佛說持明藏八大總持王經

At that time the World-Honored One, for the sake of beings of the latter age, proclaimed the Sūtra of the King of the Eight Great Dhāraṇīs of the Vidyādhara Treasury, to help practitioners among the fourfold assembly in future times bring benefit to all beings, and even to bring the various siddhis to accomplishment.

The Buddha taught: "If there be a practitioner who gives rise to a heroic, firm, and non-retreating mind, and who cultivates in accord with the Eight Great Dhāraṇīs, he must first purify body and mind, keeping inner and outer dignified and pure, and until accomplishment is reached he must not allow any interruption. If there be even a brief interruption, then accomplishment cannot be obtained. If he wishes to practice, then each time before reciting he must first invoke:

"Namo to all Buddhas and to the holy assembly of the Dharma."

Having thus taken refuge in the Three Jewels, with a mind of utmost sincerity let him then recite. Thus is the dhāraṇī spoken:

Nẵng mồ A trí phạ trí Nẵng trí tra kế Trá ra kế trá kế Ô ra ma đế Rô rô ma đế Đổ rô hê lệ Di lệ tất lị phạ nhạ na vĩ ba na nga Nẵng mồ tát lị phạ Tam ma tam một đà nẵng tất điện đô mãn đát ra ba nẵng Tóa ha.

This dhāraṇī was proclaimed by the World-Honored Ones, the Two-Footed Ones, the past immeasurable Perfectly Awakened Ones. If one wishes to practice on behalf of beings the rites of calming calamities, of increase and benefit, and of protection, one must first recite it until truly proficient, so that it has great power of merit; only thereafter may one perform it for the sake of beings.

This dhāraṇī rite may be performed in the season of Autumn, when it has great power of merit. At that time, performing the rite and reciting is more easily brought to accomplishment, and it is able to dispel the eight great terrors. Moreover, if there be beings who constantly recite it, they will always be protected, at peace and joy day and night; all that is inauspicious will withdraw far away, their merit and virtue will increase, and they will have none of the various sufferings and afflictions.

Whether within a royal city, or amid weapons of war, should one wish to escape such various calamities and hardships, let one select a good day and hour. Reciting and performing the rite at the hour of Noon, one will attain liberation. It is further able to dispel the various spells of the devas, nāgas, ghosts, and spirits.

By the power of recitation, even a withered tree can again give forth flowers and fruit; it further causes the one who recites to attain the knowledge of former lives, knowing immeasurable past matters.

Next is spoken the dhāraṇī:

Phổ câu nhập phạ lệ Phổ câu nhập phạ lệ Tam giả thế ma hạ tát mãn đa ma ha Nhập phạ lệ đế hộ kế Mục kế hộ kế mục kế ma hạ Thiết đoãn nĩ ra di đa giả Thiết tê xá đổ ma hạ Nhập phạ lệ Nhập pha la Đế tất địa tha tàng tả ma ra nĩ nã Tóa ha.

This dhāraṇī was proclaimed by the youth Hành Luân Hồi Nghĩa Thành (the Prince Accomplished in the Meaning of the Wheel of Cyclic Existence). One may in the tenth month perform the rite of recitation; for the sake of beings one brings benefit, and one will obtain immeasurable pure fruits of recompense.

Next is spoken the dhāraṇī:

Tô na thế Tô phệ na na Si ô na Si niết lí Si bà nhạ nễ đà mạt lệ Tha mạt nẵng trí Phạ trí đát bố rô Nẵng tra phạ tra nễ Na thế y ca tạt ra mạo địa tát tế nã ra kha Tất địa tạt nê hế đoãn nê vĩ Tóa ha.

This dhāraṇī belongs to the Pratyekabuddhas, who proclaimed it. One may in the season of Winter seek out a pure place and perform the rite of recitation; it has the power to protect all beings.

Next is spoken the dhāraṇī:

Đa ra tức rô rô Tức rô phệ rô phệ Ra tra kế hê lệ Di lệ đế lệ Thỉ lệ nẵng trí câu nẵng trí A nẵng mạt đế Ma nẵng mạt đế Lộ lệ ca ta ca tất ca ta thỉ la Lộ la ma đà ô mạt giả ni Phả ta phả tế Úm Vĩ bà phạ đế Tóa ha.

This dhāraṇī was proclaimed by a hundred koṭis of Arhats; it is able to protect all beings and to keep them far from fear. This rite may be recited in the season of Spring, performing the rites of calming calamities and of increase and benefit, and accomplishment is decidedly attained. If one acts in accord with the rite without omission, and one's meritorious practice does not regress, one is able to conceal one's body so that none can see it.

Next is spoken the Heart-dhāraṇī:

Úm Án đa nại phạ di vĩ bà phạ tô Tóa ha.

