菩提場所說一字頂輪王經

Chapter One: Introduction

Thus have I heard: At one time, the Bhagavat was beneath the Bodhi tree, together with an assembly of great bodhisattvas, namely: Bodhisattva Mahasattva Vajra Banner, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Avalokitesvara, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Mahasthamaprapta, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Vajrapani, Lord of Secrets, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Tranquil Wisdom, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Vajra Wisdom, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Steadfast Wisdom, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Stainless Space, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Immaculate Wisdom, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Samantabhadra, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Inexhaustible Wisdom, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Treasury of Space, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Transcending the Three Realms, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Upholder of the Invincible, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Sustainer of the World,

Bodhisattva Mahasattva Celestial Contemplation, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Manjusri the Divine Youth, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Moonlight the Divine Youth, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Inconceivable Wisdom, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Akasagarbha, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Remover of All Obscuring Hindrances, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Great Diligence, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Maitreya, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Jeweled Crest, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Jeweled Hand, and Bodhisattva Mahasattva Wondrous Arm.

These bodhisattvas were the leaders of the assembly.

There was also an assembly of great bhiksus, namely: the Venerable Sariputra, the Venerable Kasyapa, the Venerable Nadi-Kasyapa, the Venerable Gaya-Kasyapa, the Venerable Maudgalyayana, the Venerable Mahamaudgalyayana, the Venerable Purnamaitrayaniputra, the Venerable Nanda, the Venerable Upananda, the Venerable Bhadra, the Venerable Aniruddha, the Venerable Katyayaniputra, the Venerable Kausila, the Venerable Gavampati, the Venerable Sundara, the Venerable Mahasundara, the Venerable Subhuti, the Venerable Kaundinya, the Venerable Caityabimba, and the Venerable Rahula. Such great arhats were the leaders of the assembly.

There were also immeasurable devas and devaputras, such as Sakra, Brahma, Mahabrahma, the deities of the Yama Heaven, Varuna, Kuvera, the devaputra Good Realm, the deities of Paranirmita-vasavartin Heaven, and even the celestial assemblies of the Abhasvara and Suddhavasa heavens. Devaputras of great majestic power were the leaders of the assembly.

There were also immeasurable asuras, immeasurable kumbhandas, immeasurable kimnaras, immeasurable raksasas, immeasurable pisacas, immeasurable assemblies of mother-goddesses, and immeasurable assemblies of bhutas. Narayana, Isana, and immeasurable assemblies of bhutas surrounded them. Nandikesvara was a leader, and Mahesvara was a leader, surrounded by immeasurable assemblies of tiger-demons. Dakinis and Visnu were surrounded by immeasurable assemblies of fever-demons. Thus, in that gathering were devas, devaputras, asuras, sons of asuras, and all the nagas, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, kimnaras, mahoragas, raksasas, and others.

There were also accomplished vidyadharas, namely: those accomplished in the discus, those accomplished in the sword, those accomplished in the vajra mace, those accomplished in the lotus, those accomplished in the axe, those accomplished in the vidyas of the Tathagata family, those accomplished in the vidyas of the Lotus family, and those accomplished in the vidyas of the Vajra family. There were those accomplished in Rudra, those accomplished in Visnu, those accomplished in the assembly of mother-goddesses, those accomplished in mahoragas, those accomplished in garudas, those accomplished in nagas, those accomplished in dakinis, those accomplished in yaksas, those accomplished in Manibhadra, those accomplished in Kuvera, those accomplished in Varuna, and those accomplished in Brahma.

Such accomplished vidyadharas were the leaders, each fully attended by hundreds of thousands of followers.

There were also the devaputras of the sun and moon as leaders, fully attended by hundreds of thousands of stellar retinues.

There were also immeasurable members of the Tathagata family, the Lotus family, and the Vajra family; immeasurable messengers of the Vidyarajas and assemblies of female messengers; vajras and vinayakas; and assemblies throughout the mundane and supramundane worlds. There were spirits of all mountains, rivers, ponds, gardens, and roads; river spirits, mountain spirits, tree spirits, spirits of walled cities, charnel-ground spirits, Usadakara spirits, spirits of evil dreams, earth spirits, and palace spirits.

Such beings were the leaders. Even throughout the trichiliocosm, devas, nagas, yaksas, raksasas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, mother-goddesses, fever-demons, great fever-demons, vinayakas, hungry ghosts, great hungry ghosts, pisacas, yaksas, and raksasas of great majestic power, together with all their retinues, were present at the Bodhi seat. Within five hundred yojanas, all these assemblies, sustained by the Buddha’s spiritual power, did not trouble one another.

