藥師琉璃光七佛本願功德經

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Blessed One journeyed through various lands teaching and transforming beings. He arrived at the city of Vaishali and stayed beneath the Musical Tree, together with a complete assembly of eight thousand great bhiksus and thirty-six thousand great bodhisattvas. The names of those great bodhisattvas were: Bodhisattva Manjushri, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva Maitreya, Bodhisattva Subhuti, Bodhisattva Great Wisdom, Bodhisattva Radiant Wisdom, Bodhisattva Mountain Peak, Bodhisattva Peak of Eloquence, Bodhisattva Upholder of the Wondrous Lofty Peak, Bodhisattva Unfailing Transcendence, Bodhisattva Penetrating Wondrous Sound, Bodhisattva Constant Reflection, Bodhisattva Vajra Holder, and other such great bodhisattvas as leaders.

There were also kings, great ministers, brahmins, householders, devas, nagas, and the eight classes of beings, humans and nonhumans, together with an immeasurable great assembly. They reverently surrounded him and listened as he taught the Dharma, whose wording and meaning were wondrous, wholesome in the beginning, middle, and end, and entirely pure and perfect. He revealed the pure and stainless character of the holy life, imparting benefit, peace, and happiness, so that beings might perfect subtle and wondrous practices and vows and advance toward great bodhi.

At that time, the great bodhisattva Manjushri, Prince of the Dharma, relying upon the Buddha’s awe-inspiring spiritual power, rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt with his right knee upon the ground, joined his palms reverently, and addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One! This immeasurable assembly of devas and humans has now gathered to hear the Dharma. O Buddha, World-Honored One, from the time you first awakened the aspiration until the present, throughout immeasurable kalpas as numerous as the dust motes in the lands of the Buddhas, you have seen and known all things. I beseech the World-Honored One, out of compassion for us and for beings in the future age of the semblance Dharma, to teach the distinctions among the names, original vows, merits, adorned lands, and skillful means of the Buddhas, so that those who hear may eradicate their karmic hindrances and ultimately attain nonretrogression from bodhi.”

The World-Honored One then praised Bodhisattva Manjushri:

“Excellent! Excellent, Manjushri! Out of great compassion, you pity and remember the immeasurable sentient beings burdened by karmic hindrances, many illnesses, grief, suffering, and affliction, and wish them to attain peace and happiness. You therefore ask me to speak of the names, original vows and merits, and adorned lands of the Buddhas. It is through the awe-inspiring spiritual power of the Tathagata that you have been moved to ask this question. Listen attentively and reflect well; I shall explain it clearly.”

Manjushri said:

“I beseech the World-Honored One to expound it. We delight in hearing it.”

The Buddha told Manjushri:

“East of here, beyond Buddha lands as numerous as the sands of more than four Ganges Rivers, is a world called Victorious Light. The Buddha there is named Tathagata Auspicious King of Excellent Renown, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Devas and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One. He abides upon a beautifully adorned lion throne made of the seven treasures and is presently teaching the Dharma, surrounded by immeasurable hundreds of millions of nonretrogressing bodhisattvas.

“Manjushri! That Buddha’s land is beautiful and pure, extending evenly in every direction for hundreds of thousands of yojanas. Its ground is made of Jambunada gold. The land is level and soft, and its fragrance resembles celestial incense. There are no evil destinies there, nor even the name ‘woman.’ Nor are there tiles, bricks, sand, stones, thorns, or brambles. Jeweled trees stand in orderly rows, laden with abundant, luxuriant flowers and fruits. There are many bathing pools, all constructed and adorned with gold, silver, pearls, and assorted jewels.

“Manjushri! The bodhisattvas of that land are all born by transformation from lotuses made of the seven treasures. Therefore, good men and good women of pure faith should all vow to be born in that Buddha’s land.

“Manjushri! When that Buddha, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, first awakened the aspiration and practiced the bodhisattva path, he made eight great vows, namely:

– “The first great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings are tormented bodily by illnesses and suffering—by fevers, poisoning, curses, or corpse-raising spirits that afflict them—and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then through this power all those illnesses and sufferings shall be extinguished, until they attain unsurpassed bodhi.

– “The second great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings suffer from blindness, deafness, muteness, speech impediments, leprosy, madness, or other distress, and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then through this power their faculties shall become complete and their illnesses shall be extinguished, until they attain bodhi.

