Bất Không Quyến Tác Thần Chú Tâm Kinh

Thus have I heard: At one time the Bhagavan was dwelling on Mount Potalaka, in the palace of Avalokitesvara. There were many precious trees there, such as tala, tamala, champaka, ashoka, and Utter Liberation trees. Innumerable precious trees also intermingled and adorned the surroundings; fragrant and beautiful flowers and rare, soft grasses were found everywhere.

There were also innumerable precious springs, ponds, and streams, filled with water possessing the eight qualities of merit, within which flowers blossomed in most delightful array. There were also countless varieties of birds and beasts, marvelous in form, all endowed with loving-kindness, producing various sounds like music. He was accompanied by a complete assembly of eight thousand bhiksus, ninety-nine kotis of millions of hundreds of thousands of bodhisattva-mahasattvas, and countless hundreds of thousands of devas from the Pure Abodes and the Heaven of Isvara.

Countless hundreds of thousands of beings surrounded him in front and behind to hear the Buddha teach the Dharma.

At that time, in the assembly was a great bodhisattva named Avalokitesvara. He rose from his seat, adjusted his robes, bared his right shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, joined his palms toward the Buddha, and, with a joyful countenance and a smile, addressed the Buddha: “I possess a heart-dharani called the Amoghapasa. Ninety-one kalpas ago, there was a world called Exquisite Supreme Contemplation, wherein was a Buddha named World-Lord King Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Person, Tamer of Beings, Buddha, Bhagavan.

Out of compassion for me, that Buddha, the World-Honored One, taught me this great heart-dharani. I then received and upheld it and acquired majestic spiritual power. I have always been reverently honored, supported, and praised by innumerable assemblies of devas of the Pure Abodes, assemblies of Isvara devas, assemblies of Mahesvara devas, the Great Brahma King, and many other assemblies of devas—innumerable hundreds of thousands in all.

I teach and transform them all, causing them to proceed directly toward unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. Relying upon the power of such merit, I immediately attained one billion great samadhis called the Foremost Adornment of the Sublime Wisdom of Amogha. Through the power of this concentration, I directly behold immeasurable and innumerable Buddha-worlds in the ten directions, together with all their Tathagatas and assemblies.

I go to make offerings and hear and study the true Dharma, and in turn teach and transform innumerable sentient beings, causing them all to arouse the resolve to proceed directly toward unsurpassed enlightenment. Thus, the power of this dharani is inconceivable. It can rescue beings from immeasurable sufferings and calamities, and all who possess wisdom should receive and uphold it.

“World-Honored One! Wherever this heart-dharani is found, know that Isvara, Mahesvara, the Brahma King, and others, together with twelve kotis of assemblies of devas and spirits, constantly guard it and reverently make offerings to it as to a stupa of the Buddha. They allow no violent evil to occur, and all classes of spirits wander freely in that place.

“World-Honored One! If this Amoghapasa Heart-Dharani Sutra circulates in any country, city, or settlement, know that the sentient beings there have planted roots of goodness before immeasurable kotis of millions of hundreds of thousands of Buddhas and have now returned there through the power of their great vows.

“World-Honored One! Suppose beings commit grave offenses, habitually perform evil deeds, insult sages and saints, and slander the true Dharma. Because of these offenses, they are destined to fall into the great Avici hell and, for innumerable kalpas, undergo intense suffering.

Even Buddhas, bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas, and sravakas, though fully endowed with spiritual powers, could not rescue such beings. Yet if they merely hear this Heart-Dharani Sutra and can then give rise to remorse and shame, resolving never again to repeat their former offenses, and if for one day and one night they observe the fasting precepts and recite this heart-dharani, then, for all the evil karma and offenses they have created, they need only undergo light retribution in this very life and afterward will not fall into Avici hell.

