Thiên Thủ Thiên Nhãn Quán Thế Âm Bồ Tát Quảng Đại Viên Mãn Vô Ngại Đại Bi Tâm Đà La Ni Kinh
Chinese title:千手千眼觀世音菩薩廣大圓滿無礙大悲心陀羅尼經
THUS HAVE I HEARD:
At one time, Śākyamuni Buddha was at the Jeweled Adornment Bodhimaṇḍa, in Avalokiteśvara’s palace on Mount Radiant Light. The jeweled lion throne upon which he sat was adorned entirely with immeasurable varieties of wish-fulfilling jewels, and one hundred jeweled banners hung all around it.
At that time, the Tathagata was seated upon the jeweled throne and was about to expound a dhāraṇī. Then countless bodhisattvas assembled together with him.
Their names were: Dhāraṇī King Bodhisattva, Jeweled King Bodhisattva, Medicine King Bodhisattva, Supreme Medicine Bodhisattva, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva, Flower Adornment Bodhisattva, Great Adornment Bodhisattva, Jeweled Treasury Bodhisattva, Virtue Treasury Bodhisattva, Vajra Treasury Bodhisattva, Ākāśagarbha Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva, and others such as these.
All these great bodhisattvas were great Dharma princes who had received consecration.
There were also immeasurable and countless great śrāvakas. All cultivated the practice of an arhat and had attained the Tenth Ground, with Mahākāśyapa as their leader.
There were also immeasurable devas from the Brahmā heavens assembled together, with Śikhin Brahmā as their leader.
There were also immeasurable sons of devas from the heavens of the desire realm assembled together, with the deva prince Gopaka as their leader.
There were also immeasurable assemblies of the Four Heavenly Kings, Protectors of the World, with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the Heavenly King, as their leader.
There were also immeasurable devas, nāgas, swift spirits, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, spirits of doubt, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans assembled together, with the great nāga king Heavenly Virtue as their leader.
There were also immeasurable celestial maidens from the heavens of the desire realm assembled together, with the celestial maiden Childlike Eyes as their leader.
There were also immeasurable spirits of space, spirits of rivers and seas, spirits of springs and headwaters, spirits of ponds and lakes, spirits of medicinal herbs, spirits of forest trees, spirits of dwellings, earth spirits, water spirits, wind spirits, fire spirits, spirits of the land, mountain spirits, stone spirits, palace spirits, and other spirits such as these, all of whom came to the assembly.
DHĀRAṆĪ KING BODHISATTVA REQUESTS THE DHARMA
At that time, from within the great assembly, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva secretly emitted the light of spiritual power, illuminating the lands throughout the ten directions and this trichiliocosm, so that all became golden in color. All the celestial palaces, nāga palaces, and palaces of the venerable spirits shook. Great rivers, small rivers, the oceans, the Iron Encircling Mountains, Mount Sumeru, the Earth Mountains, and the Black Mountains also shook violently. The lights of the sun, moon, fire jewels, and stars all became invisible.
When Dhāraṇī King Bodhisattva saw this rare and wondrous sign, such as had never occurred before, he immediately rose from his seat, joined his palms, and asked the Buddha in verse who had emitted such a sign of spiritual power.
He asked in verse:
"Who on this day has attained perfect enlightenment,
Emitting great radiance throughout this world?
The Buddha lands of the ten directions are all golden,
And the trichiliocosm is likewise so.
Who on this day has attained mastery,
Manifesting this rare and awesome spiritual power?
Boundless Buddha lands all shake,
And the palaces of nāgas and spirits are likewise unsettled.
Now the entire assembly has given rise to doubt,
Not knowing whose power has caused this.
Is it a Buddha, a bodhisattva, or a great śrāvaka,
A Brahmā deva, a heavenly māra, or Śakra?
We reverently beseech the greatly compassionate World-Honored One
To explain the cause of this spiritual manifestation."
THE ORIGIN AND METHOD OF MAKING VOWS
The Buddha told Dhāraṇī King Bodhisattva:
"Good man, you should know that here in this Dharma assembly there is a great bodhisattva named Avalokiteśvara, the Sovereign Lord. For immeasurable kalpas he has perfected great loving-kindness and great compassion and has become skilled in cultivating immeasurable gates of dhāraṇī. Wishing to bring peace and happiness to all sentient beings, he secretly manifested such great spiritual power."
When the Buddha had finished speaking these words, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva rose from his seat, adjusted his robes, faced the Buddha, joined his palms, and said:
"World-Honored One, I possess the Great Compassion Heart Mantra and now wish to proclaim it, so that all sentient beings may attain peace and happiness, be cured of every illness, gain long life and abundant benefits; eradicate all evil karma and grave offenses, escape hindrances and calamities, attain purity in all dharmas, and increase all their merits; accomplish every root of goodness, leave behind all fearful circumstances, and swiftly fulfill all their aspirations. I reverently beseech the World-Honored One, in his loving compassion, to grant permission."
The Buddha said:
"Good man, out of great loving-kindness and compassion, you wish to proclaim this mantra to bring peace and happiness to sentient beings. Now is indeed the time. You should speak it swiftly. The Tathagata will rejoice in accord, and all Buddhas will do likewise."
Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva again said to the Buddha:
"World-Honored One, I recall that immeasurable hundreds of millions of kalpas ago, a Buddha appeared in the world named Thousand-Rayed King, Tathagata of Tranquil Abiding. That Buddha, the World-Honored One, took pity upon me and all sentient beings and therefore proclaimed the Vast, Perfect, Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Mantra.
With his golden-colored hand, he rubbed the crown of my head and spoke these words:
‘Good man, you should receive and uphold this heart mantra, so that in the evil age of the future you may extensively bring peace, happiness, and great benefit to all sentient beings.’
At that time, I had only reached the First Ground, but immediately upon hearing this mantra, I transcended directly to the Eighth Ground.
Then, as joy arose in my heart, I immediately made this vow:
‘In the future, if I am able to bring benefit, peace, and happiness to all sentient beings, may my body immediately become endowed with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes.’
As soon as I had made this vow, my body immediately became fully endowed with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes. Throughout all lands in the ten directions, the earth shook in six ways. One thousand Buddhas throughout the ten directions all emitted light that shone upon my body and illuminated boundless worlds throughout the ten directions.
From then onward, in immeasurable bodhimaṇḍas and immeasurable Dharma assemblies of the Buddhas, I was again able to hear and personally receive and uphold this mantra. My heart became even more joyful, and I rejoiced beyond measure, transcending countless hundreds of millions of kalpas of subtle birth and death.
From that time until now, I have constantly upheld and recited it without ever neglecting it. Because I uphold this mantra, wherever I am born I am always born in the presence of the Buddhas, transformationally born from a lotus flower, and never receive a womb-born body.