– “The third great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings, bound by greed, anger, and delusion, commit the uninterrupted offenses and other evil deeds, slander the true Dharma, and fail to cultivate goodness, so that they are destined to fall into hell and undergo many sufferings, and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then through this power their uninterrupted offenses and all karmic hindrances shall be completely extinguished. No being shall fall into an evil destiny; they shall constantly enjoy the supreme happiness of humans and devas, until they attain bodhi.

– “The fourth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings lack food, clothing, necklaces, bedding, wealth, precious objects, flowers, incense, or music, and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then through this power they shall possess all these things in abundance, until they attain bodhi.

– “The fifth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings are fettered and bound in chains, beaten, and subjected to various sufferings, and if they can sincerely recollect my name, then through this power they shall be freed from all those sufferings, until they attain bodhi.

– “The sixth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings in dangerous places are attacked by ferocious beasts such as bears, lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, venomous snakes, or scorpions, and their lives are about to end, and if, while suffering in this way, they cry aloud and sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then through this power they shall be freed from all terror. The ferocious beasts and other creatures shall all give rise to loving-kindness, and those beings shall always dwell in peace and happiness, until they attain bodhi.

– “The seventh great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings become embroiled in disputes and litigation and consequently give rise to afflictions, and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then through this power their disputes and litigation shall be resolved, and they shall approach one another with loving-kindness, until they attain bodhi.

– “The eighth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings traveling upon rivers or seas encounter powerful winds that drive their vessels about, with no harbor in which to anchor or find refuge, and they are greatly terrified, and if they can sincerely recollect my name, then through this power they shall reach a place of safety as they wish and enjoy happiness, until they attain bodhi.

“Manjushri! These are called the eight subtle and wondrous great vows made by that Buddha, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, while cultivating the bodhisattva path. Furthermore, from the time he first awakened the aspiration, that World-Honored One constantly employed the power of meditative concentration to bring beings to fulfillment, make offerings to the Buddhas, and purify and adorn Buddha lands. His retinue of bodhisattvas is complete, and these merits are inconceivable. Even if all shravakas and pratyekabuddhas were to describe them for many kalpas, they could not exhaust them. Only the Tathagatas and bodhisattvas bound to one more birth can know them fully.

“Manjushri! If good men or good women of pure faith—whether kings, great ministers, elders, or householders—seek merit and wish to sever their afflictions, and therefore invoke that Buddha’s name, read and recite this scripture, sincerely honor him, and reverently make offerings to that Tathagata, then all their evil offenses, karmic hindrances, illnesses, and sufferings shall be extinguished. Whatever they seek shall be fulfilled according to their wishes, and they shall attain the stage of nonretrogression, until they attain bodhi.

“Furthermore, Manjushri! East of here, beyond Buddha lands as numerous as the sands of more than five Ganges Rivers, is a world called Wondrous Jewel. The Buddha there is named Tathagata Sovereign King of the Radiant Sound of the Jeweled Moon’s Adorned Wisdom, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. Surrounded by immeasurable hundreds of millions of bodhisattvas, he is presently teaching the Dharma and revealing the extremely profound and wondrous meaning of the Mahayana.

“Manjushri! When that Tathagata first awakened the aspiration and cultivated the bodhisattva path, he made eight great vows, namely:

– “The first great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings become so preoccupied with farming or commerce that they neglect the cultivation of the supreme wholesome Dharma of bodhi, cannot escape samsara, and undergo boundless suffering and affliction, and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then through this power they shall possess clothing, food, drink, utensils, gold, silver, and precious treasures in abundance according to their wishes. Their wholesome roots shall increase, they shall never forsake the aspiration for bodhi, and they shall escape all suffering in the evil destinies, until they attain bodhi.

– “The second great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings throughout the ten directions are tormented by heat, cold, hunger, or thirst and undergo much suffering and affliction, and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then through this power all the sinful karma of their former lives shall be extinguished. They shall leave suffering and affliction behind and enjoy the happiness of the devas, until they attain bodhi.

– “The third great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if in any world of the ten directions there are women whose minds are constantly obscured by the afflictions of lust, who undergo pregnancy repeatedly and feel profound revulsion, and who suffer greatly during childbirth, then if my name merely passes their ears or they invoke and recollect it, through this power all their sufferings shall be removed. After relinquishing that body, they shall always assume male bodies, until they attain bodhi.