“How may it be known that they undergo only light retribution in the present and will not afterward fall into hell? Such persons may suddenly contract chills or fever lasting one or two days, or even seven days; or suffer pain of the eyes, ears, nose, teeth, lips, tongue, or gums; pain in the chest, abdomen, back, shoulders, waist, ribs, private parts, thighs, or knees; pain in the joints, hands, feet, head, face, throat, neck, shoulders, or arms; or rheumatism, seasonal illnesses, hemorrhoids, dysentery, measles, asthma, indigestion, skin disease, or itching sores; various tumors, abscesses, and poisonous skin ulcers; bodily edema, epilepsy, paralysis, or rheumatic numbness.

They may be troubled by spirits, subjected to sorcery or curses, poisoned, imprisoned and bound in stocks, cangues, chains, and fetters, beaten or reviled, slandered, plotted against, terrorized, or subjected to all manner of unfavorable increase and decrease. In brief, they may encounter all kinds of events that cause suffering of body and mind, as well as evil dreams. Through such events it is known that they undergo only light retribution in the present life and afterward will not fall into Avici hell.

All the offenses, karmic hindrances, and wrongdoing they have created are entirely extinguished after such present retribution has been undergone. Through the power of this dharani, such beings undergo only light retribution in this life while their heavy offenses are eliminated. How much more, then, will sentient beings pure in body and mind who hear and recite this dharani gain abundant merit, eliminate the karma of former lives, and constantly enjoy peace and happiness in the present and the future!

“World-Honored One! Suppose someone among the fourfold assembly (1) or the four castes (2), though motivated by flattery and deceit, hears and studies this Heart-Dharani Sutra, then receives, upholds, reads, recites, copies, and makes offerings to it; praises it to others and causes them to accept it in faith; and even goes personally to the ears of animals and earnestly recites it so that they may hear. Afterward, this person carefully examines and contemplates every phrase and syllable of the dharani.

Because the person does not slander it, no characteristics are grasped; because there is no discrimination, no divergent thoughts arise; because the practice is not delayed, one’s actions reach the unconditioned; because all defilement is abandoned, the mind of equality is attained; and because there is neither increase nor decrease, the five skandhas are relinquished. Relying upon such skillful means, this person again cultivates mindfulness before the Buddhas.

Through the power of this merit, in each of the ten directions ten Buddhas appear before this person to explain and instruct, causing the person to repent and eliminate former offenses, and ensuring that every aspiration is completely fulfilled.

“If one cannot practice as just described but merely copies this Heart-Dharani Sutra, places it in one’s home, bows to it, and makes offerings, one will likewise gain immeasurable and boundless merit.

“World-Honored One! Some beings may listen to this Heart-Dharani Sutra because they wish to surpass others; because they fear kings, enemies, savage beasts, or calamities; because they comply with others; or because they seek nobility and abundant wealth. Though they listen, they have no reverence and may even slander, despise, and ridicule it. The wise should understand that it is the majestic spiritual power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara that has caused such beings to listen to this dharani so that they may obtain many benefits in the present and the future; it is certainly not through their own power.

“World-Honored One! It is like a person who cuts and splits agarwood to obtain musk fragrance, or treats other fragrances such as sandalwood and camphor with every manner of slander, contempt, and ridicule, yet afterward grinds and blends them and applies them to the body. Fragrant substances such as agarwood, musk, sandalwood, and camphor do not think, ‘This person has defamed and insulted me, so I shall not give him fragrance,’ for it is their natural property to emit fragrance.

This heart-dharani is likewise. Though beings slander, despise, or ridicule it, or approach it with flattering and crooked intentions as described above, if they copy, receive, uphold, and reverently make offerings to it, this dharani still becomes for them a condition for roots of goodness. Wherever they are born in their next lives, they will be fully endowed with the sublime fragrance of the merit of morality, concentration, and wisdom; and it can also enable them to obtain that fragrance in the present.

The majestic power of this dharani is exceedingly inconceivable: those who accept it in faith and those who slander it alike receive complete benefit.

