密跡力士大權神王經偈頌

It is heard that Gautama expounded the teaching for the universal benefit of all living beings. In the course of time, the Patriarchs divided the sutra into three parts: the introductory section, the main section, and the circulation section. This text concerns the ancient account of Vajra, who proclaimed the Dharma gateway of the spiritually efficacious and essential arts of the dharani, whose supernatural power pervades everywhere.

In northern India, the Tripitaka Sramana Anangajaya and the Tripitaka Sramana Ajitasena jointly translated two sutras; however, when they were compiled into one fascicle, the circulation section was lost. The text was then incorporated into the Great Canon, with the missing passages occurring in the first fascicle. Thus, when the Tathagata entered nirvana, the Impure-Trace Wisdom King, with three heads and eight arms, manifested from his left side.

He subdued the Topknotted Brahma King and uttered a mantra, clearly revealing the talismanic script of the Four Great Precious Seals, the Forty-Two Knotted Paths, and the five finger-seal mudras for the benefit of sentient beings. From that time until the present, many monastics and laypeople have upheld the mantra and practiced its rites, yet the joint translation by the two earlier masters has not been confidently accepted and put into practice.

Later, during the Song dynasty, the Kuaiji Sramana Zhilin saw that this sutra was profound and excellent. He therefore supplemented the missing circulation section and gave it the title: “The Great Vaipulya, Great Perfection, Great Complete and Correct Knowledge, Supernatural Power, Spiritual Strength, and Dharani Sutra Spoken by the Transformation Buddha in the Crown-Light of the Divine King’s Manifested Body When the Buddha Entered Nirvana.”

This sutra tells how the Great Sovereign Divine King subdued the Topknotted Brahma King. Furthermore, when the Brahma King who remained in the world again made a request, the Divine King immediately manifested three heads and eight arms in a wrathful form, holding the same implements and weapons as before, without any difference. After this king entered quiescence, a painted image of the three-headed, eight-armed king was manifested.

Upon the crown of his head appeared the form of a transformation Buddha. The image bore the script of the Four Great Precious Seals, into which the forty-two numinous talismans and the five seal mudras were all incorporated. The Topknotted Brahma King then received, upheld, and reverently practiced them.

At that time, the transformation Buddha bestowed a prediction upon Ma-Ding, the Topknotted Brahma King, giving him the title Tathagata Pure Radiant Light. The manifested king then concealed himself once more within the king’s body. The king’s violet-golden radiance gathered inward as though entering the Golden Coffin.

After the cremation, portions of his relics were divided and enshrined for veneration. The talismanic seals, mantra, and five finger-seal mudras were then proclaimed. The two deficiencies in the earlier sutra are not recounted again in the present sutra; moreover, the mantra contained therein was missing nine characters, which have now been inserted to complete the continuous passage.

This caused the Great Master Guangfu, the Chief Registrar of the Sangha who had turned toward the Three Jewels and devoted his mind particularly to the inner canon, to compose verses supplementing the circulation section.

It was further written: May the Sutra of the Vajra-Wielding Guardian, the Great Sovereign Divine King, circulate widely. If, in later times, anyone upholds this mantra and practices its teaching, that person should clearly understand the beginning and end of this sutra. Having understood it and then practicing it, one will benefit oneself and others, gain boundless merit and blessings, and gather together all virtues.

Respectfully offered in response:

The Buddha’s grace — a prayer of blessing

May the life of the Holy One endure; we pray:

May the sun of the Buddha shine anew,

And may the Dharma wheel ever turn.

Verses of Praise

The Sutra of the Vajra-Wielding Guardian, the Great Sovereign Divine King

I take refuge in the Supreme Vehicle,

Relying on the sutra to bring it into circulation.

May I, together with all beings,

Equally realize the midst of radiant light.

With vast merit, the mind knows no sorrow;

The illusory body escapes the four modes of birth.

Though solely devoted to studying the scriptures,

One may forget the principle of true suchness.

Keep the mind upon the method taught;

Morning and evening, recite the scriptures.

The darkened mind has not yet become bright,

Yet thought after thought, constantly perfumed by practice,

Without a single interruption—

If one still does not reach the ultimate,

When the radiance returns to the four great elements,

How could one ever encounter it again?

Now we have encountered the Greatly Awakened One,

Who widely opens the gateway of skillful means.

Using ink to print the scriptures,

They are distributed everywhere, though still insufficient;

They have not yet reached every place

So that all eight divisions may be complete.

All this comes from the One of Complete and Correct Knowledge,

Through the compassionate power of the Awakened Sovereign.

Though the principle of true emptiness is stated but briefly,

The myriad practices have never been exhausted.

The Buddhas of the three times have declared

The Tathagata’s one great matter:

It all arises because of sentient beings.

If sentient beings had neither greed nor anger,

Why would the Buddhas speak

Of provisional action and true transformation?

From birth until nirvana,

The golden coffin, silver, and all the rest;

Devas and humans called to the fourfold assembly.

The evil Topknotted Divine King

Served as a general in a certain land,

Where sentient beings were devoured.

Our Buddha then appeared in the world again;

Dark blue-black was the eight-armed king,

His hands holding eight kinds of objects.

This Mara then turned back,

And sentient beings no longer met with suffering.

The Equal Enlightened One, surpassing in compassion,

Kept even the evil Mara in mind,

Together with all his retinue,

Purifying them throughout successive kalpas,

Until they awakened within the great ocean.

Provisionally manifested, truly wrathful,

They encountered the lotus realm

And never again gave rise to an evil thought.

This is the Buddha’s gateway of compassion;

Its recollection and recitation must not be neglected.

Rely upon the sutra to cultivate and practice,

And you shall come to behold true suchness.

Constantly seeking the affairs of the world

Brings no fruit and does not accord with one’s wishes.

Unless one forgets the one deemed real,

It is difficult to follow what is illusory.

The ignorant require lofty wisdom;

These are not wild or reckless words.

If these words are not true,

I vow to enter the hell of boiling cauldrons.

The forty-two perilous paths,

The four great elements, and the precious written signs;

The Great Sovereign’s Vajra intent,

The six seals displayed upon the hands—

They must not be confused, bent, or distorted.

I now clearly understand the sutra’s intent:

In the Dharma-ending age, it shall surely abide in the world,

Protecting the teaching and assisting the virtuous sovereign,

Until the future age of Maitreya.

During the True Dharma, Semblance Dharma, and Dharma-ending ages,

According with each kind, one emerges from unity.

This wisdom transforms into subsequent wisdom;

The transformation Buddha speaks the esoteric words.

The Great Sovereign transforms into a king;

The later king records the scripture of compassion.

May we obtain the sutra with its meaning correct,

So that all sentient beings may awaken.

I exhort you to bow down in homage,

Continuing thought after thought without cease.

Examine clearly the Great Avatamsaka,

Yet this meaning is not made clear therein.