– “The fourth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings travel with their parents, brothers, sisters, wives, children, relatives, friends, and acquaintances to dangerous places, where they are harmed by bandits and undergo many sufferings, and if they merely hear my name or invoke and recollect it, then through this power they shall escape all dangers, until they attain bodhi.

– “The fifth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings must travel through darkness at night in the course of their work and are tormented and disturbed by malevolent spirits, causing them great grief and suffering, and if they merely hear my name or invoke and recollect it, then through this power they shall pass from darkness into light, and the malevolent spirits shall give rise to compassion, until those beings attain bodhi.

– “The sixth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings engage in base and evil deeds, lack faith in the Three Jewels, possess little wisdom, and fail to cultivate wholesome Dharma—never cultivating the five faculties, five powers, seven factors of enlightenment, Noble Eightfold Path, mindfulness, concentration, dharanis, or any of the other practices—and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then through this power their wisdom shall gradually increase. They shall study and cultivate all thirty-seven aids to enlightenment and acquire profound faith in the Three Jewels, until they attain bodhi.

– “The seventh great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings delight in lesser aspirations, cultivate and abide in the paths of the Two Vehicles, and turn away from the supreme, subtle, and wondrous unsurpassed bodhi, and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name and relinquish their attachment to the views of the Two Vehicles, then they shall attain nonretrogression from unsurpassed enlightenment, until they attain bodhi.

– “The eighth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings see that a kalpa is nearing its end and fire arises, causing them great fear, suffering, distress, grief, and lamentation, and because of the power of evil karma from their former lives they must endure these sufferings without refuge, and if they can sincerely invoke and recollect my name, then all their grief and suffering shall be extinguished and they shall attain coolness, peace, and happiness. After dying there, they shall be born by transformation within lotuses in my Buddha land, where they shall constantly cultivate wholesome Dharma, until they attain bodhi.

“Manjushri! These are the eight subtle and wondrous great vows made by that Buddha, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, while cultivating the bodhisattva path. Furthermore, the Buddha land in which that Tathagata dwells is vast, adorned, and pure.

Its ground is level like the palm of a hand. Wondrous celestial incense trees stand in rows, celestial flowers are scattered everywhere, and celestial music continually plays. Beautiful celestial bells hang throughout the land.

Celestial jewels adorn the lion thrones, steps, and beautiful bathing pools. The ground is soft and smooth, without tiles or bricks. There are neither women nor afflictions there; all its inhabitants are nonretrogressing bodhisattvas born by transformation from lotuses.

Whenever they think of needing food, drink, clothing, or other necessities, these things appear immediately according to their wishes. Therefore, it is called the ‘World of Wondrous Jewel.’

“Manjushri! If good men and good women of pure faith—kings, princes, great ministers, assistant ministers, queens, and palace women—during the six periods of day and night diligently and sincerely honor and make offerings to that Buddha, the World-Honored One, invoke and recollect his name, create his image, and offer incense, flowers, music, burning incense, powdered incense, and fragrant ointments in purity and solemn adornment; if for seven days they uphold the eightfold fasting precepts, give rise to compassion for all beings, and vow to be born in that land, then that Buddha, the World-Honored One, and the bodhisattvas shall protect and remain mindful of them.

All their sinful karma shall be extinguished, and they shall attain nonretrogression from unsurpassed bodhi. Their greed, anger, and delusion shall gradually diminish; they shall be free from illness, and their lifespans shall increase. Whatever they seek shall be fulfilled according to their wishes, and hostile adversaries shall all give rise to joy.

After relinquishing these bodies, they shall be born in that land by transformation from lotuses, and their mindfulness, concentration, and dharanis shall all become clear.

“Manjushri! Thus you should know that the name of that Buddha possesses immeasurable merit. Whatever those who hear it seek shall be accomplished.

“Furthermore, Manjushri! East of here, beyond Buddha lands as numerous as the sands of more than six Ganges Rivers, is a world called Perfect Accumulation of Fragrance. The Buddha there is named Tathagata Accomplishment of Wondrous Conduct through Golden-Hued Jeweled Light, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. Surrounded by immeasurable myriads of millions of bodhisattvas, he is presently teaching the Dharma.

