佛說滅十方冥經

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was journeying and teaching at Kapilavastu, together with a full assembly of great bhikṣus, one thousand two hundred and fifty in number, and innumerable bodhisattvas, dwelling beneath a nyagrodha tree at the vihāra of the Śākya clan.

Early in the morning, the Buddha donned his robe, took up his alms-bowl, and surrounded by his retinue of bhikṣus, entered the city to beg for alms.

At that time there was a young boy of the Śākya clan, named Pleasant-Faced-Joy, who, having harnessed a fine chariot, went out of the city early in the morning. From afar he beheld the World-Honored One together with the assembly of noble ones, and at once went straight to where the Buddha was. He descended from his chariot, approached on foot, bowed his head and prostrated himself at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated the Buddha three times, then withdrew and stood to one side.

At that time Pleasant-Faced-Joy bowed his head, sorrowful and downcast. The Buddha knew, yet deliberately asked:

"Young one, surely you have some matter to inquire about, that you have come out of the city so early in the morning, your heart anxious and sorrowful, your countenance grieved?"

Pleasant-Faced-Joy addressed the Buddha:

"Reverently I address the Heaven Among Heavens! At present the bodies of my parents are not at peace; they are constantly harassed day and night by non-human beings, so that they cannot sleep or rest in peace; coming and going, to and fro, they are oppressed and made miserable. Moreover, I myself, though I rule over a great country, when I encounter this danger, distress, and suffering, can do nothing to help.

I ponder it endlessly, yet do not know what means to employ, do not know what expedients to establish. Should I encounter bandits, foes and enemies, or non-human beings, demons, monsters, the crafty and the wicked—I do not know by what means to guard against them. I humbly beg the World-Honored One to instruct me as to what method I may use to bring rescue and aid in accordance with the time, so that there may be no more harassment and harm."

The Buddha said to Pleasant-Faced-Joy:

"Listen carefully, receive it well, skillfully remember and practice it, and I shall expound for you a Dharma of protection."

Then the young boy of the Śākya clan obeyed the instruction and listened. The Buddha said:

"In the Eastern direction, beyond more than eighty thousand myriad koṭi nayuta Buddha-lands, there is a world named Removing-the-Multitude-of-Defilements, where the Buddha of that land, named Equal-Practice Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. Whoever wishes to journey to the East should first bow his head and take refuge in and make offerings to the Buddha of the East; then he will no longer be afraid, and none will dare to violate or harass him. If he delights in going and sets forth, he will surely attain his wish, his resolve will never be confused, and as his resolve has conceived, so it will be accomplished."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"First serve the Supremely Perfectly Enlightened One,

The Great Holy One of Equal Practice;

Afterward journey toward the East,

And only then attain freedom from terror."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"In the Southern direction, beyond more than ten koṭi hundred thousand Buddha-lands, there is a world named Subtle-Brightness-of-Equal-Essential-Liberation, where the Buddha of that land, named First-Aspiration-of-Mindfulness Apart-from-Fear Refuge Surpassing-Foremost Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. Whoever wishes to journey to the South should from afar bow his head and devote his life in refuge to that Buddha, and only then set forth, single-mindedly recalling him, his thought never parting from the Buddha; then he will no longer be afraid, nor encounter calamity."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"Having departed far from all conceptions,

The young one who cultivates in this way,

If he journeys toward the South,

Will no more encounter fear."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"In the Western direction, beyond Buddha-lands as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, there is a world named Excellent-Selection, where the Buddha of that land, named Vajra-Accumulated-Footprint Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. Whoever wishes to journey to the West should first expound and contemplate the Dharma of Original Purity—utterly without any views, neither arising nor ceasing, pure and tranquil—and first of all bow his head and prostrate to the Buddha of that land, single-mindedly taking refuge, and only then set forth; then he will surely no longer be afraid, nor encounter calamity."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"All dharmas are not produced,

And likewise do not cease and perish;