Ask the bhiksu Hai Tong,

And you will immediately attain the Sage’s intent.

The Buddha opens the Supreme Vehicle,

And everyone may enter.

Print the sutra and spread it everywhere.

The Greatly Awakened One is originally without words,

Yet thought after thought, uniquely according with every kind,

Through the karma of body, speech, and mind,

There is never a moment of indolence.

The mouth’s gateway and the entire tongue speak forth;

The brush cannot be brought to rest.

This is none other than the principle of true suchness.

Throughout the ten thousand years of the Dharma-ending age,

The seal of the Three Jewels attests that there is neither increase nor decrease;

The eight classes of majestic beings shall constantly bestow their protection.

Of the Miao lineage, the sugarcane Kshatriya pure clan, for the great causal condition of the Dharma-ending age, was able to transmit and confer this teaching. By the bank of the Ajitavati River, the Buddha was about to enter the samadhi of quiescent cessation. The eight classes of beings, stricken with grief, came weeping for the World-Honored Lord.

The kings of the various lands also came together to see the Buddha. Each was sorrowful, shed tears, and bowed his head in homage. Their cries shook the three realms; the sun and moon ceased to shine.

Clouds of sorrow and woeful rain gathered, and the mountains and forests drooped in grief. Birds cried mournfully, plants and trees withered, streams ceased to flow, and the ocean rose in waves. Whatever possessed form was shaken.

The arhats wished to comprehend the reality, yet could not understand the truth. The bodhisattvas understood this manifestation and fully awakened to impermanence; therefore, they calmly entered meditative concentration, like empty space—unborn and undying—while leaving their sympathetic influence to moisten all beings universally. In the twelve links of dependent arising, a falling leaf reveals the traces.

All writhing creatures endowed with consciousness originally possess Buddha-nature. The devas of the three realms arrived first at the place of nirvana. The great sovereign emperors cherished the Tathagata.

Their topknots were neat and light. After deliberating, they ordered the immortals to keep watch. The devas then dispatched the Great-Power Mantra Immortal Chiefs.

Each held a jeweled staff and gathered in the Mara kings. The stench of impurity and foul vapors lingered all around. Having no method to restrain them, they handed them over to the devas before coming to pay homage.

“May the Buddha, in his compassion, mercifully accept our plea. Harmful demons and ghosts devour lives on one side; they frequently seize women’s chambers and indulge in the pleasures of sensual desire. Their bones are heaped like mountains.

May the Buddha transform, liberate, and bring them to submission.”

The kings, deeply moved, wept after the Tathagata entered quiescence. The evil ghosts, haughty and arrogant, refused to revere or believe. The devas sent the immortals away for seven days and did not permit them to return. Then, filled with sorrow, they mourned and came to pay homage before the Golden Coffin.

The Able and Benevolent One, the compassionate father, accorded with the wishes of beings and entered quiescent extinction. Those sentient beings who created evil influences were delivered from the Demon King and from the topknotted fiends who cruelly harmed and devoured living beings. May the Buddha, in his compassion, preside over the expulsion of those deviant beings.

The Buddha’s fundamental wisdom ever rejoices in this light of quiescent extinction. Thereafter, wisdom manifested three heads and eight arms and stood there, holding the precious seals, the fire wheel, and the vajra, with bells fastened upon the eight dragons entwined around the body and arms, producing their sounds.

There were nine eyes, three faces, a keen sword, a precious seal, and a mirror. The blue, black, indigo, and red hair stood erect. The Buddha then proclaimed the Mantra of the Great Manifestation of Radiant Splendor. Multitudes of Demon Kings came and reverently bowed their heads in homage. The wrists and ankles were ever adorned with the precious ornaments of Jambudvipa. The right foot pressed upon empty space as he stood. His wisdom, like spontaneous fire, completely filled empty space; those who recite, uphold, and retain it attain through that samadhi the state beyond names.

Having empowered this mantra of forty-three letters, the light upon the crown of the Tathagata immediately proclaimed verses for all living spirits throughout the Dharma realm, the rulers of the world, and innumerable others. Having heard them, they perfected the Dharani of the Brahma sound.

Om Phat Khong Khuat Tan, Ma Ha Ban La, Khuat Na Hu, Vat Chi Vat, E Ma Ni, Vi Kiet Vi, Ma Na Tay. Om Tat Hai La, Minh Tham Mo Han Tan, Ham Ham, Nguu Nguu, Phat Phat Tat Ha.

In the contemplation and samadhi of non-thought, take refuge in the Three Jewels. Then give rise to bodhicitta, seeking no reward among humans or devas, and vow together with all sentient beings to realize the Supreme Vehicle. Sentient beings become empty, and even demons are purified and heed the teachings.

Give rise to the Four Immeasurable Minds, perfect and round like the moon, their light filling empty space, as a great multitude of Buddhas arrive. When that vision vanishes, the original form of the Divine King appears once more, transforming his appearance into a truly majestic manifestation body.

In his hands he holds six precious implements, comprising three sheets and nine kinds, and remains serene even amid blazing fire, assuming a wrathful posture. The radiance again invokes the Buddha, who returns within a single thought, and the body, hands, and feet are cleansed with five kinds of fragrant flowers.

Tat Ngu Na and wisdom merge together, neither two nor one. The mind becomes luminous, and the Buddhas of the ten directions arrive above the crown of the head. The nectar of their consecration pours forth, suffusing the implements with light; body, speech, and mind become entirely pure, and I extol the names of the Buddhas.

Homage to the Original Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha

Homage to the Manifestation-Body Shakyamuni Buddha

Homage to the Buddha, Great Sovereign Divine King (Each line ten times)

When reciting the esoteric chapter, mind and speech unite in mutual accord. Hundreds of thousands of myriads all realize the path to nirvana.

To the left, the manifested Great Sovereign Divine King appeared, displaying awesome majesty. Devas, asuras, and humans bowed in homage; his brow emitted rays of light, and the worlds of the ten directions were clearly known. Jeweled parasols and canopies appeared with flowers, while the devas played celestial music.

At that time there was a Brahma King named World-Saving Lord, who led the Brahma assembly to bow before the Golden Coffin and reverently addressed the Great Deity of the Indestructible Vajra Body. Because sentient beings were in danger, the Tathagata compassionately appeared.

The Great Deity spoke, and the World-Saving Lord King listened: “I manifested from the Golden Coffin for seven days, when devas and humans entreated me to subdue the Topknotted Demon. For the sake of righteousness, an inauspicious affair arose here and transgressed against the lord’s compassionate heart.

“The Blessed One instructed me to proclaim this decree to the fourfold assembly, so that they might know this was no trifling event arising in the mundane world. When the Tathagata entered quiescent extinction, the devas would harbor doubts about the Four Fruits. Therefore, I entrust this charge within the scripture so that it may circulate everywhere—transforming this defiled world into a Pure Land and changing the nature of ordinary beings into the Buddha-body.