At that time, the World-Honored One was dwelling in the Tathagata’s Auspiciously Adorned Mani Jewel-Treasury Pavilion. He addressed the bodhisattvas, with Maitreya as their leader, saying: “Good sons, this is the adorned Bodhi tree and seat of enlightenment, where I sat, subdued the four maras, and realized unsurpassed Buddha-wisdom. You too should sit here and attain Buddha-wisdom.” Having spoken these words, the World-Honored One again fell silent.

At that time, Bodhisattva Mahasattva Vajrapani, Lord of Secrets, empowered by the awe-inspiring spiritual might of the Buddha’s original vow, rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt with his right knee upon the ground, joined his palms, bowed toward the Buddha, and addressed him, saying: “World-Honored One! I wish to ask the World-Honored One, the Tathagata, Arhat, Samyaksambuddha, about the various skillful means for cultivating the Buddha-crown mantras: the empowering cultivation of the mantra and vidya teachings proclaimed by all Tathagatas; mandalas and mudras; the establishment of ritual platforms and accomplishment of all activities; the entry of the One-Syllable Wheel-Turning King Buddha-Crown into the great samadhi, its mudras and mandalas;

the accomplishment rites for recitation; and the arrangement of the most excellent activities.

I ask about the secret methods of painting images, warding off maras, dispelling calamities, increasing benefits, subjugation, and all other rites. These are the reality of the mantra teachings of every Tathagata family, all mundane and supramundane mantras, and the mantra practices accomplished by immeasurable bodhisattvas for sentient beings. Through these, all sentient beings attain peace and happiness.

Through this Buddha-Crown Wheel-Turning King, beings in Jambudvipa cultivate all the Tathagatas’ mantras and perform great Buddha-work. Through this, beings in the world of Jambudvipa attain peace and happiness and may gain profound and extensive accomplishments. All devas and celestial clans, all yaksas and yaksa clans, all kimnaras, all mahoragas, all nagas and naga clans, and all mundane and supramundane mudras and mantras bring great benefit and attain accomplishment without being assailed or oppressed.

Through the installation of the honored one in his proper position, all sentient beings who cultivate the Buddha-crown mantra are freed from every affliction, and the mantras are swiftly accomplished. The mantras of Avalokitesvara and the other great bodhisattvas are swiftly accomplished, and all the Tathagatas’ mandalas, mudras, and rites are swiftly perfected. There are the accomplishments of the mantras, mudras, and mandalas taught by immeasurable Tathagatas; the accomplishment of the seat of enlightenment; and the essential teachings of the verses and principles.

I beseech the Tathagata, Arhat, Samyaksambuddha, to expound them.”

At that time, the Blessed One said to Vajrapāṇi, Lord of Secrets: “Excellent! Excellent, Lord of Secrets! For the peace, happiness, and benefit of all sentient beings, you have asked the Tathagata about such matters.

Vajrapāṇi! I shall now explain them for you. The Buddhas of the past have taught them, and the Buddhas of the future will also teach them.” Then Śākyamuni surveyed all worlds with the Buddha-eye.

Having surveyed them, he contemplated the sentient beings of future ages and empowered them through the merit and strength of his original vows. He then addressed the entire great assembly of bodhisattvas: “You should know that the Tathagata teaches the One-Syllable Wheel-Turning King, which enters the samādhi of all dharmas, performs inconceivable miraculous transformations, and carries out the great work of the Buddha throughout all worlds.

It is supreme among all samādhis. All bodhisattvas should direct their minds toward and recollect the Great True Mantra King of the Crown of All Buddhas and its samādhi. The only exceptions are Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara and Bodhisattva Lord of Secrets, who are empowered by the Tathagata.” At that moment, the Blessed One sat beneath the Bodhi tree upon the ground where great merit arises.

The Tathagata entered the Buddha’s Playful Samādhi, and all the Tathagatas likewise entered this samādhi. The Blessed One then compassionately embraced all sentient beings. For immeasurable koṭis of kalpas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, he had accumulated generosity, morality, patience, vigor, and the other pāramitās and had undertaken immeasurable ascetic practices.