One who clearly understands it thus

Will no more be afraid."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"In the Northern direction, beyond more than twenty thousand Buddha-lands, there is a world named Awakened-Eloquence, where the Buddha, named Jeweled-Wisdom-Foremost, Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. Whoever wishes to journey to the North should, right there in his own house, bow his head and prostrate, taking refuge in that Buddha, and only then set forth; then he will surely no longer be afraid, nor encounter calamity."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"Whether right within one's dwelling

Or in any place of residence,

Whoever wishes to go toward the North

Will all no more be afraid."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"In the Northeastern direction, beyond more than a hundred myriad koṭi Buddha-lands, there is a world named Upholding-What-Is-Mindfully-Recalled, where the Buddha of that land, named Destroyer-of-Māra's-Arrogance Solitary-Stepping Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. Moreover, when that Tathāgata went to sit beneath the Bodhi tree, the moment he sat down, single-mindedly, he at once exhorted and transformed all the māra-retinues and the heavenly māras of the three-thousand-great-thousandfold world system, establishing them all in Non-Retrogression, so that they shall attain the Way of Supreme True Perfect Awakening.

This was accomplished by the Tathāgata's transformative influence when he came beneath the Bodhi tree. Whoever journeys toward the Northeast should from afar bow his head and take refuge in that Buddha, and only afterward go; then in the very place where he dwells he will attain peace and ease, and surely no longer have any fear."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"From the very first awakening of the aspiration,

He subdued the armies of Māra;

When the mind ever recalls the Buddha,

At once there is no terror."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"In the Southeastern direction, beyond more than two Ganges'-sands of Buddha-lands, there is a world named Ever-Shining-Splendor, where the Buddha, named First-Aspiration Non-Retrogressing Wheel-Accomplishing-Foremost Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. When that Tathāgata was still a bodhisattva, he constantly instructed everyone to practice the meaning of the 'Non-Retrogressing Wheel,' which is: giving, upholding the precepts, forbearance, vigor, undisturbed meditative concentration, and the accomplishment of wisdom.

This was accomplished by that Tathāgata's transformative influence when he was still a bodhisattva. Whoever journeys toward the Southeast should first bow his head, cast his five limbs to the ground, single-mindedly devote his life in refuge, and only afterward go; then he will no more be afraid."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"First, with the five limbs, prostrate in reverence,

And only afterward set forth;

In the place to which one wishes to go,

One will not encounter bandits doing harm."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"In the Southwestern direction, beyond more than eighty thousand Buddha-lands, there is a world named Abundant-White-Crossing-Road, where the Buddha, named Jeweled-Canopy Illumining-Emptiness Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. Whoever journeys toward the Southwest should first bow his head and prostrate to that Tathāgata, from afar offering scattered flowers, mindful of the mark of emptiness, and only afterward go; then he will no more be afraid."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"Making offerings to the Perfectly Enlightened One,

Using flowers to present as offering,

Employing the mind free of marks—

Then one will no more be afraid."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"In the Northwestern direction, beyond more than six Ganges'-sands of Buddha-lands, there is a world named Abiding-in-Purity, where the Buddha, named Opening-and-Transforming-Bodhisattvas Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. The land of that Buddha is pure and clean; it has no craving or desire, no women, and is far removed from the five kinds of desire. Whoever journeys toward the Northwest should first prostrate to that Buddha, turn back upon himself to repent his faults, and purely cultivate the holy life, and only afterward set forth; then he will no more be afraid."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"First one must cultivate the holy life,

And only afterward go out from the house;

In peace and ease, encountering no bandits,

One's dwelling place is free of calamity."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"In the Lower direction, beyond more than ninety-two koṭi Buddha-lands, there is a world named Undistorted-Mindfulness, where the Buddha, named Mindful-of-the-First-Arising-of-Intention Severing-Doubt Removing-Desire, Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. Whoever, when he wishes to sit, or at night when he lies down, recalls that Tathāgata, bows his head in refuge, and constantly uses thoughts of loving-kindness to rescue and aid sentient beings everywhere, and only afterward sits or lies down—then he will no more be afraid, and whatever he prays for he will surely obtain its result."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"Ever mindful of all sentient beings,

Whether sitting in meditation or lying asleep,

Whether dreaming or awake,

One will surely be free of fear."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"In the Upper direction, beyond more than sixty Ganges'-sands of Buddha-lands, there is a world named Apart-from-All-Terrors-Having-No-Abode, where the Buddha, named Pure-Brightness Equal-Surpassing King, Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is now expounding the Dharma. Whoever, rising up from his seat, constantly prostrates to that Buddha, takes refuge and makes offerings, ever embraces a heart of loving-kindness, has compassion for sentient beings, and only afterward rises and goes—then he will no more be afraid, and in the place to which he goes he will attain peace and joy. Because of such mindfulness, he will constantly be protected."