“World-Honored One! If good men or good women, bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas, upasikas, or others observe the fasting precepts on the eighth day of the bright fortnight and single-mindedly recite this great Heart-Dharani Sutra merely seven times without interspersing other words or phrases, know that in this very life they will certainly obtain twenty supreme benefits.
What are the twenty? They are:

1. Their bodies will be free of illness, peaceful, and happy.

2. If, through the power of former karma, they do become ill, they will quickly recover.

3. Their bodies will be soft and refined, their skin fair, and their faces radiant and beautiful.

4. They will be loved and respected by everyone.

5. They will constantly and inwardly guard their sense faculties, not allowing them to become dissipated or attached to sensory objects.

6. They will always possess abundant wealth and treasure to enjoy and use as they wish.

7. The wealth and treasure they acquire will not be seized or harmed by rulers, robbers, fire, or flood.

8. Whatever work or undertaking they perform will be successfully accomplished.

9. In cultivating fields, they need not fear destruction by poisonous dragons, frost, storms, or floods.

10. If rice fields unexpectedly suffer natural disaster or enemy devastation, recite this dharani seven times over clean ashes or pure water and scatter it throughout the eight directions of those fields; the calamity will immediately cease.

11. Violent spirits and raksasas will not seize their vital essence.

12. Those they meet and associate with will always rejoice in them, love and respect them, and never grow weary of them.

13. They will never fear any enemy.

14. Former enmities will quickly be dissolved.

15. Humans, nonhumans, and others will not harm them.

16. Sorcery, curses, and poisons will be unable to injure them.

17. Afflictions and entangling defilements will not frequently arise.

18. Weapons, poisons, fire, and flood will not injure them.

19. Devas and benevolent spirits will always follow, guard, and support them.

20. Life after life, they will never be separated from the four virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.

“Those who practice this dharani obtain these twenty supreme benefits and also eight further dharmas. What are the eight? They are:

1. At death, they will see Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara appear before them in the form of a bhiksu, joyfully praising and comforting them.

2. At the moment of death, they will be peaceful and free of suffering.

3. As death approaches, their eyes will not roll upward, their mouths will not gape or twist, their hands will be relaxed, their legs will show no sign of exhaustion, they will not discharge the impurities of urine or excrement, and they will not fall sideways from the bed.

4. As death approaches, they will abide in right mindfulness and their minds will not be confused.

5. At death, they will not die with their faces covered.

6. As death approaches, they will obtain inexhaustible eloquence.

7. After death, they will be reborn according to their wishes in the pure lands of the Buddhas.

8. They will always be close to and never separated from good spiritual friends.

“World-Honored One! If good men and good women abstain from alcohol, meat, and pungent spices; do not eat leftover or impure foods; keep their bodies continually clean; and single-mindedly recite this Amoghapasa Heart-Dharani Sutra during the three periods of each day, their supreme merit will increase day and night.

“If they can relinquish greed, stinginess, and miserliness regarding all dharmas; abandon jealous and envious thoughts; wholeheartedly benefit all sentient beings; examine whether beings have sufficient capacity and only then teach them this Heart-Dharani Sutra accordingly, know that such persons will quickly attain unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. If counted among the great bodhisattvas, they will be called bodhisattvas. ‘Bodhi,’ or awakening, refers to prajna wisdom; ‘sattva’ refers to skillful means. Being endowed with both wisdom and skillful means, they can perform every deed that benefits and brings happiness to sentient beings.

“World-Honored One! Wishing now to benefit and bring happiness to the fourfold assembly and to eliminate the former evil karma of wicked beings, I desire to proclaim this dharani before the Tathagata. May the World-Honored One compassionately permit me.”

The World-Honored One then said to the great bodhisattva Avalokitesvara: “The assembly is pure; the time has come for you to speak. I too rejoice in this. In the future, this heart-dharani will be the father and mother of bodhisattvas, enabling all their undertakings to be quickly accomplished and all terrors and fears to be swiftly eliminated.”

