大妙金剛大甘露軍拏利焰鬘熾盛佛頂經

Thus have I heard: At one time, Vairocana Buddha was on the summit of Mount Kukkutapada, ninety yojanas above the earth, assembled there together with Buddhas of the ten directions numbering ninety times the sands of the Ganges, nayutas and kotis in number.

At that time, through the empowerment of the myriad practices, merit, and wisdom accumulated by the Tathagata in his original cultivation throughout incalculable kotis of kalpas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, he abided throughout the empty Dharma realm in the Great Vajra Samadhi, bringing forth a Great Vajra Jeweled Peak Pavilion of boundless height. All manner of great wondrous jewels and great jeweled clouds intermingled; flowers of every kind alternated in splendor, while hundreds of thousands of rays of light shone upon one another. On its four sides hung immeasurable jeweled banners, and immeasurable hundreds of thousands of varieties of exquisite flowers, complete with every beautiful color, served as adornments.

At that time, the Tathagata entered the Wondrous Vajra Great Amrita Kundali Blazing Garland, Intensely Blazing Great Samadhi. Throughout the Dharma realm and empty space, without limit or boundary, all became a garland of amrita flames. In Buddha lands throughout hundreds of thousands of kotis of worlds, numerous as motes of dust, blazing crowns appeared everywhere.

The Buddhas of the ten directions then entered immeasurable hundreds of thousands of family-transformation Great Wondrous Vajra Great Bliss Amrita Kundali Blazing Garland, Intensely Blazing Great Samadhis and abided in silence. At that time, the Bhagavan Vairocana, the Great Sun, again entered the Amrita Hundred-Thousand Light-Cluster Spiritual-Penetration Play Wondrous Crown Turning-Wheel Great Vajra Amrita Kundali Intensely Blazing Great Samadhi, transforming the empty Dharma realm of the three-thousand-great-thousand world into a great eight-spoked vajra flaming wheel.

Without leaving his seat at the wheel’s hub, the World-Honored One caused great eight-colored flaming vajra wheels to emerge from the spaces between the spokes. They revolved clockwise, illuminating the ten directions—above, between, below, and on all four sides—and emitted garlands of amrita flames. Each revolved like the sovereign turning of a noose-wheel crown.

At that very moment, the Great Sun Universally Illuminating Tathagata entered this samadhi and, from within concentration, slightly opened both eyes.

At that time, in the Buddha realms of worlds throughout the ten directions, numerous as motes of dust, all the Buddhas abiding in empty space exercised their spiritual powers in playful mastery and, with wondrous lion’s roars, praised in unison the Great Sun Universally Illuminating Tathagata, uttering these four wondrous lines of verse:

-Nẵng mồ bột đà tát đà độ phệ lô tả nẵng tát bà đàn nại xá nễ thỉ tát bà địa ma ha du nga thấp phạ ra lăng tì tất đế.

After uttering this verse, the Buddhas of the ten directions said: “World-Honored One, what Dharma do you intend to teach today that you manifest this sign? Throughout the Buddha realms of the past, we have never before seen this samadhi.”

At that time, the Great Sun Universally Illuminating Tathagata, through his vajra body, speech, and mind, extended his golden-colored arms, joined his palms, bent both index fingers inward into his palms, and pressed them down with both thumbs, forming the Buddha-Crown mudra. He placed the mudra before his heart. From it arose immeasurable kotis and hundreds of thousands of colors: the colors of great jeweled lights, the colors of jeweled clouds, and the colors of flowers and leaves, revolving through empty space like a great golden wheel.

Again, from the mudra appeared ten Ganges-sands of kotis of Buddha lands. Each land emitted radiant light illuminating the ten directions and rained down jeweled wheels and wondrous jeweled flowers. Within a great canopy appeared hooks, pestles, wheels, swords, and jeweled flowers.

It also emitted sounds of supreme subtlety and wonder that resounded throughout hundreds of thousands of kotis of Buddha lands.

Again, from each of those jeweled wheels, wondrous flowers, great parasols and canopies, hooks, pestles, wheels, swords, conches, and so forth, there appeared hundreds of thousands of kotis and nayutas of Buddha lands numerous as motes of dust. They further emitted immeasurable wondrous sounds that shook hundreds of thousands of kotis of worlds throughout the ten directions.