Then the Buddha spoke a verse:

"Ever embracing a heart of loving-kindness,

With compassion for all kinds of sentient beings,

Because of pity for the multitude of beings,

One will no more be afraid."

The Buddha said to the boy:

"You should receive well these names of the Buddhas, uphold them, contemplate them, and ever keep them in mind; then in the place to which you wish to go you will surely encounter no peril or hardship."

Pleasant-Faced-Joy, the boy of the Śākya clan, came forward before the Buddha and said:

"I have received and shall uphold these names of the Buddhas, embracing them within my heart, contemplating them, and reverently practicing them. This matter I shall ever keep in mind. I see throughout the ten directions without the slightest obstruction—just as the World-Honored One has just now expounded, transmitting the scriptures and the names of the Buddhas, all is exactly as I have heard before; examining it carefully, it is no different."

At that time, the assembly there, fully a hundred thousand people, having heard the Buddha's discourse, all rose up from their seats, arranged their robes, knelt upright, and addressed the Buddha:

"The vast and great loving-kindness of the Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, covering all, has for our sake expounded this scripture. We and all here have come to behold the Buddhas, within and without, penetratingly clear, with no more darkness, just as the Buddha has expounded, without difference."

At that time, the venerable Śāriputra came forward before the Buddha and said:

"These sons of clans of good family have attained pure eyes; for what reason have they so quickly come to behold the Buddhas without obstruction? Is it through the power of merit that they have become thus? Or is it through the majestic spiritual power of the Buddhas lending support? Or is it brought about by the merit they themselves have accumulated in previous lifetimes?"

The Buddha said to Śāriputra:

"This is through the majestic spiritual power of the Buddha, and it is also through their merit from before."

At that time, the Buddha emitted a great ray of light illumining all the ten directions; the earth quaked violently, the heavens rained down fragrant flowers, and the musical instruments, though not played, of themselves sounded. The worthy Ānanda then rose up from his seat, arranged his robes, knelt upright, joined his palms, came forward before the Buddha, and said:

"Reverently I address the World-Honored One! For what reason has the World-Honored One today manifested this great light illumining all places, and the earth quaked violently, and the heavens rained down fragrant flowers?"

The Buddha said to Ānanda:

"Do you see the full hundred thousand people who, with palms joined, are facing toward the Buddha?"

Ānanda said:

"Reverently I address the World-Honored One! I do see them."

The Buddha taught:

"These hundred thousand people, by the merit they created in former lives over innumerable kalpas, will never again return to the evil paths. Each of them, moreover, will pass through Ganges'-sands of worlds as a Wheel-Turning Sage-King, lord over the four continents. At each turn as a Sage-King, they will constantly behold the Buddhas.

Because they attain such, their resolve and aspiration will be fulfilled as they wish, and hereafter, within their age, they will become Buddhas, named Establishing-the-Pure-Eye Tathāgata, the Truly Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Being, Tamer of the Way of the Dharma, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One—all bearing one and the same name, each in a different land, and all attaining the Buddha-Way."

As soon as the Buddha had finished bestowing this prediction upon these sons of clans of good family, at that very moment the earth-deities and the deities of empty space suddenly raised their voices in praise, saying: "These sons of clans have measureless merit." That sound penetrated through to the Heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings, the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, the Yāma Heaven, the Tuṣita Heaven, the Heaven Free of Pride and Delight, the Heaven of Mastery over Transformations, and even to the realm of the māras, reaching upward to the Brahmā Heaven and the twenty-fourth Akaniṣṭha Heaven, all together praising and extolling: "How hard to match, how hard to match!