“Manjushri! When that Buddha-Tathagata first awakened the aspiration and practiced the bodhisattva path, he made four great vows:

– “The first great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings have committed countless acts of killing and severed the lives of other beings, and because of this evil karma undergo the sufferings of hell; or, even if they become human, suffer many illnesses and die prematurely; or are harmed by water, fire, blades, clubs, or poison and die painfully—and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power all the evil karma they have created shall be extinguished. They shall be free from illness, enjoy long lives, and avoid untimely death, until they attain bodhi.

– “The second great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings commit the evil deed of stealing the wealth and belongings of others and must fall into an evil destiny; or, even if they become human, are born into poor and lowly families, lack food and clothing, and constantly undergo various sufferings—and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power all their evil karma shall be extinguished. They shall no longer lack clothing, food, or drink, until they attain bodhi.

– “The third great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings oppress or insult one another and engage in mutual provocation, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power they shall all give rise to loving-kindness toward one another as though they were parents and children, until they attain bodhi.

– “The fourth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings are bound by greed, anger, and delusion; or whether among the seven assemblies, monastic or lay, male or female, they violate the training rules established by the Tathagata, commit evil karma, and must fall into hell to undergo painful retribution—and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power all the evil karma they have created shall be extinguished. They shall sever their afflictions, honor and uphold the precepts, skillfully guard body, speech, and mind, and never again regress, until they attain bodhi.

“Manjushri! These are the four subtle and wondrous great vows made by that Buddha, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, while practicing the bodhisattva path.

“Furthermore, Manjushri! The Buddha land in which that Tathagata dwells is vast, beautiful, and pure. Its ground is level like the palm of a hand and is made entirely of jewels, constantly exuding a fragrance like the finest sandalwood.

Fragrant trees stand in rows. Pearls, necklaces, beautiful mani jewels, and various celestial treasures hang everywhere. There are many bathing pools adorned with celestial jewels and filled with fragrant water possessing every virtue.

Beautiful silk banners hang on all four sides. Eight intersecting roads are adorned appropriately at every place. The beings there are free from affliction, grief, pain, and suffering, and there are no women.

Most of the inhabitants are bodhisattvas dwelling there. Supreme and wondrous music sounds without being played and expounds the subtle and profound Dharma of the Mahayana. Any beings who hear these sounds attain nonretrogression from bodhi.

“Manjushri! Through the power of his former vows, that Buddha-Tathagata acquired skillful means and perfected the adornments of his Buddha land. Seated at the seat of bodhi, he thought: ‘In future ages, some beings will be bound by greed, anger, and delusion, oppressed by illnesses, taken advantage of by enemies, or subject to untimely death. Others, because of evil karma, will fall into hell and undergo intense suffering.’ Seeing these suffering beings and wishing to remove their karmic hindrances, that Buddha taught this mantra and instructed them to uphold it, so that in their present lives they might obtain immense benefit, leave all suffering behind, and abide in bodhi. He then proclaimed the mantra:

“Ðát điệt tha, tất đế tất đế, tô tất đế, mô triết nhĩ mộc sát nhĩ, mục đế tỳ mục đế, im mạt lệ tỳ mạt lệ, man yết lệ sắt lan, nhược yết tỳ hạt thích đát na, yết tỳ tát bà át tha bà đát nhĩ. Bát la ma át tha, bà đát nhĩ mạt nại tế. Mạt ha mạt nại tế, át bộ đế, át thất bộ đế, tỳ đà bà duệ. Tô bạt nê khư, bạt la ham ma. Cù hiệp khư, bạt la ham ma trụ hiệp đế. Tát bà át thế lâu. A bát la tạp đề tát bạt đát la. A bát sát để hiết đế, triết đổ sát cầm trí bột đà cu chi, bà hiệp đế, nạp ma bà bà, đát tha yết đa nam sa ha”.

“At that time, when the World-Honored One had proclaimed this mantra of great power and great radiance, the great bodhisattvas, the Four Great Heavenly Kings, Shakra, Brahma, and others in the assembly praised him:

“Excellent! Excellent! The greatly compassionate World-Honored One is able to proclaim this mantra of great power taught by past Tathagatas, wishing to benefit immeasurable beings, dry up the ocean of afflictions, bring them to the shore of nirvana, eliminate all illnesses, and fulfill all their aspirations.”