At that time, the World-Honored Great Sun Universally Illuminating Tathagata, through the mighty blazing garland of his spiritual light, caused light to issue from his crown into empty space and revolve clockwise nine times like a coiling noose. It gathered all the Buddhas in empty space into this radiance. As the light revolved uninterruptedly through nine circuits, there appeared nine Ganges-sands of Buddhas. Each sat upon a white lotus throne, surrounded by immeasurable jeweled rays of light emitted from his own body.

When the body of the World-Honored One manifested the form of the Wheel-King Who Gathers All Buddha-Crowns, he held an eight-spoked golden wheel in his hand and sat upon seven lion thrones. His body emitted immeasurable hundreds of thousands of rays, while the canopy above his crown blazed with brilliant fiery light. Within that canopy there also appeared a koti of Buddha bodies emitting great light and revolving about one another.

Thus, through the mudra and the eight-spoked golden wheel, eight kinds of flower thrones appeared within the wheel in the eight directions and eight colors. There were banners and standards, and eight Ganges-sands of kotis of Buddha bodies surrounded them. Each emitted immeasurable, brilliantly colored jeweled rays of light.

Within the canopy above each crown appeared a koti of Buddhas emitting great light, each revolving about the others.

Before the Tathagata, in the east, within a red wheel of light appeared the Light-Cluster Buddha-Crown Wheel-King. In his hand he held the Tathagata-Crown mudra, emitted a great mass of light, and sat upon a red lotus. At the right-hand corner of the Tathagata, within a yellow wheel, appeared the Wheel-King of All Buddha-Crowns.

In his hand he held a yellow lotus, emitted yellow light, and sat upon a yellow lotus. To the right of the Tathagata, within a white lotus, appeared the White-Parasol Buddha-Crown Wheel-King. In his hand he held a white parasol, emitted white light, and sat upon a white lotus.

Behind the Tathagata, at the right-hand corner, within a multicolored wheel appeared the Victorious-Crown Wheel-King. In his hand he held a sharp sword, emitted multicolored light, and sat upon a multicolored lotus. Behind the Tathagata, within a red wheel, appeared the Buddha-Crown Wheel-King Who Removes All Veiling Obstructions.

In his hand he held a red lotus. Behind the Tathagata, at the left-hand corner, within a blue wheel appeared the Blue-Colored Buddha-Crown Wheel-King. In his hand he held a three-pronged vajra, emitted blue light, and sat upon a blue lotus.

Behind and to the left of the Tathagata, within a green wheel appeared the One-Syllable Supremely Victorious Crown Wheel-King. He held an eight-spoked golden wheel, emitted green light, and sat upon a green lotus. Before the Tathagata, at the left-hand corner, within a purple lotus appeared the Boundless-Sound Buddha-Crown Wheel-King.

In his hand he held a white conch, emitted purple light, and sat upon a purple lotus. In this manner, each of the Buddha-Crowns in the eight directions emitted light in its respective direction. Each was surrounded by eight Ganges-sands of kotis of Buddhas and sat upon a lotus throne of the color proper to that direction.

Each had a koti of Buddha lands, and above every crown was a sheltering canopy.

At that time, after all the Buddha-Crown Wheel-Kings seated in the eight directions had each manifested the form of an Eightfold Buddha-Crown Wheel-King, the World-Honored One again manifested the seven jeweled retinues: the precious queen, the precious horse, the precious treasurer deity, the precious wheel, the precious elephant, the precious wish-fulfilling jewel, the precious general, and so forth, all surrounding the four sides of the great wheel.

The World-Honored One then entered the Summoning Samadhi and summoned beings throughout the entire empty Dharma realm. Wishing to establish all sentient beings so that they might swiftly attain unsurpassed bodhi, and wishing them to realize the Buddha-body within samsara, the kotis of Buddhas throughout the ten directions heard the summons of the Wheel-King of All Buddha-Crowns. From within samadhi, they immediately manifested spiritual powers and rained down jeweled flowers, jeweled garlands, jeweled incense, jeweled lamps, and jeweled silks.