“Bodhisattvas, shravakas, and pratyekabuddhas as numerous as the ocean, together with the Eight Classes of Devas and Dragons, constantly protect and uphold it day and night. Through cultivating morality, samadhi, and wisdom, all undertakings are accomplished and made magnificent. First, one gives rise to bodhicitta; afterward, one realizes Anuttara, the fruit of liberation.

“The Dharma-body is without attributes; how, then, can its arising and cessation be described? Because of foolishness, obscurity, and wrong views, anger and contention arise. Within that burning house, lust and delusion give rise to doubt; when will those who seek true suchness ever attain it?

“The Manifested Buddha emits light from the crown of his head and begins to proclaim the mantra. May those who seek the first fruit proceed directly to the abode of the Tathagata, attaining the five faculties, the five powers, bodhi, and the Eight Noble Truths; and may everything throughout the four continents, by day and night beneath sun and moon, be clearly revealed.

“Give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, and practice the six paramitas and myriad deeds. One will constantly realize the Buddha’s marrow, pure as empty space. The ten bhumis and the three stages of the worthy are accomplished without departing from that essential nature. Although sentient beings may have dull faculties, they shall become Buddhas.

“The Tathagata’s power of wisdom is like the sun illuminating the entire Dharma realm. That radiant light shines upon the greed, hatred, and delusion of sentient beings. They regard birth as permanent and call death total extinction, after which nothing remains. The foremost task is to dispel the views of permanence and annihilation.

“The World-Saving Brahma King safeguarded the Brahma devas, circumambulated the Golden Coffin, bowed in homage, and turned toward the Great Deities. I once followed the Buddha throughout the ten directions, holding the precious vajra staff; never has any noble being attained such a state.

“The Divine King proclaimed to the World-Saving Brahma King: ‘After the Perfectly and Universally Enlightened One, I clearly knew and appeared in a manifestation body called the Great Divine King, Esoteric-Traces Vajra Warrior, in order to subdue the Topknotted Demon and manifest this for sentient beings of future generations.

“‘The precious seal protects the spirit and mind, and its formula contains forty-two phrases. It sweeps away lustful perversities, which ultimately retreat to the East. The Topknotted One will become arrogant after the Buddha has entered nirvana. Arising and cessation have no attributes and accord with quiescent samadhi.

“‘The Sugata clearly knows that few can equal my power. The spiritual powers of bodhisattvas and arhats are like the earth beneath a fingernail, while those of the Blessed One are inconceivable, like all the earth of the great world. The Demon King alone believes his own supernatural powers to be foremost.

“‘When the Tathagata’s conditions were fulfilled, he manifested the appearance of entering nirvana. The arrogant demons showed no reverence to the Tathagata; they demolished houses and carried the two divisions away, causing the Deity to see humans and devas exhausted.

“‘The devas and the fourfold assembly were truly joyful at heart. In the end, the palace of the Demon King collapsed, while the demon’s retinue constantly sought to contend and wage battle. At times, both sides employed the supernatural powers of the immortals and began to fight.

“‘The Demon King negotiated with the Tathagata to appear in the world once more; otherwise, the two immortals should each return to their own realm, reflecting that their own spiritual powers could not prevail. Their two eyes wept bitterly, and tears streamed down morning and evening.

“‘Upon the crown of the head was a manifested Buddha whose mouth recited the Dharani. Its light shone throughout worlds as numerous as dust motes in empty space. The Demon King’s palaces within the three realms became dark, and he could not reverse this to preserve sentient beings.

“‘Clearly knowing that the eight consciousnesses of the Topknotted One did not abide within the body, the Great Deities gradually arose from the earth, eradicated the demon’s defiled traces, and compelled him to take refuge. He pleaded: “I respectfully beseech the Compassionate One to spare me and allow this living body to remain.”

“‘Overwhelmed with sorrow, he knew not where he would be reborn, and his spirit soared away. Even when he opened his mouth to speak, he could not obtain the two mantra divisions of the immortals. Each possessed supernatural power and gazed reverently as the Great Deity now returned.

“‘That Great Divine Mantra penetrated the spirit of the Topknotted One. Truly, because of his great foolishness and arrogance, he had sunk into sensual pleasures. His venomous mind did not repent of having offended the compassionate Teacher. You must swiftly repent, abandon what is deviant, and return to what is right.’”

Your mind has not swiftly repented; through seeking repentance, these offenses shall be extinguished. The entirety of life and being is like the essence of nirvana. If in a former life you bestowed abundant gifts upon sentient beings, when that merit is exhausted, that happiness will fall into the realm of Nê Lê.

Unwholesome mental karma creates sins as high as mountains; hundreds of thousands of followers assemble together in one place to dwell. Hundreds of millions of people undergo calamities each day. Each person also possesses the eight consciousnesses and follows those four snakes. (Note: Birth, aging, sickness, and death; or earth, water, wind, and fire.)

The six faculties contend with their objects, and evil thoughts arise; compassion is urged to arise, yet sentient beings have been made to encounter eighty-eight calamities. There are also a hundred forms of affliction and imprisonment, permeating twenty evil deeds. Throughout all twelve hours (meaning that each hour consists of two modern hours), they must undergo calamities arising from these.

The cruel hosts of heavenly demons become their retinue. They lead sentient beings into the assemblies of demonic hosts. They incite tens of thousands of people to suffer calamities born of vast schemes. They occupy the four great elements, the five skandhas, and the six faculties. Consciousness does not manifest, while the five faculties continually revolve; the six cycles, form-dharmas, seven outflows, and eight defilements are all thrown into disorder. The nine fetters, ten bonds, and twelve are all tightly bound and confined. Among the twenty-five classes of sentient existence, the 108 afflictions arise.

When the eighty-four thousand defilements turn back toward the mind, they are immediately transformed; the eight consciousnesses at once turn toward the path of liberation. When the five skandhas remain unmoved, one immediately realizes the Body of the Dharma King; the hundred deluded inversions are eliminated, and the hundred dharmas are realized.

The 125 evil deeds are transformed into fruits of merit and virtue. The eighty-four thousand are transformed into marks of radiant light. Everything created by your mind does not come from outside. It is like a clear sky in which not a single thing exists, when suddenly masses of dark clouds arise.

Suddenly the clouds conceal the sun and moon, which had been shining brightly and perfectly full, and darkness returns; yet this darkness does not come from outside. It is precisely your own single mind, whose originally complete and true self-nature has become obscured by delusion. If you awaken, not even a single hair will be harmed.

If you reflect upon your evil deeds and immediately return for realization to the true path, precious rain will descend upon the palace like falling flowers offered in homage. Throughout the entire Dharma realm, all Tathagatas and bodhisattvas, the members of the Sangha who have realized the Four Fruits, as well as devas, dragons, and lords of the worlds, all enter the unconditioned state.