As for this Heart-vidyā: if there be something one seeks, and one further invokes the name and recites it nine lakṣas (nine hundred thousand times), then the thing one seeks is decidedly fulfilled according to one's wish. When the count is completed, prepare in full the various incenses, flowers, lamps, and candles to make offerings to the Buddha, the Dharma, the Saṅgha, the Bodhisattvas, the Pratyekabuddhas, the Śrāvakas, and so forth.

If one goes begging for food, one should hold the bowl and go toward the North, and arriving at the villages beg in turn, taking seven houses as the set limit, not to be exceeded. As for those seven houses, after they have given alms, seven generations of their lineage will obtain merit. As for flowers for offering, one may seek the karavīra flower and the nāga flower, which are supreme.

Next is spoken the dhāraṇī:

Ta phạ nễ Ta phạ nễ Ta phạ nẵng Mục khế rô bán di tăng hế Ma hạ ca ba nĩ Úm Tức lệ di lệ Úm Ca y đệ vĩ nễ ngu hạ mãm Tha nẵng giả Tóa ha.

This dhāraṇī was proclaimed by the Srotāpannas. In the season of Summer one may perform the rite to accomplish what is sought. To perform this rite one must seek a charnel forest (a forest where corpses are abandoned), or the two banks of a river, or upon a bridge, and there establish the altar and recite.

Or, performing the rite of protection on behalf of another, one first seeks a pure maiden to spin thread and string a rosary. Reciting one lakṣa, the thing one seeks is accomplished. Or, taking blood from beneath one's own left ribs, blend it with the white lotus and perform the homa, reciting the mantra eight hundred times, and the thing one seeks is accomplished. Or, taking the left eyeball of a dead black kitten, or of a dead pig, or of a dead person, and so forth, grind and blend it with the Three Metals to make a pill, and with the water of the sāla tree drink it down, and the thing one seeks is decidedly accomplished.

Next is spoken the dhāraṇī:

A ca tê ca tế Nẵng ca tế Nga nã ca la tế Bát ra nã na đán bát ra Nã na phạ đát phạ Úm Vĩ đà ma hạ Vĩ đà tế Na bế đa na bế Rô rô nhị hế Tức lệ di lệ A nhĩ đa nhĩ nã lị dã di đồ dã Nẵng mồ tát lị phạ Một đà tam một địa Tam bà phạ nẫm Tóa ha.

This dhāraṇī was spoken by the Invincible Bodhisattva (Aparājita). If there be one who with utmost mind recites and upholds it for the span of a year, he will decidedly attain surpassing strength of complexion, auspiciousness and ease, perfect in merit and virtue, and a fine and excellent renown will spread far.

Again, next is spoken the dhāraṇī:

Nẵng mồ ra đát nẵng Đát ra dạ dã Nằng mồ na nga di tỉ Nẵng mồ ra cu xá phạ lị duệ Nẵng mồ đà đổ tỳ dược ca duệ duệ A nẵng bế vĩ nhạ nễ Cụ cụ ô một đà Khư nga tát yết ra Tóa ha.

This dhāraṇī was proclaimed by the Anāgāmins; it is able to relieve all suffering of illness. If there be a sick and ailing person, let the practitioner grasp that person's hand and recite this mantra, empowering it within milk and water for the person to drink, and empowering it within the water for the person's bath; even should his life be about to end, he too will be healed. Or, reciting the mantra into the medicine Ma-nẳng-y-la and placing it into the ear-canal, he too will be cured and healed.

If there be any practitioner who has already before this cultivated and upheld this mantra, and who now wishes to seek siddhi, let him hold the rosary or hold the wheel, and merely recite in accord with the rite. Even should that practitioner be without merit, yet by the awesome power of the mantra he will obtain accomplishment.

Again, next is spoken the dhāraṇī:

Ba tán nễ ca la lí Ba tán nễ na ca lí Ba tán nễ ma ca lí Ba tán nễ đa ca lí đa ca lí Ba tán nễ ma lí ca lí Ba tán nễ rô la lí Ba tán nễ Ba tán nẵng ca lí đế Nẵng mồ a tả lị giả ba na nẫm Úm Ba tán nễ tô lộ di kế Tóa ha.

As for this dhāraṇī: when I in former times was still a Bodhisattva named Diệu Huệ Trì Minh Thiên (the Heavenly Vidyādhara of Wondrous Wisdom), I manifested a body among the four-footed kinds and spoke this dhāraṇī in order to bring benefit. If there be one who with utmost mind receives and upholds it, then whatever he aspires to will be fulfilled in full.

If there be beings who have committed the various evil deeds, deserving to fall into the animal realm, then by the power and awesome virtue of this dhāraṇī their former transgressions are extinguished and they are decidedly born among humans and devas. This dhāraṇī has the power to accomplish all undertakings. If, moreover, there be one who wishes to seek the accomplishment of an undertaking, he must cultivate this rite and practice it first, until it is brought to fullness; only thereafter is the object he seeks accomplished.

Before the Great Vidyārāja, at the three times of the day, or at six times, let him recite, taking one thousand recitations at each single time as the limit, not allowing any deficiency, until siddhi. Once siddhi is attained, then the undertaking he sets out to do is brought to fullness.