Having received the Buddha’s permission, the great bodhisattva Avalokitesvara rejoiced greatly. He gazed single-mindedly upon the Buddha’s honored countenance, joined his palms reverently, and addressed the Buddha:

“Bodhisattvas should honor, revere, and make offerings to this heart-dharani, taking it as the supreme Dharma gate of perfect liberation that benefits and brings happiness to beings.

“Those who wish to receive and uphold this heart-dharani should first pay homage to all Buddhas and bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas, and sravakas of the past, present, and future. They should also pay homage to those of right aspiration and right conduct; to great sravakas such as Sariputra; to great bodhisattvas such as Maitreya; to the Buddha Infinite Light; to the Three Jewels—the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha; and to the great noble bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who is fully endowed with the mind of great compassion.

“After paying homage in this way, they should think: ‘This heart-dharani is called Amoghapasa. Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara personally proclaimed it before the Tathagata in the midst of the great assembly. As I now recite this dharani, may every undertaking I commence be swiftly accomplished, and may all my terrors and fears be quickly eliminated.’

“Having formed this thought, they should recite the dharani:

Ðát Ðiệt Tha: Ám Triết Lạc Triết Lạc, Chỉ Lí Chỉ Lí, Chủ Rô Chủ Rô

Homage to the One Endowed with Great Compassion: Tát Lạc Tát Lạc, Tử Lí Tử Lí, Chỉ Lí Chỉ Lí, Tỉ Lí Tỉ Lí

Homage to the Great Lotus-Handed One: Yết Lã Yết Lã, Kiết Lị Kiết Lị, Khuất Lộ Khuất Lộ

Homage to the Great Pure Sentient Being: Bột Ðiệt Bột Ðiệt, Tha Bà Tha Bà, Khẩn Ni Khẩn Ni

Homage to the Supremely Pure Sentient Being: Yết Lạc Yết Lạc, Chỉ Lị Chỉ Lị, Củ Rô Củ Rô

Homage to the One Who Has Attained Great Power: Triết Lã Triết Lã, San Triết Lã, San Triết Lã, Tì Triết Lã Tì Triết Lã, Y Triết Tra Y Triết Tra, Bạt Lạc Bạt Lạc, Tỉ Lị Tỉ Lị, Bộ Rô Bộ Rô, Y Hế Y Hế

Homage to the Great Compassionate One in the Form of the Great Beast-King: Ðạt Lạc Ðạt Lạc, Tát Lạc Tát Lạc, Triết Lạc Triết Lạc, Bác Lạc Bác Lạc, Hát Lạc Hát Lạc, Kha Kha Hế Hế, Hô Hô Ống Ca Lạc

Homage to the One in the Form of the Great Brahma King: Ðạt Lạc Ðạt Lạc, Ðịa Lị Ðịa Lị, Ðổ Rô Ðổ Rô, Ðát Lạc Ðát Lạc, Tác Lạc Tát Lạc, Bác Lạc Bác Lạc, Phiệt Lạc Phiệt Lạc

Homage to the One Whose Body Is Adorned with Hundreds of Thousands of Lights: Thập Phiệt Lã Thập Phiệt Lã, Ðáp Bá Ðáp Bá, Bạc-già-phạm

Homage to the One Worshiped by the Sun, Moon, Yama, Varuna, Kubera, Sakra, Brahma, the Wealth Deities, and the assemblies of celestial seers: Mạt Lạc Mạt Lạc, Nhỉ Lí Nhỉ Lí, Mẫu Rô Mẫu Rô, Tốt Rô Tốt Rô, Chủ Rô Chủ Rô

Homage to the One of Many Forms worshiped by the assemblies of Skanda Kumara, Rudra, Isvara, Visnu, Dhanada, Sena, Yaksa, Vinayaka, and others: Ðạt Lạc Ðạt Lạc, Ðịa Lí Ðịa Lí, Ðổ Rô Ðổ Rô, Thác Lạc Thác Lạc, Yết Lạc Yết Lạc, Bát Lạc Bát Lạc, Xả Lạc Xả Lạc, Thứ Lạc Thứ Lạc, Hát Lạc Hát Lạc, Mạt Lạc Mạt Lạc, Phiệt Lạc Phiệt Lạc