If any bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī, upāsaka, upāsikā, boy, or girl wishes to receive, uphold, read, and recite it and to arouse compassion for all sentient beings, that person should first follow me in making these vows:
‘♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I swiftly know all dharmas.
♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I soon open the eye of wisdom.
♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I swiftly liberate all sentient beings.
♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I soon attain skillful means.
♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I swiftly board the vessel of wisdom.
♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I soon cross beyond the sea of suffering.
♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I swiftly attain the Path of Precepts and Samādhi.
♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I soon ascend the mountain of quiescent cessation.
♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I swiftly enter the house of the unconditioned.
♪ Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokiteśvara, may I soon become one with the body of Dharma-nature.
If I turn toward a mountain of blades, the mountain of blades will shatter by itself.
If I turn toward boiling oil, the boiling oil will dry up by itself.
If I turn toward the hells, the hells will dissolve by themselves."
If I turn toward hungry ghosts, the hungry ghosts will naturally become replete.
If I turn toward asuras, their evil minds will naturally be subdued.
If I turn toward animals, they will attain great wisdom.'
After making these vows, one should single-mindedly invoke my name and likewise single-mindedly recollect my original teacher, the Buddha of Infinite Life. Only then should one recite this mantra. If one recites it fully five times every night, one will eliminate the grave offenses accumulated through billions of kalpas of birth and death."
ALL WISHES WILL BE FULFILLED
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva again addressed the Buddha, saying:
"World-Honored One!
If devas or humans uphold and recite the Verses of Great Compassion, then, when their lives approach their end, all the Buddhas of the ten directions will come and take them by the hand. Whichever Buddha-land they wish to be reborn in, they will be reborn there according to their vow."
He again addressed the Buddha, saying:
"World-Honored One!
If any beings who uphold and recite the Great Compassion Mantra should still fall into the three evil destinies, I vow not to attain perfect enlightenment.
If any beings who uphold and recite the Great Compassion Mantra should not be born in the lands of the Buddhas, I vow not to attain perfect enlightenment.
If any beings who uphold and recite the Great Compassion Mantra should not attain immeasurable samadhis and eloquence, I vow not to attain perfect enlightenment.
If any beings who uphold and recite the Great Compassion Mantra should fail to have all their wishes fulfilled in this present life, then this mantra cannot be called the Mantra of the Great Compassionate Heart—except when their wishes are unwholesome or they lack utmost sincerity.
If any woman who is weary of the female body and wishes to obtain a male body upholds and recites the verses of the Great Compassion Mantra, yet in her next life is not transformed from a female body into a male body, I vow not to attain perfect enlightenment. However, if she gives rise to even the slightest doubt, her wish will not be fulfilled.
If any beings encroach upon or squander the property, food, or drink of the Sangha, even if 1,000 Buddhas were to appear in the world, they would have no opportunity to repent. Even if they did repent, their offenses would not be eradicated. But now, when they uphold and recite the Great Compassion Mantra, those offenses will immediately vanish.
If anyone encroaches upon or squanders the property, food, or drink of the Sangha, that person must repent before the spiritual teachers of the ten directions before those offenses can be eradicated. But now, when that person upholds and recites the Great Compassion Mantra, all the Buddhas of the ten directions will immediately come to bear witness, and every karmic obstruction will be eliminated.
All evil karma and grave offenses—such as the ten evil deeds, the five rebellious offenses, insulting others, slandering the Dharma, violating the fast or breaking the precepts, destroying monasteries or stupas, stealing possessions of the Sangha, and defiling practitioners of pure conduct—will all be eradicated.
There is only one exception: if one gives rise to doubt concerning this mantra, then not even minor offenses or light karma can be eradicated, much less grave offenses. Although grave offenses may not be eradicated immediately, one can nevertheless establish the causes and conditions for attaining Buddhahood in the future."
15 KINDS OF GOOD BIRTH AND 15 KINDS OF EVIL DEATH
He again addressed the Buddha, saying:
"World-Honored One! If devas or humans uphold and recite the Mantra of the Great Compassionate Heart, they will obtain 15 kinds of good birth and will not undergo 15 kinds of evil death.
The kinds of evil death are:
1. They will not die from the suffering of hunger or thirst.
2. They will not die from beatings or imprisonment.
3. They will not die at the hands of enemies or adversaries.
4. They will not die amid mutual slaughter in battle.
5. They will not die from tigers, wolves, or savage beasts.
6. They will not die from venomous snakes or scorpions.
7. They will not die by drowning or burning.
8. They will not die from being poisoned.
9. They will not die from harmful sorcery.
10. They will not die from madness or mental derangement.
11. They will not die from collapsing mountains or falling trees.
12. They will not die from curses cast by evil persons.
13. They will not die from malevolent spirits or evil ghosts.
14. They will not die from grave and virulent illnesses.
15. They will not die by taking their own lives.
Whoever upholds and recites the Great Compassion Mantra will not suffer these 15 kinds of evil death and will obtain 15 kinds of good birth, as follows:
1. Wherever they are born, there will always be a virtuous ruler.
2. They will always be born in a wholesome land.
3. They will always be born in an auspicious age.
4. They will always encounter good spiritual friends.
5. Their faculties will always be complete.
6. Their resolve for the Path will be mature.
7. They will not violate the precepts.
8. Their family and associates will be grateful, righteous, and harmonious.
9. Their material goods, food, and drink will always be abundant.
10. They will always receive the respect and assistance of others.
11. Their wealth and treasures will not be plundered by others.
12. All their wishes will be fulfilled.
13. Devas, nagas, and benevolent spirits will always protect them.
14. Wherever they are born, they will see the Buddha and hear the Dharma.
15. Upon hearing the True Dharma, they will immediately comprehend its profound meaning.
Those who uphold and recite the Great Compassion Mantra will obtain these 15 kinds of good birth. All devas and humans should constantly recite and uphold it without giving rise to indolence."
AVALOKITESVARA PROCLAIMS THE GREAT COMPASSION MANTRA
When Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva had spoken these words before the assembly, he joined his palms, stood upright, and gave rise to great compassion for all beings. Smiling, he then proclaimed the wondrous verses of the Vast, Perfect, Unimpeded Mantra of the Great Compassionate Heart.
