Kim Cang Bí Mật Thiện Môn Đà La Ni Kinh

Thus have I heard. At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling beneath the Bodhi tree together with a company of great disciples, foremost among whom were Shariputra and Maudgalyayana. There were also immeasurable great bodhisattva mahasattvas named Vajra-Banner Bodhisattva, Vajragarbha Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, and the Great Beings of the Auspicious Kalpa, who were likewise foremost among the assembly.

At that time, Vajraguhyaka Bodhisattva, relying upon the Buddha’s awe-inspiring spiritual power, spoke these words: “May the Blessed One distinguish and expound the Dharani of the Excellent Gateway as a great illumination for the world. May it eradicate harm, evil companions, and malicious beings such as devas, nagas, yakshas, rakshasas, kumbhandas, humans and nonhumans; great spirits and ghosts that delight in consuming human vital essence; heterodox practitioners, poison sorcery, enemies, deceitful flatterers who lie in wait, and those who bring about misfortune—in such circumstances where there is no one to give protection.

The Tathagata, in his great loving-kindness, should eliminate these terrors and securely establish sentient beings upon pure ground, protecting them constantly while walking, standing, lying down, and sitting, and even in dreams, so that they are not afflicted by anxiety or distress. For the sake of these benefits, I now entreat the Great Compassionate Tamer to teach it. He should also protect the minds of followers of the Mahayana and make them steadfast, so that their practice of merit and wisdom does not regress, all harm is eliminated, and their lives do not end prematurely.”

After Vajraguhyaka Bodhisattva had thus entreated the Buddha, he gazed reverently upon the honored countenance with a mind of yearning expectation.

Then the Blessed One, the Great Compassionate Guide, emitted a voice like mighty thunder that resounded throughout the worlds and praised Vajraguhyaka Bodhisattva: “Excellent! Excellent, good man! You are indeed a true bodhisattva. Wishing sentient beings to attain peace and happiness, you have asked this question. For the sake of all sentient beings, I shall now teach this Dharani of the Excellent Gateway.”

Vajraguhyaka then experienced unprecedented joy and said: “May you compassionately and clearly distinguish it!”

The Blessed One said to the Great Being: “Listen! Listen well! Consider it carefully! I shall explain its meaning for you.”

Vajraguhyaka replied: “I wish to receive the teaching.”

The spell was then spoken:

“Đát điệt tha: Ẩu cứu mâu cứu, ma tỳ ni, ma đà ni, bàn la già, ngâm na hưu, hưu hưu lợi, bạt đa, sa ha.”

After the Blessed One had spoken this Consecration Dharani, he further proclaimed these dharani phrases:

“Đát điệt tha: Bạt xà, bạt xà, bạt xà đạt lê, bạt xà ba phiếm, bạt xà tỳ phiếm, bạt xà đại địa, già ca la bạt thời, già ca la đạt lê, đạt lê, đạt lê, bạt lê, mâu lê, già lệ, hưu hưu lợi, ba già, tần tỳ lê, lê lê ni, lưu lưu chí, già lê, chu lê, mâu lê, mạn trà lê.”

Upholding this name skillfully eliminates all evil offenses and also eliminates all four hundred illnesses. It can also prevent a person’s life from ending prematurely.

“Đát điệt tha: Ma trà ni, già già la ni, mâu trà ni, tăng ba la, mâu trà ni, na xa ni, na xa ni, na xa ni, bà đà ni, xí chân đâu, xí chân đâu, tỳ lê, ma lê, ha đà ni, bạt lê bà lê, bà địa tỳ, địa tỳ lê, lưu sa lê, xa la ninh la hòa ninh, la hòa na trà xà, bạt la ma giá lê na, y đà la bà phiếm địa, địa la xà ni, na mô ma hê xà bà la, lê sư bà ma hô ni, bà bà diêm ma hô ni, ca la bà địa, hô thí bà địa, tô ma bà phiếm, tô ma bà la tỳ sa ha.

Đa điệt tha: Ha la, ha la, hy la y đại ma bà giá ba già bà, sa ha. Ca điệt đa, a vãn na, a lê xà bà ni, ca già đại ni, a đa trà ha ni, mạt già tỳ, lô ha ni, hưu sa bà phiếm, hô sa bà phiếm, hy lợi, hy lợi, hy lợi, xà tha thời xà tha kỳ ni, xà tha ba xà giá, xà tha bà diễm, xà tha bà lam, xà tha hy lợi đam, sa ha.”

The Blessed One then spoke this Vajra Secret Dharani of the Excellent Gateway so that humans and devas might obtain great benefit, forever depart from suffering and calamity, and constantly abide in peace and happiness. Dharanis upheld in this manner were proclaimed and taught by the Buddhas of the past. The Buddhas of the present and future likewise proclaim them.

The Buddha told Vajraguhyaka Bodhisattva: “Good man! Out of great compassion and sympathy for all sentient beings, I now teach it.”

When the Blessed One spoke this dharani, from the invisible crown protuberance upon his ushnisha appeared the mark of a Great Person, radiating majestic and brilliant light that universally illuminated immeasurable worlds throughout the ten directions. At that time, those Buddha lands also naturally emitted extraordinarily beautiful and rare rays of light that dispelled every darkness.

Humans, devas, and other beings throughout the ten directions all saw this sign. Their minds filled with wonder, they thought: “What causes the light of this sign to appear and pervade the worlds?”

The Buddhas then told their assemblies: “Good men! Listen! There is a Buddha realm called Saha. Its Buddha is named Shakyamuni Tathagata. Out of great compassion and sympathy for all sentient beings, and wishing to bring them peace and happiness, he is teaching this Dharani of the Excellent Gateway.”

