Toh 460aThe Dhāraṇī “Dream Visions”

Summary

The Dhāraṇī “Dream Visions” presents a
dhāraṇī and a short ritual for producing visions in dreams.

Acknowledgements

This publication was completed under the patronage and supervision of
84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha.

The text was translated, edited, and introduced by the 84000 translation
team. Bruno Galasek-Hul produced the translation and wrote the introduction.
Ryan Damron edited the translation and the introduction, and Dawn Collins
copyedited the text. Martina Cotter was in charge of the digital publication
process.

Introduction

The Dhāraṇī “Dream Visions” is a dhāraṇī
taught in conjunction with a short ritual. It is to be performed before going to
sleep at night. The rite begins with an homage to the Three Jewels and
Vajrapāṇi, who is here called “the great yakṣa general,” after which the dhāraṇī
formula is taught. The attendant ritual is then explained, which consists of
drinking water from one’s cupped hands after it has been incanted with the
dhāraṇī. The text then concludes with the confirmation that Vajrapāṇi will cause
one to have a dream when this rite is carried out.

There are no known extant Sanskrit versions of this text, nor was it
translated into Chinese. There are likewise no known references to this specific
text in Indian commentaries. There is, however, a passage preserved in The Wish-fulfilling Virtuous Cow,
composed by Nāgārjuna. This includes an almost identical dhāraṇī that is also
used for eliciting dream visions. The rite that follows the dhāraṇī described in
that text differs considerably and features Avalokiteśvara rather than
Vajrapāṇi.

None of the extant versions of this Dhāraṇī include a translators’
colophon, nor is it recorded in the catalogs of translations from the Tibetan
imperial period. It is therefore difficult to determine who translated this
tantra and when it was translated.

This English translation is based on the two versions of the text
preserved in the Degé Kangyur. In addition, we have also consulted the
Comparative Edition (dpe bsdur
ma) of the Degé Kangyur and the versions from the Narthang and
Stok Palace Kangyurs. The dhāraṇī is rendered as it appears in the version from
the tantra section of the Degé Kangyur without emendation.

The Translation

The Dhāraṇī “Dream Visions”

Homage to the Three Jewels!

Homage to the great yakṣa general, the
fierce Vajrapāṇi!

oṁ mucini svāhā | mukhese
svāhā | mohani svāhā | dantiri svāhā

This rite is as follows: One should incant a handful of water and
drink it. Then, when one falls asleep with intent, Vajrapāṇi will reveal a
dream.

The Dhāraṇī “Dream Visions” is
complete.

Notes

Abbreviations

N
Nartang Kangyur

S
Stok Palace Kangyur

Bibliography