From the marks of the great person, he emitted light: from the coiled mark and the white ūrṇā mark, from the brows, eyes, nose, ears, head, kāṣāya, navel, knees, breasts, and chest, extending to every place bearing the seal of the Tathagata’s Dharma wheel; from the cintāmaṇi jewel; from the place of the Tathagata’s Lạc thiết đề Samādhi; from the place of the mendicant-staff seal; from the place of the Tathagata’s heart seal; and from the Invincible Wrathful Wheel-Turning King, who entered the samādhi of the Invincible Place.

Thus, from every place of the great loving-kindness and great compassion of all Tathagatas, every samādhi place of all Tathagatas, and every true-mantra place of all Tathagatas, light was emitted. Each ray of light was itself surrounded by immeasurable rays. From the Buddha’s crown there streamed hundreds of thousands of rays in every color—blue, yellow, red, white, and purple.

They illuminated immeasurable Buddha-lands and this trichiliocosm. The karmic obstructions of all beings in the hells and among animals were extinguished, and all their suffering and affliction were eliminated. All true-mantra practices were established; every benefit was brought to the bodhisattvas; and all adornments of merit and virtue were accomplished.

All bodhimaṇḍas were made peaceful and joyful. In a single instant, after performing works of benefit throughout all the worlds of the Buddhas, the rays brought peace even to the palaces of Māra, eclipsing every demonic radiance. They shone everywhere, as far upward as the Heaven of the Summit of Existence and downward to the Avīci Hell and elsewhere, awakening all sentient beings.

They then returned, circled the Buddha three times, and each reentered its original place.

Chapter Two: The Manifestation of the Great Majestic Power of the True Mantras

At that time, the Tathagata Śākyamuni emerged from samādhi. With the Buddha-eye, he surveyed all Buddha-lands and the entire great assembly. Then, like a lion springing forth with vigor, he addressed Vajrapāṇi, Lord of Secrets: “Vajrapāṇi!

Listen well to the One-Syllable Buddha-Crown Great Vidyārāja and to the four great Buddha-crown ūrṇā marks and the rest, which confer great benefit. Through them are accomplished the vidyārājñīs and the great vidyārājas of the Tathagata’s head, the Tathagata’s bowl, the Tathagata’s miraculous power, the Tathagata’s mouth, the Dharma wheel, and the others. All sentient beings should cultivate these practices for the sake of all beings.

Those who undertake the bodhisattva practice of the Buddha-crown true mantras and the like, together with the bodhisattva beings who uphold them, as well as bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās, will not be harmed by any devas. They will attain non-retrogression and peace and happiness, and wherever they may be, all their suffering and affliction will be extinguished. They will all arouse the practice of great compassion and enter the single taste.

They will not be burned by fire, swept away by water, wounded by blades or weapons, poisoned, bitten by snakes, or afflicted by calamities. The bodhisattvas uphold the Great Vidyārāja true mantras taught by all Tathagatas, and sentient beings who revere and trust the Mahāyāna know that these emerged from the samādhis of all Tathagatas. One who upholds the great true mantra together with the Vidyārāja true mantras should use bezoar pigment to inscribe the true mantra upon flower-tree bark and then place it upon the arm or wear it around the neck.

If a king wears it, hostile enemies will not invade his realm. Whether asleep or awake, by day or by night, he will remain safe and peaceful, and the virtuous sages and majestic devas will constantly come to protect him. Thus, if sentient beings diligently cultivate the true mantras, they will everywhere remain unhindered.

All who see them will rejoice. Freed from every suffering and affliction, they will always dwell in peace and happiness. All true devas will venerate and make offerings to them.

All devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, hungry ghosts, piśācas, and vināyakas will be subdued and will not dare approach to oppress or trouble them. They will remain far removed from evil destinies and fears. Lord of Secrets, through this Great Vidyārāja and the vidyārājñī true mantras, all sentient beings who cultivate the bodhisattva practice and cultivate the Buddha-crown true mantras will accomplish peace and auspiciousness.

Calamities will be extinguished, the disturbances of malefic stars will all be eliminated, benefits and happiness will be brought to sentient beings, and devas, nāgas, and yakṣas will be summoned. Lord of Secrets, I have briefly explained this for practitioners of the Buddha-crown true mantras so that they may swiftly accomplish siddhi and carry out all activities.”