The Brahma King Topknot then approached the Great Deities and bowed. Tears fell drop by drop from his eyes, and he cast his five limbs upon the ground, confessing and repenting of the improper deeds he had formerly committed. All proclaimed: “Namo Śākya, homage!” (This is King Topknot seeking repentance before the two Immortals.)

The two divisions of mantra immortals each recovered their powers of spiritual penetration and, solemnly arrayed, guarded the Divine King while circumambulating him. Topknot ordered them to disclose their offenses and implore compassionate repentance, saying to the noble ones: “May you regard us with compassion and not allow doubt to arise.”

Topknot addressed the Great Immortals so that they might clearly understand: “Because from ancient times I have been perfumed by the causes and conditions of evil karma, I became obstinate and violent, violating and injuring the bodies of sentient beings. Now, encountering this occasion, I make this vow and bow with my head and face.”

When such a great Buddha-work arose within the palace of the Demon King, heaven and earth suddenly shone brilliantly, and the sun and moon increased their radiance. They came joyfully and circumambulated the Golden Casket. The two śāla trees transformed into white chrysanthemum trees and reverently paid homage at the Buddha’s feet.

The Great Sovereign Divine King commanded the demonic spirits, while the great deities, the hosts, and the two Immortals also gazed upon him and bowed. The Buddha had assembled the Fourfold Assembly, the Eight Classes of Beings, and all the celestial immortals. Each reverently addressed him, listened together to the verses being taught, and bowed in homage.

All deluded thoughts arise from that ignorance, creating illusory demon kings to serve as their retinue. The Tathagata instructed them not to join the hosts of demons, but to support the lineage and doctrinal teachings, never again changing their resolve.

A golden color appeared and illuminated the places of darkness; the oil within the lamp was forever separated. Sediment and oil were distinguished as white, yellow, gold, and red; abandoning the false and returning to the true, white and yellow gold are not two separate kinds.

The Dharma realm communicates freely with the three realms and four modes of birth. It arises solely from the mind and is not found elsewhere. At first, one encounters an enlightened teacher who does not lead one along a winding, erroneous path. Now, having encountered the Awakened One, one is spared from entering the prison of samsara.

That golden radiance penetrated the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body. That golden nature does not become something wholly different; among thousands and tens of thousands of objects, none differs from the original substance, as is perfectly clear. That golden nature is certainly employed in the sovereignty of true emptiness.

The disturbances caused by the four māras made them fear that the Tathagata would give rise to compassion. Mahākāla of Great Sovereign Power appeared in wrathful form, while Avalokiteśvara of great wisdom rode a horse like the sovereign lord of the prison realm and did not abandon its gateway, coming to rescue suffering sentient beings.

The gate of compassion opened, employing unconditioned wisdom to save the world. Clouds of compassion shone everywhere, delivering beings born from wombs, eggs, moisture, and transformation who had been obscured. Maliciousness and wrong views could not enter the path of awakening, and the majestic form realized the ultimate refuge.

After the Divine King heard the verses, his eight arms trembled, and his nine eyes gazed intently toward the left foot as he circumambulated. A perfectly full, violet flame of wisdom appeared upon the Golden Casket, dissolving the illusory arts and destroying the spirit of Topknot.

This is the secret chapter capable of universally benefiting the world in the final Dharma age. The ten initial wholesome deeds enter even a foul and evil mouth when it recites it. When the Buddhas of the ten directions hear the sound of this mantra being recited and retain it in memory, they proceed directly to the state beyond speech.

Mañjuśrī, Samantabhadra, Avalokiteśvara, Vajragarbha, Bodhisattva Bodhisattva, and Śariputra encounter the unborn. Maudgalyāyana and Kāśyapa, who realized the Four Fruits, are all true companions. They praise it, saying: “Excellent! The offerings of incense and flowers are truly splendid.”

When the devas of the three realms and the wrathful vajra beings hear this mantra, its sound conceals their bodies and serves as their support. Whatever vows are made, none fails to bear the corresponding result. Those who have not yet attained realization shall soon accomplish the path of bodhi. (Recitation of this mantra is exceedingly efficacious. When it is drawn upon seals, talismans, incense, or carved wood and tested, it can cure hundreds of illnesses, and so forth.)

When I recite this mantra, it is like encountering sweet rain in the early morning, or like meeting a skilled general after suffering defeat. Those who travel a lonely road are reunited with their parents and family. The blind, the sightless, the aged, and the sick all encounter skilled physicians.

One must not give rise to doubt when reciting and recollecting this divine mantra. The Divine King guides its appropriate use. When devas, humans, asuras, beings in the hells, hungry ghosts, and others hear the sound of this mantra enter their ears, they are immediately liberated.

Even an evil-minded person who upholds and recites this mantra will regularly obtain supreme results. If one is pure and rigorous, concentrates the mind, and harmonizes mind and mouth, the efficacy of this mantra is unlike the power of a gāthā (verse). All good men and faithful women who uphold and recite it obtain benefit.

If this mantra is written upon silk, paper, leaves, and so forth, precious jeweled nets and chains will cover it, and precious flowers will be scattered above it. In accordance with its meaning, devas and dragon spirits will follow and protect it; a jeweled canopy will shelter it from above, and the Buddha will sit there in perfect serenity.

If a single mote of dust falls upon that mantra and the wind blows the mote onto the body of a sentient being, that being will also obtain merit as abundant as the sands of the Ganges. Whoever is able to paint its image will be spared from entering the Avīci Hell.

Powdered agarwood and sandalwood are fashioned into a Vajra. Hold the precious staff resembling the heart of the Mandala, together with incense, flowers, lamps, oil, fruit, food, and drink, to reverently worship and make offerings to the Wrathful Great Divine Honored One Shakyamuni. Mix fragrant water with the talisman to carve the compassionate image; arrange before the image a hundred kinds of beautiful adornments, then sincerely form the mudra without wavering one hundred thousand times. At that time, the pestle will move, causing the water to spray upward, and one will realize the illuminating method.

The image of the pestle emits light and manifests divine transformations. The greatly awakened Compassionate Honored One appears on the left, wondrously numinous and dignified, causing great joy to arise in the mind. Through the power of this vow, recite it another three hundred thousand times.

When the Divine King responds numinously, the practitioner who recites and upholds it obtains the Dharma words. One should then use a basin filled with pure water and recite my esoteric chapter day and night, without allowing the sound to be interrupted. That water will surge above the pestle and move, and one will realize spiritual powers and radiance.

Whether walking, standing, lying down, or sitting, constantly uphold and recite it with mind and mouth. When the result has ripened, one attains samadhi and freely passes back and forth among the deities; one should then make offerings at every shrine of the deities. Following this, never abandon it or disobey the command of the Honored One.

The 404 illnesses, together with malevolent spirits afflicting pregnant women and poisonous creatures secretly harming the lives of beings, arise when karma from former lives produces many accumulated enmities and adversities, thereby giving rise to illness. Reciting the sutra and upholding the mantra will forever eliminate these calamities.

