Perfections but not yet achieve the consummation, to make them
succeed quickly;
For those who have not yet aroused Bodhi-Heart, to make them arouse Bodhi-Heart quickly;
For Sravakas who have not yet achieved fruitions, to make them achieve fruitions quickly;
For all one billion worlds’ gods and celestial being who have
not yet aroused the upmost Bodhi-Heart, to make them arouse upmost
Bodhi-Heart quickly;
For all living beings who have not yet gained the root of faith
in Mahayana, with the mighty holy power of this Mantra, their seeds of
Mahayana and Dharma-buds will grow quickly; with my expedient and
merciful power, All of their needs will be supplied.
For three-evil-paths’ living beings who living in gloomy regions
of the one billion worlds, when they heard this Mantra, they will get
away from suffering;
For Bodhisattvas who have not yet achieved the first Bhumi, to
make them achieve quickly; even make them achieve up to the tenth Bhumi,
even up to the Buddhahood, with the thirty-two marks and the eighty
minor marks achieved naturally.
If any Sravakas once heard of this Mantra, practise and write
this Mantra, settle down with straightforward heart in correct manner,
then they will achieve the four Sramana-fruits even if they had not seek
for the fruitions.
Suppose all the mountains, rivers, cliffs, oceans of the one
billion worlds can be boiled; the Sumeru mountains and Cakravada-parvata
mountains can be shaken, and grinded to dust, for all living beings of
that number to arouse upmost Bodhi-Hearts.
If anyone prays for any wish in his present life, he should
become vegetarian and keep complying with pure precepts in 21 days, and
recite this Dharani, then his wishes will certainly be fulfilled. From
the verge of the previous birth-and-death to the verge of the next
birth-and-death, all evil karmas will be cleaned up. All the Buddhas,
Bodhisattvas, Brahmas, Lord of the Heavens(Sakra Devanam-Indra), four
guardian gods, fairies, dragon-kings, will bear witness.”
“For any celestial or human being who recites and holds this
Dharani, if he bath in rivers or seas, the nearby living-beings wet by
his bath-water will have all their weighty sins cleaned and be reborn
naturally from lotus in pure-lands other than this world, and will not
be born from wombs, moistures, or eggs. How much more so those who
recite and hold the Mantra themselves! If the Mantra-holder is walking, a
wind blow his hair and clothes, then the living-beings blown by the
wind that previously touched the Mantra-holder will have all their heavy
obstructions and evil karmas cleansed, will not continue to suffer from
karmas of three-evil-paths, and often be born in front of Buddhas. The
felicities and meritorious-virtues that are accomplished by the
Mantra-holder are unimaginable.”
“If the Mantra-holder say anything, no matter good or bad words
sounds like pure Dharma-sound for all heaven-demons, heretics, Devas,
dragons, ghosts, spirits, thus they will respect the Mantra-holder as if
he was a Buddha.
We should know that the one who recites and holds this Mantra is
a store of Buddha-bodies, because he is cherished by 9.9 billions
Ganges-river-sands Buddhas;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a brilliant light
store, because he is illuminated by light of 9.9 billions
Ganges-river-sands Buddhas;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a store of mercies and
compassions, because he constantly saves living beings with this
Dharani;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a wonderful-Dharmas store, because this Dharani includes all Dharani-gates;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a Zen store, because hundreds and thousands of Samadhis often appear in front of him;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a spaces store, because he constantly observes living-beings with wisdom of emptiness;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a store of
intrepidities, because he is constantly guarded by dragons, gods, and
virtuous gods;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a wonderful-language
store, because sound of the Dharani from his mouth is uninterrupted;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is an eternally-abiding
store, because the three-disasters and evil-kalpas cannot harm him;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a liberation store, because heaven-demons and heretics cannot detain him;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a medicine-king store, because he constantly heals living beings with this Dharani;
We should know that the Mantra-holder is a supernatural power store, because he can freely travel round the Buddha-lands.
The glorifications for the meritorious-virtues of the Mantra-holder are endless.”
“Good men, if one tire of sufferings of the world and seek for
happiness of long live, he should settle down in a tranquil place, make a
pure secure-boundary, recite this Mantra towards water, or foods, or
spices, or medicines, chant 108 times and eat them, then he will be
certain to gain a long life. If he can make secure-boundary and hold the
Mantra in correct manner, then all fruits can be achieved.