The mantra was spoken as follows:
|| nam mô hắc ra đát na đa ra dạ da, nam mô a rị da, bà lô yết đế thước bát ra da, bồ đề tát đỏa bà da, ma ha tát đỏa bà da, ma ha ca lô ni ca da, án, tát bàn ra phạt duệ, số đát na đát tỏa, nam mô tất kiết lật đỏa y mông a rị da, bà lô kiết đế thất phật ra lăng đà bà, nam mô na ra cẩn trì, hê rị ma ha bàn đa sa mế, tát bà a tha đậu du bằng, a thệ dựng, tát bà tát đa - na ma bà tát đa - na ma bà già, ma phạt đặc đậu, đát điệt tha, án a bà lô hê, lô ca đế, ca ra đế, di hê rị, ma ha bồ đề tát đỏa, tát bà tát bà, ma la ma la, ma hê ma hê rị đà dựng, cu lô cu lô yết mông, độ lô độ lô phạt xà da đế, ma ha phạt xà da đế, đà ra đà ra, địa rị ni, thất phật ra da, giá la giá la, mạ mạ phạt ma la, mục đế lệ, y hê y hê, thất na thất na, a ra sâm phật ra xá rị, phạt sa phạt sâm, phật ra xá da,
hô lô hô lô ma ra, hô lô hô lô hê rị, ta ra ta ra, tất rị tất rị, tô rô tô rô, bồ đề dạ bồ đề dạ, bồ đà dạ bồ đà dạ, di đế rị dạ, na ra cẩn trì, địa rị sắt ni na, bà dạ ma na, ta bà ha, tất đà dạ, ta bà ha, ma ha tất đà dạ, ta bà ha, tất đà du nghệ, thất bàn ra dạ, ta bà ha, na ra cẩn trì, ta bà ha, ma ra na ra, ta bà ha, tất ra tăng a mục khư da, ta bà ha, ta bà ma ha a tất đà dạ, ta bà ha, giả kiết ra a tất đà dạ, ta bà ha, ba đà ma yết tất đà dạ, ta bà ha, na ra cẩn trì bàn già la dạ, ta bà ha, ma bà rị thắng yết ra dạ, ta bà ha, nam mô hắc ra đát na đa ra dạ da, nam mô a rị da, bà lô kiết đế, thước bàn ra dạ, ta bà ha, án tất điện đô, mạn đa ra, bạt đà dạ, ta bà ha. ||
|| namo ratnatrayāya | nama āryāvalokiteśvarāya bodhisattvāya mahāsattvāya mahākāruṇikāya | oṃ sarva raviye sudhanadasya | nama skṛtvā imaṃ āryāvalokiteśvara raṃdhava | namo narakindi hrīḥ mahāvatsvāme sarva arthāto śubhaṃ | ajeyaṃ sarva sat nama vaṣaṭ namo vāka mavitato | tadyathā oṃ avaloki lokate krate e hrīḥ mahābodhisattva | sarva sarva | mala mala | mahima hṛdayaṃ | kuru kuru karmaṃ | dhuru dhuru vijayate mahāvijayate | dhara dhara | dhṛnī śvarāya | cala cala mama vimala muktele | ehi ehi | śina śina | ārṣaṃ prasari viśva viśvaṃ prasaya | hulu hulu mara | hulu hulu hrīḥ | sara sara | siri siri | suru suru | bodhiya bodhiya | bodhaya bodhaya | maitreya narakindi dhṛṣṇina bhayamana svāhā | siddhāya svāhā mahāsiddhāya svāhā | siddhayoge | śvarāya svāhā | narakindi svāhā | māraṇara svāhā
| śira siṃha mukhāya svāhā | sarva mahā-asiddhāya svāhā | cakra asiddhāya svāhā | padma kastāya svāhā | narakindi vagalāya svāhā | mavari śaṅkharāya svāhā | namo ratnatrayāya | nama āryāvalokiteśvarāya svāhā | oṃ sidhyantu mantra padāya svāhā ||
When Avalokitesvara had finished proclaiming this divine mantra, the great earth trembled in six ways. A rain of precious flowers descended in radiant profusion. All the Buddhas throughout the ten directions rejoiced, while the celestial maras and adherents of heterodox paths were so terrified that their hair stood on end. Everyone in the assembly attained realization of a Fruition. Some attained the Fruition of Stream-Entry. Some attained the Fruition of Once-Returning. Some attained the Fruition of Non-Returning. Some attained the Path of Arhatship. Others attained the First Ground, the Second Ground, the Third Ground, the Fourth Ground, the Fifth Ground, and even the Tenth Ground. Immeasurable sentient beings brought forth the aspiration for the Path.
THE FORM AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DIVINE MANTRA
At that time, the Great Brahma Heaven King rose from his seat, adjusted his robes, respectfully joined his palms, and addressed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva:
“Excellent, O Great Being! From the distant past until now, I have attended immeasurable Dharma assemblies of the Buddhas and heard all manner of Dharmas and dharanis, yet I have never heard these wondrous divine phrases of the Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Mantra. I respectfully beseech the Great Being to explain for me the form and characteristics of this divine mantra. The great assembly and I delight in and wish to hear them.”
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva told the Brahma King:
“You ask this because you wish to employ skillful means to benefit all sentient beings. Now listen attentively. I shall explain it briefly for you.”
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said:
“It is the mind of great loving-kindness and compassion, the mind of equality, the unconditioned mind, the mind free from defilement and attachment, the mind that contemplates emptiness, the reverent mind, the humble mind, the mind free from confusion, the mind unattached to views, and the mind of unsurpassed wisdom.
You should know that minds such as these are precisely the characteristics of this divine mantra. You should cultivate accordingly.”
The Great Brahma Heaven King said:
“The great assembly and I now understand the characteristics of this divine mantra. From this time onward, we shall receive and uphold it and shall never dare forget it.”
A THOUSAND EYES ILLUMINATE AND BEHOLD; A THOUSAND HANDS PROTECT AND SUSTAIN
Avalokitesvara said:
“If any good man or good woman recites and upholds this divine mantra, that person should bring forth the vast aspiration for the Path and vow to liberate all sentient beings. They should observe a vegetarian diet, uphold the precepts, and give rise to a mind of equality toward sentient beings. They should continually recite this mantra without interruption.
They should also bathe and cleanse themselves and put on clean garments. In a pure chamber, they should hang banners and canopies, light lamps, and make offerings of incense, flowers, and food of a hundred flavors. They should gather the mind into a single focus, resolutely free from all other conditions, and recite and uphold it in accordance with the Dharma.
At that time, Sunlight Bodhisattva, Moonlight Bodhisattva, and immeasurable immortals and spirits will come to bear witness and increase its efficacious power.
“At that time, I shall illuminate them with my thousand eyes and support them with my thousand hands. From then onward, they will be able to understand and master all the writings of the world, every occult art of the heterodox paths, and all treatises on the sciences. For one who recites and upholds this divine mantra, all 84,000 kinds of worldly illness will be cured, and there will be no illness that cannot be healed. That person will also be able to command all ghosts and spirits, subdue the celestial maras, and bring the adherents of heterodox paths under control.