Recite this mantra and empower water with it. Take paper bearing seals of the forty-two kinds of esoteric words and wear it upon the body, or form it into a small pellet and place it in the mouth; it can eliminate all hundred kinds of illness.

If no one is able to inscribe the precious seal or an efficacious talisman, take fragrant wood or carve it into stone, stamp the paper with it, and proceed as before. It is truly efficacious without equal. Then, from the crown of the head, a manifested Buddha emits a great radiance.

Then all Buddhas of the past, present, and future proclaim this fundamental mantra with one voice; when attaining enlightenment and entering nirvana, none failed to utter this sound. All sentient beings within the four modes of birth, together with devas, nagas, and the six classes of beings, recite it in unison.

Men and women of pure faith who single-mindedly invoke this esoteric sound, wishing to attain the fruit of Buddhahood and accomplish worldly endeavors, cause the compassionate Tathagata-sattva to give rise to great joy. He then emits light, shakes the earth, and displays great spiritual powers and transformations.

When the object of the mantra practitioner's prayer appears in a dream, one should first gather in all Mantra Kings, together with the departed emperors and kings, as well as the great ministers. When it is upheld and recollected for illnesses of body and mind, there is nothing to which it fails to respond.

Then the medicinal water sprays upward through the light and is gathered and subdued; it can eliminate all hundred difficult illnesses that arise when the sun and moon grow weak and winds and rains occur out of season, and when the five planets deviate from their proper positions and oppress beings with suffering.

When human calamities arise, when the nation encounters the five perils, when rebels rise up, when rulers and ministers abandon one another, and difficulties occur everywhere, gaze upward into empty space, stand erect, and recite this mantra. The nation will become peaceful and secure, and disasters will never arise again.

During the Wei, Zhou, Tang, and Wu eras, Buddhism—the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—was destroyed. They did not understand that monastics cultivate the path to illuminate their true nature; instead, they persecuted monks and nuns, forced them to return to lay life, and subjected them to onerous labor. Those who destroyed the religion in this way will certainly fall into the Avici Hell.

Constantly recite the precious words and form the mudra as before; the suffering bhikshus will transform those wicked kings. The kings will then feel remorse, take refuge with repentant minds, and permit stupas, shrines, viharas, and monasteries to be rebuilt.

Place gold, silver, copper, iron, incense, and flowers before an image in the form of a dragon. Bring a jar filled with water and pour water into the image until it is full, then form the hand seal of the Ba Yết La Dragon. The water within the image will spontaneously spray into empty space and produce the sound of thunder.

The muni-fire transforms into the Buddha, the Divine King of Great Authority. Recite together the three kinds of epithets of the Buddha, the World-Honored One, and a great rain of amrita will then fall throughout Jambudvipa. If prolonged rain is ruining things, when the thunder ceases, the sky will clear and the clouds disperse.

Elephants, horses, camels, cattle, birds, and beasts that are difficult to tame should, when afflicted by illness during travel, drink water empowered by the divine mantra. If snakes, rats, and harmful creatures damage other things, sprinkle the water upon the ground within the house, and naturally no trace of them will remain.

Thus, the prohibitions and methods are each beyond exhaustive explanation. One should respectfully and fully request to see the sutra; all matters of transcending the ordinary and entering sagehood arise entirely from this mind. If one does not reach true suchness, the effort devoted to this practice will have been in vain.

By day and night, evil ghosts, mountain spirits, and spirits of the earth dwell beneath the waters, moving rocks, trees, stones, and every shrine. Those places are long filled with malevolent beings that turn against the human world, violating families and the nation. All of them can be gathered in and eliminated.

Venomous snakes, scorpions, and creatures such as centipedes and house centipedes—all beings belonging to their kinds—that consume and kill the lives of virtuous people: one should wear the precious seal upon the body, and one will suffer no harm.

Those with the mind of a dog and the conduct of a dog, who have human faces but belong to the class of animals: if their names and the year, month, and day of their birth are known, write their names upon the ground, tread upon them, then use both hands to gather in their remorse, touching the head and face, and bow in homage.

When the mind flits about and cannot clearly discern or distinguish, if one wishes to seek wisdom, one must uphold the gatha, uphold the mantra and seal, and will naturally obtain great eloquence. In brief, one will become widely learned, extensively knowledgeable, and attain many ultimate accomplishments.

Those afflicted by greed and suffering should recite it to obtain wealth, longevity and immortality, morality, samadhi, and bodhi. Through wisely giving to beings, they will obtain wealth in future lives. By studying until thoroughly proficient, they will overcome every kind of mara.

Even if the body is severed, it can readily become indestructible. By entering samadhi within that severed portion, one attains enduring spiritual powers and mastery, like a bird flying through empty space, passing back and forth without obstruction. Above, one produces fire; beneath the feet, one produces ocean water.

The transformations into sages or ordinary beings are effortless and difficult to measure. Before the image, observe the mountain austerities and recite as previously practiced. One's dwelling should have little water and possess the fragrance of sweet water. The sufferings and illnesses of beings will then immediately disappear.

If a person has no children and gathers the mind upon this esoteric mantra, the hundred illnesses of women, such as miscarriage, will cease to occur. The ancestors will behold their sons and daughters performing deeds of filial devotion and righteousness. Ghosts and strange beings in the mountains and forests will immediately conceal themselves when this mantra and seal are recollected.

Those infected with consumption or assailed in dreams by encounters with seductive spirits, whose nose, mouth, and four limbs are utterly exhausted: if they encounter legal trouble and are imprisoned, they will immediately be released. When confronting enemies, the rebels will naturally disappear.

If one seeks the Buddha-ground but does not attain accomplishment, it is because the Buddha has entered extinction after subduing the heavenly maras and icchantikas. Not every worldly affair accords with it in each case. The esoteric words of the Precious King emit light, and the Tathagata teaches permanence, bliss, self, and purity, as well as binding the mind and thoughts that leap about like a monkey. If one fears that the vow is not true, would that make the Sugata one who speaks falsely? These are precisely true words, real words; the Tathagata speaks no deceptive words. One will attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, unsurpassed complete and perfect enlightenment.

Such is the efficacy of the gatha, as taught by all Buddhas and bodhisattvas. The seals, talismans, and painted images of shravakas and celestial immortals accumulate great vows through the powers of dhyana-samadhi and diligence. The intelligent non-Buddhist brahmins are like black lacquer trees.

How does the precious vajra of the Divine King manifest? Upon his crown appears a transformation Buddha who proclaims the mantra; his entire body is filled with wrath, his eight hands hold various implements, and he emits immeasurable light.

The transformation Buddha upon his crown again manifests the form of a great person, seated with palms joined, whose mouth emits immeasurable light. These lights mutually illuminate one another, destroying harmful sorcery, eliminating defiled traces, and subduing the Topknot Demon.

