Kim Cang Thọ Mạng Đà La Ni Niệm Tụng Pháp

Now I shall rely on the Vajrashekhara Yoga Sutra. Vairocana, the Reward-Body Buddha, entered the Fourth Dhyana at the summit of the Form Realm (Rùpadhàtu) and accomplished Perfect Right Awakening. He then descended to the summit of Mount Sumeru, to the vajra jeweled pavilion.

All Tathagatas throughout the entire Dharma realm, to the ends of empty space, came and gathered like clouds, surrounding him before and behind. With different mouths and a single voice, they said: “We pray that the Blessed One turn the four kinds of wheels of the profound and secret Dharma of the wondrous Dharma. These are: the Wheel of the Vajra Realm, the Wheel of the Teaching Command that Subdues the Three Worlds, the Dharma Wheel of Universal Subjugation, and the Wheel that Accomplishes All Meanings.

These four wheels all issue forth from the mind of Vairocana. Each wheel has thirty-seven noble ones; each has its mantra, each its samadhi, each its mudra, and the dignified bearing of upholding the vow-power of great compassion. In defiled Buddha-worlds and in pure and wondrous Buddha-worlds, whether sealed or manifested, they revolve to bring benefit and happiness and to liberate sentient beings, each in a different way.”

Vairocana Buddha accepted the request of the Tathagatas. When he was about to turn the Dharma wheel, he entered samadhi and observed that Maheśvara, the Great Sovereign Deva, was obstinate and difficult to teach and transform, firmly attached to wrong views. Unless I use a body of great compassionate stillness, he cannot be subdued.

At that time the Blessed One entered the Wrathful Samadhi. From the center of his chest issued forth the Five-Peaked Vajra Great Bodhi Mind, becoming the body of the Four-Faced, Eight-Armed, Majestic, Blazing, Radiant, Hard-to-Behold Vajra Bodhisattva Who Subdues the Three Worlds. He bowed everywhere to Vairocana Tathagata and all Buddhas, saying: “May the Blessed One instruct me. What should I do?”

The Buddha said: “O Bodhisattva Who Subdues the Three Worlds (Trailokya Vijaya Bodhisatva)! Now you should subdue those devas who are difficult to tame, causing them all to take refuge in the Buddhas, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and to bring forth the bodhi mind.”

All the devas took refuge. Only the Great Sovereign Deva, relying on his great majesty and virtue, resisted. The Bodhisattva Who Subdues the Three Worlds used every kind of suffering to punish him severely, even unto death.

Vairocana Tathagata entered the Samadhi of Compassionate Great Compassion, spoke the Vajra Lifespan Dharani, then entered the Vajra Lifespan Samadhi and formed the secret mudra to empower Maheśvara, the Deva King, so that he revived, had his lifespan increased, took refuge in the Buddhas, received abhisheka and prediction, and realized the Eighth Ground (the Immovable Ground).

Vajra Lifespan Mantra:

Aùn, phộc nhật-la dụ sái, sa-phộc ha

湡 向忝 玅仰守 送扣

OMÏ VAJRA ÀYUSÏAI SVÀHÀ

The Buddha said: “Vajra-Holding Bodhisattva! If good men or good women receive, uphold, and recite it three times each day, reciting it one thousand times in each session, then all evil karmic conditions of past lives, short lifespan, premature death, and so forth, because they uphold this mantra, will have their minds purified by faith, their karmic obstructions extinguished, and their lifespans immediately increased.

If a person cultivates samadhi, then in this very life, without changing the body born from father and mother, that person will obtain the five spiritual powers and fly freely through empty space.

Now I explain the samadhi gate. Sit in full lotus, keep the body upright, close the eyes, and place the two hands one over the other below the navel. In empty space, visualize all Buddhas everywhere, each one clear and distinct. Then, within one's own body, directly above the heart, contemplate a full round moon disk radiating clear light. Above it is the form of a five-pronged vajra pestle, gradually becoming as large as one's own body, transforming into the Bodhisattva Who Subdues the Three Worlds, with Vairocana Buddha at the crown of the head. From every pore of the Buddha's body flows the nectar of abhisheka, pouring into one's own body and entering the heart.

Again visualize Vajrasattva Bodhisattva (Vajrasatva Bodhisatva). Then form the Vajra Lifespan Bodhisattva Dharani Mudra. Make vajra fists with both hands; press the right index finger over the left, hook them together, and place them on the crown of the head. Recite the Vajra Lifespan Dharani seven times. Place it upon the forehead, separate the hands and bind them behind the neck; extend the two index fingers straight and turn them all around the body, thus putting on armor. The Armor Mantra is:

Aùn (1) châm (2) phộc nhật-la dục (3)

湡 趐 向忝 玅僝

OMÏ TÏÙMÏ VAJRA ÀYUHÏ

Because of the empowerment of this mudra, one obtains a vajra body, firm and difficult to destroy, leaves all sudden calamities, and those who see one rejoice and give rise to great reverence.

Next, I explain the Homa Altar for Removing Calamity and Extending Life. Prepare a pure chamber. On the east side install an image of Vajra Lifespan Bodhisattva and hang banners and canopies.

Before the image, make a square altar about three cubits across. Dig down into the earth and remove bricks, broken stones, bones, ashes, and impure objects. If that earth has no defiled things, put the old earth back and tamp it flat. If there is earth left over, it is a sign of great auspiciousness, and the Dharma is easy to accomplish.

If there are defiled objects, take clean earth from the two banks of a river, pour it in, and tamp it flat. Mix various fragrances with gomaya (cow dung) and smear it on.

In the center of the altar, use white powder to draw a Vajra Armor about one and a half cubits across. In the center make a fire pit half a cubit deep, with a rim around it. If it cannot be dug, place a fire vessel there. The practitioner sits before the fire vessel.

On the four sides of the altar, place food, drink, and various fruits as offerings. At the four corners of the altar, place vessels.

In the fire vessel burn charcoal. First take milky wood, ten finger-widths long and as thick as a thumb; moisten both ends of the wood with butter, recite the Vajra Lifespan Mantra, and throw it into the fire vessel.

When the fire is blazing, then within the fire visualize an eight-petaled lotus. In the womb of the flower visualize the syllable A (狣), radiating light everywhere and becoming Vajra Lifespan Bodhisattva (Vajra Ayuhï bodhisatva).

Next use the Four-Syllable Vidya (JAHÏ HÙMÏ VAMÏ HOHÏ) to invite and summon the Bodhisattva into the fire vessel to receive the offerings. Then with the right hand make the Half-Vajra Mudra, take water, and sprinkle it on the fire to make it pure.

Next take a vessel filled with butter. Take green stalks of cỏ Cốt Lâu, dip them in butter, recite the Vajra Lifespan Dharani once, and throw them into the fire vessel, up to 108 stalks or 1008 stalks. After throwing them in, burn the various fragrances, milk, and curds.

When the recitation is finished, take three ladles full of butter and pour them into the fire. Do so at the beginning and at the end.

If one can, during the three months of long vegetarian observance, or on one's birthday, make this offering, it will remove calamities, increase lifespan, bring peace to the country, leave it without plagues and disasters, cause winds and rains to come at the proper times, and all sages and noble ones will protect that person.

VAJRA LIFESPAN DHARANI RECITATION METHOD (End)