Truly unprecedented! It is by the lofty, brilliant, and grand majestic virtue and compassionate kindness of the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, who magnificently bring rescue and aid, that it is thus. They open forth, instruct, and transform the sons of clans of good family, and bestow upon them the prediction that they shall attain the Way of Supreme True Perfect Awakening, gaining wisdom without obstruction, beholding all places penetratingly clear."

Pleasant-Faced-Joy of the Śākya clan, before the Buddha, said:

"By what name shall this scripture be called, and how shall it be upheld?"

The Buddha said to the boy:

"This scripture is named 'Dispelling the Darkness in the Ten Directions.' Why? Because whoever recalls the Buddhas of the ten directions and single-mindedly takes refuge, his mind becomes bright and clear, as one in darkness comes to behold the light, and is no more afraid; therefore it is called 'Dispelling the Darkness in the Ten Directions.' You should uphold this scripture! It also bears the name 'Praised by the Tathāgatas'—so uphold it! It also bears the name 'Clearly Understanding the Markless Dharma.' It also bears the name 'Emptiness Having Nothing Whatsoever.' Diligently uphold it!"

The Buddha said to the boy:

"Suppose there is a person who, having received this scripture, practices and recites it and expounds it to others fully and completely, with nothing whatsoever omitted; then he will swiftly accomplish what he aspires to. If a bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī, upāsaka, or upāsikā upholds this scripture and recites it, he will be wholly without fear. If he comes to the place of a magistrate's office, he will not be harmed.

If he travels amid bandits, foes, and enemies, he will not be endangered. If he goes into a raging fire, the raging fire will at once be extinguished. If he goes into water, he will utterly not drown.

Devas, nāgas, ghosts and spirits, asuras, garuḍas, kiṃnaras, mahoragas, evil spirits, evil māras, and the other multitudes of ghosts and spirits, humans, and non-humans will not dare to offend him. The various lions, tigers and wolves, fierce beasts, and bears will not dare to approach. The hungry ghosts—the wraith-spirits and the back-turned-footed ghosts—and the boundary-confounding ghosts cannot harass or harm him, and there is likewise no fear.

If he is alone in a deserted place, an empty plain, beneath a tree, or in open ground, that is the very place which the Tathāgata has established and is now protecting. If any son or daughter of a clan of good family, having received this scripture, upholds and recites it and copies out the volume of the scripture, then he has already made offerings to the Buddhas of the past, planted the roots of all merits, and the merits he has performed are nearing completion."

At that time the Buddha said to the worthy Ānanda:

"Suppose there is a person who, now face to face before the Buddha, with utmost sincerity makes offerings of all manner of necessities—robes, food, bedding, and medicines for curing illness—still this is not equal to a person who upholds this scripture, copies it, recites it, inscribes it upon bamboo tablets and upon silk, and expounds it for others' sake; for that is a person who has made offerings to the Buddha completely."

At that time, Heavenly Emperor Śakra, together with innumerable devas, all came, each bearing heavenly flowers to scatter as offerings to the Buddha, and addressed the Buddha:

"Reverently we address the World-Honored One! We shall guard and uphold this scripture."

The Four Heavenly Kings and the devas of the heavens above all brought flowers and incense to make offerings to the Buddha, and all addressed the Buddha:

"Reverently we address the World-Honored One! We shall protect any son or daughter of a clan of good family who, having received this scripture, upholds and recites it, expounds it for others' sake, or inscribes it upon bamboo tablets and upon silk. As for the one who upholds this scripture, wherever he dwells or wherever he goes, we too shall all surround him to protect him, so that no one shall be able easily to spy out and find that person's faults."

When the Buddha had thus spoken, the Heavenly Emperor Śakra, Pleasant-Faced-Joy the boy of the Śākya clan, the Four Heavenly Kings, the ghosts and spirits, the asuras, and the people of the world, having heard the scripture, rejoiced, paid homage, and withdrew.

THE SCRIPTURE SPOKEN BY THE BUDDHA ON

DISPELLING THE DARKNESS IN THE TEN DIRECTIONS

The End