Toh 684The Dhāraṇī, The Questions of Nārāyaṇa

An Exposition of the Nārāyaṇaparipṛcchādhāraṇī Sūtra

Dhāraṇī—The Questions of Nārāyaṇa

Background

The scripture The Questions of Nārāyaṇa (Nārāyaṇaparipṛcchādhāraṇī) belongs to the Tantra section of the Kangyur and represents the Vajrayāna tradition that developed from Indian Buddhism. This scripture records a dialogue between the Buddha and the bodhisattva Nārāyaṇa (Nārāyaṇa Bodhisattva), a sacred figure associated with protective strength and the power of liberation in the Vajrayāna tradition.

Within the Vajrayāna context, dhāraṇīs—incantations and secret mantras—are not ordinary verses or songs, but mystical formulas containing profound principles concerning buddha-nature (Buddhatā). The appearance of Nārāyaṇa in this scripture carries symbolic meaning: the bodhisattva represents cosmic power and protective wisdom, key elements in Vajrayāna practice. The scripture is preserved in the Kangyur—the Tibetan collection translated from original Sanskrit texts—reflecting the transmission of the Buddhist tradition from India.

Main Content

The scripture opens with the Buddha teaching the Dharma at a sacred place, where Nārāyaṇa Bodhisattva poses profound questions concerning the nature of dhāraṇī and the method of practice for attaining spiritual power. These questions are not ordinary inquiries, but requests for instruction (pariprchchā), a traditional form in Buddhist scripture intended to clarify profound points of the Dharma.

The Buddha responds by proclaiming a sacred dhāraṇī—a secret mantra formula said to contain the entire essence of the Buddhadharma. This dhāraṇī is not merely a continuous sequence of sounds, but a manifestation of awakening (bodhi) and the Buddha’s protective power. In the Vajrayāna tradition, dhāraṇī is regarded as a powerful instrument of practice capable of transforming consciousness and liberating practitioners from the bonds of ignorance (avidyā).