“If anyone is reciting sutras or sitting in meditation upon a remote mountain, and mountain spirits, mountain demons, ghosts, spirits, or other monstrous beings come to trouble them and prevent the practitioner’s mind from becoming settled, they should recite this mantra once, and all those ghosts and spirits will be bound.
“If anyone can recite and uphold it in accordance with the Dharma and give rise to loving-kindness and compassion toward sentient beings, I shall command all benevolent spirits, dragon kings, and Vajra Guhyapadas to follow and protect that person constantly, never departing from their side, guarding them as they would guard the pupils of their own eyes and their very lives.”
Avalokitesvara proclaimed these verses of command:
“I command the Vajra Guhyapada warriors,
Ucchusma, Iron Hook, and Kundalī,
And Śankara with eight hosts of mighty warriors,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command the Great and Mighty Isvara Deva,
And the awe-inspiring spirit king Kapila,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command Bà-cấp and Ta-lâu-la,
Mãn Thiện Xa-bát and Chân-đà-la,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command Tát-già and Ma-hòa-la,
The pot-shaped ugly ghost Bán-chỉ-la,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command the King Tát-bà Già-la,
Ưng Đức Tỳ-đa and Tát-hòa-la,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command the Brahma Deva Tam-bát-la,
The five divisions of the Pure Abodes and King Yama,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command Sakra of the Thirty-Three Heavens,
Great Eloquence, Merit, and Vardhana,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command Dhrtarastra, the Heavenly King of the East,
And the mighty hosts of spirit mothers and female ghosts,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command Virudhaka, the Heavenly King of the South,
Virupaksa, the Heavenly King, and Vaisravana,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command the Golden-Hued Peacock King,
And the twenty-eight hosts of great immortals,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command Mãn Hiền, the Swift General,
And the Secret Spirit Great General Phất-la-bà,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command the joyful dragons Hỷ Lạc and Hiền Hỷ,
The extremely foul-smelling dragon and the Ocean Dragon King,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command the asuras and gandharvas,
Garudas, kinnaras, and mahoragas,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
I command the spirits of water, fire, thunder, and lightning,
The lord of pot-shaped ghosts and the essence-drinking ghosts,
Ever to support and protect those who uphold it.
“Each of these benevolent spirits, dragon kings, and female spirit mothers has a retinue of five hundred swift and mighty beings. They constantly follow and protect those who recite and uphold the Great Compassion Divine Mantra.
“If anyone recites this mantra and sleeps alone in desolate mountains or forests, these benevolent spirits will all take turns standing guard and will dispel calamities and hindrances.
“If anyone in a deep forest loses the way and recites this mantra, the benevolent spirits and dragon kings will transform themselves into good people and point out the correct road.
“If anyone in remote mountains or wilderness needs water or fire, the dragon kings will manifest water and fire.”
For the sake of those who recite and uphold it, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then spoke these refreshing verses for dispelling calamities:
“When entering a deep and desolate forest,
Should one encounter tigers, wolves, and savage beasts,
Serpents, mountain demons, ghosts, and monstrous beings,
Hearing this mantra recited, they cannot cause harm.
When crossing rivers and lakes or venturing upon the sea,
Should one encounter venomous snakes, dragons, or whales,
Swift and ferocious fish and turtles,
Hearing this mantra recited, they withdraw and hide afar.
Should one encounter hostile armies or be surrounded by bandits”
Or if robbed of wealth and treasure by evil persons,
Sincerely recite the Great Compassion Mantra;
They will give rise to compassionate minds and return to their former place.
If arrested by royal officials under the law,
Shackled, chained, and cast into prison,
Sincerely recite the Great Compassion Mantra;
The officials will show mercy and release you.
If you enter the house of a heterodox practitioner who raises poisonous charms,
And poison is placed in your food and drink to harm you,
Sincerely recite the Great Compassion Mantra;
The poison will turn into the nectar of immortality.
When a woman in labor suffers a difficult delivery,
Afflicted by obstructing demons and unbearable pain,
Single-mindedly recite the Great Compassion Mantra;
The ghosts and spirits will retreat, and she will give birth with ease.
When evil dragons and pestilential ghosts spew poisonous vapors,
And contagious fever spreads, endangering life,
Single-mindedly recite the Great Compassion Mantra;
Lifespan will increase, and the epidemic will be dispelled.
When ghosts and dragons run rampant, causing every kind of poisonous swelling,
And boils and festering sores bring unbearable suffering,
Single-mindedly recite the Great Compassion Mantra;
Blow three times upon the afflicted place, and the poisonous swelling will disappear.
When defiled and evil beings give rise to malicious thoughts,
Using curses and spells to bind others in enmity,
Single-mindedly recite the Great Compassion Mantra;
The curse will turn back upon the one who cast it.
When beings become evil and disorderly as the Dharma declines,
And the blazing fire of lust makes their minds deluded and inverted,
So that they tire of their wives, abandon their husbands, and commit adultery,
While deviant thoughts continue day and night without pause,
If they again recite the Great Compassion Mantra,
The fire of lust will be extinguished and deviant thoughts dispelled.
Were I to extol at length the power of this mantra,
Even praising it for an entire kalpa would not exhaust it."
THE VAST AND MIGHTY POWER OF THE GREAT COMPASSION MANTRA
At that time, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva said to Brahma:
"If someone recites this mantra five times and then takes a five-colored thread to make a cord to wear, one should recite the mantra 21 times, tying a knot each time one completes a recitation. When finished, place the five-colored cord around the neck. This mantra was proclaimed in the past by 9.9 billion Buddhas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.
All those Buddhas will cause practitioners who are cultivating the Six Paramitas but have not yet perfected them to perfect them swiftly.
Those who have not yet brought forth the resolve for the Path will swiftly bring it forth.
If anyone cultivates the Shravaka Dharma but has not yet attained the fruits, that person will swiftly attain them.
If there are any gods or immortals in the trichiliocosm who have not yet brought forth the resolve for the unsurpassed Path, they will swiftly bring it forth.
If there are beings who do not yet have profound faith in the Mahayana Dharma, the mighty power of this mantra will cause the seeds of the Mahayana Dharma within them to grow. Through the power of my compassion and skillful means, all their practices will be brought to accomplishment.
If any beings in the trichiliocosm have fallen into the darkness of the three evil destinies, when they hear this mantra of mine, they will all leave suffering far behind.
If any bodhisattva has not yet reached the First Abode, that bodhisattva will attain it swiftly. They will even attain the Tenth Abode and ultimately the fruit of Buddhahood. They will naturally perfect the 32 major marks and the 80 minor characteristics.
If someone cultivating the Shravaka Dharma hears this mantra even once in passing, then copies it out, practices with an upright mind, and abides in accordance with the Dharma, the Four Fruits of a shramana will be attained spontaneously, without being sought.
