佛說北斗七星延命經

1) The Star Tham Lang (Greedy Wolf)

2) The Star Cự Môn (Great Gate)

3) The Star Lộc Tồn (Preserving Prosperity)

4) The Star Văn Khúc (Literary Melody)

5) The Star Liêm Trinh (Pure Integrity)

6) The Star Vũ Khúc (Martial Melody)

7) The Star Phá Quân (Destroyer of Armies)

_ Those born in the hour of the Rat (or the year of the Rat) are born facing toward this star (the Star Tham Lang). Their Allotted Sustenance is: millet (Thử — the Yellow Grain variety). Should they meet with calamity, they should make offerings to this Sutra and wear the Talisman of their Governing Star, and they will obtain great auspiciousness.

_ Those born in the hour of the Ox and the hour of the Pig are likewise born facing toward this star (the Star Cự Môn). Their Allotted Sustenance is: chestnuts. Should they meet with calamity, they should make offerings to this Sutra and wear the Talisman of their Governing Star, and they will obtain great auspiciousness.

_ Those born in the hour of the Tiger and the hour of the Dog are likewise born facing toward this star (the Star Lộc Tồn). Their Allotted Sustenance is: non-glutinous rice (Cánh mễ). Should they meet with calamity, they should make offerings to this Sutra and wear the Talisman of their Governing Star, and they will obtain great auspiciousness.

_ Those born in the hour of the Hare and the hour of the Rooster are likewise born facing toward this star (the Star Văn Khúc). Their Allotted Sustenance is: small beans (Tiểu Đậu). Should they meet with calamity, they should make offerings to this Sutra and wear the Talisman of their Governing Star, and they will obtain great auspiciousness.

_ Those born in the hour of the Dragon and the hour of the Monkey are likewise born facing toward this star (the Star Liêm Trinh). Their Allotted Sustenance is: sesame seeds (Ma Tử). Should they meet with calamity, they should make offerings to this Sutra and wear the Talisman of their Governing Star, and they will obtain great auspiciousness.

_ Those born in the hour of the Snake and the hour of the Goat are likewise born facing toward this star (the Star Vũ Khúc). Their Allotted Sustenance is: large beans (Đại Đậu). Should they meet with calamity, they should make offerings to this Sutra and wear the Talisman of their Governing Star, and they will obtain great auspiciousness.

_ Those born in the hour of the Horse are born facing toward this star (the Star Phá Quân). Their Allotted Sustenance is: small beans. Should they meet with calamity, they should make offerings to this Sutra and wear the Talisman of their Governing Star, and they will obtain great auspiciousness.

_ Homage to the Star Tham Lang, who is the Tathāgata Buddha Vận Ý Thông Chứng (Penetrating Realization of the Moving Mind), dwelling in the World of Supreme Victory in the Eastern Quarter.

_ Homage to the Star Cự Môn, who is the Tathāgata Buddha Quang Âm Tự Tại (Sovereign Light and Sound), dwelling in the World of Wondrous Jewels in the Eastern Quarter.

_ Homage to the Star Lộc Tồn, who is the Tathāgata Buddha Kim Sắc Thành Tựu (Golden-Hued Accomplishment), dwelling in the World of Perfect Fullness in the Eastern Quarter.

_ Homage to the Star Văn Khúc, who is the Tathāgata Buddha Tối Thắng Cát Tường (Supremely Victorious Auspiciousness), dwelling in the World Free of Sorrow in the Eastern Quarter.

_ Homage to the Star Liêm Trinh, who is the Tathāgata Buddha Quảng Đạt Trí Biện (Vast and Penetrating Wisdom and Eloquence), dwelling in the World of Tranquil Abiding in the Eastern Quarter.

_ Homage to the Star Vũ Khúc, who is the Tathāgata Buddha Pháp Hải Du Hý (Playful Sport in the Ocean of Dharma), dwelling in the World of the Dharma-Mind in the Eastern Quarter.

_ Homage to the Star Phá Quân, who is the Tathāgata Buddha Dược Sư Lưu Ly Quang (Medicine Master of Lapis-Lazuli Radiance), dwelling in the World of Lapis Lazuli in the Eastern Quarter.

If one encounters a year of disaster or a month of calamity, one should pay homage to this Sutra with seven bows.

At that time the Buddha addressed the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, saying: "This Sutra that has been spoken possesses great majestic spiritual power and great majestic might; it is able to rescue all sentient beings from grave offenses and able to extinguish all karmic hindrances.

If there be a bhikṣu, a bhikṣuṇī, a high official, a layman, a good son or a virtuous woman — whether wealthy and noble (rich) or poor and lowly (humble), with a life-destiny great or small — all are subject to the governance (jurisdiction) of the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper. If one hears this Sutra and upholds it, makes offerings to it, and recites it in turn; and exhorts one's friends (sworn companions), kinsmen, and blood relations to uphold it, then in this present life one obtains blessings, and in the life to come one is reborn in the heavenly realms.

If a good son or a virtuous woman has a deceased one (a Departed Ancestor) who has fallen into the hells or who undergoes every manner of confinement and suffering: if such a one hears this Sutra and reverently makes offerings to it, then that deceased one will at once be released from the realm of the hells and reborn in the World of Ultimate Bliss.

If there be a good son or a virtuous woman who is invaded by demons and goblins, harassed by malignant Māras, or troubled by evil and uncanny dreams that terrify the soul and spirit: if such a one hears this Sutra and upholds it and makes offerings to it, then the soul and spirit will at once attain peace and security, and forever be without any fear.

If a good son or a virtuous woman, bearing the body of an officer, receives a command to set forth on a military campaign (to march in war): if such a one encounters this Sutra and with faith and reverence makes offerings to it, then at once such a one will be advanced to a high officer's rank, attaining great auspiciousness indeed.

If a good son or a virtuous woman is bound by bodily illness and wishes to seek relief and the ending of sickness, then such a one should, in a quiet chamber, burn incense and make offerings to this Sutra, and will be freed from every illness and disease.

If a good son or a virtuous woman wishes to advance and prosper, to set forth and manage affairs, to seek wealth so that it accords with their wishes, and to make trade flourish: if such a one encounters this Sutra and with faith and reverence makes offerings to it, then at once their seeking of wealth will be as they wish, and their going out and coming in will be greatly auspicious.

If a good son or a virtuous woman raises silkworms that are spoiled and lost, and whose six domestic animals are not at peace: such a one should, in a quiet chamber, burn incense and make offerings to this Sutra, and at once the silkworm fields will be as they wish, the six domestic animals will be full and abundant, forever without loss and without any calamitous hindrance.

If there be a woman with child who, through all the months, has difficulty: if she encounters this Sutra and with faith and reverence makes offerings to it, then mother and child will at once be delivered, and calamity will be dispelled. Whether she bears a son or a daughter, the child will receive the reward of being upright in form and long of life.

If a good son or a virtuous woman knows that the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper govern the life-destinies of human beings, then in the course of one lifetime — all calamities and disasters, slander and rumor, and the hundred uncanny affairs — if such a one encounters this Sutra and with faith and reverence makes offerings to it, then there will not be a single thing able to bring them harm."

At that time, when Mañjuśrī had finished speaking, the good sons and virtuous women all reverently believed and received it, paid homage, and then dispersed.

THE SUTRA SPOKEN BY THE BUDDHA ON PROLONGING LIFE THROUGH THE SEVEN STARS OF THE NORTHERN DIPPER

(The End)