Homage to the Granter of Wishes, the All-Seeing, Supremely Seeing Avalokitesvara Mahesvara: Mẫu Hô Mẫu Hô, Mẫu Rô Mẫu Rô, Mẫu Da Mẫu Da, Muộn Giá Muộn Giá, Lạc Xoa Lạc Xoa

Homage to the One Who Can Liberate Me and All Sentient Beings from every fear, every spell and sorcery, every calamity, every disease, every wicked spirit and demon, every enemy, killing, binding, terror, threat, and injury, every peril from kings and thieves, every peril from water, fire, and wind, and every peril from weapons, poison, and the like: Yết Nõa Yết Nõa, Khẩn Ni Khẩn Ni, Khuất Nữu Khuất Nữu, Triết Lạc Triết Lạc

Homage to the One Who Reveals all the faculties, powers, factors of awakening, factors of the path, and the Four Noble Truths: Ðáp Ma Ðáp Ma, Táp Ma Táp Ma, Mạt Ta Mạt Ta

Homage to the One Who Dispels the great darknesses and causes the six paramitas to grow and become complete: Nhĩ Lí Nhĩ Lí, Tra Tra Tra Tra, Sá Sá Sá Sá, Trí Trí Trí Trí, Chú Chú Chú Chú

Homage to the One Clad in a Deerskin, Endowed with Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion, Isvara and Mahesvara, Who Can Subdue All Evil Spirits; come swiftly, come swiftly, and rescue and protect us: Củ Lô Củ Lô, Bác Lạc Bác Lạc, Tác Lạc Tác Lạc, Yết Lạc Yết Lạc, Yết Tra Yết Tra, Mạt Tra Mạt Tra

Homage to the Great Compassionate One Who Dwells in the Pure Land, Whose Body Bears a White Auspicious Cord, Whose Neck Is Adorned with Jeweled Necklaces, Whose Head Is Crowned with a Garlanded Jeweled Crown, Within Whose Crown and upon Whose Head Are Images of All Dharani Deities, Who Holds the Rare Great Jeweled Lotus, Who Is Unshakable in the Sublime Merits of the Dhyanas, Samadhis, and Liberations, Who Skillfully Brings All Sentient Beings to Maturity, Who Is Endowed with Great Loving-Kindness and Compassion, Who Can Eliminate All Karmic Hindrances, Rescue All from the Suffering of Illness, and Universally Comfort All Sentient Beings: Ám Hiệt Lị Ðát Lai Lộ Ca Tỳ Ám Da.

Úm Mộ Già Bá Xa, Hiệt Lị Ðạt Da, Úm Bát Lạc Ðể Hát Ða, Yểm Phái Tóa Ha, Nạp Mổ A Mộ Dà Da Tóa Ha, Nạp Mô A Thị Ða da Tóa ha, Nạp Mô A Bác, La Thị Ða Da Tóa Ha, Nạp Mô Phiệt Lạc Bát Lạc Trá Da Tóa Ha, Nạp Mồ Tát Bà Yết Ma Tất Ðạt Duệ Tóa Ha, Yểm Ðổ Da Tráng Tóa Ha.

“Recitation of this heart-dharani will certainly produce a response. Those who constantly receive and uphold it will fulfill all they seek. If each day, during the three periods, they recite it 108 times each period, the five heinous offenses will certainly be eliminated and all karmic hindrances purified.

“Before recitation, one must first establish the ritual boundary. To do so, recite this dharani seven times over ashes, water, or white mustard seeds and scatter them in the four directions. Then burn agarwood incense and recite with utmost sincerity.

“For chills, fever, and malaria, recite the dharani twenty-one times over a knotted cord and wear it around the neck or arm; the illness will be cured. For sick persons, recite this dharani twenty-one times over butter, oil, or water and give it to them to eat or drink; the illness will immediately cease... ...