The method of making secure-boundary is: Chant 21 times towards a
knife, then countermark the ground with the knife to make a boundary;
or chant 21 times towards white mustard seeds, then sprinkle the seeds
on the ground to make a boundary; or make a boundary by mind; or chant
21 times towards clean ashes(of Incense) and make a boundary; or chant
21 times towards five-colored threads and then make a closed circle on
the ground with the threads as a boundary. If one can do that in correct
manner, he will achieve the goal naturally.”
“If anyone heard of the name of this Dharani, his uncountable
weighty sins of birth and death will be extinguished, and how much more
so those who recite and hold this Mantra themselves! If anyone can know
and recite this holy Mantra, we should know that he has already offered
and sustained innumerable Buddhas and have widely plant his good roots.
If he can recite and hold the Mantra in correct manner for relieving all
suffering living beings, we should know that he is the one with the
great compassionate heart, and will become a Buddha soon. If he chant
for all the living beings that he see, let them hear the Mantra, to be
the cause of Bodhi for them, then the meritorious-virtues that
accomplished by this Mantra-holder are incalculable and the
glorifications for him are endless. If he can be very sincere, be
vegetarian and keep complying with pure precepts, repent previous sins
for all living beings, and also repent his own previous sins that have
been produced in uncountable past kalpas, keep chanting this Dharani,
then he will achieve the four Sramana-fruits in his present life; if he
also has the means of wisdom-observing, then achieving fruits of ten
Bhumis is not difficult for him, not to mention those little felicities
of the world, all of his wishes will be fulfilled. If he want to command
ghosts, he should find a skull in the field, wash it clean, set up a
Mandala(altar) in front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, offer and sustain it with fragrance,
flowers, vegetable foods, day after day, then 7 days later, the ghost
will come and obey his orders. If he want to command four guardian gods,
chant towards a sandalwood and then burn it, he can achieve the goal
because the power of the Bodhisattva’s great compassionate vows are deep
and weighty, also because that the power of this holy Dharani is mighty
and vast.”
The Buddha told Ananda: “When there are catastrophes in a
country, if the king of the country can manage state affairs in correct
manners, be lenient to his people, do not do anybody an injustice, and
absolve people from blames, in 7 days and 7 nights, both his body and
his mind can be sincere and diligent, to recite and hold this Great
Compassionated Heart Dharani Holy Mantra, then all the catastrophes of
his country will disappear, the five kinds of crops will be abundant and
the people will rest in peace and happiness.
If a country is invaded by enemies from other countries, people
are unsafe and ministers are traitorous, pestilences are spreading
everywhere, the rains and the droughts are unbalanced and unseasonable,
the sun and the moon lost their accuracy, when such disasters come, the
people should make a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, face to west, offer and sustain the statue
sincerely with fragrance, flowers, streamers, ceremonial canopies, or
vegetable foods of hundreds tastes, then in 7 days and 7 nights, if the
king of the country can recite and hold the Great Compassionated Heart
Dharani Holy Mantra, with both his body and mind sincerely and
diligently, then the foreign enemies will be tamed and go back to their
own countries and stop the intrusion, other countries will be merciful
to this country, the prince and the officers will be loyal, the queen,
the prince’s wife, and the maids will also be loyal to the king.
Dragons, ghosts and spirits will support this country, rains will be
seasonal, fruits will be abundant, and people will be happy.
If anyone in a family get a evil disease, hundreds of monsters
appear, ghosts, spirits, demons come to annoy and demolish the family;
being maligned by villains and the members of the family are
disharmonious. They should set up a Mandala(altar) in front of a statue
of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant
the name of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva sincerely, and then chant this
Dharani 1000 times, then all the misfortunes above will disappear, the
family will be peaceful forever.”
Ananda asked the Buddha: “Bhagavan, what is the name of this Mantra? How to uphold it?”
The Buddha told Ananda: “This holy Mantra has many names, one of
them is Vast Perfect, another is Unimpeded Great Compassion, another is
Relieve-Suffering Dharani, another is Extend-Life Dharani, another is
Extinguishing evil destinies Dharani, another is Break hindrance of evil
karmas Dharani, another is Fulfill-wishes Dharani, another is Free and
Self-master Dharani, another is Quickly exceed the upper stages Dharani.
Thus should you respectfully uphold it.”
Then Ananda asked the Buddha: “Bhagavan, what is the name of this Bodhisattva, who is so good to teach us this Dharani?”
The Buddha said: “This Bodhisattva is called Avalokitesvara,
also called Nimsor, also called Thousands light eyes. Good man, this
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has unimaginable mighty and holy powers.