Having spoken thus, the Tathagata said to Vajrapāṇi: “This is the Great True Mantra King taught by all Tathagatas: the Great Buddha-Crown and the White Parasol Buddha-Crown. In this manner, the true-mantra kings of the great Buddha-crowns enter the samādhis of all Tathagatas. Those who exert themselves with courageous vigor will all accomplish the supreme samādhi: the Buddha-eye of the One-Syllable Crown Wheel-Turning King; the ūrṇā mark of great loving-kindness and great compassion; the Buddha’s tooth; the Invincible One; the Tathagata’s head; the Tathagata’s bowl; the Tathagata’s kāṣāya; and the emanation of the Tathagata’s vigorous lion’s roar.

Not even all the bodhisattvas can destroy it. It is empowered and rejoiced in by all Buddhas. Its power of wisdom is vast; it sees and knows all things.

It is a light illuminating paths through places of darkness. With profound and expansive wisdom, it is free from defilement. It accomplishes all auspicious works and is most honored and supreme.

In the world, it is supreme, unfailing, stainless, and fearless, adorned with every wisdom. It produces vast, supreme, and unobstructed knowledge. It forms the adamantine hooks and fetters of a firm and courageous body.

Its majestic deeds pervade the ten directions. It sweeps away the darkness of ignorance, brings forth all Buddha-wisdom, protects and supports the bodhisattvas’ treasuries of merit and virtue, and enables the attainment of all wisdom. It can bring about purity and bestow unobstructed, courageous majesty.

It enables one to acquire the wisdoms that subdue obstinate sentient beings and causes loving-kindness to arise. It can accomplish the Blazing Samādhi of all Tathagatas. This is the Great True Mantra King, the One-Syllable Buddha-Crown Wheel-Turning King.” He then pronounced the mantra:

– Nẵng mồ tam mãn đà một đà nẫm. Úm bộ rô úm.

When the Blessed One Śākyamuni spoke this true mantra, it was like a great wind blowing across Jambudvīpa, causing all trees, groves, flowers, grasses, and the like to tremble. When he uttered the one-syllable Wheel-Turning King true mantra, the trichiliocosm shook in six ways; Mount Sumeru quaked, and the great oceans seethed. Worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges trembled, and caves, grasses, trees, and groves all shook. None of the palaces remained secure, and beings had to take refuge in the Buddha. Throughout the worlds, all sentient beings in the narakas attained peace and happiness.

At that time, the Blessed One again manifested the spiritual power of empowerment and revealed the Buddha-crown of the Crown Wheel. His own body transformed into that of a Wheel-Turning King, adorned with all the marks and virtues and fully endowed with the seven treasures. He emitted blazing light and sat upon the Lion Throne of the Wheel-Turning King, adorned with immeasurable Dharma ornaments.

The rays of light revolved around his body, round like a wheel, and no sentient being was able to look upon him. Even the Bodhisattva Maitreya and the great bodhisattvas were unable to behold him for even a moment. At that time, through the Buddha’s awesome power, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and the Lord of Secrets, Bodhisattva Vajrapani, fainted and fell to the ground in an instant.

The ritual implements of Mahesvara, the deity of great awesome virtue; Sakra; Visnu; Yama; the Water Deity; Kumara; the Wind Deity; the Kumbhandas; Kinnaras; and Mahoragas all fell down. Mahesvara’s trident, Sakra’s vajra-mace, Visnu’s wheel, Kumara’s staff, the Water Deity’s noose, and all the ritual implements of the deities possessing great awesome virtue fell to the ground; their vital essence, awesome power, and spiritual abilities were all lost.

Through the empowering power of the Wheel-Turning Great Vidyaraja, all the bodhisattvas recollected the samadhi of the play of bodhi. All the devas, nagas, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, kinnaras, and mahoragas took refuge in the Buddha, the Blessed One. Their faces turned pale and their hair stood on end, and they dared not gaze upon the form of the Wheel-Turning King Mantra.

At that time, the Blessed One concealed the form of the Great Wheel-Turning King for a moment and proclaimed the Great Vidya Consort, taught by all the Tathagatas, which can subdue all sentient beings difficult to tame, accomplish all Crown Wheel Kings, bring all disputes to an end, and accomplish the mantras of the mothers of the Tathagata families and all bodhisattva mothers. In order to cause the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and the Lord of Secrets, Vajrapani, to rise, he proclaimed the Buddha-Eye Mantra taught by all Buddhas, which can accomplish all beneficial purposes and swiftly accomplish the Crown Wheel King. He then spoke it thus:

– Nẵng mồ tát phạ đát tha nghiệt đế biểu yết ra tì dược tam miệu tam Bồ đề tì dược. Úm rô rô tất phổ rô nhập phạ ra để sắc sá tất đề lộ tả nễ tát phạ ra tha, sa đát nễ sa phạ ha.