“... ...For abdominal pain, recite it over salt water and give it to the patient to drink; the pain will cease. For poisoning or bites and stings from snakes, centipedes, venomous insects, and the like, recite it over water and give the water to the victim to drink; also recite it over soft mud and apply it to the wound, and the affliction will cease.

“For diseases of the eyes, recite it over a white thread and hang it on the patient’s ear; the disease will cease.

“For painful diseases of the teeth and gums, recite it twenty-one times over a karavira twig, place it in the mouth, and chew it; all such ailments will cease.

“In places of terror and fear, establish a ritual boundary and remain within it. To form that boundary, recite the dharani twenty-one times over a five-colored cord and stretch it between pointed stakes driven deeply into the four corners; all terror and fear will cease.

“To protect oneself, recite this dharani over a cord and wear it on the body, or recite it over ash-water and sprinkle it upon the body.

“If spirits or demons possess or haunt the body, recite it over a five-colored cord and continually wear it; those spirits and demons will withdraw far away.

“For scabies, ulcers, and the like, mix pipal leaves with honey, recite the dharani over it twenty-one times, and apply it; the disease will be cured... ...

“... ...When there is conflict, enmity, false accusation, injustice, or harassment and oppression by officials, recite the dharani twenty-one times over pure water, wash the face with it, and sprinkle it on the body; reconciliation will immediately occur... ...

“...In places afflicted by epidemics or demons, recite the dharani over a vessel of water, then sprinkle the water over the place and upon the body; every calamity will be eliminated.

“If afflicted by sorcery or demons, grind sandalwood in water from a vessel, recite the dharani twenty-one times over it, and rub the water upon the region of the heart; the demonic affliction will cease.

“If one constantly recites this heart-dharani, karmic hindrances such as the four grave offenses, the five rebellious offenses, and slandering the true Dharma will all be eliminated.

“To protect a nation from every calamity, take 108 lotus flowers, recite this dharani once over each, and cast them into the fire altar as offerings to the sages and saints. The calamities will cease and the country will be at peace.

“To cause another person to arouse loving-kindness without jealousy or resentment, take 108 pieces of fragrant sandalwood, each two cun long, recite this dharani once over each, and cast them into the fire altar as offerings to the sages and saints. This will cause that person to arouse affection and abandon anger.

“If one fears being seized by epidemic spirits or demons, take the medicines đổ-da, tỳ-đổ-da, na-củ-la, kiền-đà-na-củ-la, bà-thích-ni, úm-bạt-da-ba-ni, nhân-đạt-la-ba-ni, kiền-đà-tất-lị-dạn-cù, huyệt-yết-lam, nghiên-ngật-la, tỳ-sắc-nổ-ngật-lang-đa, tố-ma-la-thời, tố-nan-đà, xà-diên-để, white sandalwood, xá-lị-ma, xá-lị-bà, yết-tất-để-bà-thích-ni, yết-lệ-thứ-ca, kiền-đà-hiệt-yết, vajra medicine, hắc-lam, and phiệt-lã-kha-khất-lan-đa. Pound all these medicines finely, sift them thoroughly, and form pills the size of jujube fruits. Recite this dharani 108 times over them, then place one upon the crown of the head or wear them on both arms; epidemic spirits and demons will be unable to attach themselves.

“If a young child is startled and frightened by evil influences and various demons, recite the dharani 108 times over such a pill and hang it beneath the child’s throat; the child will no longer be startled or afraid.

“If a woman of scant merit is disliked wherever she goes, recite the dharani 108 times over such a pill, mix it with bathwater, and bathe her body. All unfavorable characteristics will disappear, everyone will love and respect her, and foul and evil illnesses within her body will also be eliminated.

“If a woman seeks to bear a son, recite the dharani 108 times over such a pill and have her wear it on her body, or mix it with water in which she bathes; she will then bear a son.

“If one recites the dharani over such a pill and wears it on the body, weapons, poison, water, fire, savage beasts, enemies, sorcery, demonic arts, and every calamity will be unable to cause harm.