Uncountable kalpas before, he had been a Buddha named True Dharma
enlightenment Tathagata. Because of the power of his great compassionate
vows, in order to call upon all Bodhisattvas to comfort and please all
living beings, he appear as a Bodhisattva. All of you, including
Bodhisattvas, Brahmas, Gods of 33 heavens, dragons, Devas, should show
respect to him, do not despise him. All celestial and human beings
should offer and sustain him constantly, chant his name, then you will
get infinite felicities and extinguish incalculable sins, and will be
reborn in the pure-land of Amitabha Buddha at the end of your lives.
The Buddha told Ananda: “The Mantra spoke by Avalokitesvara
Bodhisattva is veracious. If you wish to invite this Bodhisattva to
come, chant the Mantra 21 times towards a Guggula and burn it, then this
Bodhisattva will come.”
“If being possessed by a soul of cat, find a discarded cat’s
skull, burn it to ashes, mix the ashes with clean soil, then use it to
shape a cat. In front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 108 times towards a wrought iron
knife, then cut the model into 108 pieces with the knife. Chant once and
cut once and say his name once, then the cat’s soul will leave.”
“If harmed by mediumistic insects(Gu), mix Karpura with same
bulk of Guggula, add 1 bowl of Well-flower-water and decoct them into 1
bowl of decoction; when done, chant 108 times towards the decoction In
front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara
Bodhisattva, then take the decoction, the illness will be healed.”
(*[Note] Well-flower-water: the purest water from the well; each morning, the very first bucket of water from the well)
“If stung by snakes or scorpions, chant 7 times towards some
powder of dry gingers, apply the powder on the sores and they will be
healed.”
“If being hated by some person, find some clean soil, or flour,
or wax, to shape the enemy’s body. In front of a statue of
Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 108
times towards a wrought iron knife, then cut the model into 108 pieces
with the knife. Chant once and cut once and say his name once, and then
burn up all 108 pieces. After that, the enemy will be happy, will
respect you and will like to befriend you for his entire life.”
“For eye-diseases, find a Haritaki, a Amatakis, a Vihetaki,
grind them into powder. During grinding, one must be careful, do not be
seen by women who have just given birth, nor by pig or dogs. Chanting
Amitabha, mix the powder with white-honey or human milk. The human milk
must be from a mother of a boy, not from mothers of girls. When the
medicine is done, in front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and
Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 1008 times towards the
medicine, then apply it on the sick eye for 7 days, stay in room and do
not be blown by wind, then the eyes will recover and function well.”
“if bitten by snakes, get some earwax of that person, chant 21
times towards the earwax, apply on his sore, then it will be healed.”
“If infected by malaria and about to die, find a peach-glue as
big as a normal peach, add 1 bowl of clean water and decoct them into
half bowl of decoction. When done, chant 7 times towards the decoction,
take them all, than the disease will be healed. The medicine should not
be decocted by women.”
“If being possessed by ghosts, chant 21 times towards a Guggula
and burn it to fume the nostrils, also find 7 Guggulas as big as rabbit
dung, chant 21 times towards each of them and take them, do not drink
alcohol, do not eat meat or the five-pungencies, do not abuse others,
and find some arsenic sulphide, mix it with white mustard seeds and
YanSheng-salt, then chant 21 times towards the mixture and burn it under
the bed of the patient, then the possessing ghost will run away and not
dare to stay.
(*[Note] The five-pungencies are: onions, leeks, garlic, chives or shallots)
“For deafness, chant towards sesame oil and drop the oil into ears, then the disease will be healed.”
“If suffering from hemiplegias, or having noses or ears stopped
up, or being unable to move hands and feet because of apoplexy, mix
sesame oil with Green-wood-spices and decoct, chant 21 times towards the
mixture, and apply it on the body, then the diseases will be healed.
Another prescription: Chant 21 times towards some ghee, and apply it on
the body, then the diseases will be healed.”
“For dystocias, chant 21 times towards sesame oil and apply on
both the navel and the jade-gate of the woman who is giving birth, then
there will be an easy birth.”
“If a baby had died in the womb, find 1 Liang of hyssops, mix
with 2 bowls of clean water, and decoct into 1 bowl of decoction. Chant
21 times towards the decoction and take it, then the dead baby will come
out, and the woman will not be in pain. If the placenta could not come
out, take the decoction again, then it will be fine.”
“For cardiodynias, find a fume-land-spice with mature papillas,
chant 21 times towards it, chew and swallow it. After a while, the
medicine swallowed will transform, then vomit them out, the disease will
be healed. Do not eat Five-pungencies or meat, do not drink alcohol.”
“If burned by fire, chant 21 times towards some dung of black cows, apply them on the sores, the pain will be healed.”