They assembled in empty space, extending throughout the empty Dharma realm as far as the Great Vajra Jeweled Peak Pavilion, and said: “World-Honored One, why do you not teach the Dharma of the ten syllables, so that all sentient beings may swiftly realize the Buddha-body in this very life?”

At that time, the All-Gathering Buddha-Crown King, having heard these words, wished to manifest the skillful means of great supernormal powers and to proclaim the fundamental cultivation and realization of all Buddhas, the practices cultivated by the Buddhas of the past, the practices cultivated by the Buddhas of the present, and the practices of the Buddhas of the future, so that good men and good women, in this very life and without changing their physical bodies, might accomplish the great work of the Buddha and, for the benefit of all sentient beings, attain the body of a Buddha. He then pronounced the Sovereign Ten-Syllable True Mantra of the Blazing Vajra Radiance Buddha-Crown Wheel King:

– Nẵng mồ vĩ lô tả nẵng dả, nẵng mồ bà nga phạ ôo sắc nị sa dã A. một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà. Đát rô hồng một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà. Tra rô hồng một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà. Đốt rô hồng một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà. Nạp rô hồng một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà Hốt rô hồng một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà. Thất rô hồng một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà. Tát rô hồng một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà. Bột rô hồng một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà. Hồng một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà một đà.

When he had finished pronouncing this mantra, the Buddha lands throughout worlds as numerous as the dust motes in the three-thousand-great-thousand world system quaked in six ways. Precious flowers, precious clouds, divine wish-fulfilling jewels, white fly-whisks, canopies, incense, flowers, lamps, lights, music, songs, and sounds rained down as various offerings to the Tathagata. Moreover, when the kotis of Buddhas throughout the ten directions heard it proclaimed, they all bowed in homage. Praising the Tathagata, the All-Gathering Buddha-Crown Wheel King, they spoke this verse:

His brilliant radiance is unsurpassed;

His sovereign wisdom is auspicious, supreme, and wondrous.

Within samsara, he is able to subdue all,

Swiftly causing sentient beings to attain perfect awakening.

At that time, the Blessed One, the Wheel King, again pronounced a wish-fulfilling esoteric formula in reply to the kotis of Buddhas throughout the ten directions:

I now utter these words of truth,

Wishing sentient beings to attain perfect awakening.

May the Buddhas of the ten directions swiftly empower them,

Causing all sentient beings to realize what I have realized.

When he had finished speaking this verse, great bodhisattvas from worlds throughout the ten directions appeared before the Blessed One, the Wheel King: Bodhisattva Vajrapani, Bodhisattva Manjushri, Bodhisattva Akashagarbha, Bodhisattva Maitreya, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha, Bodhisattva Sarvanivaranavishkambhin, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, and Bodhisattva Sovereign Treasury Pavilion of the Empty Dharma Realm. Bowing their heads and faces at the Buddha’s feet, they praised him together, saying:

– Nẵng mồ tát phạ cát nhương giả ma nổ sử ni tát phạ nhạ nga địa nộ sử ni dả xá tất ni nĩnh, bào bộ phạ nộ ca vãn đà duệ tát ma tát đá ni nễ dã địa bà tát khất ra ma lị ninh, nẵng mồ tất đô đế đát ra đa lị tát khất ra phạ lặc để nễ nẵng mồ tất đô đế.

When they had finished speaking these words, each of the eight great bodhisattvas manifested a great Radiant Wheel King to assist the Tathagata Wheel King. At that time, Bodhisattva Vajrapani manifested the Trailokyavijaya Vajra Vidyaraja, who emitted blue light, displayed two protruding fangs, and gave forth the laugh “a tra tra.” With his right hand, he brandished a five-pronged vajra and pronounced this eight-syllable true mantra:

– Úm mi tô bà phạ nhật ra hồng phấn tra.

Bodhisattva Manjushri manifested a Vajra Vidyaraja with six arms, six heads, and six feet. He emitted dark blue light, clenched his lips, opened his two eyes wide, held a sharp sword in his hand, and pronounced this three-syllable heart mantra:

– Hồng ác hồng.