When he had finished proclaiming the Buddha-Eye dharani, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and the Lord of Secrets, Vajrapani, all rose. Even all the deities in the assembly each regained their former spiritual powers. Each took up his ritual implement and took refuge in the Buddha, the Blessed One. Their hearts were filled with joy, and, gazing upon the Tathagata, they all praised him, saying, “How wondrous indeed!” The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and the Lord of Secrets, Vajrapani, addressed Sakyamuni, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, saying, “Blessed One, how is this to be upheld? Never before have we seen a Tathagata assume such a form and radiant mass of the Buddha-Crown Wheel King. How is this possible?”

The Buddha said, “Good sons! To uphold the form of the Crown Wheel King is the samadhi of all the Buddhas’ play of spiritual powers. Good sons, within the great mandala assembly, you manifest various transformed bodies through mantra, reaching the inconceivable and attaining such great awesome virtue. This bodily form of the Tathagata as the Wheel-Turning King, good sons, is the mantra-body of all Tathagatas, the supreme samadhi. None of the great bodhisattvas, none of the Vidyaraja consorts, and none of the deities dare transgress against this Buddha-Crown Wheel King.

“Good sons! If someone upholds and recites it, then within five hundred yojanas of that place, all worldly and supramundane rites will neither circulate nor be accomplished. If one recites any other mantra, it will not be accomplished and will manifest no awesome power.

But if one recites this mantra, all worldly and supramundane mantras will be accomplished and produce their corresponding effects. Within five hundred yojanas, all devas, nagas, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, and bodhisattvas abiding in mantra-bodies will be unable to remain. They will not dare proceed at all, nor will they attain efficacy or siddhi.

Why is this? Because one abides in the samadhi of the Buddha-Crown Wheel King, which no one dares disturb, except through the samaya of the Buddha-Eye Mantra. By reciting this mantra seven times, one’s body immediately becomes purified.

Without doing so, one cannot possess awesome power. If one cultivates this mantra, one must recite the Buddha-Eye Mantra both before and after. Even bodhisattvas of the tenth bhumi dare not oppose it, much less the deities and lesser classes of beings.

At that time, through the awesome virtue of the Buddha-crown, the Blessed One wished to reveal the awesome virtue of the Buddha’s parasol. Empowered by the parasols of all the Buddhas, he then abided as the White Parasol Buddha-Crown King. His body was like a parasol covering the entire three-thousand-great-thousand world system, leaving out not a single sentient being. The form of the White Parasol covered the Buddha-crown, and this Parasol Crown rested above the crown of the Tathagata.

The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and the Lord of Secrets, Bodhisattva Vajrapani, asked the Buddha, “Why does this parasol-form, which covers the entire three-thousand-great-thousand world system, abide above the crown of the Blessed One? Its boundaries cannot be discerned, nor can its entirety be seen.”

The Buddha said, “This is the White Parasol Buddha-Crown King, proclaimed by immeasurable Tathagatas. It is the immeasurable forms and treasures of all the Tathagatas, whose sounds pervade everywhere. All cintamani jewels and jeweled nets manifest every kind of adornment and mutually intermingled form. It is the parasol of the Buddha-Crown Kings, which brings accomplishment to all sentient beings. It is the crown-parasol of all the Buddhas, called the White Parasol. Even bodhisattvas possessing great awesome virtue do not know its boundaries and cannot perceive its limits.”

Then Sakyamuni beheld the Buddha-Crown King and, empowering it with the awesome power of spiritual abilities, abided in the form of the mantra-body and proclaimed this mantra:

– Nẵng mồ tam mãn đà một đà nẫm. Úm đát tha nghiệt đổ sắc nị sa ha na phạ lộ chĩ đa mẫu lật đà. Úm ma ma ma ma hồng nặc.

At once, the entire three-thousand-great-thousand world system shook. At that time, the Blessed One told the bodhisattvas, “Bodhisattvas! This White Parasol Buddha-Crown Mantra can accomplish all mantras and can summon the great Vidyarajas with unfailing, unobstructed courage.”