“If one’s heart is being attacked by ascarids, chant 21 times
towards some urine of white horses and take it, then the disease will be
healed. If the disease is serious, take more medicine up to 1 bowl,
then the ascarids will be expelled out like a group of ropes “
“For Ding-sores, find some Ling-Xiu-leaves, grind them and get
the juice, chant 21 times towards the juice, apply the juice to the
sores, then the disease will be healed.”
“If one’s eyes were bitten by flies, find some new dung of
donkey, filter it and get the liquid, chant 21 times towards the liquid,
drop it into the eyes when lying on the bed at night, then the disease
will be healed.”
“For bellyaches, mix Well-flower-water with YanSheng-salt to
make 21 pellets, chant 21 times towards them, take them, then the
disease will be healed.”
“For red-eyed diseases, or neoplasms in eyes, or cataracts, find
some medlar leaves, grind them and get their juice, chant 21 times
towards the juice, put some bronze coppers into the juice for a night,
chant 7 times more, drop the juice into the eyes, then the disease will
be healed.”
“For phobias, make a rope with white threads, chant 21 times
towards it, tie 21 knots, and wear it on neck, then the fear will
disappear. Not only would the fear disappear, sins will also be
extinguished.”
“If there are calamities in home, find a guava branch, cut it
into 1008 segments, apply ghee-honey on both ends of them, chant once
and burn one segment, burn up all 1008 segments, then all calamities
will disappear. This must be done in front of the Buddhas.”
“If the Mantra-holder chant 21 times towards a white flagleaf,
wear it on the right arm, then he will always win victories at the
fighting places and polemical places “
“If the Mantra-holder find some leaves and branches of SiaSiaMi,
cut them into 1008 segments, apply true-ghee and white-honey-ghee on
both ends of them, chant once and burn one segment, burn up all 1008
segments. Do that 3 times each day, for 7 days, then the Mantra-holder
will comprehend the through-Wisdom by himself.”
“If you wish to tame powerful ghosts or spirits, find some
Wood-Wan-Zis, chant 49 times towards them, apply ghee-honey on them, and
burn up them. This must be done in front of a statue of Great
Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.”
“If you put 1 Liang of bezoar into a lapis-lazuli bottle, then
put the bottle in front of a statue of Great Compassionate
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 108 times toward it, apply the bezoar
on the body and the middle of the forehead, then All gods, dragons,
ghosts, spirits, human and non-human beings, will be pleased.”
(* Liang: A Chinese measurement)
“If being chained and locked, find some dung of white pigeons,
chant 108 times towards them, apply them on the hand and rub the chain
and lock, then they will break off.”
“If husband and wife hate each other, just like water and fire,
find some feathers of the tail of mandarin ducks, in front of a statue
of Great Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 1008 times
towards the feathers and wear them, then the husband and the wife will
love and respect each other for their whole life.”
“If seeds of fruits in farm are being eaten by insects, find
some clean ashes, or clean sands, or clean water, chant 21 times towards
them, sprinkle them around the farm and the seeds, then the insects
will quit. For fruit trees, sprinkle the Mantra-water on the trees, then
the insects will not dare to eat the fruits.”
The Buddha told Ananda: “
For richness, treasures, or various materials, use the Wish-fulfilling pearl Mudra(gesture).
If life is unstable and seeks for a stable life, use the Pasa(lasso) Mudra.
For diseases in stomach, use the Precious bowl Mudra.
For vanquishing all demons, monsters, ghosts, and spirits, use the Precious glave(double edge sword) Mudra.
For vanquishing all heavenly demons and Devas, use the Vajra Mudra.
For taming all enemies, use the Vajra pestle Mudra.
For eliminating all fears, use the Fearless-Giving (Abhayam-dada) Mudra.
For healing dim eyes, use the Sun-quintessence Mani Mudra.
For refresh cool to heal pyrexias, use the Moon-quintessence Mani Mudra.
For high post, use the Precious bow Mudra.
For meeting all good friends earlier, use the Precious arrow Mudra.
For healing various diseases on one’s body, use the willow branch Mudra.
For extinguishing evil obstacle and misfortunes of one’s body, use the White whisk Mudra.
For pacification of kinfolks, use the Precious vase Mudra.
For evading all tigers, wolves, jackals, panthers, and other fierce beasts, use the PongPie Mudra.
For always resting in peace and avoiding being imprisoned, use the Axe-tomahawk Mudra.
For commanding men and women, use the Jade bracelet Mudra.
For various merits and virtues, use the White lotus Mudra.