If one wishes to subdue an enemy, one must sit facing the South, and with the hand trace the head and face of the enemy, pressing upon it while reciting the mantra, and then the enemy subdues himself. If one constantly recites at the three times of the day, one is held in respect by all people. If, sitting facing the South, one takes Ô-ma and performs the homa, then whatever the mind seeks and hopes for, each and every thing is obtained.

If one places a bowl of water upon the ground, and lays the hand upon the bowl to empower the divine mantra, one will decidedly receive offerings from others in great abundance. If one empowers it within butter and eats it, one will forever no longer have the illnesses of heat, cold, and fever, and one's body will constantly be light and at ease.

Moreover, if a woman has no milk to nurse her child, let her empower the divine mantra within butter and salt and eat it, and then she will have milk. If a woman has no children, let her empower the divine mantra within candana flower made into powder, and three times a day apply a mark upon the forehead, or take that medicine and wear it at the neck, or wear it on the arm, and she will decidedly give birth to a child of merit.

If a woman is of fierce and evil disposition, then let the husband recite the mantra to empower her, and at once her disposition will be transformed into one gentle and good. If a husband is of fierce and evil disposition, let the wife recite the divine mantra to empower it within the powder of candana flower and give it to him to eat, and at once they will respect and honor one another.

If a person wading through water reaches the middle of the current, where it is too deep, and the strength of his body is already exhausted, and he thinks he must surely drown, if within his mind he recollects and recites this mantra, he will at once reach the shallows.

Or, empowering a withered tree, it again gives forth flowers and leaves. If one empowers it within a dried-up pond, then the water of itself fills it to overflowing.

Again is spoken the dhāraṇī:

Ta đế a ca trí vĩ ca trí bồ ra ni A nga đế Ta ma hê đế Tất địa Tatam đế Tam ba na noãn Nẵng mồ ta đổ a tả lí a noãn.

As for this dhāraṇī, I once spoke it in former times when I was still the Vidyārāja of Utmost Wrath (Cực Nộ Trì Minh Vương). If there be one who constantly receives and upholds it, he will attain auspiciousness and excellent matters. If there be one who recites it, having first practiced it, then taking the pippala flower and the vĩ-dựng-ma fruit, ground into powder, and blending it together with butter and honey, empower it within milk-water and drink it down; then, reciting for seven days and nights, he attains great intelligence.

If a tiger, jackal, fox, cat, pig, and so forth have died, take the eyeballs and make them into powder; blend these together and make a pill, empower it with the divine mantra, and place it within the nostrils, and one will attain the concealment of the body.

If one takes the Vi Khổ Căn medicine (the Bitter-Root medicine) and blends it together with milk and honey, empowering it with the divine mantra, one may eat it and one's human countenance will not grow old.

Or, going to a charnel forest, or beneath a great tree alone, or at a crossroads where four roads meet—at such a place, fasting from food and reciting—when accomplishment comes, one will be able to go and stand at will within empty space, and one may also fly up to the heavens of the Desire and Form realms. If one attains the accomplishment of the sword, that is supreme.

If one goes to the seashore or to the bank of a great river, constantly eating and drinking milk-water and meat-water, and recites for ten months, day after day in correspondence, with body and mind not regressing, one will decidedly obtain the strange treasures within the rivers and within the seas. If upon a mountain there be a dwelling-place of nāgas, and one constantly eats vegetables and beans and butter, and recites, then the nāgas will come and bestow jeweled treasures, gold and silver.

If beneath an udumbara tree one recites, constantly begging for food and reciting without interruption until accomplishment, then enchanting butter for a moment so that it becomes water, and drinking it in, one will come to understand all the dharmas within the world. If one takes earth and molds a lion and empowers it, then when accomplishment comes one may ride it and fly up to the heavenly realms.

Of such rites as these, in each single rite let one devote oneself wholly to the practice. Wishing to seek accomplishment, one must first carry out the practice to fullness, and only then, in accord with the rite, return and recite eight thousand times, whereupon one will decidedly attain siddhi.

At that time the World-Honored One, having finished proclaiming the Sūtra of the King of the Eight Great Dhāraṇīs of the Vidyādhara Treasury, taught Ānanda, saying: "This secret Dharma—do you skillfully receive and uphold it, causing it to be transmitted in future ages without allowing any interruption. May it bring great benefit to practitioners together with all beings."

Then Ānanda, having received the Buddha's teaching and command, with overflowing joy and gladness made obeisance and withdrew.

The Sūtra of the King of the Eight Great Dhāraṇīs of the Vidyādhara Treasury ends here.

Translated into Vietnamese by the Śramaṇa Thích Viên Đức; this translation has not yet been edited and proofread, on the 21st day of the 6th month of the year Bính Thìn, that is, 17/07/1976.

Data entry: Nguyễn Minh Hoàng