At that time, the Blessed One wished to extol the awesome virtue of the Buddha-Crown King, perform beneficial deeds for sentient beings, dispel the calamities that oppress them, and extinguish worldly and supramundane mantras. Through the empowerment of this mantra, immeasurable bodhisattvas all offered praise. The Buddha-Crown King’s Mass of Light, proclaimed by immeasurable Buddhas, again manifested great awesome virtue as the Vajra Hook of the awesome virtue of the Crown Wheel Buddha-Crown, and he spoke this mantra:

– Nẵng mồ tam mãn đà một đà nẫm. Úm đát tha nghiệt đo sắc ri sa ha lộ na phạ lộ chỉ đế mẫu lật đà đế nho ra thỉ hồng nhập phạ la, nhập phạ la, đà ca đà ca, na ra na ra, vĩ na ra, vĩ na ra, sân ra sân na tần na tần na hồng hồng phấn tra phấn tra sa phạ ha.

When this mantra had been spoken, the three-thousand-great-thousand world system became like a precious lamp, illuminating everything throughout. It became of a single lotus color, manifesting throughout all space. All kinds of jewels gathered together to form jeweled banners from which bells and chimes were suspended, adorning the mass of light.

Through the power of transformation, the gateways and boundary paths were manifested by the Buddha’s awesome virtue, covering all of space without limit. All the bodhisattvas rejoiced, and all attained peace and bliss. Light streamed forth from the crown of the Buddha, destroying the awesome power of all worldly and supramundane mantras and preventing those who upheld and recited them from attaining accomplishment, for they were overcome by the great and awesome Treasury of Light.

At that time, the World-Honored One again said to Vajrapani, the Lord of Mysteries: “Lord of Mysteries! This is the Radiantly Shining Mass of Light Buddha-Crown of all the Tathagatas. Its light universally illuminates the trichiliocosm, reaching below to the Avici Hell and above to the Summit of Existence; it illuminates all the palaces of Mara, causing them all to tremble.

Vajrapani! This Buddha-Crown King can sever all mantras. A practitioner cultivating this mantra may, at will, break all mundane and supramundane mantras, except for the Crown-Wheel Buddha-Crown, the White Parasol Buddha-Crown, the Lofty Buddha-Crown, the Victorious Buddha-Crown, the Buddha-Eye, and the Five-Syllable Heart of the Tathagata.

All other mundane and supramundane mantras are severed and destroyed, struck down, subdued, bound, and brought under control. If a practitioner recites and chants it, difficult-to-subdue spirits and demons may, at will, be destroyed, struck down, and driven away to other regions. Vajrapani!

This Mass of Light Buddha-Crown must not be upheld and recited in an improper place. It should be upheld and recited where relics are enshrined, in a place protected by the sages and saints. Why is this?

Because the majestic virtue of the Mass of Light Buddha-Crown is no different from that of the Golden Wheel! If this is not done, the practitioner will be harmed, the assembly of saints will not descend, and the maras will cause his death. One should choose a pure place, a place where relics are enshrined, or a place where a holy person attained the Way.

First empower it with the samaya, and afterward empower it with the Golden Wheel Samaya and the Buddha-Eye. If one acts otherwise, one will be harmed, and no matter how long one practices, one will not attain accomplishment in this Mass of Light Mantra King. When practicing other mantras, one must not recite them with contempt or arrogance.

Why is this? Because they will be shattered by the majestic virtue of this Mantra King. Therefore, know that a pure place—beside a river or pond, on the seashore or a mountain, in a cave, or at the stupa of a holy person—is a place that bestows great majestic virtue.

There one gains great power and great diligence, becomes endowed with mindfulness and wisdom, swiftly attains siddhi, and accomplishes radiant majesty and majestic virtue equal to those of the Wheel-Turning King Mantra. Lord of Mysteries! This Vidyaraja can produce inconceivable majestic virtues: the majesty of the Tathagata, the light of the Tathagata, the empowerment of the Tathagata, and all the luminous majestic virtues of the Buddhas—the light of the body and the light of intrinsic nature.

It bestows majestic virtue upon all sentient beings, can engender the nature of radiant majesty, can sever all mantras, can subdue what is difficult to subdue, and can destroy the power of another’s mantra. Possessing great majestic virtue and great supernormal powers, it can accomplish every undertaking.”