The Buddha told the great assembly:

“If good men and good women of pure faith—kings, princes, great ministers, assistant ministers, palace women, and others—seek merit and thirstily place reverent faith in this mantra, whether they read it, recite it, or explain its meaning to others; if they awaken great compassion for all sentient beings, bathe and purify themselves during the six periods of day and night, diligently make offerings of incense, flowers, lamps, and candles, uphold the eight fasting precepts, and recite it with utmost sincerity, then even their boundless and extremely grave karmic hindrances shall all be extinguished.

In their present bodies they shall be freed from all afflictions. When their lives are about to end, the Buddhas shall protect and remain mindful of them, and they shall immediately be born by transformation within lotuses in that land.

“Furthermore, Manjushri! East of here, beyond Buddha lands as numerous as the sands of more than seven Ganges Rivers, is a world called Free from Sorrow. The Buddha there is named Tathagata Most Victorious and Auspicious Freedom from Sorrow, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, and he is presently teaching the Dharma to the great assembly.

The Buddha land in which that Tathagata dwells is vast, adorned, and pure. Its ground is level like the palm of a hand and is made entirely of fine, soft jewels. It is always fragrant, contains no sounds of suffering, and is free from afflictions.

Nor are there ferocious beasts or even the designation ‘woman.’ Everywhere there are bathing pools whose bottoms are paved entirely with gold and filled with fragrant water. Jeweled trees stand in rows, laden with abundant flowers and fruits. Supreme and wondrous music sounds without being played.

Its meritorious adornments resemble those of the Land of the Buddha Infinite Life in the western world.

“Manjushri! When that Buddha, the World-Honored One, practiced the bodhisattva path, he made four great vows, namely:

– “The first great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings are constantly bound by suffering and affliction, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power all their sorrow, grief, suffering, and affliction shall be extinguished. They shall live long in peace and security, until they attain bodhi.

– “The second great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings commit evil karma and are born in the uninterrupted darkness of the great hells, where they undergo many sufferings and afflictions, but in a former life heard my name, then at that time I shall personally emit light that shines upon those sufferers. Through this power, when they see the light, all their karmic hindrances shall be extinguished. They shall escape suffering, be born among humans and devas, and freely enjoy happiness, until they attain bodhi.

– “The third great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings commit evil karma by killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct, and thus in their present lives suffer from blades and clubs and afterward fall into evil destinies; or, even if they become human, suffer many illnesses, die prematurely, are born into poor, lowly, and degraded families, lack food and clothing, constantly undergo the sufferings of hunger, thirst, cold, and heat, possess dull and unattractive complexions, and have harsh and cruel relatives—and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power, whatever they seek shall be granted. Food and clothing shall be abundant, their physical appearance shall become radiant and lovely like that of the devas, and their relatives shall all become gentle and virtuous, until they attain bodhi.

– “The fourth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings are constantly disturbed by yakshas and malevolent spirits that seize their souls, causing them much suffering and affliction, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power all the yakshas and other spirits shall withdraw and give rise to loving-kindness. Those beings shall escape all suffering, until they attain bodhi.

“Furthermore, Manjushri! These are the four subtle and wondrous great vows made by that Buddha, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. If any beings hear that Buddha’s name and, during the six periods of day and night, invoke it, bow in worship, show reverence, sincerely make offerings, and awaken compassion and pity for all beings, then their karmic hindrances shall be extinguished. They shall escape sorrow and suffering, be free from illness, enjoy long lives, acquire knowledge of former lives, be born by transformation within lotuses in that Buddha land, and always be protected by devas.

“Manjushri! Invoking and recollecting that Buddha’s name constantly produces such immeasurable merit. Yet the shravakas and pratyekabuddhas cannot know the supreme, adorned merit and power of that Buddha’s vows. Only a Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, can know them.

“Furthermore, Manjushri! East of this Buddha land, beyond Buddha lands as numerous as the sands of more than eight Ganges Rivers, is a world called Dharma Banner. The Buddha there is named Tathagata Thunderous Sound of the Dharma Ocean, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, and he is presently teaching the Dharma.

“Manjushri! The land in which that Buddha, the World-Honored One, dwells is pure and immaculate. Its ground is level and even, made of crystal, constantly radiant and pervaded by exquisite fragrance.

Its city walls are made of blue jewels, and it has eight-branched roads and steps made of gold and silver. Its towers, pavilions, halls, passageways, great gates, windows, and broad, lofty railings are all adorned with various jewels. Jeweled celestial incense trees stand in orderly rows appropriate to each place.