“For scabies, sores, tumors, and abscesses, recite the dharani 108 times over such a pill, mix it with water, and apply it to the affected place; the disease will cease.

“When encountering fierce winds, violent rain, frost, or hail, recite the dharani twenty-one times over pure water and sprinkle it throughout the four directions; or recite it twenty-one times over a karavira branch and, while continuing to recite, wave the branch toward the four directions. The harmful calamity will immediately cease.

“Even if this great heart-dharani of Avalokitesvara is not constantly upheld, reciting it according to the methods just described will certainly produce a response.

“If it is constantly upheld, every undertaking will be successfully accomplished.

“One who wishes to receive and uphold this heart-dharani should take a new piece of white silk, ten feet long and five feet wide, made from a single unjoined piece, and paint an image of the Buddha upon it. For the pigments, use only fragrant glue as the binder and no other kind of glue.

“To the right of the Buddha, paint Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in a form resembling Mahesvara Deva, with hair tied in a topknot, wearing a flower crown, a robe draped over the upper left arm, and necklaces and bracelets adorning the body. The painter must bathe in fragrant water, put on new and pure clothing, abstain from mixed and impure foods, observe the fasting precepts with single-minded purity, and paint in a clean place.

Afterward, bring the completed image and install it in a pure place... ...Construct a square altar approximately one zhang on each side and scatter only white flowers within it. Use eight clean vessels, each holding about one liter, fill them with fragrant flower-water, and place them in the eight directions. In the eight directions also spread eight grass seats, placing one portion of food upon each.

Beside each of these eight seats, also set eight portions of food in the eight directions. The offerings may consist of all the finest foods in the world, except pungent foods and such impurities as alcohol and meat...

“Then burn agarwood incense and make offerings with utmost sincerity. The practitioner should first fast for three days and three nights, or for one day and one night if unable to do so. Each day the practitioner should bathe three times.

After urinating or defecating, the practitioner must bathe and cleanse the body, put on new and pure robes, and eat the three white foods: milk, butter, and the finest white rice. After eating, rinse the mouth and clean the teeth, go before the Buddha image, burn agarwood incense, bow with utmost sincerity, and single-mindedly recite this great heart-dharani a full eight thousand times. The practitioner will then see the body emit brilliant light like a blazing mountain and, seeing this, will rejoice greatly.

Avalokitesvara will then appear before that person and fulfill every aspiration.

“If one wishes to acquire the ability to become invisible, recite the dharani a full eight thousand times over realgar or anjana, grind it into powder, and apply it around the eyes.

“If one wishes to fly through the sky, apply this powder beneath the feet. Through the power of the dharani, the practitioner will realize the Wisdom of Amogha and become foremost in the Adornment Samadhi. (3) Having attained this concentration, every undertaking will be successfully accomplished.”

The World-Honored One then praised the great bodhisattva Avalokitesvara: “Excellent, excellent! Out of compassion for all sentient beings, you have proclaimed this dharani so that they may all obtain benefit and happiness. I greatly rejoice in this.”

When the Bhagavan had spoken these words, the great bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the assemblies of devas of the Pure Abodes, the assemblies of Isvara devas, the assemblies of Mahesvara devas, the Great Brahma King and the assemblies of devas, the sravakas, and the bodhisattvas all rejoiced exceedingly, faithfully accepted the teaching, and practiced accordingly.

The Amoghapasa Heart-Dharani Sutra

Translated from Chinese into Vietnamese by Sramana Thich Vien Duc (1976).

Computer transcription: Chuc Huy Nguyen Minh Hoang and Chuc Hien Nguyen Thi Dieu Minh.

Notes:

(1) The fourfold assembly: the two monastic communities of bhiksus and bhiksunis, and the two lay communities of male and female lay devotees.

(2) The four castes of Indian society at that time: brahmins, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras.

(3) The Great Samadhi of the Foremost Adornment of the Sublime Wisdom of Amogha.