At that time, after contemplating the wisdom of the immeasurable Dharma realm, the World-Honored One, wishing to benefit sentient beings, cause all the samadhis of the Tathagatas to circulate widely, manifest all the boundless, heroic powers of the bodhisattvas, proclaim the empowerment of all the Buddhas, and enable those who cultivate mantras to attain peace and bliss, then spoke this mantra:

– Nẵng mồ tam mãn đà một đà nẫm. Úm nhập phạ la nhập phạ la nễ tử dã nễ tỉ dữu na nghiệt đô sắc ni sa độ na độ na hồng.

At that time, all worlds trembled. All devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, kinnaras, and mahoragas became dazed and distressed and lost all their supernormal powers. Those difficult to subdue were scorched, and the vinayakas cried out, “Ha!

Ha!” The World-Honored One then said to the Lord of Mysteries: “Lord of Mysteries! This is called the Lofty Buddha-Crown King, the power of the samadhi of all the Tathagatas and the heroic power of great diligence. If good men or good women cultivate the Wheel-King Buddha-Crown and the other pure practices, they will prevail wherever there is dispute or litigation.

If a king who has faith in the Buddhadharma writes this mantra with bezoar upon the bark of a flowering tree or upon silk, wears it around his neck, and goes forth against his enemies, all those enemies will scatter and their armies will disintegrate. Why is this? It is because of the supernormal power of the Tathagata’s empowerment.

If an upasaka or upasika places it upon his or her head, that person will acquire majestic virtue, purity, auspiciousness, freedom from disturbance, and eloquence. To state the mystery briefly: if a bodhisattva cultivates, upholds, and recites it, that bodhisattva will acquire immeasurable power and courage and receive the Tathagata’s empowerment. None of the maras will dare harm that person, and none of the devas will be their equal.

That person will accomplish majestic power equal to that of the Wheel-Turning King Mantra. Why is this? It is because of the empowering supernormal power of all the Tathagatas and the power of samadhi.

This is called the Lofty Buddha-Crown King.”

At that time, the World-Honored One, Shakyamuni Tathagata, manifested supernormal powers and majestic virtue. Wishing to eradicate transgressions, shatter the evil destinies, and eliminate the narakas, he manifested the accumulated supernormal powers and majestic virtues of all the Tathagatas. This Buddha-Crown Mantra King was then proclaimed by all the Buddhas as follows:

-Na mô tam mãn đà một đà mẫm. Úm nhập phạ ra nhạ dữu sắc ni sa nhập phạ la nhập phạ la mãn đà na ma mãn đà na ma nổ rô ma nổ rô ma nổ rô ma hác ha na hồng.

When this mantra was spoken, all worlds and Buddha lands quaked in six ways. Not a single sentient being suffered from hunger or thirst. Through the supernormal power of the Buddha, these majestic virtues were manifested: all the torments of hunger and thirst in the hells ceased, and all sentient beings received food and drink.

Tathagatas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges all proclaimed it, manifesting great supernormal powers for the benefit of sentient beings. Vajrapani! This is the Buddha-Crown King.

Wherever it is propagated, none of the maras will dare cause death, much less harm a practitioner. If good men or good women are able to recollect this mantra and also uphold and recite it, they will attain inconceivable supernormal powers and accomplishments, become endowed with great diligence, and be revered by all the devas. Before long, such persons will acquire inconceivable merit.

If someone accomplishes this mantra, has faith in the Mahayana, or cultivates the Wheel-King Buddha-Crown, that person will attain inconceivable responsiveness of supernormal powers and become supreme among all sentient beings. Free from delusion, that person will attain the Buddha’s supernormal powers; even benefits beyond what they had hoped for will be obtained without obstruction. In all supernormal powers, that person will be equal, in accordance with true suchness and fearlessness, and at all times will be like a Buddha.

Vajrapani! If one cultivates the Buddha-Crown Mantra, before long one will attain accomplishment and mastery of supernormal powers. Upon seeing that practitioner, all beings difficult to subdue and all other sentient beings will flee within an instant.

If one cultivates this mantra and attains accomplishment, it will be no different from accomplishing the Wheel-Turning King Mantra. In the hells, one will perform great supernormal deeds to benefit the sentient beings there, and all their sufferings of hunger and thirst will be eliminated. I shall now speak only briefly.

The flourishing supernormal powers of the samadhi of the Buddha-Crown King and its immeasurable and boundless meritorious benefits could not be fully described even in the course of an entire kalpa.

At that time, the World-Honored One again said to the assembly of bodhisattvas: “Good men! The Buddha-Crown Wheel-Kings abide in the mantra-body of the samadhi of all the Tathagatas. Their merits could not be fully described even in hundreds of thousands of kotis of kalpas; only out of compassion for sentient beings do I speak of them briefly.