Bodhisattva Akashagarbha manifested the Great Laughing Vajra Vidyaraja, who emitted ash-black light, laughed loudly, bared two fangs, leaned his left hand upon a blue staff, held a scripture in his right hand, and pronounced this ten-syllable heart mantra:

– Úm phạ nhựt ra tra ha sa dã hồng phấn tra.

At that time, the Venerable Bodhisattva Maitreya manifested the Great Wheel Vajra Vidyaraja. His entire body emitted yellow light like a mass of flames. In his right hand he held an eight-spoked vajra wheel, and in his left hand he grasped a single-pronged vajra. He pronounced this six-syllable heart mantra:

– Úm phạ nhựt ra tát khất ra hồng.

From the crown of his head, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara manifested the Hayagriva Vajra Vidyaraja, who emitted red light. His red right hand was raised level with his crown, holding a lotus as though about to strike, while his left hand formed the controlling mudra. He pronounced this eight-syllable heart mantra:

– Úm ha dã khất rị phạ hồng phấn tra.

At that time, Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha manifested the Invincible Vajra Vidyaraja, whose entire body emitted light like blazing fire. His right hand brandished a vajra, while his left hand formed a mudra at his mouth. He pronounced this ten-syllable heart mantra:

– Úm hộ rô hộ rô tán noã rị ma đẳng nghi sa phạ ha

Bodhisattva Sarvanivaranavishkambhin manifested the Venerable Achala Vajra Vidyaraja. His entire body was blue, and he emitted fire-colored light. He held a sword in his right hand and a noose in his left, with a lock of hair hanging down on his left side. He pronounced this fourteen-syllable heart mantra:

– Úm a tả la ca noả tán noả sa đà dã hồng phần tra.

Bodhisattva Samantabhadra manifested the Bhṛkuṭi Vajra Vidyaraja, who held a canopy in his right hand and a vajra in his left. His body was sky-blue, and he emitted light like fire. He pronounced this ten-syllable heart mantra:

– Úm hật rị hồng cự rô hồng, bột rô hồng tát rô hồng, nhạ rô hồng ngược.

At that time, the eight Vajra Vidyarajas stood before the Tathagata to receive his command, saying, “We shall act accordingly.”

Then the Blessed One, the Wheel King, addressed the Buddha-like Vajra Vidyarajas, saying: “If a good man or good woman upholds the ten-syllable heart mantra, you must remain close to that person day and night and bestow accomplishment upon them. All karmic offenses from the three times shall be eradicated. Use your weapons and supernormal powers to shatter all their karma and render them pure, so that in this very life, through the Dharma of contemplative practice and samadhi, they may become no different from me. I shall now also pronounce for you the secret one-syllable heart mantra. You should listen attentively.

– Nẵng mồ tam mãn đà một đà nẫm A.

When he had finished pronouncing this one-syllable heart mantra, Vajrapani and all the great Vidyarajas bowed in homage and said: “Today, having heard this Dharma, we shall all offer our very bodies to repay the Buddha’s kindness. We beseech the Buddha, out of compassion for us, to proclaim the Dharma gate of samadhi that swiftly enables all sentient beings to realize the body of a Buddha.” At that time, Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges multiplied by kotis all said: “For our sake, please teach the secret one-syllable mudra and the various siddhi practices.

How may sentient beings in this very life swiftly attain the unsurpassed Dharma of the Path of Wisdom? How may they attain the supreme, middling, and lesser secret accomplishments? How may they attain the various supernormal powers?

How may they enter the various samadhis? May the Blessed One, out of compassion, bring vast benefit to all beings.”

At that time, the World-Honored Wheel-Turning King said to the Buddhas and to Vajrapani and the Buddha Vidyarajas: “Listen attentively. I shall now teach the method of cultivating samadhi by which, in this very life, one may swiftly realize the fruit of the unsurpassed path, neither entering nirvana while amid birth and death, and thereby attain mastery over one’s body. Good men, I shall now teach you the fundamental secret seal method!