When someone upholds and recites this mantra, that person can cause the rivers, lakes, and four great seas throughout the trichiliocosm to surge and gush forth. That person can also cause the mountains, rocky cliffs, Mount Sumeru, and the Iron Encircling Mountains to quake and crumble into fine dust. All the beings dwelling therein will bring forth the resolve for the unsurpassed Path.
If beings in the present life have something they seek, they should observe a pure vegetarian fast and uphold the precepts for 21 days while reciting this mantra; they will certainly obtain whatever they wish. All evil karma accumulated from one birth and death to another will be completely eradicated. All Buddhas and bodhisattvas, together with Brahma, Shakra, the Four Heavenly Kings, and the immortal spirits and dragon kings throughout the trichiliocosm, will know and bear witness to this.
If a god or human upholds and recites this mantra and bathes in a pond, spring, river, lake, or great sea, then when the beings dwelling therein are touched by the water in which that person has bathed, all their evil karma, grave offenses, and heavy transgressions will be eradicated. They will immediately be reborn by transformation from lotus flowers in pure lands of other directions and will not receive bodies born from wombs, moisture, or eggs. How much more will this be true of the person who personally receives, upholds, reads, and recites it!
If someone travels along a road while upholding and reciting this mantra, when the wind passes over that person's body and clothing, any beings touched by that wind will have all their evil karma and grave obstructions eradicated. They will no longer undergo retribution in the three evil destinies and will always be born in Buddha lands. Therefore, know that the merit, virtue, and karmic rewards of one who receives and upholds this mantra are truly inconceivable.
Whenever one upholds and recites this mantra, every utterance issuing from one's mouth, whether wholesome or unwholesome, will be heard by all heavenly demons, heterodox practitioners, devas, dragons, ghosts, and spirits as the pure sound of Dharma. They will give rise to reverence and honor that person as they would a Buddha.
You should know that one who upholds and recites this mantra is a treasury of the Buddha-body, for 9.9 billion Buddhas, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, all cherish that person.
You should know that this person is a treasury of light, for all Tathagatas shine their light upon that person.
You should know that this person is a treasury of compassion, for that person constantly uses the mantra to rescue and protect beings.
You should know that this person is a treasury of the wondrous Dharma, for that person extensively embraces all dharani gateways.
You should know that this person is a treasury of meditative concentration, for hundreds of thousands of right samadhis manifest before that person.
You should know that this person is a treasury of empty space, for that person constantly contemplates beings with the wisdom of emptiness.
You should know that this person is a treasury of fearlessness, for devas, dragons, and benevolent spirits constantly protect and support that person.
You should know that this person is a treasury of wondrous speech, for the sound of dharanis continuously resounds from that person's mouth.
You should know that this person is a treasury of eternal abiding, for the three calamities of an evil kalpa cannot destroy that person.
You should know that this person is a treasury of liberation, for heavenly demons and heterodox practitioners cannot obstruct that person.
You should know that this person is a treasury of the Medicine King, for that person constantly uses the mantra to heal the illnesses of beings.
You should know that this person is a treasury of spiritual powers, for that person travels freely throughout the lands of all Buddhas; the merits and virtues of such a person can never be exhausted by praise."
THE METHOD OF ESTABLISHING SACRED BOUNDARIES AND THE RITE FOR AVERTING CALAMITIES
[At that time, the Buddha said to Brahma:]
"Good man! If someone, weary of the suffering of the world, seeks longevity, peace, and happiness, that person should establish a sacred boundary in a quiet and pure place. Before consuming food or drink, or using clothing, incense, or medicine, that person should empower it by reciting the mantra over it 108 times; that person will certainly attain long life.
If one can establish the sacred boundary in accordance with the Dharma and receive and uphold the practice according to the Dharma, all one's wishes will be fulfilled.
One may establish the sacred boundary in the following ways:
– Recite the mantra over a knife 21 times, then score the ground with it to establish the boundary.
– Or recite the mantra over a bowl of pure water 21 times and sprinkle the water everywhere to establish the boundary.
– Or recite the mantra over white mustard seeds 21 times and scatter them in the four directions to establish the boundary.
– Or mentally visualize the place where the boundary is to be established.
– Or recite the mantra over clean ashes from an incense burner 21 times and use them to establish the boundary.
– Or recite the mantra over a five-colored cord 21 times and stretch it around all four sides to establish the boundary.
Any of the methods above may be used. If one can uphold it in accordance with the Dharma, one will naturally attain the desired result.
If someone merely hears the name of this mantra, even the grave offenses accumulated through immeasurable kalpas of birth and death will be eradicated. How much more so for one who recites and upholds it.
If someone recites and upholds this mantra, you should know that this person has previously made offerings to immeasurable Buddhas and extensively planted roots of goodness.
If someone recites and upholds this mantra because they wish to deliver sentient beings from suffering and calamity, you should know that this person is endowed with the mind of great compassion and will before long attain Buddhahood. Whenever this person sees any sentient being, they recite this mantra so that it may reach that being's ears and thereby create causes and conditions for the path to Buddhahood. The merit and virtue of this person are truly immeasurable and boundless; praise of them could never be exhausted.
If someone, with a pure and utterly sincere mind, observes a vegetarian diet and upholds the precepts, repents on behalf of all sentient beings for their karmic offenses from past lives, and also repents of all their own evil karma accumulated throughout immeasurable kalpas, and if this person recites this mantra fluently, without interruption between any syllable or sound, they will immediately realize the Four Fruits of a śramaṇa in this very life. This person will possess keen faculties, wisdom of contemplation, and skillful means. Even realization of the Tenth Bhumi will not be difficult. How much less the trifling worldly blessings and rewards. Whatever they seek, they will obtain; nothing will fail to accord with their wishes.
If one wishes to command ghosts and spirits, one should take a skull from the wilderness and wash it clean. Then, before an image of the Thousand-Eyed One, establish a ritual altar and each day make offerings to the skull with myriad kinds of incense, flowers, food, and drink. On the seventh day, the ghost will manifest and obey one's commands.
If one wishes to summon the Four Heavenly Kings, one should recite this mantra over sandalwood incense and then burn it. Because of this bodhisattva's mind of great compassion and profound power of vows, the awesome efficacy of this mantra is likewise made so vast."
The Buddha told Venerable Ānanda:
"If calamities arise in a country, and the king of that country governs the realm according to the true Dharma, treats the common people with leniency, releases animals, does not oppress the populace, and pardons prisoners, then if for seven days and seven nights he can apply himself diligently in body and mind and recite and uphold this Great Compassion Heart Mantra, all calamities in that country will be entirely eradicated, the five grains will flourish, and all the people will dwell in peace and happiness.