The merits of this family of Buddha-Crown Kings are inconceivable and immeasurable. Even if one praised and extolled them for hundreds of thousands of kotis of kalpas, one could not reach their limit. The Tathagata has contemplated the merits of the Buddha-Crown Wheel-King; even if a thousand Buddhas praised them throughout kotis of kalpas, they could not reach their limit.

Suppose good men or good women were to make offerings of food and drink, clothing, medicines, and all other necessities to a hundred Buddhas. If another person were to uphold and recite the Wheel-King Mantra, the former accumulation of merit could not equal that person’s. He then spoke this verse:

If there is a practitioner

Of this supreme Mantra King,

That person will accomplish bodhi

And assuredly attain the stages.

It is unborn and undying.

One who upholds this Buddha-Crown

Possesses majesty none can equal,

And strength of form beyond conception;

Throughout the three times, none can compare.”

If there are beings of any kind

Who accomplish the Buddha-crown,

None can equal them,

Even the heavenly sovereign Shakra.

The mighty gods

Dwelling in this world,

And the greatly powerful ones of the desire realm—

Should they see one cultivating the Buddha-crown

And fail to give rise to reverence,

Their heads will split into seven pieces,

Like the branches of the arjaka tree.

Ishvara and Shakra,

Varuna and Kumara,

And greatly mighty yakshas,

Upon encountering its radiance, all become withered.

A thousand brilliant rays of light

Illuminate all the heavenly realms.

If a great being accomplishes this King of Mantras—whether reading, reciting, or upholding it; even copying this scripture scroll, writing it upon flower petals or tree bark, wearing it, or using fragrant ointment and incense paste to draw a mandala upon the ground; scattering flowers and burning incense; placing the scripture within the mandala as an offering; reading, reciting, and upholding this essential Dharma; or expounding it to others—he should discern whether the faculties of beings are superior or inferior before teaching it.

Those who must cultivate the bodhisattva practices will certainly attain the Tathagata’s Blazing Samadhi and become steadfast in profound faith in the Mahayana; only to those who attain this should it be taught. They will comprehend all the teachings of the Tathagatas without toil or hardship, always possess knowledge of past lives, never fall into the evil destinies, transcend a thousand kalpas of wandering through birth and death, and realize unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.

All devas and nagas will constantly protect them. Their speech will be gentle and harmonious, everyone will delight in hearing them, and all sentient beings will cherish them. When relinquishing the body, they will be joyful and will not be afflicted by any mara.

If good men or good women, being great sentient beings steadfast in the Mahayana, have all their aspirations fulfilled and have faith in the mantras of the Tathagata family, they will be endowed with great majestic virtue and embraced by the sages and noble ones. They will take refuge in none other than the Buddha and bodhisattvas and will remain far from the ways of mara. Their faculties will be complete, their physical appearance fresh and radiant, and they will be born in supremely pure places.

They will remember past lives, possess strong bodies complete with all excellent marks, and be neither excessively fat nor excessively thin. They will not be haggard; their bones, hair, and nails will be complete and beautiful; and they will have no illnesses. Such characteristics are now mentioned only in brief.

They will be born into families of great merit and majestic virtue.

If sentient beings of these kinds encounter the Buddha-crown mantra, they will all attain accomplishment; therefore, it should be taught to them. It should be transmitted only with reverence and respect and must not be treated with contempt. Be careful concerning this. If one obtains the Buddha-crown mantra, one will attain accomplishment. Having obtained this mantra, all sentient beings who cultivate steadfastly and resolutely will attain accomplishment.

This is an exceedingly profound essential Dharma, difficult to hear throughout all worlds. It is heard only through the empowering power of the Tathagata. If anyone hears it but once, know that this is entirely due to the empowerment of the Samadhi of the Wheel-Turning King. Know that this person holds in the palm of his hand the essential Dharma cultivated by the Tathagata family. Why is this? This arises from the body of the Wheel-Turning King, the mantra of the inconceivable samadhi of all Tathagatas. It is the supreme essential Dharma among all mantras. Therefore, know that this person has accomplished the Tathagata Mantra.

Wherever these essential teachings and this scripture scroll are found, immeasurable devas and humans in that place should make offerings to them; they will thereby attain the Dharma expression of the Blazing Samadhi. Such persons will become far removed from every thought of overweening pride.

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