Join the palms with a hollow between them, bend the two index fingers into the palms, and press them down with the two thumbs. This is the Heart Seal of the One-Syllable Dharma. When this seal is formed, the Buddhas of the ten directions, numbering koti upon koti, swiftly come to that place and empower body, speech, and mind, causing them quickly to become pure.

Even if this is not immediately manifested in body and mind, one nevertheless realizes the station of a great being—the station of Buddhahood—shares the same station as all Buddhas, becomes the teacher of the Buddhas of the future, is also the teacher of the Buddhas of the present, and is likewise the Dharma-transmitting teacher of the Buddhas of the past. If a good man cultivates this Dharma, he should first contemplate within his own mind a white syllable A becoming a great, perfectly full moon that pervades the Dharma realm, without limit above or below, and then becoming an eight-spoked vajra wheel.

From each spoke issue flames of eight colors. As described above, contemplate one’s own body as the Great Self. At the hub of the wheel there appears the form of the Universal Buddha-Crown Wheel King.

Then form the fundamental samaya seal of the hearts of all Buddhas, the Buddha-crown seal that accomplishes all activities: join the palms and spread all ten fingers. Upon each finger place one of the ten mantra syllables given above. Each syllable emits immeasurable hundreds of thousands of multicolored precious lights, which gradually illuminate all Buddha lands throughout the ten directions.

Their blazing radiance is beyond comparison throughout the three times. Turn the seal clockwise as though winding a lasso. With each revolution, one Buddha and one wheel appear.

Turn it nine times, and nine Buddhas and nine wheels appear, together with the forms of eighty-one kotis upon kotis of Buddhas, all alike in appearance and upon identical lotus thrones. Thus, when first turning the wheel seal, do not allow the light within the seal to disappear. This seal is called the Fundamental Samaya Karma Seal of the Buddha-Crown Wheel King Who Gathers All, Giving Rise to Boundless Buddhas.

Without needing to form protective seals or make offerings, one swiftly attains the Great Samadhi of the Buddhas and is caused to attain the body of a Buddha. Bodhisattvas of the ten bhumis cannot see it with their eyes or hear it with their ears; even Buddhas of the same class cannot perceive one’s body, much less bodhisattvas. If this method is performed 108 times, a person of superior faculties will immediately attain the Buddha-body and accomplishment.

If it is performed one thousand times, a person of middling faculties will certainly attain accomplishment. If it is performed eighteen thousand times, a person of inferior faculties will also assuredly accomplish the Dharma.”

At that time, the World-Honored Wheel-Turning King again said to the Buddhas of the ten directions and to Vajrapani: “I shall now further teach the fundamental seal method.”

Carve an eight-spoked vajra wheel from sandalwood. At its hub depict the syllables “bột rô hồng,” with light like blazing fire radiating in the four directions. On the front, carve an eight-petaled lotus, and suspend a flower bearing the moon-form of the Good Transformation Acarya.

After making the seal, recite the heart mantra of the syllable A twenty-one times. In a pure place, coat it with luminous sand and musk. Impress the seal upon the heart, forehead, throat, crown of the head, both shoulders, navel, and both knees.

Recite the one-syllable heart mantra of the syllable “A”; at each place where the seal is impressed, recite it a full ten thousand times. One will then attain supernormal powers and travel throughout worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the ten directions, the realms of wondrous bliss, the Buddha lands of the Lotus Treasury, the palaces of the nagas, and the Heaven of Non-Perception. Throughout the three times, one will be freely at ease according to one’s wishes, without obstruction, and no bodhisattva, deva, or naga will be able to see one.

This is the Dharma of the Siddhi of Supernormal Powers.

Furthermore, if one wishes to cultivate the Dharma of samadhi, one should contemplate within one’s own mind the syllables “đổ rô hồng” becoming the form of the Buddha-Crown Wheel King, whose measure pervades empty space without limit, pure, tranquil, and still. One thereby realizes the Buddha-body, is no longer subject to birth and death, and, without transforming the fleshly body, attains the undefiled fruit. Throughout the worlds of the ten directions, one instructs followers of the two vehicles and all kinds of sentient beings, freely and at will expounding the corresponding Dharmas and manifesting transformations according to conditions. This is the Dharma of cultivating the Siddhi of Samadhi.