Furthermore, if a country is continually invaded and disturbed by hostile foreign nations; if the people are unsettled, ministers plot rebellion, epidemics rage, floods and droughts occur out of season, or the sun and moon exhibit unusual changes—if calamities of every kind such as these arise, then an image of the Thousand-Eyed Great Compassionate One should be made and placed facing west. With utmost sincerity, offerings should then be made using myriad kinds of incense and flowers, banners and precious canopies, or a hundred flavors of food and drink.
If this king can further apply himself diligently in body and mind for seven days and seven nights and recite and uphold the wondrous sacred phrases of this mantra, the hostile foreign nations will immediately submit of their own accord; they will withdraw and cease all harassment and affliction. The countries will open relations with one another and become friendly. The princes and all civil and military officials will be utterly loyal.
The consorts, queens, and palace women will show filial respect to the king. Devas, dragons, ghosts, and spirits will protect that country. Wind and rain will come in their proper seasons, fruit trees will flourish, and the people will live in peace.
Furthermore, if anyone's household is afflicted by a critical illness or a hundred strange occurrences; if evil demons, ghosts, and spirits cause affliction and disorder; if the family's fortunes decline; or if malicious people spread slander and scheme to cause harm, making old and young, within and without the household, fall into discord, they should establish a ritual altar facing an image of the Thousand-Eyed Great Compassionate One. Then, with utmost sincerity, they should be mindful of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva and recite this mantra 1,000 times. All the evils described above will thereby be eradicated, and thereafter they will remain forever peaceful and secure."
THE NAMES OF THE MANTRA
Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha:
"World-Honored One! What is the name of this mantra, and how should we receive and uphold it?"
The Buddha told Venerable Ānanda:
"This mantra has many names. They include: Vast and Perfect Fulfillment, Unimpeded Great Compassion, the Sacred Mantra for Rescuing Beings from Suffering, the Sacred Mantra for Prolonging Life, the Sacred Mantra for Eradicating the Evil Destinies, the Sacred Mantra for Destroying the Obstructions of Evil Karma, the Sacred Mantra for Fulfilling Wishes, the Sacred Mantra for Sovereign Freedom in Accordance with the Mind, and the Sacred Mantra for Swiftly Transcending to the Higher Grounds. You should receive and uphold it in this way."
Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha:
"World-Honored One!
This great bodhisattva is well able to proclaim such a sacred mantra. What is his name?"
The Buddha said:
"The name of this bodhisattva is Avalokiteśvara, the Sovereign Lord; he is also called Shining Noose and Thousand-Radiant-Eyed One.
Good man! This Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva possesses inconceivable awesome spiritual power. In immeasurable kalpas past, he attained Buddhahood under the name Tathagata Radiance of the True Dharma. Because of the power of his great compassionate vows, he wished to inspire all bodhisattvas to bring peace, happiness, and fulfillment to sentient beings, and therefore manifested as a bodhisattva. All of you in this great assembly—the great bodhisattvas, Brahmā, Śakra, dragons, and spirits—must honor him and must not regard him lightly. All devas and humans should always make offerings to him and frequently be mindful of his name. They will thereby attain immeasurable merit, eradicate immeasurable offenses, and, when their lives end, be reborn in the land of Amitāyus Buddha."
THE WONDROUS DHARMA OF GREAT COMPASSION
The Buddha told Venerable Ānanda:
"This mantra proclaimed by Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva is true and not false.
If one wishes to invite this bodhisattva to come, one should recite the mantra over benzoin incense 21 times and then burn it; the bodhisattva will immediately come.
If someone is possessed by the spirit of a cat, take the skull of a dead cat and burn it to ashes. Mix the ashes with clean clay and mold them into an image of a cat. Then, before an image of the Thousand-Eyed One, recite the mantra 108 times over a sharp knife. While reciting, cut the cat image into 108 pieces, reciting the mantra once for each piece cut. When finished, call the cat's name once, and its spirit will immediately depart forever.
If someone has been afflicted by sorcery, take camphor incense and mix it with an equal portion of benzoin incense. Then place the mixture in a bowl of water drawn before dawn ①. When this is done, boil it down to one cup. Before an image of the Thousand-Eyed One, recite the mantra over it 108 times and then drink it; the affliction will immediately be dispelled.
If someone has been bitten by a venomous snake or scorpion, take powdered dried ginger, recite the mantra over it seven times, and apply it to the bite; the person will immediately recover.
If someone is being plotted against by an enemy, use clay, flour, or wax to mold an image of that person. Then, before an image of the Thousand-Eyed One, recite the mantra 108 times over a sharp knife. For each recitation, cut off one piece and call that person's name once. Afterward, burn all 108 pieces. That person will immediately become joyful and will respect and cherish you for the rest of their life.
If a person’s eyes are impaired—whether blurred or blind, or obscured by a white film or a red membrane—take one fruit each of harītakī, āmalakī, and vibhītakī, and grind them into powder. While grinding them, recite the Buddha’s name, and do not allow a woman who has recently given birth, a pig, or a dog to see it. Then mix the powder with white honey or human milk.
If human milk is used, it must be the milk of a mother who has given birth to a son; milk from a woman who has given birth to a daughter will not be effective. When the medicine has been prepared, go before an image of the Thousand-Eyed One, recite the dharani over the remedy 108 times, and then apply it to the eyes. For seven days, the person must remain in a closed room and avoid exposure to wind.
Only afterward should the dressing be removed. The person’s sight will be restored, the white film or red membrane will no longer obscure the eyes, and the vision will become bright and clear.
If a person suffers from malaria, take the hide of a tiger, wolf, or leopard and recite the dharani over it 21 times. Then drape it over the person’s body, and the illness will be cured. Of all such hides, a lion’s hide is the best.
If a person has been bitten by a venomous snake, recite the dharani 21 times over the earwax of the person who was bitten and rub it on the wound; the venom will be eliminated.
If a person suffers from severe malaria that has entered the heart and brought them close to death, take one bowl of resin exuded from a peach tree, mix it with clear water, and boil it down to half a bowl. When it is ready, recite the dharani over it seven times and have the sick person drink it all in a single draught. The illness will immediately be eliminated. Remember not to have a woman prepare the medicine.
If a person is possessed by a ghost, or if a ghost is controlling a corpse, take benzoin incense, recite the dharani over it 21 times, burn it, and let the smoke enter beneath the victim’s nostrils. Then form its ashes into seven pellets, each as large as a rabbit’s dropping, recite the dharani over them 21 times, and have the victim swallow all seven pellets; the affliction will immediately be cured. Both before and afterward, remember not to drink alcohol, eat meat, consume the five pungent spices, or speak harsh words. Alternatively, mix realgar with white mustard seeds and coarse salt, recite the dharani over the mixture 21 times, and burn it beneath the possessed person’s bed. The demon or ghost causing the illness will immediately flee and will no longer dare remain.