Celestial silken streamers hang from the tips of their branches, and jeweled bells hang everywhere. When a gentle breeze passes, they produce wondrous sounds proclaiming impermanence, suffering, emptiness, and nonself. Upon hearing them, beings immediately leave the bonds of desire behind, their habitual tendencies gradually disappear, and they attain profound samadhi.

Celestial flowers of wondrous fragrance fall everywhere. On the four sides are eight bathing pools whose bottoms are covered with golden sand and which are filled with fragrant water.

“Manjushri! That Buddha’s land contains no ferocious beasts and no women. Its inhabitants are born by transformation from lotuses and are free from afflictions. When that Buddha-Tathagata practiced the bodhisattva path, he made four great vows, namely:

– “The first great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings are born into families holding wrong views, lack pure faith in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and have become distant from the aspiration for unsurpassed bodhi, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power their ignorance and erroneous wisdom shall diminish day and night. They shall increasingly give rise to right faith in the Three Jewels and never again regress, until they attain bodhi.

– “The second great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings are born in border regions and, because they associate with evil companions, create sinful karma and fail to cultivate wholesome qualities, never even hearing the names of the Three Jewels, and after death fall into the three evil destinies, then if they merely hear my name, through this power their karmic hindrances shall be extinguished. They shall encounter spiritual friends, never fall into evil destinies, and ultimately attain bodhi.

– “The third great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings lack food, clothing, beds, medicine, wealth, or other necessities of life and therefore experience great grief and suffering, creating evil karma in their search for these things, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power whatever they lack shall become abundant as soon as they think of it, until they attain bodhi.

– “The fourth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings, because of evil karma from former lives, quarrel with one another, engage in harmful acts, and injure one another with bows, arrows, blades, or clubs, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power each shall awaken compassion and no longer harm the others. Unwholesome thoughts shall no longer arise, much less any desire to take another’s life. They shall constantly practice loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, until they attain bodhi.

“Manjushri! These are the four subtle and wondrous great vows made by that Buddha, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, while practicing the bodhisattva path. If good men or good women of pure faith hear that Buddha’s name, sincerely bow and pay homage, diligently make offerings, uphold it, recollect it, and recite it, then their karmic hindrances shall be extinguished. They shall attain a nonretrogressing aspiration for bodhi and complete knowledge of former lives. Wherever they are born, they shall always see the Buddha, be free from illness, and enjoy long lives. After death, they shall be born in that land, where clothing, food, drink, wealth, and the necessities of life shall become abundant as soon as they think of them, and they shall lack nothing.

“Manjushri! That Buddha, the World-Honored One, possesses such immeasurable merits. Therefore, beings should constantly recollect him and never forget.

“Furthermore, Manjushri! East of here, beyond Buddha lands as numerous as the sands of more than nine Ganges Rivers, is a world called Jewel Ocean of Excellent Abiding. The Buddha there is named Tathagata Playful Mastery of Spiritual Powers through Supreme Wisdom of the Dharma Ocean, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, and he is presently teaching the Dharma.

“Manjushri! When that Buddha-Tathagata practiced the bodhisattva path, he made four great vows, namely:

– “The first great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings create evil karma by plowing, planting, and weeding, thereby harming living creatures; or become arrogant and scorn others, establish armies and battle formations with firearms, spears, and other weapons, and constantly engage in killing, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power they shall obtain wealth and the necessities of life according to their wishes without having to seek them. They shall constantly cultivate wholesome karma, until they attain bodhi.

– “The second great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings commit the ten evil deeds, including killing, and because of these causes and conditions must fall into hell, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then they shall perfect the ten wholesome paths of karma and shall no longer fall into evil destinies, until they attain bodhi.

– “The third great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings lack freedom and are subject to the control of others, are bound in cangues, fetters, and chains, are painfully beaten with whips and clubs, or are even subjected to torture, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then through this power they shall be freed from all calamities, until they attain bodhi.

– “The fourth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any beings create evil karma, disbelieve the Three Jewels, follow false and erroneous views, turn away from right view, delight in deviant paths, slander Buddhist scriptures by declaring that they were not spoken by the Buddha, reverently accept and uphold the scriptures of heterodox teachings, practice them themselves and instruct others to do likewise, and together give rise to delusion, so that they shall fall into hell with no time of release; or, even if they become human, are born amid the eight difficulties, far removed from the true path, blind and without the eye of wisdom—then if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, through this power right mindfulness shall appear before them as death approaches. They shall escape all difficulties, always be born in capital cities, enjoy supreme and wondrous happiness, and ultimately attain bodhi.