The devas of the three realms and the Four Heavenly Kings all gave thanks for these benefits. The six paths, Ta La, the Brahma Kings abiding in the world, and the Lords of the World all paid reverence. The great assembly then knelt, bowed until their bodies touched the ground, and proclaimed the sounds of the mantra of perfect supernormal power.

At that time, the transformation Buddha upon the crown of the Divine King said: “This is the power of the great, vast, and perfectly complete supernormal faculties.” The Perfectly and Fully Awakened One clearly expounded the Dharma of humans and devas, and everyone attained samadhi and the pure Dharma eye.

Loa Ke—the Topknot—first led the two divisions back. Surrounded before and behind, they circumambulated and together went to the place of nirvana. At that time, the Divine King’s transformation Buddhas manifested throughout all ten directions. The transformation Buddhas taught the Dharma and benefited all sentient beings.

The Divine King of Great Authority issued a proclamation for the fourfold assembly to hear. The Buddha himself came and proclaimed the sounds of the mantra. Nothing remained of the palaces and fortifications of Mara, and the foul odors dispersed far away and transformed into Utpala fruits.

The fundamental wisdom of the Buddha manifested in hundreds of thousands of kotis of forms, eternally abiding and never perishing. Whether a Buddha abides or enters cessation, sentient beings make earnest supplications and establish great vows to preserve this peaceful and secure, magically manifested Dharma-body.

The bhiksus steadfastly sat at the Stupa of Many Treasures, pure and adorned with goodness, bearing witness before the Venerable Sakyamuni. They vowed to dedicate these bodies to serving those who uphold the mantra, so that they might attain the six supernormal powers and enter the great gate of liberation.

The Divine King made his vow, yet people were fearful and gave rise to suspicion. He prayed: “May the Tathagata attend to this with the utmost care and bear witness to it, thereby dispelling the doubts and uncertainties of sentient beings.” So that they might no longer doubt, a sound like thunder immediately arose.

At that time, as the Tathagata lay on his left side and manifested his peaceful passing into nirvana, hundreds of rays of brilliant light appeared. The Buddhas of the ten directions emitted light that bathed his golden body. The bodhisattvas, sravakas, and the fourfold assembly gave rise to a rare and wondrous state of mind.

The arrogant Topknot Spirit and his retinue on the left all raised their voices together in praise, their hearts filled with perfect joy. The eye of the Path shone penetratingly, thoroughly illuminating the inexhaustible truth of emptiness, the Buddha lands, and bodhisattvas at the stages of Equal Awakening and Wondrous Awakening, as numerous as grains of sand. The transformation Buddha upon the crown smiled brightly and joyfully, then commanded the Divine Kings and the great assembly to hear the proclamation concerning the fundamental Buddha-wisdom of Sakyamuni. He then ordered them to subdue the spirit of the Topknot who had created karma.

The transformation Buddha said: “After the fundamental wisdom of the Buddha has passed away, Loa Ke—the Topknot—will rebel on the left, and thus the Vajra Warrior will appear. Humans and devas, frightened and doubtful, will then gather in and bring back the heavenly maras. In the Buddha’s stead, he will manifest deeds of true suchness and compassion. The heavenly maras will join their palms, turn toward the Buddha’s wisdom, and bow in homage. The spirits, their retinues, and their divisions will, through these conditions, receive predictions of awakening. In the assembly, those who accept it with pure faith will each resolve to awaken bodhicitta, never regress, and make steadfast vows to preserve it.”

The light-emitting Tathagata extended his hand to the crown of Loa Ke—the Topknot—and said: “Excellent! Excellent! You have learned to abandon the false and return to the true. You shall receive a prediction and realize the truth of the essential nature, becoming a strong and diligent man.” When King Loa Ke received his prediction, he was given the name Buddha Pure Radiant Light.

The Brahma Kings who received predictions likewise came together with the spiritual benefactors. For six billion kalpas, they cultivated at the stage of bodhisattvas, extensively making offerings to Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. After cultivating for many kalpas, they would realize the stage of a Tathagata. Loa Ke, meanwhile, would attain Buddhahood as Buddha Pure Radiant Light, the Tamer of Men, complete with all ten epithets. That Buddha would guide twenty thousand devas and humans who came to hear the Dharma, teaching it extensively and transmitting it everywhere, even through many other bodies.

At times, he would also manifest as a monastic of the Two Vehicles of the sravakas. He would then manifest the Buddha-body of the One Vehicle to lead beings to the ultimate state, from those born from wombs, eggs, moisture, or transformation up to those of the bodhisattva vehicle. All crawling and moving sentient beings would hear the Dharma taught by that Radiant One.

Those who attained the First Fruit would then progress to becoming pratyekabuddhas, and onward through the Stage of Far-Reaching to the Dharma Cloud, the Tenth Stage. Having completed those stages, they would accomplish the unsurpassed fruit of Buddhahood, great bodhi. The periods of the True Dharma, Semblance Dharma, and Final Dharma of that Buddha would each endure for twenty thousand years.

After Tathagata Radiant Light entered cessation, a bodhisattva would successively continue his work, causing the Great Spirits and their retinues to take refuge, and would thereafter realize the essential body of Tathagata Radiant Light.

The land of this Buddha would be called the Stainless World. The devas, nagas, eight classes of beings, and the fourfold assembly would all take refuge, come together to Buddha Pure Radiant Light, and dwell together in the Stainless World without discrimination.

In the Stainless World, bodhisattvas, followers of the Two Vehicles, the mighty beings of the eight classes, and the fourfold assembly would all hear the sound of the Dharma. Tathagata Radiant Light would command the transformation Buddha to proclaim the Dharma: the Great Perfect Mantra and the forty-two sacred paths.

After Tathagata Pure Radiance entered nirvana, his body would be cremated with the wisdom-fire of samadhi, and his sariras would be gathered. A jeweled stupa reaching as high as the Brahma heaven would be erected as a place where devas, humans, and the fourfold assembly could make offerings and cultivate merit.

At that time, Loa Ke and his companions came and, through the Tathagata’s teaching, reached the place of liberation. Joyful and courageous, they immediately attained immeasurable vehicles. In but a single instant, they gave rise to the resolve to perform great Buddha-works.

The Divine King of Great Authority listened to the transformation Buddha teach the Dharma. With a Buddha-mind filled with joy, he offered praise, bowed in homage, and then told the pure assembly of Loa Ke—the Topknot—and the noble ones about the causes and conditions of their former lives and how they had come to experience these greatly joyful events.

The Divine King again praised the Original Teacher, Buddha Sakyamuni. Although he had manifested entry into cessation, he still had compassion for people in the age of the Final Dharma and for sentient beings who had lost the benefits of merit. In order to subdue Loa Ke, the power of the Tathagata therefore appeared.

“I now manifest majestic deportment through the characteristics of my body and head. On the left, the fundamental Buddha-wisdom manifests through transformation, while the transformation Buddha upon my crown proclaims the Great Perfect Mantra. Thus there is this rite for chanting the mantra.” Here, the Divine King, in his original form, performs the rite of forming the mudras.