If a person is deaf, recite the dharani over sesame oil 21 times and drip it into the ears; the deafness will be cured.
If one side of a person’s body is paralyzed, causing nasal obstruction and rendering the arms and legs immobile, boil sesame oil with costus incense, recite the dharani over it 21 times, and apply it to the body; the person will be completely and permanently cured. Alternatively, recite the dharani over pure cow’s ghee 21 times and rub it on the body; this will also bring a cure.
If a woman experiences difficulty in childbirth, recite the dharani over sesame oil 21 times and apply it to her navel and within the birth passage; she will immediately give birth with ease.
If the fetus of a pregnant woman has died within the womb, take one large liang of achyranthes root, mix it with two bowls of clear water, and boil it down to one bowl. Then recite the dharani over it 21 times and give it to her to drink. The fetus and placenta will immediately be expelled, and the mother will suffer no pain. If the placenta still does not emerge, give the mother the medicine once more; the placenta will then be expelled, and the mother will remain safe and well.
If a person is suddenly afflicted by excruciating pain in the heart, this is called the Sudden Corpse Spell. Take a piece of frankincense wood, carve one end into a pointed shape, and recite the dharani over it 21 times. Then use the mouth to suck and swallow the liquid exuded by the wood. There is no restriction on how much or how little is consumed. The liquid exuded by the wood will cause the person to have diarrhea and vomit, after which the illness will immediately be cured. Take care not to consume the five pungent spices, alcohol, or meat.
If a person is burned by fire, take fresh dung from a black cow, recite the dharani over it 21 times, and apply it to the burn; the injury will be healed.
If a person’s heart is being bitten by worms, recite the dharani 21 times over half a bowl of urine from a white horse and have the person drink it; the affliction will immediately cease and be eliminated. If the illness is severe, use a full bowl. Afterward, the worms will emerge in the stool, each one biting the tail of the one before it and linked together like a cord.
If a person’s fingernail or toenail has grown into the flesh and causes aching pain, take trumpet-creeper leaves, crush them, recite the dharani over them 21 times, and apply them to the painful place. Then pull out the nail at its root, and the affliction will immediately be cured.
If a person’s eye has been stung by a venomous mosquito, squeeze out the liquid from fresh donkey dung and recite the dharani over it 21 times. Then, at night before going to sleep, drip it into the affected eye; the eye will be cured.
If a person has abdominal pain, mix 21 pieces of coarse salt with one bowl of water drawn from a well at dawn. Then recite the dharani over it 21 times and drink half the bowl; the person will immediately recover.
If a person’s eyes are bruised and red, if a fleshy growth protrudes within an eye, or if a membrane obscures the pupil, crush goji leaves and recite the dharani 21 times over the expressed juice. Then place an old bluish silver coin in the juice and leave it there overnight. The next day, recite the dharani over it seven more times and drip it into the eyes; the affliction will be cured.
If a person is timid and fearful at night, so frightened whenever coming or going, make a cord from white thread and recite the dharani over it 21 times. With each recitation, tie one knot. Then place it around the person’s neck, and the fear will immediately be eliminated. Not only will fear be dispelled, but offenses will also be extinguished.
If various calamities occur in a person’s household, cut a pomegranate branch into 1,080 pieces. Smear both ends of each piece with ghee and honey. Then recite the dharani once over each piece and burn it. When all 1,080 pieces have been burned in this manner, every calamity will be eliminated. This rite should be performed before an image of the Thousand-Eyed One.
If one recites the dharani over white calamus 21 times and ties it to the right arm, one will surpass others in every contest or debate.
Take the leaves, branches, or stems of a goji plant, cut them into pieces, and smear both ends of each piece with pure ghee and white honey. Then recite the dharani once over each piece and burn it. Burn all 1,080 pieces in this manner. At three different times each day, recite the dharani 1,080 times on each occasion, and continue doing so for seven days. As a mantra master, you will awaken through your own realization and attain penetrating wisdom.
If a person wishes to subdue powerful ghosts and spirits, recite the dharani over soapberry wood 49 times and then burn it. Do not forget to smear it with ghee and honey, and this Dharma rite must be performed before an image of the Great Compassionate Heart.
Place one large liang of bezoar in a crystal vessel, set it before an image of the Great Compassionate Heart, and recite the dharani over it 108 times. Then apply it to the body and mark the forehead with it; all devas, nāgas, ghosts, spirits, humans, and nonhumans will be delighted.
If a person is confined by cangue, fetters, or chains, recite the dharani 108 times over the droppings of a white pigeon. Then rub them on both hands and against the lock; the lock will immediately open by itself.
If husband and wife are in discord and their relationship is like fire and water, place the tail feathers of a pair of mandarin ducks before an image of the Great Compassionate Heart, recite the dharani over them 1,080 times, and carry them on the body. Husband and wife will then love and respect one another, living together joyfully for the rest of their lives.
If fruit trees are being eaten by insects, or rice fields are being damaged by them, recite the dharani 21 times over clean ashes from an incense burner, white sand, or clear water. Then scatter or sprinkle it around the cultivated area, and the insects will immediately depart. If fruit trees are sprinkled with the dharani-blessed water, the insects will no longer dare eat them."
42 HANDS AND EYES
The Buddha said to Venerable Ānanda:
"[1] If one wishes to obtain precious objects and all manner of treasures, one should use the Maṇi Hand.
[2] If one wishes to seek peace and security amid many unsettled circumstances, one should use the Noose Hand.
[3] If one wishes to eliminate various illnesses within the body, one should use the Jeweled Bowl Hand.
[4] If one wishes to subdue all demons, spirits, and ghosts, one should use the Jeweled Sword Hand.
[5] If one wishes to subdue all heavenly māras and hosts of spirits, one should use the Vajra Hand.
[6] If one wishes to vanquish all hostile enemies, one should use the Vajra Pestle Hand.
[7] If one wishes to dispel all fears in unsafe places, one should use the Bestowal of Fearlessness Hand.
[8] If one wishes to restore clear sight when dimness of vision prevents one from seeing, one should use the Sun-Essence Maṇi Hand.
[9] If one wishes to obtain cool relief from fever or poisoning, one should use the Moon-Essence Maṇi Hand.
[10] If one wishes to attain official rank and promotion, one should use the Jeweled Bow Hand.
[11] If one wishes soon to encounter virtuous friends, one should use the Jeweled Arrow Hand.
[12] If one wishes to eliminate illnesses of the body, one should use the Willow-Branch Hand.
[13] If one wishes to eliminate evil hindrances and calamities, one should use the White Fly-Whisk Hand.