For rebirth in pure lands of the ten directions, use the Green lotus Mudra.
For great wisdom, use the Precious mirror Mudra.
For personally meeting all Buddhas of the ten directions, use the Purple lotus Mudra.
For underground precious deposits, use the Precious box Mudra.
For achieving the immortal(rsi) Way(Tao), use the Five colored cloud Mudra.
For rebirth in Brahma heaven, use the Bath bottle Mudra.
For rebirth in heavenly palaces, use the Red lotus Mudra.
For vanquishing traitors of other places, use the Precious halberd Mudra.
For summoning all virtuous heavenly gods, use the Precious trumpet shell Mudra.
For commanding all ghosts and spirits, use the Skull staff Mudra.
For Buddhas of the ten directions coming to receive with their hands quickly, use the Prayer beads Mudra.
For achieving all superior wonderful Brahma sounds, use the Precious bell Mudra.
For the ability of speaking elegant languages, use the Ratna(Precious) seal Mudra.
To be constantly guarded by virtuous gods and dragon kings, use the Kusinagara iron hook Mudra.
For mercifully protecting all living beings, use the Khakkhara(Monk’s Iron Staff) Mudra.
For all living beings to respect and love each others, use the Joining palms Mudra.
For always being reborn beside Buddhas for all lifetimes, use the Nirmana(Miraculously Created) Buddha Mudra.
To be always reborn in palaces of Buddhas for all lifetimes, and never be born from wombs, use the Nirmana-Palace Mudra.
For eruditeness, use the Precious Sutra Mudra.
For never to retrogress or lose the Bodhi-Heart from this
present life to the life being a Buddha, use the Non-retrogression gold
wheel Mudra.
If you wish the Buddhas of the ten directions to come quickly to
rub your summit and award you the mark of future Buddhahood, use the
Summit Nirmana Buddha Mudra.
For fruits, melons, corns and crops, use the Grape Mudra.
There are thousands of such requesting Mudras, now I have just curtly said some of them.”
The Sunshine Bodhisattva then spoke a great holy Mantra for
supporting the Mantra-holders of the Great Compassionate Heart Dharani:
“Namo Buddha Kunami, Namo Dharma Mahadi, Namo Samgha Tayeni, DhriBhuBhi Sattva Yam Namo”
“This Mantra can extinguish all sins. also can evade demons and
disasters. If one can chant once and bow to Buddhas once, 3 times daily,
chant and bow to Buddhas, then on the next life, he will get the
delightful result that all of his facial features are handsome.”
The Moonshine Bodhisattva also spoke a Dharani Mantra for supporting practitioners:
“Sumdhidi Tusuza Ahjamidi Uduza SumKiza Bolaidi Yemijaza Uduza Kuladiza Kimoza Svaha”
“Make a rope with five colored threads, chant this Mantra 5
times toward the rope, and wear on the sore. This Mantra had been spoken
by the previous 40 Ganges-river-sands Buddhas, now I also speak it, for
supporting all practitioners, for eliminating all obstacles and
calamities, for healing all diseases, for relieving all sufferings, for
accomplishing all virtuous Dharmas, for eliminating all fears.”
The Buddha told Ananda: “You should accept and uphold this Great
Compassion Dharani with a deeply pure heart, spread it abroad widely
throughout Jambudvipa and never allow it to be lost. This Dharani can
bring great benefit for all living beings of the three realms of
Samsara, all living beings suffering from diseases can use this Dharani
to heal their diseases. Even withered trees can grow new branches and
fruits when being chanted towards with this great holy Mantra. Thus,
it’s impossible that diseases of sentient and conscious beings cannot be
healed by this Mantra. Good man, the mighty and holy power of this
Dharani is unimaginable, unimaginable, the glorifications for it are
endless. Not having widely planted good roots from previous lives, one
can not hear even the name of this Dharani, not to mention the contents.
You of the assembly, gods, human beings, dragons, spirits, should also
glorify it while hearing my glorifications. Slandering this Mantra is
equal to slandering those 9.9 billions Ganges-river-sands Buddhas. If
anyone doubt, or don’t believe in this Dharani, we should know that he
will lose the supreme blessing for eons, he will fall into the evil
destinies constantly in thousands of kalpas and unable to escape; he
will be unable to see the Buddhas, unable to hear the Dharmas, and
unable to see the Sanghas for a long time.”
After hearing the Buddha glorified this Dharani, the assembly:
Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas, Vajra secret-traces deities, Brahmas, gods, the
four heavenly kings, dragons, ghosts, spirits, were all pleased, and
practise as taught.