Furthermore, Vajrapani and all you good men, when accomplishment is near, the Buddhas of the ten directions will place an eight-spoked wheel upon your head. You should not be afraid. This is done to eliminate the heavy obstructions of the three karmas, attachment to dharmas, views based on what is known, discrimination, and all other obstructions. This wheel enters through the crown, passes into the heart, and descends beneath the feet, causing one to attain the Buddha-body. You must single-mindedly accomplish this Dharma and must not allow the mind to become distracted.”

At that time, Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, having heard the Dharma, each praised the World-Honored Mahavairocana. They scattered various flowers and fragrances before the Buddha, extolled him with excellent verses, and then returned to their own lands. At that time, Bodhisattva Vajrapani, having heard the Dharma, further asked: “World-Honored One, to whom should this Dharma be given so that it may be accomplished?”

Then the World-Honored Mahavairocana Tathagata said: “This Dharma should be transmitted to those whose minds are sincere and upright, who are free from discrimination and from views based on what is known. They will thereby attain the Buddha-body and will certainly attain accomplishment.” Thereupon Vajrapani and the eight great bodhisattvas practiced this Dharma before the Buddha and, in an instant, became like Buddhas.

The eight great bodhisattvas scattered fragrances and flowers and praised the Buddha, after which they wished to return to their own lands. The Buddha again told them: “Although you have attained the Buddha-body, you have not yet repaid the Buddha’s kindness.” The eight great bodhisattvas asked the Buddha: “How should we repay the Buddha’s kindness?” The Buddha taught: “Having attained Buddhahood, you must extensively liberate sentient beings.

You must not abide in nirvana and enjoy pure bliss for yourselves.” When the eight bodhisattvas heard the Buddha speak thus, they immediately relinquished their transformed bodies, again became bodhisattvas, and bowed at the Buddha’s feet.

The Buddha told Vajrapani: “You should use this Dharma to liberate sentient beings extensively and enable them swiftly to attain Buddhahood.” Vajrapani then said: “World-Honored One, if we do not use this Dharma to liberate all sentient beings universally and cause them all to attain Buddhahood, I vow never to attain perfect enlightenment.”

The World-Honored One again told Bodhisattva Vajrapani: “Good man, for your sake I have taught the One-Syllable Heart, the secret within all secrets, the syllable A, and these Dharma gates. If a good man constantly abides within this single gate, he is neither born nor extinguished amid birth and death and, without transforming the fleshly body, realizes this Dharma. All Buddhas of the three times—past, present, and future—constantly abide in this One-Syllable Gate.

It is impossible for anyone to attain accomplishment apart from this Dharma.” When Bodhisattva Vajrapani had heard the Buddha speak, the Golden Wheel of the Buddha-Crown and its wheel gradually expanded and pervaded everywhere, its characteristics and colors complete, filling the quiescent Dharma realm. Vajrapani could no longer see it with his eyes and spoke this verse:

The nature of all Buddhas is boundless;

The wheel-form pervades the Dharma realm.

Now that I have encountered this Dharma,

I shall extensively liberate all beings.

Why has the World-Honored One

Entered the samadhi of great quiescence?

I pray that you manifest again for my sake

And never depart from your original vows.

When the World-Honored Wheel-Turning King heard the supplication of Bodhisattva Vajrapani and the other bodhisattvas, he again manifested his body within the empty space of the Dharma realm and addressed Vajrapani, saying:

The nature of all Buddhas is boundless;

Their forms and characteristics are fully sovereign.

Sound and form are wholly true;

Those who are deluded make distinctions.

Form appears, yet there is no form;

From the beginning, there has been no pure quiescence.

You should uphold this Dharma

And extensively liberate all sentient beings.

At that time, Vajrapani and the eight great bodhisattvas, having heard the Buddha speak, rejoiced, bowed their heads in homage, faithfully accepted the teaching, and put it into practice.

THE SUTRA OF THE GREAT WONDROUS VAJRA, GREAT AMRITA KUNDALI,

BLAZING GARLAND OF FLAMES BUDDHA-CROWN