[14] If one wishes all one’s family and attendants to live in harmony and joy, one should use the Jeweled Vase Hand.
[15] If one wishes to repel all tigers, wolves, leopards, and other ferocious beasts, one should use the Shield Hand.
[16] If one wishes to escape legal troubles at all times and in all places, one should use the Battle-Axe Hand.
[17] If one wishes to have male and female servants, one should use the Jade Bracelet Hand.
[18] If one wishes to possess every merit and virtue, one should use the White Lotus Hand.
[19] If one wishes to attain rebirth in the pure lands of the ten directions, one should use the Blue Lotus Hand.
[20] If one wishes to attain great wisdom, one should use the Jeweled Mirror Hand.
[21] If one wishes to behold all the Buddhas of the ten directions, one should use the Purple Lotus Hand.
[22] If one wishes to find treasures hidden beneath the earth, one should use the Jeweled Casket Hand.
[23] If one wishes to attain the Way of the immortals, one should use the Five-Colored Cloud Hand.
[24] If one wishes to be reborn in the Brahmā Heaven, one should use the Water-Flask Hand.
[25] If one wishes to be reborn in the celestial palaces, one should use the Red Lotus Hand.
[26] If one wishes to drive back rebels and bandits from other regions, one should use the Jeweled Halberd Hand.
[27] If one wishes to summon all devas and benevolent spirits, one should use the Jeweled Conch Hand.
[28] If one wishes to command all ghosts and spirits, one should use the Skull Staff Hand.
[29] If one wishes the Buddhas of the ten directions to come quickly and bestow a prediction of buddhahood, one should use the Rosary Hand.
[30] If one wishes to perfect all supremely wondrous Brahmā sounds, one should use the Jeweled Bell Hand.
[31] If one wishes for eloquent speech and subtle, skillful expression, one should use the Jeweled Seal Hand.
[32] If one wishes benevolent spirits and dragon kings always to come and offer protection, one should use the Iron Hook Hand.
[33] If one wishes compassionately to protect all sentient beings, one should use the Khakkhara Staff Hand.
[34] If one wishes all sentient beings always to respect and cherish one another, one should use the Joined Palms Hand.
[35] If one wishes never to be separated from the Buddhas, wherever one may be born, one should use the Manifested Buddha Hand.
[36] If one wishes, life after life and kalpa after kalpa, always to abide within a Buddha’s palace and no longer take birth from a womb, one should use the Manifested Palace Hand.
[37] If one wishes to become learned through extensive hearing and study, one should use the Jeweled Scripture Hand.
[38] If one wishes that, from this present body until the attainment of buddhahood, one’s resolve for the Way will never regress, one should use the Irreversible Golden Wheel Hand.
[39] If one wishes the Buddhas of the ten directions to come quickly, rub the crown of one’s head, and bestow a prediction of buddhahood, one should use the Crown-Manifested Buddha Hand.
[40] If one wishes fruits, vegetables, and grains to flourish, one should use the Grape Hand.
[41] If one wishes all hungry and thirsty sentient beings to obtain cool refreshment, one should use the Amṛta Hand.
[42] If one wishes to subdue hostile māras throughout the three-thousandfold great-thousand world-system, one should use the All-Gathering Thousand-Armed Hand.
There are as many as a thousand such methods for fulfilling aspirations. I have now spoken of them only in brief."
THE BODHISATTVAS MOONLIGHT AND SUNLIGHT PROCLAIM SPIRITUAL MANTRAS
At that time, for the sake of those who receive and uphold the Great Compassion Heart Mantra, the Bodhisattva Sunlight proclaimed a great spiritual mantra to protect them, saying:
|| nam mô bột đà cù na mê, nam mô đạt ma mạc ha đê, nam mô tăng già đa dạ nê, để rị bộ tất tát, đốt diêm nạp ma. ||
"If anyone recites this mantra, all their offenses will be eliminated; it will also cause the hosts of māras to keep their distance and will avert natural calamities. If one recites it once and bows once to the Buddha, performing such recitation and homage during each of the three periods every day, then wherever that person is born in future lives, they will always possess an upright and handsome appearance. How delightful is this karmic reward!"
At that time, for the sake of those who receive and uphold it, the Bodhisattva Moonlight also proclaimed a spiritual mantra to protect them, saying:
|| thâm đê đế đồ tô tra, a nhã mật đế ô đô tra, thâm kỳ tra, ba lại đế, da di nhã tra ô đô tra, câu la đế tra kỳ ma tra, sa bà ha. ||
"If there is a painful and afflicted place on the body, recite this mantra five times over a five-colored thread, then fashion it into a cord and tie it around that place. This spiritual mantra was proclaimed by forty Ganges-sands of Buddhas of the past. I now proclaim it as well because I wish to protect those who receive and uphold it, eradicate all hindrances and calamities, put an end to every evil illness and painful suffering, accomplish all wholesome Dharmas, and remain far removed from every fear."
SECTION ON THE TRANSMISSION
The Buddha told Venerable Ānanda:
"You should receive and uphold this spiritual mantra with pure faith. Spread it widely throughout Jambudvīpa, and do not allow it to be cut off. This spiritual mantra brings immense benefit to sentient beings within the three realms. Of all illnesses and painful afflictions, there is none that it cannot cure. Even a tree that has withered and dried up can, through this spiritual mantra, be made to sprout branches and leaves, blossom, and bear fruit. How much more so sentient beings endowed with feeling and consciousness! If one’s body is ill and one upholds this mantra, yet is not cured, such a thing is impossible!
Good man! The awe-inspiring spiritual power of this mantra is inconceivable—truly inconceivable—and could never be fully praised. If one had not planted vast roots of goodness from the distant past until the present, one could not hear even its name, much less behold it. All of you in this great assembly—devas, humans, dragons, and spirits—upon hearing Me praise it, should rejoice in accord.
If anyone slanders this spiritual mantra, they thereby slander those nine billion Ganges-sands of Buddhas. If anyone gives rise to doubt or disbelief concerning this spiritual mantra, know that such a person will forever lose immense benefit. For a billion kalpas, they will continually wander through the evil destinies with no time of release, never seeing the Buddha, hearing the Dharma, or encountering the Sangha."
At that time, all those in the assembly—the great bodhisattvas, the Vajra Secret-Trace Guardians, Brahmā, Śakra, and the Four Heavenly Kings, together with devas, dragons, ghosts, and spirits—heard the Buddha, the Tathagata, praise this spiritual mantra. They all rejoiced and reverently practiced according to His teaching.
The Sutra of the Vast, Perfect, Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Mantra of the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva
The version you're viewing was faithfully rendered by Inti AI in keeping with the tradition. Switch to the other language tab to read a human translation.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.