Both the left and right hands form the Jeweled Mudra at the ring fingers. The mudra is then directed toward the other two fingers, which rest against one another. With the left hand above and the right hand below, press against the index fingers; keep the fingers upright and close beside the principal thumbs.

Through this hand mudra, one may pray for worldly aims. Evil and deviant persons will all turn toward the master who upholds the mantra and bow in homage. They will abandon their rebellious minds, respect life, obey his instructions, dare not act contrary to them, and make a vow with truly steadfast strength.

For the Mountain-Pointing Jeweled Mudra, use the ring fingers of both the left and right hands. Keep the four fingers straight, moving forward and backward seven steps each time. With each mantra and each mudra, the left and right, above and below, come together. When this mantra-mudra is cast forth, evil thoughts naturally cease.

The Thunderless Jeweled Mudra is used to counter poisonous, harmful winds, torrential rain, and prolonged mist. Form the mudra with the middle fingers and ring fingers. Keep the fingertips perfectly straight in line with the great toes and trace the characters. With the mantra-mudra, grasp the left hand; the clouds will disperse and the sun will appear.

For the Precious Seal for Arresting Illness, the right hand is adorned: bend the index and middle fingers and turn the hand toward the left. The other three fingers are held straight; there will be none of the five consumptions or seven injuries. For each mantra and each seal, recite 108 times.

For the Precious Seal of the Five Paths, join the ring fingers of the left and right hands and bend the hands inward toward the center. Extend the other eight fingers straight. When this seal is released for either the dead or the living, consciousness manifests. Then recite the great mantra, and the soul will return to the body.

Evil persons, ghosts, and spirits who wish to harm the mantra holder will be unable to discern his coming or going and will seek a way to flee from his person. By day or night, thieves who steal oxen, horses, pigs, goats, and so forth, and all flying or leaping creatures endowed with awareness, will find it difficult to escape.

After the Spirit King had instructed the assembly of good spiritual friends to faithfully receive and practice the Five Great Precious Seals, he formed the four principal seals, comprising forty-two secret methods, and then transmitted them for the Final Dharma age, so that they might circulate and spread in succession.

The Great Mighty One, Biệt Hoa, became wrathful, and so the king appeared once again. His majestic deportment remained no different from before. The Spirit King in his original body serenely entered and abided in samadhi. The object he held did not move, and from that point he entered into the image. (The king manifested by the Spirit King in his original body suddenly merged into empty space.)

Next, the Second Spirit King suddenly came from empty space, holding in his hand a richly ornamented white tù-và. Fish oil was made into pigment to create the complexion; then he raised and moved the brush, adorning the image so that it differed in no respect from the two.

Thereafter, the Second Spirit King circumambulated the Golden Coffin, wept, paid homage, and addressed the Buddha. The two Loa Kế Buddhas had already taken refuge, and from the left side there appeared the manifested body of the Spirit King.

The Spirit King of the Original Vow subdued Loa Kế and brought him back, saying: “Manifest my body as a Lesser King and preserve it in the latter age. Employing spiritual powers and transformations, I reverently beseech the Tathagata to know this clearly, emit light, and bestow his seal of confirmation, manifesting it in this mundane world.”

Next, the Transformation Spirit King circumambulated the Spirit King, paid homage, and said: “O Holy One, you are the Great Sage who caused me to appear and to demonstrate before the assembly so that truth and falsehood might be determined. May the King illuminate these truthful words.”

While abiding in pure samadhi, the Tathagata emitted rays of light from within the coffin, illuminating the Spirit King’s body with hundreds of precious radiances. Two beams of that precious light rested upon the head of the Transformation King. The Buddhas bestowed their seal of confirmation so that it might circulate within the life of ordinary beings.

At that time, the Transformation King held a brush in his right hand and depicted the dignified sacred image with three heads, eight arms, and nine blazing, perfectly round eyes. Above the crown, the Tathagata emitted adorning light, while the figure held its palms together.

The left foot trod upon a precious stone, while the right pressed downward in a standing posture; eight dragons coiled around the arms. All these displayed extraordinary spiritual transformations. In every respect, it was no different from the Spirit King’s original body. As the great assembly gazed upon it, light immediately appeared.

Upon a palm leaf were depicted the meritorious wisdoms of previous lives. For the Wisdom Seal, take a piece of fragrant wood eight fen long and inscribe the characters clearly upon it. Stamp the seal above them, and calamities will forever be absent.

Once the Seal of Knowledge of Past Lives has been stamped, its trace immediately disappears. One then instantly attains a share of samadhi, and the severing of hindrances is readily verified through transformation. Ordinary beings, possessing illusory bodies, find it difficult to realize entry into the gate of dharani. Yet their impure and unwholesome deeds will swiftly lead them to realize the wondrously pure mind.

The efficacy from past lives can bring forth the fruit of the present life. In the centers of the hands and feet and upon the precious wish-fulfilling stupa, one will attain the supreme state and soon acquire wisdom and eloquence. The mind’s eye will become spiritually luminous, and all Dharma teachings will naturally be accomplished.

The second means of bringing peace is the Seal of Unseen Sovereignty. Use a piece of fragrant wood seven fen long. The method of carving is as before; in the unconditioned, empty quiescence, contemplate deeply upon the Tathagata.

The third is the Manifest Soaring Through Space, Sovereign and Unobstructed Seal. Use a piece of fragrant wood five fen long, as though there were nothing there. Within the hair is a transformed object together with the inscription of the seal and mantra. One then enters the various realms like a bodhisattva.

For the Secret Mantra Seal of Sovereign Union of Spirit and Vital Energy, use a section two fen long, carving the characters deeply and evenly. Stamp the hearts of humans and nonhumans who are reverent with vermilion. It cannot be reached through emptiness; it is naturally concise and is difficult to compare or express in words.

After the succeeding king had depicted the Four Great Precious Seals, he and the assembly drew more than forty-two other kinds. All were accomplished by inscribing Sanskrit characters upon palm leaves. Each was perfectly clear and never departed from the essential form of the Sanskrit characters.

Next, after the Transformation Spirit King had depicted the mantra seals, the great assembly rejoiced exceedingly. The king then joined his palms and paid homage. Thereafter he addressed the original body, explaining to the Spirit King that it had manifested him. The great assembly then listened solemnly to what he said.

In this evil age of the five turbidities, sensual desire is the fundamental condition. When life has been formed within the womb, physiological functions arise. Hair of the head and body, nails, teeth, fluids, nasal mucus, tears, blood, pus, sinews, bones, marrow, brain, and so forth are all foul-smelling substances.

The sun, moon, wind, and so forth bring about changes that create day and night. Among them, metal, wood, water, fire, and earth are the essential elements. Rahu, Ketu, comets, and the other celestial bodies move. The four classes of Dipper stars are divided, and the seven stars all face the Northern Dipper.

