Toh 752The Dhāraṇī of Vajrājita, who is Bewildering Like Fire
Pāli / Sanskrit:Vajrājitānalapramohanī dhāraṇī
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Exposition of the Esoteric Scripture: Vajrājita’s Demon-Subduing Mantra
Background
The scripture The Demon-Subduing Mantra of Vajrājita, Who Is Empowered Like Raging Fire (Vajrājitānalapramohanī dhāraṇī) belongs to the Vajrayāna—the highest level of Esoteric Buddhism in Indian Buddhism—and is preserved in the Kangyur, the collection of the Buddha’s teachings in the Tibetan tradition.
Vajrājita is a compelling bodhisattva, honored in Esoteric Buddhist rites as an embodiment of the power that dispels obstacles. The image “like raging fire” (anala-pramohanī) does not signify heartless cruelty, but blazing wisdom that shatters all ignorance and demonic hindrances. In the Esoteric Buddhist context, this fire is the light of wisdom (prajñā), possessing the power to consume all external and internal demonic hindrances.
This scripture takes the form of a mantra (dhāraṇī)—a quintessential formula of sacred sound taught by the Buddha to transmit the spiritual power of Vajrājita himself. In the Tibetan tradition, a dhāraṇī is regarded as a Dharma body (dharmakāya) embodied in sound, replete with the power to transform the cosmos.
Principal Content
Vajrājita’s mantra has been transmitted with all its sections: the declaration of the name (abhisaṃcetanā), the section on subjugation and merit, and the principal extended mantra. The specific content of this scripture has not yet been fully translated, but according to the general Esoteric Buddhist context, this mantra contains sacred seed syllables (bīja-mantra) such as “Om” (OM—the jewel of mind), “Vaj” (Vajra—the indestructible nature), and “Ā” (the wisdom that is neither born nor extinguished).
The typical Esoteric Buddhist structure includes: (1) the declaration of Vajrājita’s aspiration when he vows to protect practitioners; (2) the description of the merit of destroying obstacles—from demons that disturb the mind, to epidemics, and even the fundamental ignorance that obscures consciousness; and (3) the principal mantra, usually comprising 108 or 200 words, which is repeated to enhance the efficacy of the practice.
The meaning of “raging fire”
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