“Manjushri! These are the four subtle and wondrous great vows made by that Buddha, the Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, while practicing the bodhisattva path.

“Manjushri! The meritorious adornments of that Buddha’s land are identical to those of the world of Tathagata Sublime Supreme Jewel, without any difference.

“Furthermore, Manjushri! East of here, beyond Buddha lands as numerous as the sands of more than ten Ganges Rivers, is a world called Pure Lapis Lazuli. The Buddha there is named Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Manjushri! When that Buddha, the World-Honored One, first awakened the aspiration and practiced the bodhisattva path, he made twelve great vows, namely:

– “The first great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, my own body shall shine brilliantly, illuminating boundless worlds. It shall be adorned with the thirty-two marks and eighty excellent characteristics, and I shall cause all sentient beings to become just like me, without any difference.

– “The second great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, my body shall be like crystal, transparent within and without. Its vast light shall pervade all directions, and its radiant net of light shall be more splendid than the sun and moon. The dark places between the Iron Encircling Mountains shall all be mutually visible. In the darkness of this world, beings who travel to and fro at night shall, upon seeing my light, gain clear understanding and conduct their affairs accordingly.

– “The third great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, through immeasurable and boundless wisdom and skillful means, I shall enable all sentient beings to enjoy inexhaustible supplies of whatever they need.

– “The fourth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any sentient beings follow deviant paths, I shall lead them all onto the true path to bodhi. If they follow the paths of the shravakas or pratyekabuddhas, I shall also cause them all to abide securely in the Mahayana Dharma.

– “The fifth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any sentient beings cultivate the holy life within my Dharma, I shall cause them all to observe the precepts without deficiency and skillfully guard their three kinds of karma. None shall violate the precepts and fall into evil destinies. Even if some violate them, upon hearing my name, single-mindedly recollecting and upholding it, and sincerely confessing and revealing their faults, they shall regain purity, until they attain bodhi.

– “The sixth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any sentient beings have incomplete faculties, are ugly, foolish, blind, deaf, mute, speech-impaired, hunchbacked, lame, afflicted by tumors, sores, madness, or bound by any of the many kinds of illness and suffering, then if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, they shall all become upright and dignified, and every illness shall be eliminated.

– “The seventh great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any sentient beings are poor, lowly, distressed, and without refuge, oppressed by illness and lacking both physician and medicine, and if they merely hear my name, then all their illnesses shall disappear. Their relatives shall increase, their wealth shall become abundant, and body and mind shall be peaceful and joyful, until they attain bodhi.

– “The eighth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any women are tormented by the many sufferings of the female state, feel profound revulsion, and wish to relinquish their female bodies, then if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, their present bodies shall immediately be transformed into male bodies, complete with the characteristics of a great man, until they attain bodhi.

– “The ninth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, I shall cause all sentient beings to escape the nets of Mara. I shall gather in all those who hold wrong views, cause them to give rise to right view, and lead them gradually to cultivate the practices of bodhisattvas, until they attain bodhi.

– “The tenth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any sentient beings are restrained by royal law, confined in dark prisons, bound in chains, beaten, or even subjected to torture; or if beings are oppressed by many sufferings, grieve, and never experience even a moment of happiness, then upon hearing my name, through the power of my merit and awe-inspiring spiritual might, they shall be freed from all grief and suffering, until they attain bodhi.

– “The eleventh great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any sentient beings are tormented by the fire of hunger and create evil karma in their search for food and drink, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, I shall first satisfy them fully with the finest food according to their wishes. Afterward, through the flavor of the Dharma, I shall cause them to abide in supreme peace and happiness, until they attain bodhi.

– “The twelfth great vow: I vow that in a future life, when I attain unsurpassed bodhi, if any sentient beings lack clothing and are tormented by mosquitoes, heat, or cold, and if they hear my name and sincerely invoke and recollect it, then according to their wishes they shall immediately obtain the finest clothing and utensils made of beautiful and magnificent jewels. Music, incense, and flowers shall all be abundant. They shall leave every suffering and affliction behind, until they attain bodhi.

“Manjushri! These are the twelve subtle and wondrous great vows made by Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, while practicing the bodhisattva path.”