Surrounding the angular formation are twenty-eight generals, fully endowed with transformations. For people in the world, they are the source of misfortune and blessings. The Northern Dipper emits a violet light that shines upon beautiful people. One of the four continents is ruled by Lord Shakra.

The Buddha’s fundamental wisdom can transform the entire great trichiliocosm, its tens of billions of suns and moons, the five planets, and the other celestial bodies. It governs the directions associated with calamity and blessing, the climate, and so forth. Sentient beings facing adverse conditions must accordingly cultivate themselves.

In the Final Dharma age, good people are often afflicted by various evil factions, causing their lives to become short and leading them to abandon my compassion and enter worldly ways. The icchantika mind grows and harms the resolve of the bhikshus. The mantra seals will revive them, just as in the time when the Buddha was present in the world.

The wrathful Great Mighty One said to the Transformation King: “Excellent! With such great compassion, you are able to accomplish this work, bringing benefit and happiness to all sentient beings. Through the grace of this great wisdom and the power of this vast vow, you bring benefit to sentient beings.” (The Spirit King in his original body praises the Second King.)

Next, after the Second Spirit King had accomplished what was to be done, he entrusted the precious seals and numinous talismans to those close to him and under his authority. Loa Kế received them at once and bowed in worship before those numinous Sanskrit inscriptions. At that time, he attained the majestic deportment of a Buddha together with the robust original body of a Spirit King.

There is the excellent power of the faculties, the power of the great assembly of sages and holy ones, and the awesome spiritual power bestowed by the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Throughout many kalpas, single-mindedly uphold and recite these teachings and spread them widely; do not allow sentient beings in the Final Dharma age to encounter great suffering and calamity.

The King then spoke to Crown-Light Tathagata and formed with his hands the Seal of the Great Perfect Mantra King. In succession came the five kinds of precious seals and the complete set of forty-two other kinds. Each present spirit is restrained and governed according to your intention.

The efficacy of the original mantra cannot be fully described. If it is empowered with meticulous purity, it causes the spirits to transform. Water sprays forth, waves surge, and precious pestles fly in every direction. The radiant image of the statue appears and speaks upright words, vowing to practice accordingly.

While abiding in dhyana-samadhi, one immediately beholds Shakyamuni Buddha close at hand. The Dharma body, reward body, and transformation body are present in the image of the Great Mighty Spirit King. Its wondrous voice gently instructs ordinary beings who come seeking to receive the teaching. Spirit and vital energy unite, and the five kinds of objects conceal themselves.

Next, the second Transformation King emitted light and arose. The light of the Fundamental-Body Divine King streamed forth from the crown of his head. The second king exchanged contact and underwent transformation, whereupon the king concealed himself. Then the Fundamental-Body Divine King relied upon the Eight Treasures to arise.

The Transformation King immediately vanished, and the Divine King Vajra-Warrior said: As soon as he arrived, he transformed into a wrathful form, and the Vidyaraja appeared. Depict me with three heads and eight arms, together with stones. His awe-inspiring majesty reaches the utmost path, with the precious seals, sacred talismans, and mysteries. (The mark of perfect illumination is wholly complete and contains nothing whatsoever.)

The Buddha-wisdom of Shakyamuni and the warrior arose on the left side. Great Power transformed and departed, while the Secondary King came from the sky. Within the empty expanse of the Dharma realm are immeasurable Tathagatas. All appear from the mind-seal of Vairocana.

Conch-Crest bowed, joined his palms, knelt in homage, and touched his face to the ground. Damengdi Gong was gathered in and accepted, and returned to the right path. Reflecting upon his former faults, he felt remorse and on that very day eradicated them. He awakened to the realization that his own true suchness and the Buddha are of one essence.

The Transformation Buddha bestowed a prediction upon Conch-Crest, beyond any doubt. The attainment of fruition was accomplished like warmth and cold, which one knows directly for oneself. All the assemblies accompanying him likewise received predictions of awakening. Because our Buddha is compassionate, even the various kinds of demons received benefit.

The warrior said: Bodhisattva Conch-Crest, you should listen. This esoteric chapter should be widely disseminated, whereby one immediately reaches the stage of non-retrogression. Upon hearing the Dharma, the great assembly circumambulated the Divine King clockwise and said: Great Sage, only today have we beheld your countenance and sacred traces.

Conch-Crest said: When the Tathagata entered final nirvana, a Divine King was present on his left, and a Tathagata appeared above his crown. Our Buddha spoke the mantra, and the warrior explained the meaning of the sutra, preserving and disseminating it without transgressing the Buddha’s teaching.

Conch-Crest made a vow, and the Tathagata confirmed it with his seal and declared that, in the Dharma-ending age, heavenly demons and adherents of heterodox paths would deceive living beings, dividing and transforming themselves into hundreds of thousands of forms throughout Jambudvipa. Therefore, the strange and monstrous manifestations troubling living beings should be swept away, so that calamities and afflictions may cease to exist.

At that time, after the Great Divine King had spoken this sutra and mantra, the weapons held in his eight hands and the Tathagata’s light above his crown disappeared. The purple-golden radiance gathered close around the golden coffin. That light gradually entered the bodily form of the Tathagata.

The sky above was silent and still—truly the wondrous existence of genuine emptiness. At that time, Mahakashyapa, still far from the Buddha and abiding on Mount Kukkutapada, perceived the distressing event and returned with his disciples one morning.

Then hundreds of thousands of cords bound the body of the Blessed One, and the radiant golden coffin naturally rose aloft. All four gates of the city of Kushinagara were tightly closed. The dhutanga practitioner held straw, and the fire of samadhi ignited by itself.

Eighty-four thousand manifestations of the true relics spread throughout all places, and precious stupas appeared from that time onward. They were divided between two places, the heavens and the palaces of the nagas, where they remained. When Maitreya Buddha appears in the world, Mahakashyapa will bring forth his body and pay homage.

Faithfully accept, uphold, and practice it, relying upon the transmitted sutra for recitation. In their compassionate kindness, the Buddhas have shown us our errors. Vow that the beings of the four modes of birth shall together realize the one place, which is created by mind alone. This is truly real, without a single false word, and the eight consciousnesses unfold like lotus blossoms.

When the many illnesses that arise encounter excellent medicine, one now lives here joyfully and happily, and all troubles are dispelled. Living beings who have not yet awakened should themselves seek to escape from darkness, because the foundation of perfect illumination is freely present within themselves.

The merit of recollecting the Buddha brings benefit throughout the Dharma realm. The sentient beings of the inexhaustible worlds throughout the ten directions, upon hearing the Buddha’s words, immediately bring the three evil paths to an end. Each receives this beneficent grace and is invited to return to their original abode.

Verses of the Sutra of the Esoteric-Traces Vajra-Warrior, the Great-Power Divine King

The End