右繞佛塔功德經

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was dwelling in the Jeṭavana, the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍada (Jeṭavaṇe’nāthapiṇḍadasyārāma) in the country of Śrāvastī (Śrāvastya), together with the Great Bhikṣu Saṃgha (Mahatā-bhikṣu-saṃgha: the Assembly of Great Bhikṣus) and with an immeasurable Assembly (Saṃgha) who had come to attend, surrounding him before and behind.

At that time the Elder Śāriputra rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt with his right knee to the ground, joined his palms toward the Buddha, and made his request with a verse, saying:

“O World-Honored One of Great Majestic Virtue!

We pray that for our sake you will explain

The circumambulation to the right around the Buddha's stūpa

And the fruit of recompense (Vipāka) that will be attained.”

Then the World-Honored One replied with a verse, saying:

“The circumambulation to the right around the Buddha's stūpa,

And the fruit of recompense (Vipāka) that will be attained—

Now I shall speak of a small part of it.

Listen all of you, most attentively.

_ All the Devas and Nāgas,

The host of Yakṣas, Pretas, and Devatās,

All draw near and make offerings—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ In each place where one is born,

One stays far from the eight calamities,

And is ever born where there is no calamity—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ In all the places where one is born,

Mindfulness and Wisdom are never lost,

And one is replete with marks of Wondrous Form—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Passing back and forth among gods and humans,

One's merit and life span are both long-lasting,

And one ever obtains Great Renown—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Here in Jambudvīpa (Jampu-dvīpa)

One is ever born most honored and supreme,

In a pure and noble lineage—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One's bearing and appearance are ever upright and proper,

Wealthy and noble with abundant treasures,

And one is granted a great fiefdom—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Wealth and treasures are ever heaped full,

There is no miserly mind,

And one gives charity boldly and generously—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One's form and features are pure and wondrous,

All who behold them delight to gaze upon them,

And one's dwelling place is ever peaceful and joyful—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One may become a King of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven (Trāyastriṃśa-rāja: king of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three),

With wife and children complete,

Possessing power and majesty in sovereign ease—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One may become a Brāhmaṇa,

Upholding the precepts and skillfully versed

In mantras, spells, and the Vedic scriptures—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One may become a Great Elder,

Eminent and noble with abundant possessions,

Whose storehouses are ever brimming over—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One may become a King of the True Dharma (Saddharma-rāja),

A Sovereign King (Īśvara-rāja), and Jambudvīpa (Jamphu-dvīpa)

And its capital regions all submit and are converted (yield in obedience)—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One may become a Wheel-Turning King (Cakra-varti-rāja),

Of great power, complete with the seven treasures,

Governing the people through the Ten Good Deeds—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ From here one is born up in the heavens,

Ever possessing great majestic virtue,

With Pure Faith in the Buddha-Dharma—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Pure Faith is swiftly perfected,

And toward the Dharma one is not deluded,

Seeing that all formations (Saṃskāra) are empty (Śūnya: void)—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Casting off life from the heavens above,

One is born down among humankind,

Entering the womb without confusion—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ While within the mother's womb,

One is not tainted by filth or impurity,

But is like a pure Maṇi jewel—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ While in the womb and at the time of birth,

One causes the mother to be ever peaceful and joyful,

And so it is also while suckling milk—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Father and mother along with kin,

All together nurture and rear one,

And the wet-nurse (the birth mother, or one who gives suck) is ever near—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One's relatives all cherish and remember one,

Surpassing even one's father and mother,

And one's wealth increases of itself—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Yakṣas and the evil Pretas

Cannot cause fright or terror,

And whatever one needs is naturally obtained—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Through a hundred thousand kalpas,

That body grows ever more pure,

Becoming complete with marks of Wondrous Form—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One's eyes are clear (pure eyes), long and broad,

Like the blue lotus flower,

And one further gains the Pure Heavenly Eye (the pure divine eye)—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Wondrous Form is ever full and perfect,

The Marks adorn one of themselves,

And one accomplishes great power and strength—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One may be born in the palace of Indra (Indra-pura),

Of great majesty and sovereign ease,

Honored and esteemed in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One may be born in the Suyāma Heaven,

In the heavenly palace of Tuṣita,

In the Nirmāṇarati Heaven (Nirmāṇarati-deva) and the Paranirmita Heaven (Para-nirmita-vaśa-vartin)—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One may again be born as a Brahmā God (Brahma-deva),

In the Brahmā World (Brahma-loka: the World of the Brahmā God), in great sovereign ease,

Where the gods ever make offerings—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ For koṭis of nayutas of kalpas,

One is ever, by the wise,

Reverently honored and offered to—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ That body together with its garments,

For koṭis of kalpas is ever undefiled,

Replete with pure and immaculate Dharma—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Endowed with the power of great vigor,

One diligently cultivates all kinds of Conduct (Caryā),

Never knowing weariness or idleness—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Valiant and ever vigorous,

Firm and steadfast, unable to be destroyed,

Whatever one undertakes is swiftly accomplished—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ One's voice is wondrous, deep, and far-reaching,

All who hear it are filled with joy,

And one is at peace and ever free of illness—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ As I have expounded,

Wearying of and casting off the suffering of the three Existences (the three realms: Desire, Form, and Formless),

One accomplishes world-transcending Wisdom—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Ever abiding in the four Foundations of Mindfulness (Catvāri smṛty-upasthānāni),

Together with the four Right Exertions (Catvāri prahāṇāni),

And the four Bases of Supernatural Power (Catvāra-ṛddhipādāḥ)—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Penetrating the four Noble Truths (Catvāry-ārya-satyāni: the four Noble Truths),

The Faculties (Pañcendriyāṇi: the Five Faculties), the Powers (Pañca balāni: the Five Powers), the seven Factors of Enlightenment (Saptabodhyaṅgāni),

The Right Path (Samyak-mārga) and the Noble Fruit (Ārya-phala)—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Extinguishing all Afflictions (Kleśa),

Replete with great majestic virtue,

Without Outflows (Anāsravaḥ), and with the six Supernatural Powers (Ṣaḍ-abhijñāḥ)—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Forever departing from Greed (Rāga), Anger (Dveṣa), and Delusion (Moha),

And from all obstructions,

One realizes the Enlightenment of the Pratyekabuddha (Pratyeka-buddhi)—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ Attaining the beautiful purple-gold hue,

With excellent marks adorning the body,

One manifests as the Teacher of Gods and Humans (Śāstā deva-manuṣyāṇāṃ: Teacher of Gods and Humans)—

This is because of circumambulating the stūpa (circling around the stūpa to the right).

_ All this is brought about through bodily Karma

And through verbal Karma of praise,

In circumambulating to the right around the Buddha's stūpa.

The Merits thus obtained—

Now, according to what I have heard,

I have spoken in brief; how could they ever be told in full?”

At that time, when the World-Honored One had finished speaking this verse, the assembly of Śāriputra and all the gathered Assembly were greatly delighted; they believed, received, and reverently practiced it.

THE SŪTRA OF THE MERIT OF CIRCUMAMBULATING THE BUDDHA'S STŪPA TO THE RIGHT

The End