When those assemblies heard their Buddhas describe the awe-inspiring virtue of Shakyamuni, they praised him in unison: “Rare indeed is Shakyamuni! Excellent! In the Saha world he can arouse great compassion and, to bring peace to devas and humans, teach this dharani. This dharani is rare indeed. It is truly signless and is proclaimed by genuine wisdom. We joyfully vow to cultivate it diligently. Having obtained this dharani, we too shall act in the same way, arousing great compassion and teaching sentient beings.”

The Buddhas praised them: “Excellent! Excellent, good men! Those wishing to practice this Dharani of the Excellent Gateway should always, in the early morning, clean their teeth with a tooth-stick, bathe, rinse their mouths, burn incense, scatter flowers, collect the mind, and recite it without allowing the mind to wander among its objects. Why? This is a dharani proclaimed and taught by the Buddhas of the three times. You must remember it and practice according to the teaching. The five pungent plants, alcohol, and meat must not pass your lips. Maintain pure conduct in the mind, cast off conditions of attachment, and recite it in a secluded place. It can cause practitioners to attain great merit and boundless wisdom.

“Those wishing to practice the Dharani of the Excellent Gateway should make a vow never to forget it until they attain Buddhahood. Always recite it once in the early morning. If seeking the fulfillment of a present aspiration, practice diligently for seven days and seven nights, and no result will fail to be attained. The sole exception is one burdened by grave offenses from past lives; in this life, a brief period alone cannot entirely exhaust them. Yet there is no other karma that cannot be eliminated. By cultivating every good deed up to nirvana, one can fully obtain twenty kinds of merit.

“What are the twenty? They are: longevity to the end of one’s natural lifespan, renown, abundant necessities of life, beauty, strength, freedom from illness, courage, vigor, mindfulness and protection by the Buddhas, a gentle and well-regulated mind, support and protection by devas, aspiration to practice wholesome conduct, contemplation of profound meaning, diligent advancement without indolence, a radiant countenance, joyfulness, complete excellent marks, eloquence, fearlessness, and increase and fulfillment of roots of virtue. Therefore, the Blessed One teaches this Secret and Profound Dharani of the Excellent Gateway. You should remember it and practice it with utmost sincerity. Why? Among all dharanis, this dharani is truly auspicious.”

At that time, Vajraguhyaka Bodhisattva addressed the Buddha: “Blessed One! I now compassionately remember and protect all sentient beings so that they attain peace and happiness, are freed from sorrow and distress, and give no opportunity to any evil.

“Đát điệt tha: Ni xí, ni xí, chí, chí, chí, chí, bà, bà, bà, bà, lưu, lưu, lưu, lưu, thời, thời, thời, thời, ca la, ca la, ca la, ca la, hy lợi, hy lợi, hy lợi, hy lợi, phả, phả, phả, phả, ma, ma, ma, ma, ha na, ha na, ha na, ha na, đại ha, đại ha, đại ha, đại ha, bà vãn, a già gia, hy đế lợi, sa ha.”

The Blessed One then praised Vajraguhyaka: “Excellent! Excellent! Great Being, you have well spoken this spell of great awe-inspiring spiritual power. It protects everyone and brings them peace, benefits their vital essence, and gives evil humans, nonhumans, and beings who steal vital essence no opportunity to act.”

_ Then Great Brahma, King of Devas, together with his retinue, rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms reverently, and addressed the Buddha: “Blessed One! I too wish to rejoice in and assist those who receive, uphold, read, and recite the Dharani of the Excellent Gateway, increasing their lifespans, beauty, and strength; removing decline and misfortune from sentient beings; and ensuring that no lurking being obtains an opportunity to harm them. May the Blessed One compassionately support me so that my wish may be fulfilled.

“Đa điệt tha: Hy lợi, di lợi, phiếm lợi, sa ha. Bạt lam, ma tỳ, bà la yết đế, phát ba tăng đa lê, sa ha.”

If any good man or good woman wishes to practice this dharani, that person should always rise early, bathe and rinse the mouth until clean, and then recite it with the utmost sincerity.

_ At that time, Shakra, Lord of Devas, rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha: “Blessed One! I too wish to protect all sentient beings and give no opportunity to evil humans or nonhumans who steal vital essence.”

He then spoke these dharani phrases:

“Đa điệt tha: Tỳ ni bà la ni, bà đại la ma lăng trì, điệt trí trí, cù lê càn đà lê, bà la ma la phiếm, ha na ma đam đa la ni, đại la ma lợi ni, giá ca la bà xí, đàm bà lê, đàm bà lê, sa ha.”

To practice this spell method, one should always purify oneself in the early morning and then recite it with the utmost sincerity.

_ Then the four Heavenly Kings rose from their seats, bared their right shoulders, joined their palms toward the Buddha, and said: “We too wish to protect all sentient beings and give no opportunity to evil humans, nonhumans, or lurking beings intent upon evil.

“Đa điệt tha: Phất bi, phất bi, tu phất bi, đầu ma ba lê ha ly, a lợi dạ bà la phiếm, thiên phiếm niết mục phiếm, mạt già lê đa đẩu phiếm đẩu, sa ha.”

This spell should always be recited with the utmost sincerity after one has purified oneself in the early morning.

At that time, Shakyamuni Buddha raised his right hand and praised Brahma, Shakra, and the four Heavenly Kings: “Excellent! Excellent! You have skillfully proclaimed these dharani phrases upheld by the Buddhas.”

The Blessed One then told Vajraguhyaka Bodhisattva: “Good man! If anyone hears the Dharani of the Excellent Gateway and has no doubt in mind, then, after purifying the three karmas in the early morning, recites it with the utmost sincerity, the merit attained cannot be calculated.”

THE VAJRA SECRET SUTRA OF THE DHARANI OF THE EXCELLENT GATEWAY (End)